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Stop fighting
At some point a tai chi student lets go of
their preconceptions and
just does what they are being told to do. They stop being awkward, arguing
and
over-analysing
everything... And suddenly it works.
Freed from
self-consciousness, the art emerges and the skill is just there. This is
called 'tzu-jan'. It
happened without being forced. Typically the student is sceptical;
convinced that there's a trick.
They question their practice partner - leery of unwanted compliance. This is
a normal response and quite reasonable. So, the situation is reproduced or the
roles reversed. The same thing happens again.
Awe & wonder
When a tai chi student discovers that they can reproduce an unexpected
outcome repeatedly; in varying and unpredictable circumstances, their confidence
grows. They seek to gain new power and skill.
Research on magic highlights that
we are not only wrong about the amount we see, but also about the extent to
which we can trust the things we see and remember. As we are learning more
about the mind, it has become apparent that most of our experiences are an
illusion. Of all of these illusions its the illusion of free will that I
find most unsettling.
(Gustav Kuhn)
Lost...
When a new student begins to learn tai chi they are not allowed
to use muscular tension. The
muscles must
remain relaxed at all times. The importance of optimal alignment is
emphasised.
Over-reaching,
sweating,
exertion and force
are all rejected. This is bewildering for the student. They feel lost and
confused. This is a good starting place.
Cup is full
There is an over-used Asian example whereby a
teacher pours tea into the student's cup until it spills over. The student
urgently tells the teacher to stop pouring.
The teacher explains that the student's mind is like the cup; it is
already full of
ideas
and preconceptions.
Until they empty out what they already
think, no new knowledge can be comprehended.
Qi magic?
The magical skills of tai chi are not common in
modern society. The reason for this is simple. People are quick to dismiss
biomechanical and mind skills in favour of qi.
Qi is a quick and
lazy answer.
It requires no deeper explanation. It is akin to a conclusion.
Scientist
Rather than conclude that a mystical force lies at
the root of tai chi skill, why not read the Classics rigorously?
Tai chi.
Taoist. Martial principles. Anatomy. Psychology. Learn how things work.
It will not yield all the
answers, but is
far more rational than just saying "qi".
We like the feeling of being in charge of our thoughts and actions, and
abandoning our sense of free will feels rather uncomfortable. However,
magicians have developed powerful ways of manipulating your thoughts, and
they can influence many of the choices you make. For example, the magician
may ask you to choose a card from a deck of playing cards, and while you
feel you have an entirely free choice, the magician made you choose one
particular card. This is known as forcing and is a principle by which
magicians covertly guide you towards a predetermined choice.
(Gustav Kuhn)
Beyond words
Words have
severe limitations. Not everything will fit the form of words. Can
you explain the colour red to a blind person? The taste of a dosa pancake to
somebody who has never eaten one?
What love feels like? An orgasm?
When an expert (in any field of study) shows a
spontaneous demonstration of skill, they are drawing upon experience and
abilities that are largely intuitive.
The skill comes from the
subconscious
mind.
It happened
Even if the expert patiently breaks down their performance afterwards;
step-by-step, their explanation will be inaccurate because in
truth they don't fully
understand what they did. They
just did it.
It happened.
Awake
In tai chi you need to become exceptionally
sensitive. You
need to be capable of 'listening' to what is
happening. You
need to adapt,
change and improvise
again and again and again.
Our drills cultivate these
skills. If they
did not, what
purpose would they
serve? As you become
increasingly
competent, you are less and less
able to explain
just how you
defended yourself.
You just did it and it worked. This is tzu-jan.
Beyond thought
The I Ching
teaches us that events, people and circumstances coalesce to create 'the
moment'. In order to get the most benefit, we have to align ourselves
perfectly with what is taking place.
This is 'wu wei'. Not
forcing. The challenge
facing us is that the moment is instantaneous, unique and not reproducible.
It continually changes. In order to deal with this, we must
flow.
That is why we learn to
listen, to
feel, to be
sticky, to
follow.
Thinking won't help at all.
Biomage?
A tai chi student will never be asked to wear a top
hat, a leotard or to pull a rabbit out of a hat. But you will get to do some
pretty amazing things. And no tricks or fooling people.
There are some incredible abilities in the
syllabus. Arcane skills. And you can learn them all. But they are not magical. They are
the product of patience, practice and persistence.
But first, you must work on
freeing your mind.
Our class is like Alexander the Great teaching Dad's Army.
Sifu Waller's not even trying. It's unbelievably powerful and looks like
nothing. It's beyond impressive. I think it's the ease and speed at
which Sifu Waller does it. It's like a magician with a sleight of hand but
obviously with potentially deadly consequences. It's amazing to watch
and utterly awe inspiring. Sifu Waller is incredibly quick sometimes
it's impossible to get your head around it. The more I get into this, the more I realise
how lucky we are as a class. Most people could look their whole lives and
never find anything close.
I find the class to be very empowering.
(Karen Laws)
Further reading
Awakening
Experiencing the Impossible by Gustav Kuhn
Heightened level of awareness
Mystery
Myths & magic
Practical Taoism
Secrets
The Way and Its Power
Page created
18 April 2005
Last updated
16 June 2023
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