Wikipedia is a wealth of sagely advice – much of it misleading, incomplete and out of context. For instance, the author dealing with the ‘Tai Sabaki’ page - states that the usual interpretation of Tai Sabali in the West which involving ‘evasion’ is ‘wrong’. However, if an individual can ‘read’ Chinese and/or Japanese ideograms – it is obvious that whatever this concept is - ‘evasion’ forms a central aspect of it. The author in question does not fully comprehend the entire concept of Tai Sabaki and is attempting to join the two ends of an idea together whilst omitting a (vast) theoretical centre-ground! 1) 体 (Tai) - Japanese Equivalent of Chinese ideogram ‘體’ (ti3) = ‘body’ This is related to a body (comprised of - and structured by - its internal bone structure) which is augmented in the physical world through musical rituals (involving drumming) and the adornment of jade of jewellery. The body is enhanced by the placement and alignment of its inner structure and the means (rituals) through which this body traverses the outer world. That which is ‘detrimental’ is avoided and that which is ‘nourishing’ is embraced. There is an implication in the Japanese language that ‘体’ (Tai) refers primarily to the trunk and the abdomen – and only secondarily to the limbs. It is the ‘centre’ of the body which has priority over the ‘periphery’ of the body. 2) 捌 (Saba) - Japanese Equivalent of Chinese ideogram ‘捌’ (ba1) = Disentangle This ideogram - (in its Chinese interpretation) can mean ‘eight’ - an alternative form of ‘八’ (ba1). A ‘hand’ which expertly uses a ‘knife’ - cuts through the flesh and bones of a fish so that it is separated into ‘eight’ clean parts (probably a generic term meaning ‘many’). There is also the central idea of ‘disentanglement’ - so that no unnecessary error (or resistance) is met. This is because ‘entanglement’ means ‘hindrance’ - and the skill referred to here involves the ‘avoidance’ of such self-imposed difficulty. Evading ‘resistance’ is the correct path that leads to such a skill. The blade of the knife skilfully feels its way around (and along) the natural contours of the bones – and does NOT cut directly (at right-angles) into the bone-structure at any time. There is a ‘going with’ rather than a ‘going against’. This ideogram is the central element of this Karate-Do principle - and probably means slightly different things within the various styles which make use of it. 3) き(Ki) - Japanese Equivalent of Chinese ideogram ‘幾’ (ji3) = Skill There is an indication of ‘quantity’, ‘measurement’ and ‘refinement’ within Japanese language dictionaries. The suggestion is that the correct manipulation of exact amounts is a great skill which has to be mastered in any successful avenue of life. This idea spans both the material and the spiritual world! An individual can carefully follow the established criterion laid down by those who have gone before – or if such an individual possesses the correct (and right) amounts of psychological insight and physical strength – then they might set out on their own path and become an inspiration for those who are to come! Conclusion: Meaning When taken as an integrated whole – the martial principle of Tai Sabaki (体捌き) suggests that the physical body (its central core and not just its periphery) is skilfully used (manipulated) in a combat situation so that there is no direct conflict between the defender deploying this technique - and an attacker ignoring this technique. Tai Sabaki (体捌き) is NOT just the skilful movement of the arms and legs in ‘protection’ of the central core (the torso). Tai Sabaki (体捌き) is a ‘centre-out’ technique that requires the core and periphery to work in concord. Strength does not clash with strength. The ability to assertively ‘give-way' is the key to this technique. Indeed, when the timing is perfect - ‘giving-way’ becomes far stronger than the momentary strength associated with a dramatic (but short-lived) show of strength! Giving-way, at its highest manifestation, not only ‘absorbs’ and ‘nullifies’ ALL incoming power – but when performed correctly, generates the basis for ‘greater’ power to be produced that is not reliant upon linear (muscular) strength – but rather the ‘circular’ movement associated with the structures of the bones and joints! The bodyweight ‘drops’ into the ground through the shaft of the (aligned) bones and rebounds upwards through the centre of the bone-marrow – producing a seemingly endless supply of ‘muscle-free’ power! As this power is greater than that associated with the muscular ‘tension’ of thuggery – the defender occupies a unique time-space frequency within which the attacker cannot access (or penetrate) regardless of the willpower exhibited. The linear attacks cannot land on an object continuously moving in perfectly timed circles. Once such a level of mastery is achieved – the defender can decide the level damage perpetuated upon the attacker depending upon circumstance. Should the body of the attacker be temporarily or permanently disabled? Should the body of an attacker be only (gently) nullified as if in play? Someone who has mastered Tai Sabaki (体捌き) possesses all these choices. This is why the Wado Ryu Style of Karate-Do posits the highest ideal of a defender possessing the ability to prevent damage to both their own body AND the body of the opponent! An ideal of the highest nobility!
