It's so generous of you to devote your time and energy to producing essays like this Chris. It's a breath of fresh air to be taken deep into a consideration and nourished with such a depth of perspective. The fundamental point that sticks with me, and which I have come to see is true for myself, is that we don't know what we are looking at. The world is not what it seems. There are truths, mysteries, miracles, treasures, and wonders right under out noses that we can't detect due to the equipment failure most of experience in the modern-day west. We really don't know much about how to operate the psycho-physical human apparatus beyond the bare minimum. Wisdom practices, such as Tai Chi, that begin to awaken our capacity for the subtle and energetic perception and capacity you describe are being lost. It's vital that we get reminders like this—look deeper, look again, wait, feel, question, inquire. I'm quite delighted that you're setting the stage this way for the next installment of Theresa I've been waiting for.
You in turn are very generous Rick to take the time to read the article and to write such a thoughtful and kind response. We clearly see reality and the world in very similar terms--your comment could be a paragraph in my article, and perhaps it would make a good introduction. I'm very open to hearing / reading any thoughts you might have as I continue this project to present the wonderful spirituality of Teresa and John, I'm sure you know things that would be very helpful to me.
I loved how you tied art, history, science, and tai chi so elegantly in one post. This is awesome, Chris!
That last part about distinguishing between "the neutral power of eros and the deed itself" really speaks to me. It reminds me of all the tools (and energies) we have at our disposal - how it's all neutral, but it takes a person of great character to use them in constructive ways.
I've actually been thinking about learning tai chi for some time. I just hadn't found the motivation. But this post took my fascination of tai chi to another level. I have to start taking some classes!
Thank you for your generous comments Alvin. Character is truly the key factor. Very quickly a player begins learning Tai Chi moral and ethical standards. A core teaching is "Do not fear loss; do not fear harm; do not fear the ferocity of the attack." And Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido, the Japanese version of Tai Chi, (the "ki" is the same as "chi") wrote “In order to establish heaven on earth, we need a Budo that is pure in spirit, that is devoid of hatred and greed. It must follow natural principles and harmonize the material with the spiritual. Aikido means not to kill. Although nearly all creeds have a commandment against taking life, most of them justify killing for one reason or another. In Aikido, however, we try to completely avoid killing, even of the most evil person.”
This is the application of good character to channel neutral power.
BTW Tai Chi takes a long time so it's important to find an authentic lineage because you will invest a long time before you know if you're getting results or not. My lineage is Northern Wu which is very powerful, but there are other lineages and the most important thing is to find a great teacher from a vibrant lineage, not some hack who's good at marketing and promises quick results.
This piece is breathtaking in the constellation of its multivariate analysis and how you've weaved all these strands of culture into an absolutely riveting tapestry of topics underpinned by the lens of your Tai Chi expertise. As a modest dabbler in Tai Chi, this is quite inspiring to investigate further. Even in my limited experience, I noticed a conservation of sorts in that my sitting and other practices informed my qigong practice as I adapted relatively quickly to extended tree pose meditation during my studies in China. I remarked to myself that if I ever returned it would be to visit Wudang.
I deeply resonate with your cross-cultural approach attempting to discern the underlying universals irrespective of particular paths.
Thank you for your exceptionally kind comments Tai! I too would love to go to Wudang Mountain one day. If you're on Instagram I recommend Lindsey Wei who trained there and is the real deal: https://www.instagram.com/lindsey12wei/
Like you, I am deeply intrigued by the connections between different applications of energy, even though they often look quite different on the outside. For example, even though yoga is comparatively static and you're often upside down in various ways, its teachings are essentially identical to Tai Chi, even though Tai Chi emphasizes keeping the head up and spine erect, and of course involves constant motion (except for pile standing). Also, even though Tai Chi typically teaches not to focus on the breath, the movements in form practice essentially nudge a player into pranayama, so again, what appear to be conflicts between energy practices are only apparent.
I'm also fascinate by many other suggestive parallels. Circular motion is fundamental to Tai Chi, as it is to surfing (waves are rolling cylinders) and the movements ringers make on the Travelling Rings set in Santa Monica--which is one of the most amazing, healthy and fun athletic activities in the world.
It all plugs into cognitive neurology, a point that comes through very clearly in Alex Honnold's "Free Solo" documentary. My master Shifu Zhang has written a great article on circular motion in Tai Chi, in which he shows how when you first start, you make large circles with your body because the circles in your mind are small, but as you progress the circles in your mind become huge and so the circles you make with your body become small--even undetectable: https://www.ycgf.org/Articles/RandomCircles_in_TJQ/RandomCircles_1.html
You can see that effect in videos of Cheng Man Ching's form practice, in which he makes only the vaguest of gestures because his mind was able to control such powerful chi his body hardly had to get involved.
