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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
I find it interesting that you directly respond to posts when they give you some kind of recognition. Something to look at perhaps...