The enigmatic nature of the Tao Te Ching is due fundamentally to Lao Tzu's
realisation that we make sense of living by entering it directly, not by
trying to understand it as detached observers.
We cannot escape ourselves. To use a zen metaphor, the sword cannot cut
itself. Neither can we make sense of living through a haze of intellectual
constructs; living is larger and more elusive than the systems we invent to
explain it. So we never quite understand ourselves and the universe in which
we live. The tao is the freedom that comes with not-understanding.
(Ray Grigg)
Not so easy
The
martial art of tai chi is comprised of physically easy
movements that do
not tax or strain the body.
Anyone could perform them in theory.
In practice, tai chi is quite hard work.
The easy-seeming movements are actually very
subtle, and require good
coordination, timing, rhythm and balance.
Copying the
outer appearance of tai chi is not sufficient.
What matters in tai chi is the internal, the
substance - the things that are
not so easily
seen.
Martial skill
Judo, ju jitsu, karate and wing chun will reward the dedicated person with
some degree of martial skill in a reasonable amount of time.
Tai chi is not quite the same; the time commitment is longer and the
expectations differ.
It is not enough to evade, grapple, punch and kick.
How you do it matters
more than the
application itself.
In tai chi, the
skills must be applied
without using localised
strength,
aggression or any loss of
composure.
This is not easy.
Theory
Tai chi theory is akin to a
zen koan: clear to the insider but
indecipherable to the novice.
Tao Te Ching,
Chuang Tzu,
The Art of War,
I Ching,
Miyamoto Musashi,
tai chi classics and the
actual
principles themselves are all pretty hard for a beginner to come to
terms with.
It is like learning a new language.
Shedding
Learning tai chi involves a slow shedding of the accretions you have
collected throughout life.
Your
opinions must go, your
ego, your
vanity and pride, your physical
habits
and quirks.
An exponent must return to a child-like condition of
openness and
receptivity.
They need to be pliant and
yielding, soft and fresh.
Inner demons
A true syllabus is not just about learning forms and drills.
You must be encouraged to confront your inner demons: your
fears, doubts,
uncertainties, your need for approval, the expectation of
success, your
arrogance, aggression and
anger.
And if you struggle, there will be many people to
help you.
Everyone is human. Everyone is vulnerable.
Tai chi can exist as a mirror in which you face who and what you are, and
come to terms with it.
This is what tao and
zen are all about.
Accomplishment
The journey is unique to each individual.
We all come to the practice from a different place and have our own reasons
for walking the path.
Those who persevere with the training gain a quiet sense of
accomplishment.
An inner surety and confidence takes root.
Such people grow as their
art develops and continue a journey that will
change every facet of their lives.
They achieve something remarkable each day, re-awakening an inner joy as they continue their training.
Page created 20 February 2005