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Dear Tony (Sensei)
Exactly - well said. As you already know (these are really 'Notes' to clarify my own understanding - as I know you know) - real combat is fluid and requires an instantaneous adaptation. My view is that this ability stems from years of experience endlessly repeating the same movement - or patterns of movements (in a disciplined manner) - whilst participating in sparring (or various other types of fighting) - where all this ingrained activity comes out (due to necessity) and manifests in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways! Usually, simplicity prevails over the complex in such situations defined through 'immediacy' - and much of the modern 'Bunkai' is so very intricate and diverse that I doubt any of it could be realistically applied in the few seconds required to nullify an attack AND take away an opponent's ability to effectively respond. (Whilst holding one of their arms - the opponent still has a head, one arm and two legs free to respond - more than enough to be effective). When I think back to training with yourself in Hereford and Cardiff (and the Tensho Kata you demonstrated in Sutton) - I remember your weight being firmly 'dropped' (rooted) whilst you also seem to 'float' - like a cork bobbing about on the surface of the water! This manifestation is continuous and effortless whilst being retained whether you are standing still, moving (in any direction) or even sitting down. From this foundation your arms and legs are 'moved' depending upon the Kata, Basic or exercise being demonstrated. I suppose what you are saying is that modern Bunkai focuses too much upon the movement of the arms and legs - but tends to by-pass (or 'ignore') the need to be 'rooted' and to 'move' properly from this root. Thanks This Senior Citizen silenced the crowd when she raised her leg above her head! Silence turned into awe when she assumed a perfect ‘Golden Rooster Stands on Guard’ (金鸡独立 - Jin Ji Du Li)! Awe turned into spontaneous applause when she assumed a graceful ‘Single Side Horse’ (一字马 - Yi Zi Ma) Splits! This demonstration of Taijiquan was performed by the 77-year-old Jiang Xuezhen (蒋雪珍) in a park near the ‘White Horse River’ (白马河 - Bai Ma He) - the venue for the 2021 ‘Dragon Boat Race’ held in Fuzhou (Fujian province), Mainland China! This elderly lady was originally an ordinary worker in a garment factory – but is now enjoying her retirement. Not only has she practiced Taijiquan diligently to improve her health and strengthen her weak body - but she also made a name for herself in West Lake Public Park (西湖公园 - Xi Hu Gong Yuan) teaching Taijiquan to the common people! Since her graceful and powerful appearance at the Dragon Boat Festival - Jiang Xuezhen's dazzling martial arts skills have aroused the interest of many citizens! Some citizens cannot help but wonder – if this older lady was a professional gymnast before? Was Jiang Xuezhen involved in a lifetime of athletic training and development? The answer to all these questions is a resounding ‘NO’! In fact, Jiang Xuezhen was an ordinary worker employed in a garment factory before retiring - and she had NEVER received any such specialist education in this area before. The advanced pliability of her body (and its ‘ligaments’) stem from the time of her retiring from working in the garment industry. Jiang Xuezhen had to retire from working in the garment industry at the age of 45-year