Despite the multitude of benefits and advantages to having one, there are many misgivings about forming a unified organization of tai chi and internal arts practitioners. All relate to what people refer to as a negative Filipino trait – "the crab mentality".
Without intentionally offending the crab as a specie, this mentality refers to what is perceived in the crab's behavior when they pulls down a fellow crab that is trying to escape by climbing out of their cage in captivity. Some people argue that the crab actually does this because he is concerned about the group as a whole and is discouraging individual selfish motives. Or that, the top crab is just trying to pull the other crabs up . . only a crab can really tell.
Whatever, the usual common phenomenon in case is the copious proliferation of Filipino associations in the America – regionalistic, clannish and personalistic. Characterized by constant bickering directed at personalities rather than issues – a national preoccupation that is probably an extension of our homegrown politics.
It would seem that this is an inherent trait of the particular stage of the development of the Filipinos as a people – still lacking a sense of nationhood. Would the Tai Chi Union of the Philippines (TCUP) then be anachronistic and fall into this pattern?
But, another point of view is to see Tai Chi and the formation of the TCUP as a transformative effort and proactive solution to a national problem. Imperative even, since the country and its people are ill prepared and disunited to face the impending problems that the “Global Warming” trend will spawn in a not too distant future. This approach can be seen as one of many approaches our people can take to be able to ward off this "ten thousand pounds" threat with our puny "four ounces" of national strength”.
So, how can tai chi do that? Actually, real tai chi has the potential of changing the practitioners internally – to gain the universal principles of balance, unity, coordination, sensitivity and connectedness; not to push but to flow and to harmonize. If so, it would then be the practitioners that would transform the Filipino thinking (as in the 100th monkey/critical mass principle).
So TCUP can be looked as the practitioners learning practice set. To paraphrase Confucius, “If we want to change the world, we can . . . but we need to start with our country, but before that we start with our community, but before we work even closer to that of our family, but even before that, our self, and before that, our vert inner thoughts by asking if they are sincere”. So, that’s it, do we have sincere heart on this – “cheng shin”.
We can, can’t we? In the formation of TCUP, as in our practice of tai chi, we can let our egos rule, we can have selfish motive, or we can be sincere to learn and do. Many believe some of us can do it. Just like in tai chi, we may be far off from our goal, but if our heart is in the right place, the right direction will be evident, and it would just be a matter of time. . . Patience too.
For inquiries and comments email me: ed.stillmountain@gmail.com
TCUP: An Association ahead of its time?
Learning tai chi push hands: 4 Helpful Rules
Here in the Philippines we recently upgraded our skills from the sharing of Chris Vogel who is currently conducting a workshop program in auspices of the Dasmarinas Village Association and Still Mountain Tai Chi Kung Institute.
Learning the art of tai chi push hands is probably one of the most difficult endeavors for most of us, and certainly for me. That is probably one of the reasons why very few people teach, learn and consequently practice this aspect of tai chi.
From beginning to learn this exquisitely subtle art, one can truly begin to appreciate why the name tai chi chuan literally means the great ultimate martial art – it leads to the highest level. This is hard to justify for the obvious reason that we cannot personally prove it, which in turn, is simply because we do not get to learn and practice tai chi pushing hands.
Rules here do not mean laws; rather they are like rail guides to keep us from veering away from the wrong direction. They are being suggested by those who walk this path ahead for those who would like to tread this very subtle and tricky path to the pinnacle of tai chi. It is difficult enough with a guide, discarding the guide is almost a certain path away from the goal.
Here they are:
1. Grateful and appreciating attitude to your partner.
>Yes, one needs a partner; different partners show us different aspects for us to learn.
> So, it is really pointless, if not downright low mindedness to
injure or dishonor your partner – our very source of learning.2. Patient, relaxed and playful spirit of learning:
> Too much seriousness comes from excessive willing and expecting; this causes tension, just reinforcing the very manner we hold our mind and body that we would want to change.
> Learning comes from mistakes. As the late master Cheng Man Ching said, “Invest in loss. After continually learning from committing the same mistakes a hundred times, we would eventual gain real and substantial learning” – from our mistakes comes our invincible strength, the real "jing" (internal strength). > Hurrying to “get it” will actually take us longer. A very
appropriate paradox because as Classics master Wang Tsung-yueh said, "Missing it by a little will lead many miles astray."
> “From familiarity with the correct touch, one gradually comprehends jing; from the comprehension of jing one can reach wisdom. Without long practice one cannot suddenly
understand tai chi.” - Master Wang Tsung-yueh3. Essentially, push hands is a great teacher for learning about self and others.
> It is a great learning practice to know our weaknesses and strength as well as those of our partners.
> As Master Wang Tsung-yueh said, “To become a peerless fighter only comes from being able to say – The opponent does not know me, I alone know him.” And, “Fundamentally, it is giving yourself up to follow the opponent.”
