Let Go and… Let Yourself
I’ve said this before, but not quite in this way. I see students and even advanced tai chi players who can’t let go of the past. The past defines us only to the point we allow it. If you have an image of your level of ability, let it go. This is the fastest way I know of to improve your level of tai chi.
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
Lao Tzu
Are you still using training wheels?
John
P.S. I found this picture here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2123516_ditch-training-wheels.html
Click on "Express yourself" below to leave your comment. (Comments are great!)
The “Sphere: Related Content” button looks for similar stories on the internet. “Tell a Friend” lets you bookmark this post or email it to a friend without having to leave the page. “Share and Enjoy” let’s you bookmark this post on lots of different sites or even print it out. I want you to tell others about this site so share away… please!
Express yourself, click here to leave a comment (11 comments, add yours)
Be notified of new comments for this post via RSS
11 People have left comments on this post
Jun 12, 2009 - 01:06:50I took a leaf out of the book of one of my students who is a professional musician. She puts in hours and hours of practise but when she gets on stage, she performs and forgets all of the practise.
So when we practise, we should not always hang on to the teachings we were given. By just playing the form and “performing” as it were we can let go and grow.
tannage from Taijipedia’s last blog post..Yang 24 - Transition From White Crane to Brush Knee Twist Step
At one point I was concerned about “owning” my tai chi, and “making it mine” — whatever that meant. But something about the example of my teacher has always humbled me when I thought along those lines.
There are times when I notice that some aspect of my behavior has become an embodiment of tai chi principles, to one degree or another. So I guess I have absorbed some of it.
Ha-ha: training wheels. You’re a character.
Tannage,
I like the idea of letting go and allowing your form to grow when performing it. I learned this lesson the hard way during a tournament some time ago. I was so focused on making each move correctly and trying to remember what came next, I completely blanked out the form and couldn’t finish. Funny, and a bit embarrassing.
John
Walt,
I like the story about your teacher. It’s funny how many of the things we’re told take on new meanings and clarity as time passes. Now I’m always on the lookout for deeper meaning, although sometimes I’m still so focused on the details that I miss the meaning the first few times through… sometimes more than the first few times.
John
As I have only been studying tai chi for a short time I havn’t yet had the chance to form an image of myself, everything is still fresh and new to me, like a wide eyed youth. LOL
But I do however harbor a deep buried impression that conflicts slightly with my study, that I always held a belief that you had to be a high level martial artist to appriciate the intricacies of Tai Chi, and to progress faster through the ranks…
I now know that I was wrong in those thoughts, though some of it is true, you don’t really need to know any martial arts to progress far as a martial artist in Tai Chi, after all Tai Chi is the “grand ultimate system”.
But I guess it is a form of training wheels that I must cast off to preogress further.
Otherwise I am trying to cultivate within myself a way to yeild to my studies, while maintaining a view of my goal, I want to maintain a level of openess to any possibility that Tai Chi will offer me, I just hope I can see it when they presents themselves.
hehe
PS. John, good to be back, been a bit busy with work and not had time to read your blog in a while, but I am really enjoying Tai Chi.
Sheld,
Good to hear from you. I don’t know that there is only one way to do tai chi. What works well for one person doesn’t always work well for another. I think the important thing is just to choose a teacher and go with it until you really know whether it’s working for you or not.
If you are an exceptionally motivated person you might be able to study on your own or with a friend, but a good teacher will help you make progress. Don’t get too hung up here though; just go with it for a while and see what comes up. Something always does.
Besides, it seems you’re doing just fine.
John
beginner’s mind & there’s nothing to let go of
minh
Minh,
If you can truly pull it off… you’re right, nothing to let go of.
John
Good morning John, I have been off line the past month, a broken right hand. Ever tired teaching single whip without moving your wrist? I have students that I wish had training wheels. This people are still on tricyles. After several years of pratice, they still cannot preform the form alone. I have also notice this at other schools. How can I get these people to let go and be tai chi?
David
David,
Sorry to hear about your hand. I hope you’re doing better soon. As far as students on tricycles, I don’t know if I have a good answer for that. I guess just to let them do what they will and hope that someday they’ll get it.
In the style I practice we have many forms. Sometimes I have students who take a long time to get the first 8 form set. I just let them be and hope to they get what they want out of it, which sometimes is just to be able to follow along.
It sound’s to me like you’re definitely on track and that you’re doing better than a lot of people. Remember, it’s not your responsibility whether your students get it or not, only that you follow your own instincts. At least that’s what I do, and what I believe my teacher does as well.
Best of luck,
John
1 Trackback(s)