due to a physical issue (for which she successfully underwent recuperative surgery). Jiang Xuezhen admits that this was a very confusing time for her both emotionally and psychologically! That is until one day, when she was walking to the West Lake Park (taking exercise), this lady encountered a group of people practicing Taijiquan! At that exact moment - EVERY movement of the Yang Style (the Beijing 24-Step Short-Form) she saw resonated with her mind and body - instantly attracting her attention! When Jiang Xuezhen returned home, she immediately made arrangements to purchase a Taijiquan instructional VCD – which she used to learn Taijiquan through watching carefully and copying the exercises! The next step involved Jiang Xuezhen seeking-out Taijiquan instructors who then corrected and adjusted her ‘Form’ whilst discussing explaining the history and purpose of each sequence - making the revitalising movements much more powerful and effective! Although it took a long time of committed and regular practice, the regular performance of the Taijiquan movements and sequences finally start to transform the natural state and condition of her muscles, joint, bones, ligaments and tendons. At the same time her overall health improved as her inner organs began to strengthen. These changes were so profound that her partner also began to regularly practice Taijiquan! Together, they founded the ‘West Lake Park Taijiquan Practice Group’ - which at the time of writing has at least one-hundred members! When giving a recent interview to reporters, Jiang Xuezhen stated: “It is said that with every inch the ligaments stretch – the lifespan is extended by ten years! This is why I stretch my legs every day!” Jiang Xuezhen went on to explain that when she first tried to lift her legs all those years ago – her ligaments were tense there was very little movement with pain! Jiang Xuezhen trained diligently between the ages of 45-60-years old, and then she found that one day ALL the tension in her body completely disappeared and she was able to drop down into the side-splits position – and stand with one leg held-up directly into the air! This is why Jiang Xuezhen is now able to assume the ‘Golden Rooster Stands on Guard’ and ‘Single Side Horse’ Splits with ease! After demonstrating her extraordinary Taijiquan skills, Jiang Xuezhen advises: “Concentrate upon an activity and pursue its perfection with diligence!” This is sound advice, as apart from being able to demonstrate her mastery of Taijiquan – Jiang Xuezhen is also a painter! Jiang Xuezhen explained that she liked to draw since a child - and has always kept one or two drawings of the Four Treasures in the study room at home - after retirement. When she was about 65-years old, Jiang Xuezhen accompanied her partner in the study of flower and bird painting in a university designed to cater to the needs of the elderly. After two years of meticulous flower and bird painting - Jiang Xuezhen turned to landscape painting. The landscape paintings provided by Jiang Xuezhen are truly inspiring – with the background and fore-ground scenery featuring lakes and mountains contrasting perfectly! The art of Jiang Xuezhen generates a unique beauty which is enhanced by an atmosphere which is experienced by the observer as being vast and hazy! Jiang Xuezhen describes herself as a very serious person. When she learns one thing, she spends all her energy on that single activity. In order to learn landscape