> Be rewarded and allow rewarding with a friendly soft pat
to show that “attack lanes towards us are not adequately covered”, they would have been open and unrecognized. Strive to be always aware to adapt or evade in time. Done playfully and without malice, this helps both players adapt to changing situations.
>So, self-reflect often, deep and wide. Take note of your partner's strengths and weaknesses and correct them first in yourself and then offer suggestion to your partner only if it can be accommodated coming from you, otherwise, let it be.
>Remember that there will always be someone with greater skill. It is not about wining and losing. Win and lose correctly for the learning and mastery that will come with time.
4. Check if you are contemplating and beginning to get the principles:
- Centering: Stay on the center (body) and find the off-balancing point.
- Staying within the “four ounces” principle: Focus equally on neutralizing the incoming force and on attacking with the four-ounce principle (never allow more than four ounces of pressure on your body and on your attack). Avoid tensing beyond “four ounces”: Use tense arms of opponent, and don’t give tension that can be used by the opponent. Pushing on the point of contact leads to tensing.
- Keeping a firmly expanded and balanced structure: Keep a circle of space between your body and your arms/hands by turning, folding, using up and down and side-to-side appropriately. Inflexibility and having no firm expanded structure leads to collapsing and being cornered.
- The Neutralizing and Aiming Game:
To neutralize is to render the opponent’s aim ineffective as in deflecting the direction of his “gun” away from you as a target.
To aim is to have your “gun” aiming at you’re your opponent such that he would be “uprooted” if he does not neutralize your aim.
Deflect the opponent’s aim while reestablishing your aim. This should be done with as little physical movement as possible. This means we try adjusting our internal energy and feeling primarily.
Tensing up is considered a move and that can be taken advantaged of. An attack/aim that is tense, telegraphed or holds more than four-ounces from the onset is an opportunity to take advantage of. Avoid in yourself and seek in your opponent.
It is important to not miss and use as little effort when you aim while causing your partner to miss his aim.
Stay light with the four-ounce principle. It affords sensitivity and timely changes.
Stick/adhere and follow to control your opponent without giving up your structure.
Getting this right is rewarded with being able to give a friendly soft pat indicating that one has not missed both a neutralization and aim . Done playfully and with intent to learn together, this helps both players to advance in realization-after-realization.
- Internalize these principles in daily standing meditation:
bring standing awareness into the practices of form and push hands.
This promotes flexibility in mind and body and leads to finding the strongest and safest position, timely neutralization and constant aiming back.
This is just a quick and short summarization of what I’ve learned so far. Indeed, far from being comprehensive but, helpful nonetheless.
For sure, push hands training is metaphorically applicable in daily life. Don’t you think so?
Let us know what you think. Email me: ed.stillmountain@gmail.com
Part II - Students Apply Tai Chi in Daily Life (with pictures update)
Jizzelle Jad (Filipina student):
Transforming the Negative Chi of Fear to Positive Chi of Exhilaration-
Going on an adventurous journey of fun in “Enchanted Kingdom”, an amusement part with challenging rides, has its moments of fear. Fear really gripped me as a roller coaster type of ride was going to the part where it would plunge into the river. The fun feeling of the ride transformed into panic and I felt my body stiff with tension, was hardly breathing and my mind just totally in shock. At that point I remembered my Tai Chi. I took a deep inhalation and relaxed my body with a long, smooth and even exhalation. I also focused not on the fear but on the fact that I was there to challenge myself. Almost instantly, I felt my negative chi transformed into positive chi. I even repeated the ride and prove to myself that I’ve transformed my fear chi to enjoy chi.
Siti (Indonesian female student):
Where is my stored chi?
We learn that we can store chi so that we can use it in the future when we need it. I did not understand exactly how this is done. One day, I felt what may be termed as depression. It came from a thought of something that would happen in the future.
I have a very close friend. We live in the same place and we go out together. I feel very happy and close with her. But I know in one month she would leave to go back to her home. This time will come when I will say goodbye to her. I could not control my tears when I thought of the loneliness that would come. I felt my chi draining away with my tears and darkening with my sadness. Just then, I realized that I have not stored the positive chi for this. I don’t have any inner strength within myself to be happy on my own and to move on in life. So now I know, I need to develop and store this kind of chi for times like this. Its all a matter of my first having the skill to transform negative chi and then store this as inner strength and wisdom that I can draw from in times like this. So this is Chi Cultivation.
Dev (Nepali male student)
Can the “three adjustments” improve memory?
I reached a point when my inability to memorize put me in trouble with my assessment. It is not that I did not work hard because I really did. But, what I studied just didn’t stick in my brain and I cannot remember them when I needed to during the examination. This made me more tense, with headache, tiredness and muscle pain. I could not even sleep well.
