What kind of Tai Chi You want to learn?

What kind of Tai Chi You want to learn?

A Tai Chi classmate asked me about the Tai Chi practice performances that she saw from YouTube videos a few days ago. She is impressed by each of the big and deep movements of Tai Chi forms and wonders how to achieve the practice level of those masters.

I believe this is a common question in many Tai Chi beginners mind, so I am reposting the following posting from Dr Paul Lam of TCH (Tai Chi for Health). It may provide some answers to similar questions.

---------------------------------------------

In my workshops email, I went back to the early days of learning the Combined 48 Forms with Professor Men. I have been fortunate to meet and work with many famous and knowledgeable tai chi experts like Professor Men Hui Feng and Master Fu, the chief creator of the 24 Forms. It is my passion to learn about people, my 40 years of family practice allows me to learn a lot about people as well. I often found two contrary types with many teachers and leaders: one group speaks confidentially about everything even on topics they know nothing about, dogmatic and charismatic. They can be so convincing and often don’t see the line between truth and fake. Followers can be attracted to them relatively quickly. The other type is people who are seemingly less convincing but quietly confident only about topics they know well. It is truly fortunate to find someone who is knowledgeable and able to express themselves well with the depth of their knowledge. I learned to be cautious about the first type and to respect the second type. I learned to realize my luck when I met true experts who could share the depth of their knowledge. However, there are some clues that can help.

Tai chi is an internal art, it is more challenging to see the internal power on the surface unless you know it. As I develop more depth in my tai chi, I can see more clearly these types of people in the tai chi world. The flamboyant people’s tai chi might look exciting but with little inner substance of tai chi. They often attract people who know little about tai chi quickly. On the other hand, some great practitioners' tai chi could look dull to some non-tai chi people. There were stories of magical power demonstrated by “great” masters. Years ago, I attended a demonstration by an older famous tai chi person who held a soft ball standing casually, a group of strong young men rushed toward him, and as soon as one touched the ball, he fell backward as though there were an immense force bounced back to them. Several young men did that, but they were all his people. No one else is allowed to try it. Clearly, that was 'magic' trick, entertaining if declared but deceiving when that was shown as the power of tai chi. There are always people who cannot help lying.

I studied personally with Professor Men and his wife for many years. He is indeed a quietly confident and kind man who can express the depth of tai chi well. I believe the true inner power of tai chi, whether spectacular or not, will come through with truly significant health benefits and inner fulfilment. Though learning to express that well is helpful for learners.

There are similar types of people in the real world. Lies can get people quick gains, but eventually, the truth will gain ground for the development of an art, organization and even a country. While not as common, luckily there is the third type who is truthful and capable of sharing knowledge convincingly.

The world is so complex nowadays it can be challenging to distinguish which type of people we are dealing with. Tai chi helps us to calm our minds to reach a better judgement. I found certain indications are consistent with the first type. When someone appears to know everything, never wrong, dogmatic and self-righteous, it is time to calm down, sink your qi and allow the balanced mind to analyze the person and situation. When someone actually lies, I get more cautious.

So how do you tell what is the true power of tai chi? The best is to get to know more about tai chi, best to try it and develop more depth, so that you can tell more clearly what is true. I recommend working on the tai chi principles. Principles are truths that remain true no matter what. Good scientific studies are essential too. After all, tai chi is created based on the law of nature, we humans are part of nature. Trying to find out the truth about people or matters will save us time and sometimes from disaster. A true high-level tai chi practitioner like Professor Men, he does not need to tell lies or show impossible power like the older person I mentioned above.

Yours in Tai Chi,
Paul Lam
Director