painting well, she would only go out daily to practice Taijiquan, but rarely for any other reason. She would often spend a week focusing upon a single picture! Then, in order to match the landscape paintings with the beautiful ideograms that comprised the inscriptions, she also spent a year studying different Chinese calligraphy styles such as seal script, official script, and regular script. "If the font is not good-looking, and the inscription is not well-written, it cannot be regarded as a complete and perfect painting." Jiang Xuezhen explained. This is her true character. It has been nearly 30 years since Jiang Xuezhen retired – yet she has retained the eagerness to learn and perfect everything she turns her hand to! Today, in addition to Taijiquan and landscape painting, Jiang Xuezhen can also perform ballroom dancing! As if all these activities are not enough – Jiang Xuezhen also practices Shaolin martial arts! With her extensive knowledge base and engaging personality, Jiang Xuezhen has become something of an inspiration to the surrounding population – a cultural icon for modern China! [Source: Strait Metropolis Daily] Chinese Language Source: 花30年练太极,福州七旬老太一字马惊艳全场
高抬腿过头顶,一个爽快的金鸡独立瞬间赢得现场朋友的喝彩,随即她又在地上来了一个漂亮又利索的一字马,把节目推向了高潮……不久前,在福州白马河公园举行的端午节活动现场,一位老太的表演让不少市民自愧不如。这位老太就是福州77岁的蒋雪珍,原是服装厂工人的她,在退休后寻找到自我,不仅苦练太极拳改善了虚弱的身体,还在西湖公园“打”出了名堂,将太极拳教授给了更多的人。 60余岁练就金鸡独立、一字马动作 自从在端午节活动中的精彩亮相后,蒋雪珍的花式炫技引起了不少市民的兴趣,有的市民不禁疑惑问,这位老太太以前是不是体操运动员?其实,蒋雪珍退休前是一名服装厂的工人,之前也没有从事过这方面的练习,有着柔软的韧带的起因还要从她退休时说起。 45岁时的蒋雪珍因为身体原因动了手术后,便从原来就职的服装厂退休了。而突然的退休让将蒋雪珍手足无措,每日不知道该做些什么,陷入了迷茫。直到有一日,她散步到西湖公园时,看到了不少人在练太极拳,一招一式瞬间吸引了她的注意。抱着锻炼身体的想法,她购买了太极拳教学碟片,通过不断地的模仿练习学会了太极拳,在与太极拳老师的交流切磋中更精进了太极拳的动作。而在长期的锻炼后,蒋雪珍感到身体逐渐舒爽了不少,更是动员她的爱人一起到在西湖公园中练习太极拳。在30年间,不少市民自发向她学习太极拳,为此,她和爱人还成立了一个西湖如春太极辅助站,学员最多的时候达到了近百人。 “都说筋长一寸,寿延十年,每次运动后,我都拉拉腿。”蒋雪珍告诉记者,原先的她腿抬高一点腿都觉得筋绷得崩的紧,但在多年的锻炼中,她不断尝试拉伸韧带,到了60岁左右,才能可以做出金鸡独立、一字马的动作。 “专心做一件事,并要把它这件事做精” 除了一字马、金鸡独立、太极拳外,蒋雪珍还是一个画家。蒋雪珍说,她从小就喜欢画画,退休后在家里也时常备上文房四宝画上一两副。于是在她65岁左右,她的爱人便带她来到了老年大学里学习花鸟画,在两年的工笔花鸟设色学习入门后,蒋雪珍又转入山水画的学习中。在蒋雪珍提供的山水画作品中,湖和山相映衬的秀丽景色,在苍茫朦胧的氛围中有着独特的美感。 蒋雪珍自喻是个较真的人,学习一件事时,便将所以精力花在一件事上,为了学好山水画,她除了每日的太极拳练功外,便少有外出,常常花上一周的时间认真绘一幅画。而后为了给山水画配以好看的题款,她还用了一年的时间去学习了篆书、隶书、楷书等书体。“如果字体不好看,题款写不好就不能算是一幅完整、好看的画。”蒋雪珍说。 正是较真的性格,蒋奶奶在退休后的近30年间,不断地的保持好学的心,并将每件事做到精,如今的她除了太极拳、山水画外,她还会交际舞、少林武术,成了周围人口中“技能点满满”的潮人。 【来源:海峡都市报】 If a practitioner of traditional Chinese martial arts spends twenty, thirty or forty years perfecting his or her art – then such an individual will experience many different levels and layers of reality as the ageing process unfolds. Of course, much of this will be circumstantial and culturally conditioned (varying from place to place, country to country) - but the ongoing experience of observing the inward biological and psychological process will always possess a certain universal reality common to all human beings. This is true despite many modern people linking their physical activity to the notion (and vagaries) associated with modern sport, commercialism and entertainment, etc. Therefore, many people living in the modern age often think that any sustained physical activity should cease around the age of thirty years old – as the first glimmer of the ageing process begins to make its presence felt! This idea seems to advocate the passive ‘giving-in’ to the ageing process and simply settling for a body that can no longer function as does the body of an eighteen-year-old – and which gets less able as the decades pass due to a terminal inactivity.
