Returning to the Source of Joy

We have the unique opportunity to celebrate two New Years this January: the traditional New Years on January 1st and the Chinese Lunar New Year on January 31st. People often think of this time of year as a new beginning—an opportunity to start again and become a “new” person—which is prevalent in the advertisements of “new year, new you” and in the image of the new year as a baby.
The Chinese Lunar New Year on the 31st of January marks the end of the lunar cycle and the beginning of the next. While the western conception is more like the coming to the end of one line (or life) and the starting of a new one, the Lunar New Year is a circle that loops back to the starting point and marks a return to the beginning of the cycle.
In our own circling back to our beginning, we have an opportunity to be like a child, and discover our original energy, vitality, and spirit, which dissipate as we grow older. We tend to lose the playfulness, joy, and ease we had as children as our responsibilities as adults increase. And yet, the New Year reminds us that we are always returning to our source and rediscovering our original being.
Returning to this source is the heart of T’ai Chi, Chi Kung (qigong), and meditation as well, which is why these practices have been regarded with such high esteem for thousands of years. These practices embody the three R’s of returning to our original essence:
Restore
Relax
Recenter
We seek to restore our original vitality, energy, and spirit— which makes us feel young and vibrant. We relax our bodies and minds to nurture well-being, calmness, and peace. We recenter ourselves and rediscover our values and infuse our lives with purpose and direction.
Like the return of the beginning of the year, every time we meditate or play T’ai Chi or Qigong, we return to our source and begin again. When we do this, every day is a celebration; every day is a new year. If you would like to discover the incredible benefits of these practices, contact Still Mountain at the email and phone listed below.
With best wishes for the New Year, and hoping that you rekindle peace, vitality, and purpose in your life,
David Clippinger, Director, Still Mountain