Important Announcement for Teachers June 18, 2019

Dear Apprentices, Teachers, and Sponsors,

I am the current liaison between Arica Institute and the Tai Chi Foundation, and in that capacity, it is my duty to inform you of the recent changes in the Sponsorship Agreement as directed by Arica Institute. Since February of 2018 TCF and Arica Institute have been operating under an agreement titled, “Clarifying the Arica Institute and Tai Chi Foundation Relationship.” The agreement, although not finalized by the legal team at Arica Institute, was an operational agreement authorized by the TCF Legacy Holders Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of TCF. That agreement is included in this communication as a PDF. As of today that agreement is no longer in effect and is replaced by the following guidelines. Please note that these changes apply to all Arica Sponsorships, not just TCF. The purpose is to preserve the integrity of the Arica teachings.

1. Arica trainings and rituals, irrespective of length, need to be presented separately from other traditions, systems, approaches, etc. This includes P-Cals, Zhikr, Hypergnostic Systems, Chua Ka, Kath State or any other Arica program. Whereas in the “Clarifying the Arica Institute And Tai Chi Foundation Relationship” agreement it states:

“At T’ai Chi camps, staff training and weekly classes Kath Awareness Movements (Exercises), Arica Meditations for the T’ai Chi School, and Arica trainings and group practices may be presented by Arica certified Profactors of Chua K’a Bodywork®, Core Fire: Awaken • Generate • Revitalize, Kath State: the Energy of Inner Fire, Psychocalisthenics (PCals), The Arica 9 Ways of Zhikr ritual, The Arica Nine Ways of Zhikr, The Nine Hypergnostic Systems Group Training, etc.”

TASCC informs us that the current guidelines nullify the interpretation that TCF may incorporate Arica Work into its curriculum in any way, or that the TCF may schedule Arica trainings during Tai Chi retreats or trainings. Arica Sponsors affiliated with TCF may schedule Arica programs and trainings in accord with the new guidelines.

2. Since the traditions of Tai Chi and Integral Teachings are not to be combined, Arica Work may not be offered within the curriculum of a Tai Chi residential retreat or training. 

If, for example, Kath State: The Energy of Inner Fire or Chua K’a Bodywork, or Nine Hypergnostic Systems were being scheduled by the TCF or an Arica Sponsor who is also a member of the TCF, the Sponsor name, training advertising, and Profactor team would need to be clearly differentiated from the location, timing and presentation of the Tai Chi retreat or training.

When an Arica Sponsor affiliated with the TCF proposes to schedule any other training using the application at the Sponsor Resources section of the TASCC website (http://www.aricaschool.org/tascc/), the training selected, location and dates will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Access to the TASCC website needs the approval of TASCC. They may be contacted at [email protected]. One needs to be a dues-paid member of the Arica Institute to gain access.

3. All Arica materials and teachings developed by Oscar Ichazo and Patrick Watson during the 1970s are no longer to be used. This includes Summer & Winter Form Work, Breathing and Chi, use of Arica yantras, and any other work or process in the Tai Chi School. Any printed material related to such should be itemized and destroyed. The itemization and means of destruction should be transmitted to John Szostek, [email protected].

4. Tai Chi Foundation teachers are not to incorporate Arica work in their regular Tai Chi classroom teaching, nor are they to admix the two in any way either in print, expression or otherwise.

5. Regarding Arica practitioners attending a Tai Chi retreat or training: The Arica 9 Ways of Zhikr Ritual performed and or observed by Zhikr graduates only would be acceptable, and a P-Cals run-through performed by P-Cals grads only without observers would be acceptable.

These changes represent a substantial change from our past relationship with the Arica Institute. It is our responsibility to fulfill the terms of these guidelines. At this time questions may be directed to John Szostek at [email protected] or TASCC at [email protected]. Please do not address your questions or concerns to Oscar or Sarah. It is not appropriate to interrupt their work.

I want to convey to you that TASCC and TCF have a friendly working relationship and are working to help teachers and sponsors during this time of transition.

We Are One,

John Szostek