In her comment on the last posting, Naomi (from NJ), just reminded me that tai chi is the journey. Sometimes I find people caught up in specific techniques and routines. Master Cui Zhongsan often reminds us of this when he gives us new exercises and routines. I used to think it was so we wouldn’t get bored. Now, I’m not so sure.
“Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it.” ~ Bruce Lee
Your Thoughts?
John
Leave A Reply (8 comments So Far)
The comments are closed.
S.Smith (21 comments)
653 days ago
Well said.
Al Simon (8 comments)
652 days ago
I agree, well said.
I have a quote I put in my blog a while back that’s in the same spirit, from Master Jou, Tsung Hwa:
“The forms and styles [of Tai-Chi] are analogous to rooms in the same hotel. Each room has a key whose superficial appearance differentiates it from all others, and provides the guest with access to that room, and to no other. Problems arise when guests begin thinking their room is best, and the particular bumps and valleys, notches and grooves, straight or contoured edges in their key are essential, and should appear in everyone’s key. As the external differences are given greater significance, ‘Tai-Chi Hotel’ turns into ‘Chuan Condominiums.’
“All the guests try their keys in one another’s doors and say, ‘Your room is no good, because my key doesn’t open your door, and I know my key works.’ This is happening among some Tai-Chi players today. Adherents of various styles become involved in describing individual differences as if they were fundamental.”
skunk man (1 comments)
652 days ago
The underlying spirit is essential to power. Bruce Lee one of the all time masters did not focus on the form it was the flow of the movement that made him great.
John Crewdson (479 comments)
649 days ago
Thanks Mr. Smith.
John Crewdson (479 comments)
649 days ago
Al,
Very well put. I like the analogy. I too often see others putting down other styles as if theirs is the only correct one. I’ve found it has more to do with the individual player, their abilities and their skill than the particular art. Thanks for such a great comment.
John
John Crewdson (479 comments)
649 days ago
Skunk Man,
Yes I think you’re right. Form and flow are what its all about… well that and ridding the world of bad smells.
John
Organic Fertilizer (3 comments)
642 days ago
Tai who move can improve movement in Parkinson patient clearly, to contribute to the progressive loss of balance, further reducing Parkinson’s patients often experience. However, there are many more offers. For example, the Tai Chi movements rotate the human body about 95% of the way in which the body can move as a long form is practiced.
John Crewdson (479 comments)
641 days ago
Organic Fertilizer,
You’re right tai chi is great for those with Parkinson’s. Do you realize though that you could still use your name and have a link back to your site?
John