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Caught up
In situations involving emotions, there is a tendency for people to get caught
up in the event.
Rash decisions are made, words are chosen badly and adverse consequences ensue.
This is not the Way.
We must be composed at all times.
Our composure is not the product of some conceit. Being phoney is simply a mask
covering the emotions.
It is important to be genuinely detached and unbothered.
Touch
When a family member places their hand on your shoulder, there is no adverse
reaction on your part.
You do not flinch or become upset.
When a stranger performs the exact same action, you flinch and your emotional
state alters.
Typically, you tense your muscles and feel the need to object.
What is the difference between these two scenarios?
The physical action itself is the same. It is our response that differs. It is
our perception that differs.
We are bothered by a stranger touching us.
No reaction
In combat, it is necessary to move past a point where you care whether
somebody touches you or not.
Contact provokes no adverse reaction.
You feel the touch, you listen (with your body), gauge the
pressure, direction,
positioning and you wait.
Heat of the moment
For a student there can be no heat of the moment.
A person who is clumsy, competitive, emotionally unstable, aggressive or
malicious is not fit to be entrusted with the martial arsenal of the tai chi system.
You must temper your emotions and calm the mind. Refining the character matters
more than technique.
Remain centred
Sun Tzu writes a whole section in
The Art of War about how you should goad and
bait a person who lacks centre.
He is teaching you to see how vulnerable you become when emotions are permitted
to run astray.
Losing our centre is very dangerous in combat.
Central equilibrium must be maintained at all times. Physically. Mentally.
Emotionally.
Read Chuang Tzu's Fighting Cock story.
The state of mind should remain the same as
normal...
let there be no change at all - with the mind open and direct,
neither tense nor relax,
centering the mind so that there is no imbalance,
calmly relax your mind,
and savour this moment of ease thoroughly,
so that the relaxation does not stop its relaxation for even an instant.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Neutral state
Instead of getting ready, you remain neutral.
You wait and see what will happen, and flow with the moment of the event.
Instead of resisting, you yield. Instead of holding, you let go. Instead of
worrying, you relax.
This is how you can put I Ching into practice in your
tai chi; responding to
the needs of each situation, working through the moment by being
adaptive,
responsive and appropriate.
You never react.
Conduct
In our tai chi class you must be responsible for your own
conduct and for the
wellbeing of others.
Do not fall into the modern game of pretending that you are blameless.
People make things happen. With their actions and their reactions. Do not shirk
responsibility.
If you are careless and awkward in our class, you make it difficult for people
to train with you.
Nobody wants to be injured by clumsy movements and inconsiderate behaviour.
Keep a cool head
Melee situations test your capacity to remain composed under pressure.
Your emotions need to be cool, your thoughts calm, your body relaxed and your
breathing steady.
The heat of combat surrounds you but you are not upset or anxious.
You do not tense up or become aggressive. You are one with the moment and at
peace.
Page created
18 April 1995
Last updated
16 June 2023
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