A genuine martial artist seeking mastery of body and mind must acknowledge and accommodate the ageing process. As the inner processes and the outer structures of the physical body transform, the traditional Chinese approach has always presented the ageing process as a doorway to a higher form of awareness, perception and physical ability. The modern, Western approach states that the human body becomes weaker the longer it lives. The onus upon this thinking is that this is the most meaningful interpretation of the ageing process and that no other view of the ageing process is required. Linked to this idea of a decrepit body is an entire medical industry offering expensive mechanical devices that assist the body as it weakens – together with entire rafts of various medicinal treatments designed to lighten the ageing process. This is only for the wealthy, of course, and although the scientific alleviation of the ageing process may well be a valid and important one if it were not so exploitative – my point is that as functioning individuals – we are responsible for our own awareness as it functions throughout the biological body and permeates the physical environment. There is nothing wrong with being ill, disabled or otherwise incapacitated. Ageing and illness are biological inevitabilities and should not be denied in anyway. The awareness capacity, however, as far as I am concerned (as I enter my 55th year of life) – is the only way a human being can adjust him or herself to the ever-changing circumstance that defines the ageing process. Not just being ‘aware’ in a passive manner but being ‘aware’ in a proactive manner that permeates the atoms and molecules of the physical body, and which strives to moderate behaviour throughout the physical body. Ironically, being ‘still’ in exactly the correct manner is an important part of traditional Chinese martial arts, which is the foundation of an enhanced (and evolutionarily) advanced ability to manifest the human body within the physical environment. This means that the manner in which the inner human body is perceived changes completely when the ageing process unfolds. Indeed, the ‘internal’ and ‘integrated’ methods of advanced Chinese martial arts practice are dependent upon being ‘old’ and the experience of getting ‘older’. As the out of date (and ‘lazy’) habits of youth fall away, then ‘new’ and more ‘intelligent’ methods of generating stability and power must be cultivated. Extraordinary amounts of stabilising power must be generated and sustained with as little conventional effort as possible. Conventional effort is the driving mechanism of youth which changes as the ageing process advances. It does not ‘disappear’ as many think but transforms and evolves – but many remain completely unaware of this developmental process. This is where the shallow (commercial) culture of the modern West fails the very individuality it creates. This is exactly where the ancient ideas of evolving conscious awareness and physical abilities come into play. When striking the heavy bag, the torso and limbs feel simultaneously ‘light’ for speed and ‘heavy’ for stability. The body is ‘relaxed’ whilst the limbs and torso are positioned perfectly so that the dropped bodyweight can be effectively rebounded from the ground and channelled into the target through the centre of the bones (which feel ‘hollow’ when performing this function). Furthermore, the ‘weight’ of the heavy bag can be momentarily absorbed into the bones and joints of the attacking body (that is the ‘hollow channels’) – before being dramatically expelled back out and into the heavy bag itself – being added to the bodyweight and effortlessly increasing the all-round impact of the punches, kicks, elbows and knees, etc. Meanwhile, as the ageing process unfolds, a tangible sense of space is permanently perceived as existing throughout the inner body which is filled with an energy that is vibrant, full of light and is a combination of physical bodyweight properly used – and an enhanced sense of psychological ‘awareness’ (which also expands outward and into the physical environment). I believe that this is a preparation for old-age and the eventual dying process – whereby the physical body drops-away and the psychological awareness folds-in upon itself. As I get older, physical training seems to be spilling over into a continuous psychological or conscious manifestation that is circular and spiralling in manifestation and ethereal in nature! Yes - training must be rooted in the material realm - but once properly rooted, that is, once all the appropriate martial skills have been learned, practiced, perfected and applied, something happens with this experience which is like an echo broadcasting out into the wilderness, except, of course, it is none of these things, even though it shares certain characteristics with these things. It is like thunder and lightning appearing as two different aspects - even though both are intimately related. Sometimes, when sat meditating, I experience all the gongfu forms being practiced simultaneously as if I am sat in a central nexus surrounded by light! When I re-emerge, the material world appears just the same and I get on with life. In fact, when I perform the gongfu movements again, there is often a new freedom dependent entirely upon the meditative experience.
