Power that comes from purpose and
wilfulness is apparent,
and provokes opposition.
(Lao Tzu)
Control
A very common
occurrence in
relationship is the desire to
control the situation.
Partner work can seem competitive and you may feel compelled to win.
Yet, in tai chi there is nothing to win and everything to
lose.
Self defence is not about winning.
If your self defence is appropriate to the attack and you defeat the
assailant, should you celebrate?
Have you not just beaten somebody to the ground?
This is not something to be proud of - the appropriate response should
be regret.
Not pushing
If you feel
the need to
force something, consider it further.
Force requires resistance.
If you are pushing then you are not going along the line of least
resistance.
Wu wei is an important approach within tai chi; going with the
flow rather than against it; changing yourself rather than imposing your
will.
If you are exercising and your body feels uncomfortable,
what should you do?
Ignore it and carry-on or investigate further?
A sensible person might explore the problem and discover the cause of the
discomfort.
It may be that you are doing something incorrectly or that your body is not
ready for that action.
The resistance is telling you something important.
Listening
In tai chi
you are concerned with improving
awareness, of becoming totally immersed in the immediate
moment.
Your thoughts are silent but your body is alive and receptive.
By feeling what is happening when you are in relationship with another, you
can act sensitively and appropriately.
If you are simply forcing your will on another, you are only listening to
yourself, and that is not tai chi at all.
Page created 8 January 1999