Anyway--so much to learn! Thanks again for your comments
Thanks for that in-depth reply. I'm checking out the links you've suggested and am intrigued. On the circles piece, I'm reminded of Josh Waitzkin and his book The Art Of Learning. If I recall, one of the chapters is entitled Making Smaller Circles.
Recently I've been watching some dhamma talks from a YouTube channel called Hillside Hermitage. Something I remark is upon closer inspection, the seemingly outer differences among traditions yield deep commonalities: solitude, contemplation, and the foundation of virtue and restraint as a prerequisite for deeper insight.
Thank you Tai! I'll check out Josh Waitzkin and his book--sounds like he's on the same path.
Yes, as Chris Cordry writes in another comment there is a basic underlying harmony and convergence that bring these paths together--which makes perfect sense.
This is a really interesting post. As a former practitioner of martial arts and a Christian (Orthodox) it was doubly enlightening.
I studied taekwondo for a long time, and then a few years of kenpo karate which, while Japanese/Americanized, is based on Chinese principles and tai chi. We practiced tai chi in addition to the karate, and my sensei called it being “rooted.” Now, I’d already had a black belt in taekwondo and 13 years of experience, but I never hit as hard, or was hit as hard, as when I did kenpo. The few times I was able to channel my energy into a strike and knock my instructor in his ass, man, it felt so different. It felt electric. And when he’d hit me—woo!
Good stuff man. You just got yourself a subscriber.
Thank you Alex! Yes, my deepest original interest in Tai Chi originated in the intuition that it might be what Jesus really meant when he talking about offering the other cheek if we are struck on one cheek. I think that's basically a fair assessment of Tai Chi.
I practiced Tae Kwon Do in Seoul for a year and it is truly an awesome martial art, but it was stylistically it was too violent and destructive for me. Guys just ahead of me were breaking stacks of roof tiles. I didn't want to kill or maim opponents, just neutralize them.
Your comments about the strikes in Kenpo are interesting and do suggest it's a combination external and internal martial art. As an Orthodox Christian, you might consider Systema, which is the most awesome combination martial art I've practiced--it's truly a formidable art and arises from insights gained by the originally Greek Orthodox meditative practice of "praying without ceasing."
These two books will provide an introduction, but as with any other physical practice, you'd really need to find a group to experience Systema--but buckle your seat belt!
I haven't finished the essay yet, but I got excited remembering when I saw a master standing perfectly relaxed and as men came at him, he simply took their energy and used it to propel them across the room. I did mention this approach to Dr. Malone in one of his substacks. This knowledge is unknown to many. Too many...
Wonderful essay, Chris. I think what stood out most to me here was the comparison between T'ai Chi postures and classical & Renaissance art. Of course, it's possible that there was cultural diffusion of energy techniques from Asia to Europe, or that these techniques were more universally known. We know that Buddhists made their way to Greece, and that Greek writers referenced the "gymnosophers" (yogis) of India. Peter Kingsley has also written about the potential transmission of Central Asian shamanism to archaic Greece. For my part, I tend to think that the expression of subtle energy within the human body is universal, and so that different cultures would have discovered the same underlying principles. Hand gestures like the Abhaya Mudra (palm held facing the viewer) etc. have a kind of intrinsic meaning based on their physiological and energetic structure. Likewise, the energetics of body posture, facial expressions, and so on I also view as archetypal, and certain aesthetic principles (like symmetry or counterpoise) are going to be appreciated across cultures. Even if a great artist like Michelangelo didn't know anything about qi or prana, he could sense the beauty of a certain physical posture based on the energy it expressed. I hope I'm making sense, as this is my off-the-cuff response to your piece. BTW, I had the opportunity to take some Systema classes as well and really enjoyed them, although they are indeed tough on the body.
Thank you for your kind response Chris and the rich additional information you've provided. I didn't know Buddhists had reached Greece--I do have a book making a persuasive case that the Cynics school was a distorted evolution of Buddhism--but I didn't realise the influence was more direct and would love to know more.
I think you're right about this and may quote you in my next piece about St. Teresa's path of spiritual discovery: "For my part, I tend to think that the expression of subtle energy within the human body is universal, and so that different cultures would have discovered the same underlying principles."
Yeah, Systema is the real deal but after I left Australia I decided to address the issue by getting a Sig. Much less strain on my tissues and joints!