Advanced martial arts practice is ethereal even though it involves the movement of the body. In fact, moving the body is basic gongfu training, a mastery of which should be gained in one’s youth if possible. When the body ‘ages’ - a practitioner does not want the problem of mastering martial technique whilst coming to terms with how ‘ageing’ changes the mind and body. Knowing how to stand, fall, get-up, moving, kick, punch, block and evade, etc, are foundational issues that must be thoroughly absorbed into the deepest levels of the mind and body well before middle-age is reached. Of course, this is not always the case, as some people take-up the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts late in life – but with regards the more robust and rugged ‘external’ techniques – youthful practice is preferred. This is why many older people (with no previous experience) start their martial arts training through one of the ‘internal’ arts – which are a product of an ‘advanced’ and ‘mature’ mind-set. On the other hand, if an individual is able to build 20-30 years of training prior to hitting 40-50 years of age – then the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and inner organs have all had time to experience a ‘hardening’ process over-time - and are far more ‘robust’ whilst the individual traverses into older age. Probably the greater reason for early martial arts practice is that the ability to produce massive (internal and external) impact power (with minimum) effort must be mastered before the body transitions into older age. This observation does not mean that older people cannot achieve this ability later in their life – but to already possess this devastating power is one less burden – particularly as we may also have far more responsibilities as mature people than the average young person. However, with the right type of instruction from a genuine Master, anyone of any age can ‘master’ gongfu regardless of circumstances. Motivation is the key to it all. The mind must be ‘still’ and ‘expansive’. Its psychic fabric must be simultaneously ‘empty’ and yet ‘envelop’ all things without exception! Although there is much experimentation in the West with the physical techniques of the many (and varied) gongfu styles – very few practitioners are interested in the spiritual or higher psychological aspects of traditional Chinese martial arts. This is because gongfu has been taught the wrong way around in the West to suit the cultural bias of the fee-paying audience. Whereas in China kicking is learned before punching – in the West punching is taught before kicking (because of the influence of Western Boxing). Whereas in China a gongfu practitioner learns to stand still and to stand ‘solid’ whilst defending the ten directions – in the West students are taught to move around before being taught how to ‘stand still’ (this is because Western students do not understand the important of achieving inner and outer ‘stillness’). Whereas in China gongfu student learn to ‘relax’ before assuming postures – in the West students are taught to ‘stretch’ using yoga-like techniques (mostly unknown in China). Whereas students in China learn to ‘strike’ various wooden objects to condition the bones of the hands and feet – in the West, students are encouraged to hit ‘soft’ pads that give a false impression of what it is like to hit a ‘real’ body! In the West, the mind is ‘entertained’ as a means to secure continued fee-paying through class attendance – whilst in China the Master continuously looks for new ways of ‘testing’ the virtue of the student and for any reason to ‘expel’ them from the training hall! All this ‘inversion’ must be remedied if the highest levels of spiritual and physical mastery are to be achieved. This has nothing to do with rolling around on a padded floor wearing padded-gloves – and everything to do with ‘looking within’ to refine the flow of internal energy. The awareness of the mind must permeate every cell of the physical body whilst the practitioner sits correctly in the meditation posture. What else is there? When advanced practitioners ascend to a certain age of maturity, reality has nothing to do with the ego pursuit of ‘winning’ or ‘losing’ in petty disputes that ultimately mean nothing. Most of the combat sports of the moment are fleeting and exist merely to make money – and they are ineffective on the modern battlefield and not practiced by the military! The final lesson is to ‘leave the body’ with the minimum of fuss when the time presents itself. In a very real sense, a genuine Master of martial arts has ‘already’ transcended the boundaries of material limitation whilst still living. This sense of ‘completion’ and ‘transcendence’ is what draws the already perceptive into his or her presence to receive instruction...
ORIGINAL CHINESE LANGUAGE ARTICLE BY: QIANFENG DAOIST MASTER ZHAO MING WANG (赵明旺) (TRANSLATED BY ADRIAN CHAN-WYLES PHD) A few days ago, a venerable 70-year old man came to visit me in Beijing (at the Qianfeng Hermitage) from his hometown of Weihai in Shandong province! His name is ‘Jiang Daochang’ (姜道长) and he is a Disciple in the ‘Wudang’ (武当), ‘Sanfeng’ (三丰) School of internal martial arts practice and mastery! Indeed, Jiang Daochang has dedicated his life to the pursuance of Daoist gongfu (功夫)!
