The Depth Of Emptiness In Tai Chi Chuan
Monday, 10 May 2010 07:30 | 
Written by Al Case |
Tai Chi Chuan is the art that preaches emptiness. One must move without force to realize the true depth of Tai Chi. And, in Tai Chi, you never run out of nothing.
Tai Chi Chuan is the art that preaches emptiness. One must move without force to realize the true depth of Tai Chi. And, in Tai Chi, you never run out of nothing.
One must understand, of course, that there are stages of emptiness. The beginning student will have one viewpoint concerning this notion, and the advanced master will have another, and there is plenty of room in between. Indeed, one could almost say there are as many viewpoints of this great nothingness as there are students to perceive them.
At the start of the art concepts of Tai Chi cause much confusion. The new practitioner tries to get in his own way, tries to figure out the mechanistic nature of the cosmos, and slowly works his way through confusion. Eventually, the beginner starts to realize that there is more to this idea of emptiness than ever he had imagined.
One can perceive a great nothingness inside the body. The apparent concreteness of blood and brain gives way to perception. Awareness seeps unhindered through the machinations of the apparently real body.
This reflects in practice. The beginning student becomes advanced as he loses reaction time and begins to move in concert with the incoming attack. It is a short journey, once started, until the student joins his body to that of the attackers, and is able to draw upon the energies of two bodies in harmony, as opposed to just one in conflict.
Eventually the space of the body gives way to the realization that there is a great space. Indeed, the body stops being a dividing line between the student and the universe. The student becomes master, and his perceptions are not stopped at the threshold of space, but rather are unlimited and as far as he can perceive.
The new master touches arms with beginner, and he speaks of great space, and he gives way that the beginner may fall into a new arena of perception, an entire and new and glorious perception of the universe. Slowly, the new student accepts the journey of the master, accepts gravity only to refuse it in his thoughts, and the circle continues. The fresh sprout grows, becomes tree, seeks the heavens, undergoing cycles of existence that enliven the mind throughout time.
This is the eternal path of Tai Chi, never ending, immutable, hastened only by the striving towards knowledge by those who who would know. This is the tai chi of a race, of humanity, and it is a goal and a method and a principle that should be sought by all. What would happen if all the countries of earth gave way to the virtue of the people?
Tai Chi Chuan is the art that preaches emptiness. One must move without force to realize the true depth of Tai Chi. And, in Tai Chi, you never run out of nothing.
One must understand, of course, that there are stages of emptiness. The beginning student will have one viewpoint concerning this notion, and the advanced master will have another, and there is plenty of room in between. Indeed, one could almost say there are as many viewpoints of this great nothingness as there are students to perceive them.
At the start of the art concepts of Tai Chi cause much confusion. The new practitioner tries to get in his own way, tries to figure out the mechanistic nature of the cosmos, and slowly works his way through confusion. Eventually, the beginner starts to realize that there is more to this idea of emptiness than ever he had imagined.
One can perceive a great nothingness inside the body. The apparent concreteness of blood and brain gives way to perception. Awareness seeps unhindered through the machinations of the apparently real body.
This reflects in practice. The beginning student becomes advanced as he loses reaction time and begins to move in concert with the incoming attack. It is a short journey, once started, until the student joins his body to that of the attackers, and is able to draw upon the energies of two bodies in harmony, as opposed to just one in conflict.
Eventually the space of the body gives way to the realization that there is a great space. Indeed, the body stops being a dividing line between the student and the universe. The student becomes master, and his perceptions are not stopped at the threshold of space, but rather are unlimited and as far as he can perceive.
The new master touches arms with beginner, and he speaks of great space, and he gives way that the beginner may fall into a new arena of perception, an entire and new and glorious perception of the universe. Slowly, the new student accepts the journey of the master, accepts gravity only to refuse it in his thoughts, and the circle continues. The fresh sprout grows, becomes tree, seeks the heavens, undergoing cycles of existence that enliven the mind throughout time.
This is the eternal path of Tai Chi, never ending, immutable, hastened only by the striving towards knowledge by those who who would know. This is the tai chi of a race, of humanity, and it is a goal and a method and a principle that should be sought by all. What would happen if all the countries of earth gave way to the virtue of the people?
About the Author:
Al Case has practiced Tai Chi for 35+ years. A writer for IKF for years, his methods are unique, and you can read about them at Five Army Tai Chi Chuan.