It's so generous of you to devote your time and energy to producing essays like this Chris. It's a breath of fresh air to be taken deep into a consideration and nourished with such a depth of perspective. The fundamental point that sticks with me, and which I have come to see is true for myself, is that we don't know what we are looking at. The world is not what it seems. There are truths, mysteries, miracles, treasures, and wonders right under out noses that we can't detect due to the equipment failure most of experience in the modern-day west. We really don't know much about how to operate the psycho-physical human apparatus beyond the bare minimum. Wisdom practices, such as Tai Chi, that begin to awaken our capacity for the subtle and energetic perception and capacity you describe are being lost. It's vital that we get reminders like this—look deeper, look again, wait, feel, question, inquire. I'm quite delighted that you're setting the stage this way for the next installment of Theresa I've been waiting for.
You in turn are very generous Rick to take the time to read the article and to write such a thoughtful and kind response. We clearly see reality and the world in very similar terms--your comment could be a paragraph in my article, and perhaps it would make a good introduction. I'm very open to hearing / reading any thoughts you might have as I continue this project to present the wonderful spirituality of Teresa and John, I'm sure you know things that would be very helpful to me.
I think we're do for a conversation Chris.
I loved how you tied art, history, science, and tai chi so elegantly in one post. This is awesome, Chris!
That last part about distinguishing between "the neutral power of eros and the deed itself" really speaks to me. It reminds me of all the tools (and energies) we have at our disposal - how it's all neutral, but it takes a person of great character to use them in constructive ways.
I've actually been thinking about learning tai chi for some time. I just hadn't found the motivation. But this post took my fascination of tai chi to another level. I have to start taking some classes!
Thank you for your generous comments Alvin. Character is truly the key factor. Very quickly a player begins learning Tai Chi moral and ethical standards. A core teaching is "Do not fear loss; do not fear harm; do not fear the ferocity of the attack." And Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido, the Japanese version of Tai Chi, (the "ki" is the same as "chi") wrote “In order to establish heaven on earth, we need a Budo that is pure in spirit, that is devoid of hatred and greed. It must follow natural principles and harmonize the material with the spiritual. Aikido means not to kill. Although nearly all creeds have a commandment against taking life, most of them justify killing for one reason or another. In Aikido, however, we try to completely avoid killing, even of the most evil person.”
This is the application of good character to channel neutral power.
BTW Tai Chi takes a long time so it's important to find an authentic lineage because you will invest a long time before you know if you're getting results or not. My lineage is Northern Wu which is very powerful, but there are other lineages and the most important thing is to find a great teacher from a vibrant lineage, not some hack who's good at marketing and promises quick results.
Good luck!
This piece is breathtaking in the constellation of its multivariate analysis and how you've weaved all these strands of culture into an absolutely riveting tapestry of topics underpinned by the lens of your Tai Chi expertise. As a modest dabbler in Tai Chi, this is quite inspiring to investigate further. Even in my limited experience, I noticed a conservation of sorts in that my sitting and other practices informed my qigong practice as I adapted relatively quickly to extended tree pose meditation during my studies in China. I remarked to myself that if I ever returned it would be to visit Wudang.
I deeply resonate with your cross-cultural approach attempting to discern the underlying universals irrespective of particular paths.
Thank you for your exceptionally kind comments Tai! I too would love to go to Wudang Mountain one day. If you're on Instagram I recommend Lindsey Wei who trained there and is the real deal: https://www.instagram.com/lindsey12wei/
Like you, I am deeply intrigued by the connections between different applications of energy, even though they often look quite different on the outside. For example, even though yoga is comparatively static and you're often upside down in various ways, its teachings are essentially identical to Tai Chi, even though Tai Chi emphasizes keeping the head up and spine erect, and of course involves constant motion (except for pile standing). Also, even though Tai Chi typically teaches not to focus on the breath, the movements in form practice essentially nudge a player into pranayama, so again, what appear to be conflicts between energy practices are only apparent.
I'm also fascinate by many other suggestive parallels. Circular motion is fundamental to Tai Chi, as it is to surfing (waves are rolling cylinders) and the movements ringers make on the Travelling Rings set in Santa Monica--which is one of the most amazing, healthy and fun athletic activities in the world.
It all plugs into cognitive neurology, a point that comes through very clearly in Alex Honnold's "Free Solo" documentary. My master Shifu Zhang has written a great article on circular motion in Tai Chi, in which he shows how when you first start, you make large circles with your body because the circles in your mind are small, but as you progress the circles in your mind become huge and so the circles you make with your body become small--even undetectable: https://www.ycgf.org/Articles/RandomCircles_in_TJQ/RandomCircles_1.html
You can see that effect in videos of Cheng Man Ching's form practice, in which he makes only the vaguest of gestures because his mind was able to control such powerful chi his body hardly had to get involved.