In his search for genuine Daoist self-cultivation knowledge and technique, he has travelled far and wide over many mountains and across numerous rivers! He is a Master of the ‘Taiji’ (太极) ‘Long-Sword’ (剑 - Jian) ‘Law’ (法 - Fa)! Eventually, he has settled in the ‘Wudang Sanfeng School’. However, he has also been aware of the Qianfeng Pre-Natal School and has attended a local study group for many years. It has been his positive experience with this group that led to him taking the decision to travel to Beijing and visit the Headquarters of the Qianfeng School. He is a straightforward person who understands that usually a student must study with a Master for at least three-years (usually after three years of visiting other Masters) before being accepted as a ‘Disciple’ - but this situation is a little different due to Jiang Daochang already training in the Qianfeng School and the fact he is a Taiji Sword Master of many years standing! As is his right as an enquiring student – he requested that I ‘prove’ the efficacy of our School. I first explained the ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' (性命双修 - Xing Ming Shuang Xiu) self-cultivation method as preserved within the Qianfeng School. I then assessed the health of his mind and body – and immediately ‘opened’ ALL of his energy channels throughout his body. As the transformation was ‘immediate’ - Jiang Daochang stated ‘This is the genuine Daoist self-cultivation! Without this method, the essential nature (精 - Jing) cannot transform vital force (炁 - Qi) in the mind and body!’ After experiencing this – Jiang Daochang immediately requested ‘Discipleship’ and he was formally accepted into the Qianfeng School! Jiang Daochang is very concerned for the health of those who have practiced Taiji martial arts all their lives but who have also reached middle-age. When this stage of life is reached, it is important to replenish the ‘jing’ and ‘qi’ (精炁) so as to nourish the bones and inner organs. This is the same advice for ‘internal’ or ‘external’ martial arts practice! These activities consume a lot of ‘Jing’ (精 ) and ‘qi’ (气) - and this foundational store of energy needs to be replaced. This is a primary issue for athletes and people who like to keep-fit. Of course, this is also the same issue for everybody else – but at varying levels of use and replenishment. Many just burn themselves-out wasting their internal energy on frivolous pursuits! It is the ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' self-cultivation technique that can easily remedy this situation! Qianfeng Pre-Natal School Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang ©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2021. Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102yssx.html 修道先悟道 前几天从山东威海来了一位老者,七十多岁武当三丰派弟子姜道长来到北京千峰草堂。 姜道长一生为了追求道家功夫,先后拜访不少名山大川,对道家太极剑法为一生追求,最后拜入武当山三丰派门下。 近年来同时对千峰先天派很早就有了解,经过在千峰先天派群里了解,来到千峰草堂,姜道长是一位率真之人,多年习武造就其真性情,寒暄过后直言按道家规矩,徒访师三年师访徒三年,今天真心求道但是要看师父有真否? 交流了一些千峰先天派性命双修功夫后,为姜道长展示千峰先天派传承(开关展窍)打开经络,经过打开经络姜道长言道,此为真正道家秘法,无有此法无法改变自身精炁运化,随后真心正式拜入千峰先天派,成为千峰入门弟子。 姜道长对如今修道练武以及达到中老年人太极者,达到老年要增补体内精炁,不论是武术还是太极,以及大量消耗精气健身运动者,都需要道家性命双修功夫来增补体内精炁。 千峰先天派,千峰草堂 Dear Ben Master Chan Tin Sang (1924-1993) was of the opinion that ‘Taijiquan’ (太極拳) is an advanced martial art developed by Confucian scholars for the perfect of archery skills. After twenty-years of my own research - I would agree. Of course, Taijiquan is very much part of the Daoist tradition – but as it is premised upon the philosophical principles of the ‘Change Classic’ (易經 - Yi Jing) - specifically those elucidated within the ‘Great Treatise’ (大傳 - Da Zhuan) of the associated commentaries. This is where we learn about the ‘Tai Ji’ (太極) concept which serves as the centre of the Confucian world view - ‘cosmology’. Tai Ji’ (太極) literally translates as ‘Grand Ridge-pole'. In this early model of the cosmos (the content of the ‘Da Zhuan’ probably developed over a thousand-year period – c. 500 BCE – 500 