Human beings have been
civilised for a tiny fraction of the history of the species. Beneath the
suits and dresses are primal genes. Even if it never acted out, the
potential for violence is at the core of the games people play, a kind of
hidden text.
Arrogant people employ it as a threat, timid people fear to confront it.
Both conditions are out of balance and create trouble. Martial ability
enables one to understand and come to terms with the subtextural violence,
both in oneself and others. It enables the practitioner to soften his hard
edge and defuse of deflect the aggression of others. The deeper your kung
fu, the less likelihood you will have to use it. Arrogance and fear draw
trouble, internal power and centeredness bring forth wellbeing.
(Wolfe Lowenthal)
Forms of violence
Not all violence is physical or overt. People are often extremely violent
without realising it.
Violence can take many forms.
Harsh, unkind words. Derisive laughter.
Sarcasm. Mockery. Insults. Emotional hostility. Aggression.
Pushing, forcing, controlling, manipulating.
Many people use violence in a
sneaky, underhand way. Through gossip,
malignant words, innuendo.
Our culture is far from being non-violent.
Violence
It may seem odd to say that tai chi chuan is not violent. After all,
it is a martial art.
Violence entails the use of force and force is the antithesis of tai chi.
Our classes teach self defence, which is the avoidance of violence.
Violent response?
How do we cope with an assailant without being violent?
That is a very good question.
Striking and
chin na can undoubtedly
cause serious damage to an assailant.
Yet, would that be your intention?
A tai chi person seeks to avoid confrontation and would only use their tai chi
reluctantly.
You do only what is necessary to escape the situation.
Although the effect of your tai chi will indeed be violent, your
disposition should
remain composed and compassionate.
At no point would you become angry and deliberately
hurt the assailant.
Restraint
Being
restrained is not what some martial
artists have in mind when they consider self defence.
This only demonstrates an immaturity of character.
Once they become capable of crippling or killing somebody with their hands, why
would they want to?
And that is the whole point.
When your intention is tempered by restraint, you use the tai chi carefully.
Play
Most of the training in class is playful. We
yield
to force and have consideration for one another.
Nobody wants to be injured; they just want to have fun.
When you become accustomed to approaching violence playfully, you learn
to avoid it.
There are usually alternatives to violence. If you can avoid conflict, step
aside.
Humour helps to relax your emotions.
Tai chi asks you to let-go of
pride and dignity; to treat these
concepts as simply ideas.
Violence causes chemical imbalances within the body, stiffens musculature and
locks the joints.
When you play, fear dissipates and your heart becomes light.
Try this approach outside of class.
Page created 16 January 1999