Anyway--so much to learn! Thanks again for your comments
Thanks for that in-depth reply. I'm checking out the links you've suggested and am intrigued. On the circles piece, I'm reminded of Josh Waitzkin and his book The Art Of Learning. If I recall, one of the chapters is entitled Making Smaller Circles.
Recently I've been watching some dhamma talks from a YouTube channel called Hillside Hermitage. Something I remark is upon closer inspection, the seemingly outer differences among traditions yield deep commonalities: solitude, contemplation, and the foundation of virtue and restraint as a prerequisite for deeper insight.
Thank you Tai! I'll check out Josh Waitzkin and his book--sounds like he's on the same path.
Yes, as Chris Cordry writes in another comment there is a basic underlying harmony and convergence that bring these paths together--which makes perfect sense.
This is a really interesting post. As a former practitioner of martial arts and a Christian (Orthodox) it was doubly enlightening.
I studied taekwondo for a long time, and then a few years of kenpo karate which, while Japanese/Americanized, is based on Chinese principles and tai chi. We practiced tai chi in addition to the karate, and my sensei called it being “rooted.” Now, I’d already had a black belt in taekwondo and 13 years of experience, but I never hit as hard, or was hit as hard, as when I did kenpo. The few times I was able to channel my energy into a strike and knock my instructor in his ass, man, it felt so different. It felt electric. And when he’d hit me—woo!
Good stuff man. You just got yourself a subscriber.
Thank you Alex! Yes, my deepest original interest in Tai Chi originated in the intuition that it might be what Jesus really meant when he talking about offering the other cheek if we are struck on one cheek. I think that's basically a fair assessment of Tai Chi.
I practiced Tae Kwon Do in Seoul for a year and it is truly an awesome martial art, but it was stylistically it was too violent and destructive for me. Guys just ahead of me were breaking stacks of roof tiles. I didn't want to kill or maim opponents, just neutralize them.
Your comments about the strikes in Kenpo are interesting and do suggest it's a combination external and internal martial art. As an Orthodox Christian, you might consider Systema, which is the most awesome combination martial art I've practiced--it's truly a formidable art and arises from insights gained by the originally Greek Orthodox meditative practice of "praying without ceasing."
These two books will provide an introduction, but as with any other physical practice, you'd really need to find a group to experience Systema--but buckle your seat belt!
Strikes: Where Soul Meets Body https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978104927?
Let Every Breath: Secrets of the Russian Breath Masters https://a.co/d/88DFNVp
I haven't finished the essay yet, but I got excited remembering when I saw a master standing perfectly relaxed and as men came at him, he simply took their energy and used it to propel them across the room. I did mention this approach to Dr. Malone in one of his substacks. This knowledge is unknown to many. Too many...
Wonderful essay, Chris. I think what stood out most to me here was the comparison between T'ai Chi postures and classical & Renaissance art. Of course, it's possible that there was cultural diffusion of energy techniques from Asia to Europe, or that these techniques were more universally known. We know that Buddhists made their way to Greece, and that Greek writers referenced the "gymnosophers" (yogis) of India. Peter Kingsley has also written about the potential transmission of Central Asian shamanism to archaic Greece. For my part, I tend to think that the expression of subtle energy within the human body is universal, and so that different cultures would have discovered the same underlying principles. Hand gestures like the Abhaya Mudra (palm held facing the viewer) etc. have a kind of intrinsic meaning based on their physiological and energetic structure. Likewise, the energetics of body posture, facial expressions, and so on I also view as archetypal, and certain aesthetic principles (like symmetry or counterpoise) are going to be appreciated across cultures. Even if a great artist like Michelangelo didn't know anything about qi or prana, he could sense the beauty of a certain physical posture based on the energy it expressed. I hope I'm making sense, as this is my off-the-cuff response to your piece. BTW, I had the opportunity to take some Systema classes as well and really enjoyed them, although they are indeed tough on the body.
Thank you for your kind response Chris and the rich additional information you've provided. I didn't know Buddhists had reached Greece--I do have a book making a persuasive case that the Cynics school was a distorted evolution of Buddhism--but I didn't realise the influence was more direct and would love to know more.
I think you're right about this and may quote you in my next piece about St. Teresa's path of spiritual discovery: "For my part, I tend to think that the expression of subtle energy within the human body is universal, and so that different cultures would have discovered the same underlying principles."
Yeah, Systema is the real deal but after I left Australia I decided to address the issue by getting a Sig. Much less strain on my tissues and joints!
Thanks again for your insights!
I find it interesting that you directly respond to posts when they give you some kind of recognition. Something to look at perhaps...
Unless I misread your comment, you said you hadn't finished reading. I was being respectful.
Okay