CE, etc, with the concept of ‘Tai Ji’ being included in its earliest strata – perhaps 300 BCE). The ‘ridge-pole’ equates to the human-spine which unites the ‘head’ to the pelvic-girdle and legs – which in transit also includes the arms and hands. This is the human-body as it exists in the material world. The early Confucians assumed that the spiritual (unseen) realm mirrored exactly the material (seen) realm – and so the human-spine was transposed onto the cosmos so that it linked the ‘divine sky (head) - with the ‘Broad Earth’ (lower body, legs and feet). Just as a developed martial artist positions the limbs in perfect repose through the timely ‘turning’ of the spine – the cosmos rotates its cycles around the ‘grand ridge-pole'! Just as the cosmos turns around a central-point – and the planets rotate around individual suns – the seasons come and go in a timely manner – just as night turns into day and vice versa. This fits-in with the Confucian attitude of everything occupying its rightful place at the correct time. Movement is always timely and only performed for a good reason and never impulsive or ill-disciplined. A Confucian scholar brings order to the mind and body – and through his or her example – a similar order is brought to the material world. The Confucian scholar practices the unarmed martial art of ‘Taijiquan’ so that the foundations of ‘long-sword’ and ‘archery’ can be imbued in the mind and body well before a bow or a sword is ever picked-up. The ‘Taijiquan’ practitioner learns effortless ‘penetration’ of the opponent – this gives an insight into how a sword and arrow-tip ‘penetrates’ the target. More to the point, the ‘Taijiquan’ element of ‘inflating’ the joints with a buoyant qi-energy prepares the mind and physical-frame for the drawing and releasing of the arrow from the bow! When a bow is drawn (a Confucian scholar was expected to draw and fire with an equal accuracy from both sides of the body) the physical-frame is brought under a great intrinsic ‘pressure’ from the draw-poundage of the bow! When the arrow is released – this accumulated energy ‘rushes’ out of the body with the arrow! By aligning the bone-shafts and joints so that the body-weight drops into the floor through the centre of the feet – a rebounding ‘force’ is generated from this ‘rooted’ stance that raises up through the body and which can be released through any part of the body. Any stance and shape that is ‘held’ can be ‘rounded’ to such an extent that an ‘intrinsic’ force is accumulated in the joint areas – which can be ‘released’ as a striking-force where needed (adding to the rebounding body-weight). This ability of the advance ‘Taijiquan’ practitioner to accumulate this force mimics the reality of drawing a bow. It just so happens that when accomplished without holding a bow – this ‘massive’ force can be ‘released’ through any part of the body as an overwhelmingly powerful strike. This skill can also be used as a ‘brick wall’ that stops an opponent in his or her tracks! When I have demonstrated the ‘immovable’ posture – usually the biggest man present puts all his strength into pushing my palm – but as I ‘reflect’ his force back at him – the more he tries the greater the force I have at my disposal to reject his intention! He gives me all the energy I need. This is just like drawing a bow...
Probably around 2008, Tony Smith 5th Dan (of Hereford Goju-Ryu Karate-Do) returned from an extended visit to Japan and Okinawa. When I eventually met-up with him, he presented me with these two clay lions from Okinawa, which appear based upon a Chinese design.Although there is no pearl or ball - one lion has his mouth open and looks to the left - whilst the other has her mouth closed and looks to the right. Both lions keep all four paws firmly upon the ground:
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AuthorShifu Adrian Chan-Wyles (b. 1967) - Lineage (Generational) Inheritor of the Ch'an Dao Hakka Gongfu System. |