Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
(Leonardo Da Vinci)
Easy
Simple is not easy.
Modern culture saturates our minds with
complexity and we
find it hard to even notice simplicity let alone appreciate it.
The
Tao Te Ching speaks
of how too much
sight,
sound and
taste can blunt the senses.
Even when the simple is shown to us, our
minds slide off it.
This is why qigong frustrates beginners and few people ever truly learn tai chi.
It seems boring.
Complexity
'Simple' does not mean simplistic.
The cycle of training for a martial
artist starts with the simplistic
understanding of a new starter, building to the advanced
skill of an instructor, ending with
the simplicity of self-mastery.
This is why some masters wear a belt or outfit that suggests 'novice' status
despite their great skill.
In martial arts, complexity leads ultimately to simplicity as redundancies are
removed.
A tai chi person seeks to regain the simplicity we had as a child;
natural, uncontrived and open.
Elegant
'Elegance' is a misunderstood term.
It is the art of
loss; paring away everything that can be
removed until only the absolute
essence remains.
In tai chi terms, this is the
movement which produces the
jing.
What else matters?
You cannot use anything else in
self defence.
Only the movement.
Stripping the practice of everything you do not need will make your tai chi
pragmatic, lean and effective.
Effective
Convoluted material is not effective in self defence.
It takes too long to perform, makes
assumptions about your opponent and their
intentions, and leaves you overcommitted and exposed.
Simple moves are the best: compact, direct - following the
path of least resistance.
If something goes wrong, it is easy to abort and
change your approach.
Economical
Small, simple movements use less
energy than large ones.
They do not tire you.
Tai chi should always move from large circle to small circle and
from large
frame to small frame.
In terms of delivery, small circle offers a better arc.
In terms of leverage and
range, a smaller frame is the most
economical.
Frame size should be gauged relative to the necessity of the situation.
Subtle
Subtlety is a by-product of simplicity.
When your form and application become subtle, few will appreciate your
skill
because it is too slight to be noticed.
Folded within the practice, it is manifest only in the smallest detail.
Your form may look unfinished, like the 'uncarved block' so prized by taoists...
Devoid of glamour and extremes, it will look easy and effortless:
nothing remarkable at all.
Page created 2 March 1998