A Tai Chi Christmas

For me this has always been a time of sharing with family and friends. I always look forward to being with and around people this time of year. As we’ve gotten closer to Christmas Day I’ve noticed, yet again, that people are happier and are more and more friendly. I’ve noticed it in the little things, like how we behave at stop signs. People seem more willing to have others go first rather than the usual mad rush of the city; there’s a marked increase in politeness and a heightened sense of giving this time of year.

To me it’s as if more and more people are into tai chi. Tai chi, being mainly about energy, promotes this attitude among students in the classroom. Cooperation is more often found than not when dealing with tai chi players. As we learn to listen to the energy of others we must be receptive to it, and the best way to be receptive to others is to care about their well-being.

A tai chi master never initiates, but instead waits until the opponent uses aggressive energy, and then attacks first. The master feels for the opponent to make the first move and then beats them to it. The idea is to steal the opponent’s energy so that harm results only as a last resort.

The other side of the coin is giving. Tai chi masters are usually very giving people who are quick to help others whenever the need is felt. This time of year it seems there are a lot of people adopting the spirit of “do no harm and help wherever possible”. Tai chi masters seem to be everywhere.

On this Christmas morning I’d like to thank all of you who read this blog and wish you well, regardless of your beliefs. As Master Cui Zhongsan says, “Through taiji we are all one big family.”

John

P.S. I found this great photo by Alfred Ng here: http://www.alfredng.ca/photography.htm. Go there for a look at world from Alfred’s perspective. He’s has in interesting story and it’s worth the time.

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