The Dragon's Head Blog: Renewal, Transformation and Abundance at CIT Week
I know that others care for me, and, in return, I open my heart
Every day, every program, every dan-yu brings new experiences. CIT Week brings both renewal and transformation as participants from 26 countries gather to train and volunteer together. The opportunities to refresh are abundant, whether it is your first time at CIT week or you are returning, yet again, to a warm and familiar place.
Monica, a beginner instructor at the Bathurst location in Toronto, is here for her first CIT week. “Taoist Tai Chi® arts have become an integral part of my life and everything I hear, do, and feel here at the International Centre is creating an even stronger and deeper commitment to the Society and these arts. I love practicing with over 500 people from all over the world; the energy in the room is special in the true sense of the word.”
Aurora, from Great Britain, is also here for the first time – she senses the togetherness of the group moving in harmony, even when the practice hall was brimming full. She also feels that everyone moves about so comfortably because this is our home.
Marsha Eberhardt, President of Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, reminded us that our mandate is to alleviate suffering, physical, mental or social. Monica noted, “I see how much everyone cares – for each other, for our history, our society, and for our locations. I always feel welcome and I know that others care for me, and, in return, I open my heart. I know I am just at the beginning of my journey and it is the best part! There is so much to discover, and I believe there is even more than I imagine right now. Taoist Tai Chi® arts are certainly more than just 108 moves.”
In preparation for the November 3 Grand Opening of the International Center Florida, participants from the United States shadowed experienced teams in Orangeville to learn how to organize and prepare for an event of such complexity. Discovering the necessary details while maintaining a vision of the whole process helped the US organizers to find flexibility and elasticity within a structure, not dissimilar to the form we practice.
CIT Week always involves elements of change and transformation. Discovering new joys in the simplest or most involved tasks we take on gives all of us opportunities to grow and we do it together.