Those who lack wisdom
are convinced that they are truly awake;
they think they understand what is happening;
they think that the king is really the king,
and the servants are really servants.
(Chuang Tzu)
What is special?
Ask
yourself: what is 'special'?
What does the word 'special' actually mean?
In
taoism
there is the realisation that everyone and everything is special and unique.
Consequently this means that if everything is special, then no one
person is
more important than anyone or anything else.
Tai chi people do not seek to put themselves first or be in charge, they are
happy to step back and let things proceed in their
natural way.
Comparison
Measurements
and standards have no actual meaning in reality because they are created by
ideas, rather than being factual.
Students of tao and tai chi do not compare themselves to other people;
nobody is better or worse, because everyone is different.
Security
People seek
security in an ever-changing world.
Material goods like houses, cars, mobile phones may be necessary in today’s
society but these things cannot offer security.
By embracing
change and moving with things, a tai chi student becomes more at ease with
their life.
Possessions
We do not
really
own anything, nor can we.
People invest so much time and money buying, protecting and insuring
possessions.
In our desperate drive to possess we find ourselves possessed; our passions
are turned against us.
It is necessary to own things and to have a job; but these have only a
limited purpose.
It is important to let go of things.
One day we must let go of our own life, for we cannot even keep possession
of that.
Freedom
Imagine not
having a mortgage, a job, or responsibilities of any kind?
Consider the freedom of wind and water.
Tai chi does not offer this degree of freedom, but does encourage students
to consider their relationship with the world and put it in perspective.
Happy is
the man who is nothing.
(Krishnamurti)
No one
Taoism encourages people to accept their own nature, rather than try and be
somebody or become something.
Ideas try to distort reality.
Trying to be somebody is the denial of who you are.
Realising that we are weak, vulnerable, and insignificant; yet an integral
part of everything that exists gives an immeasurable sense of freedom.
Unseen
It is common for tai chi people to dress plainly
and seem completely unremarkable; to
fade into the background.
By remaining anonymous, the
tai chi person does not attract attention.
This is essential in our violent culture.
Advanced level tai chi looks like nothing
special, the powerful moves are folded within and the student does not
attract attention; they are nobody.
Page created 8 January 1999