The exchange | ||
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Yin/yang
To get something you must give something. In
tai chi this simple equation will directly
determine your degree of progress and your
ability to apply the art.
The more you give, the more you will get in return.
If you want tai chi to work at all, you must invest
in loss.
Invest in loss
All spiritual endeavours require the student
to lose their ego. Memory, second-guessing,
opinions,
comparison, emotions,
habits, preferences... it all gets in the way.
A student must strip away everything that occludes the
real.
The trade
The Way and Its Power presents
another equation: if, then... This one is simple.
If you follow the Way (the Tao)
precisely - without embellishment or
deviation - you will get to use the power (Te).
It sounds pretty straightforward.
The problem
The problem lies with the ego.
People want to self-promote, to receive
awards, recognition, validation, approval...
Getting the power is not enough; they want even more.
They also want to think, to analyse, to give an
opinion.
They want to include themselves in the equation; to make their mark.
And this
prevents them from acquiring the power. Catch-22?
The prayer of the monk is not perfect until he no longer recognises
himself or the fact that he is praying.
(St Anthony)
Self-consciousness
Self-consciousness is not the same as
self-awareness.
The former is about vanity, pride, ego.
The latter is about being actively aware of what is taking place;
around you and within your
mind.
In combat, self-consciousness
will get you killed.
No time to think
Actual combat presents the individual
with situations where there is
no time
to think. Spontaneous, appropriate,
powerful and
effective action is mandatory.
Dithering means death.
Conviction and
focus mean victory.
The only way to accomplish this clarity of mind is
to take the 'self' out of the equation...
Immersion
A person
must lose all self-consciousness. Sensitivity must replace
thinking, and thought must give way to physical
sensation.
The divide between themselves and the activity must end.
Repetition of
movements
One facet of any spiritual discipline is the repetition of a form or
pattern; the accurate reproduction of a deliberate sequence of actions.
The aim of this practice is to lose the sense of
self.
No thinking, no worrying, planning or anxiety.
Just being.
Martial arts classes
In a martial arts class the student
is expected to follow instructions without second-guessing or expecting an
explanation.
Following instructions is good for your brain.
Instead of confusion, each task is approached in a clear,
simple, distinct manner.
Personal chaos is reduced.
Your mind is exercised, your
emotions are calmed and
mental
resilience is cultivated.
You learn to act decisively and with purpose.
Just do it
When instructed to do something in a tai chi class, just do it.
If the directions are unclear, ask for confirmation. But refrain from
argument, discussion or debate.
Just act.
Voltaire wrote: Men argue. Nature acts.
Making the exchange
A tai chi student must do far more than just train in class.
If they want to gain real skill, they must give up some of their 'life'.
Time = life.
Time spent doing tai chi will make the
life you have richer and more
complete.
Why is the root of wisdom so deep?
Because it must be planted in our lives.
The road to the precious capital
is not for the inattentive.
(Loy Ching Yuen)
Exchange rate
Before you balk at the idea of giving up time/life training
tai chi, ask yourself how much of your life have you invested in:
•
Watching TV (years?)
•
Sitting on your backside
•
Drinking alcohol
•
Getting lazy
•
Failed relationships
•
Doing a job you do not enjoy
• Getting tattoos done
• Holidays
• Cars
• Expensive meals in restaurants
Many people are quite happy to travel the world or have a tattoo done, yet
stand stooped over with neck, back
and knee problems that afflict them every day.
Few people make the effort to look after their mind and their body.
Why not be a bit more choosy?
The time you invest in tai chi will pay
long-term dividends.
Your investment
An earnest student is willing to trade:
Commitment
- attending class
- home practice
- study
- workshops, boot camp etc
Money
- lessons
- extra training opportunities
- dvds
- books
- weaponry
Time
- set the time aside to attend class and practice at home
- make tai chi part of your life
Practice
- train thoroughly between lessons
- daily
Brain work
- meditation,
awareness,
clarity, composure,
metacognition,
constructive reading, memory and
rest
- loss of ego
They know that excuses will not
produce results and talking is
pointless.
Mindful
Working the brain is the real key to
success.
A strong, pliable, flexible, adaptive
brain is required for learning this
art.
The self cannot be shed if you are unaware of
the workings of your own mind.
As you like it
You only get out of tai chi
what you put into it.
Your tai chi is only as good as you make it.
The choice is yours.
This is an exchange.
Money cannot buy tai chi
Maybe this is not what people want to
hear...
Tai chi skills cannot be
purchased.
You must use your mind and your body. And
you must practice.
The trouble is,
you think you have time.
(Buddha)
iGeneration
This modern Age of Narcissus makes it very difficult for most people
to understand the cost of doing a
spiritual endeavour.
So many people want to be famous, to be somebody, to be recognised.
Tai chi promises no fame whatsoever.
There is no financial reward and no celebrity.
But you will be healthy,
martially skilled, youthful, anonymous and
happy.
Lose yourself and gain the
art
If you want to get really good at tai chi you
must get rid of what hinders you: ego, self,
vanity, pride...
This is the exchange.
Page created
23 March 2001
Last updated
16 June 2023
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