I take prescription medication that suppresses central nervous system activity, making it hard for me to get up in the morning. In BC, the online chanting and Board of Directors discussions take place on Saturday mornings at 6:30 am. When the suspension of in-person activities happened, I was excited to have the opportunity to chant for the world with 1000 people, but getting up early was a challenge. Each Friday night I said I’ll be there if I can, unable to be sure that I would succeed in rising so early. I thought of people in Australia and New Zealand joining in from the middle of the night, and I made the commitment to try.

Gradually, perhaps in a 1% way, it is easier for me to get up early now. I believe two things are at play: first, my desire to join the meetings and chanting has grown. I want to be present, I want to participate, and I don’t want to miss one of these sessions.

Second, I believe the chanting and increased Taoist Tai ChiⓇ practice has given me greater energy and increased alertness in the morning and the whole day. I get up easily now on Saturday mornings, and also show up for the rest of my life with more attention and more calm.

I respond favorably to the consistency, the repetition, the structure;  this direction helps me establish and continue my chanting and daily Taoist Tai ChiⓇ practice.

~Felicity