Simplicity before
understanding is simplistic; simplicity after understanding is simple.
(Edward De Bono)
Slap
It is important to realise that
tao and
zen
are not speculative studies or in any way philosophical.
They are about the
immediate, spontaneous
experience of reality.
Consequently, your study of tai chi must be as real as a slap to the
face.
Be real
A tai chi student must be careful to avoid
speculation.
Philosophising and metaphysical debates will not further your understanding
of the system.
Root your training in the real, in the tangible.
Asking
questions is not always such a good thing.
The flaw may lie in the
motive behind the question.
Knowledge
Speculation is relative to
knowledge.
If your knowledge is limited, your
determinations will inevitably be
flawed.
Knowledge is the consequence of information,
context,
experience and
insight.
Assumptions are foolish; many things are not as simplistic as they
first seem.
Tai chi is sophisticated and rich in detail.
A cursory grasp of the syllabus will not yield fruitful insights.
Qi power
What qi can and cannot do is a speculative subject, and a student is
unlikely to
gain skill by talking about it.
It is important to ground your training in the real world.
Learn
skills
that you can use. Skills that work. Skills you can prove in practice.
Thinking too much
Students are often guilty of
thinking
too much when they start to study tai chi.
They imagine that the entire system will unravel, with its secrets laid bare
if only they think a little harder.
This is not
taoist
at all.
Thinking, pushing, trying and forcing are not the
way.
You must calm your agitated thoughts and feel what is happening.
Be in the body, not the mind. What is your
body
telling you?
Our advice is simple: be
patient.
Intellectual folly
Do not attempt to intellectually
grasp tai chi.
If you want to think, turn your mind to something worthwhile:
koan,
Tao Te Ching,
Chuang Tzu,
Miyamoto Musashi,
Sun Tzu or
Krishnamurti.
Speculation is an indication of restlessness;
and a restless mind, however gifted, destroys understanding and happiness.
(Krishnamurti)
If you cannot fathom "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" there is no
way you can hope to unravel our syllabus.
Intermediate level students are expected to explain koan, and research
books from our reading list with a view to completing assignments.
Your skills need to be rounded and complete.
Page created 5 August 2000