I decided to seriously use tai chi to solve this problem. I practiced the adjustments as often as I can. Every time I can remember, I adjusted my posture to be balanced and relaxed, I deepened, smoothened and sunk my breathing down in my abdomen, and I focused my mind that I will be able to remember what I study. Surprisingly, the answers for the exams came to me when I needed them effortlessly and without straining. Along with the chi that I was able to store in body doing the adjustments, I was also storing the information systematically in my brain.
Rama (Nepali female student):
Chi is carried also by words –
Going to a place when the language is different I realized that my ability to transmit my chi to those who did not speak my language is limited. One is limited to what is called body language for expressing our thoughts and the feelings that come from our chi. It felt like there is a block in the flow of chi between me those who I cannot communicate with. This feeling led also in a feeling that my chi is also blocked inside me. It is stagnating inside me wanting to be expressed.
Then, a friend came and offered to translate for us. Suddenly, I felt confusion was replaced by understanding and these brought smiles on our faces and our chi radiated out with harmony.
Rachana (Nepali female student):
An angel smiled and transmits magical chi -
Yesterday, I was at the Internet chatting with my sister from back home in Nepal. We turned the camera on so we could see each other’s faces. There I saw in my sister and friend how they missing me. I cannot control my heart and I just wept and so did they.
Now, I am alone in sitting by the Manila Bay, and I just want to be left to be with my feelings. A girl came to sit near me and smiled at me as she introduced herself and asked for my name. She asked me why I am alone when everyone has a family. After I explained to her that I left my family in Nepal to study here, she answered that if though we don’t really know each other, we are now having a conversation in a friendly manner. We really felt like friends talking and smiling a lot. Gradually, my heart and my face freshened up. I felt like an “angel” transmitted positive chi to transform my negative mood.
Rammy (Indonesian female student):
Creating negative chi with our biased mind –
One day back in my home country in Indonesia I was traveling to another country in Indonesia with my friend. It was mid-night and we had no choice but to ride with another passenger who was making small talk with us. He has long hair, bib body and looked like a mafia type of person. This thought made our whole trip covered with the “fear chi”, making us tense, uncomfortable and worried. Throughout we were talking to him with intention to change whatever bad intention he has with us.
Actually, that was all in mind, he turned to be a very good person who just wanted to protect us. He even brought us safe home, not leaving until we were inside our house. I just discovered that the chi we experience is something that is based only in what we believe at the moment. If we can change our belief, we can change the experience coming from that.
Jocelyn (Filipina student);
Our chi has impact, we can change people’s heart –
I am with my daughter this day and I want her to be very happy because I am leaving and I would not see her for two years. I like her to have a memory that I gave her all that she needed. In the mall, I realized I needed to go to the pawnshop to tide over my lack of money. There was none in that mall. I had to struggle through traffic to go to distant place where there is one. Finally, I got there but to my irritation the person involved was demanding for two identification cards. Actually, some do not require that. I had to run again for another pawnshop. Still, same demand. You can just imagine how I was stewing in my own stress, I was just ready to explode!
I stopped. I realized I am full of bad chi at that point. But, what to do now? I’m not only running out of money, I am also running out of time. I remembered, you can influence another person with your chi. I focused on the positive. I will plead with my chi to her. I will beg her for consideration. It worked! My chi has impact!
Dheeraj (Nepali Male Student):
These days I’m far from home, feeling homesick, missing my friends, family and country. My mind finds itself flying home, I cannot concentrate on the lessons I need to focus on. Something in heart blocks the way my where my chi is suppose to flow for me to achieve my goal in life. I cannot let this continue. I’ve learned that through learning Chi Kung, that I empower myself to not be at the mercy of my emotion. My feelings is just the result of the flow of chi. To regain my focus and strength I need to adjust my posture that could lead me to sadness. Balancing my posture allows me to be alert and awake and responsive to the task at hand. My breathing can bring more energy into my brain so that I would be more resourceful in dealing with my daily problems. My mind can be made to focus on my priorities and control the distractions that continually try to displace my direction.
Niezel (Filipina Student):
Rejuvenating through tai chi exercise -
The daily schedule of a student in the Academy is really hectic – no time for “gimmick”, extra-curricular activities. We are daily loaded up with homework that even our evenings up to the time we go to bed are for studying. If I do not conserve my energy, I would be left with nothing to store and build up my chi for times of great demand. If I do not conserve my energy, I would be using up the energy I have in store or even eating up into the energy to maintain the health of my internal organs. When this happens, I know I will eventually get sick or unable to think well and my emotion will easily be unbalanced.
Tai chi exercises allows my energy to be generated by my deep breathing and my gathering of energy from the ground, from the sky, from the trees and sea and rivers. I open up to gather them and circulate them in body, balancing the energies in my internal organs, muscles and bones. I focus my mind so that these energies are purified into positive vibrations flowing through me. This way I feel renewed everyday and ready to face a new hectic day as a normal challenge.
