The Circular Path of Tai Chi Can Take Many Turns

By Dennis Watts
 

The path to understanding Tai Chi Ch’uan is a winding path. Putting that understanding into practice is a rewarding lifelong experience.  As we have cometo know, there are few direct paths in nature;  rather, our universe seems to be comprised of spirals and circles and arcs.  Folding the metal a thousand timesmakes the finest swords.

 The medicine wheel of the first people is approached along a winding path. The path of life is a winding one. The path to the top of the mountain is a winding path. A drop of water, flowing from the mountain to the sea, takes a winding path. Could this be nature’s way?

We all know that we are unable to successfully travel the path of understanding unless we know the “secrets” of finding the way. “What is the secret of your progress?”

Of the deepest of secrets there are several: The ability to listen to yourself. The ability to practice with quality and sincerity. The ability to practice with a good and peaceful heart. The ability to be patient. The ability to cast aside that which does not work. The ability to reflect on that which has been cast aside; for it may have been a thought for which you were not ready. The ability to take back that which was once rejected.

This is why the path is winding; why it often folds back on its self. In my personal

practice my mind keeps changing the intent of the practice. In my first years the intent was to find the exercise I enjoyed. This quickly changed as my meagre ability to concentrate was challenged. Next came the martial intent of each move. Later the meditative qualities, then back to the martial.

Then to the Qi Gong (chi kung) quality; there all along, inherent in the form; waiting to be recognized; waiting for me to be ready. Next, the rhythm of the breathing, controlling the tempo of the practice and the Yin and Yang of the breathing matching the Yin and Yang of each move. Ideas continue to flow: Is the form to be practiced as a continuous flow of movement? What happens if I seek out the classical posture of which the form is comprised? What happens if I allow myself to pause at the completion of each posture just long enough to, properly settle into it? Am I returning to a state of Wu-Chi each time this happens? How does this affect the flow of Chi? “Is Tai Chi martial, meditative or for healing” I am asked? “At least”  I answer.

The answers lie with our level of understanding, and our capacity and willingness to think on these things.  Sometimes we are misled by the ignorance of others.  Mistakes will be made.  Mistakes can be corrected. The secret lies in continuous listening; in mental flexibility. The truth will prevail. Truth is the essence of the classics; the essence of understanding, the essence of good teachers.

Can good teachers present a straight path? Or do good teachers present a classical concept and then a problem to be solved? While most students want and some demand ready answers, good teachers want to see evidence of work, tenacity, sincerity, problem solving, and struggle. These all strengthen the will.

No good teacher wants to see a student hopelessly mired down, so a little nudge, a further hint, might be in order. But when answers are readily given, little is gained.  “Think about it. Work on it some more. ” The teacher will often reply.  To solve the problem largely through one’s own effort is best.  The path is winding, never aimless, out of necessity.

The path is winding because we must be allowed to learn from our minor mistakes. The teacher interjects when the mistakes are major. We must experience difficulty, struggle and success. This is so our will power may become stronger and so that we will have the intestinal fortitude to continue.

Knowledge must be assimilated in order to become understanding. Understanding cannot be passed on like money. Understanding requires work. We gain knowledge from a teacher or a book, and then practice for a thousand hours before we understand the gift.

Each step we understand can change all previous steps and, in time, present us with the next idea. Understanding one more thing changes everything. We experience another fold in the sword; another thousand hammer blows; another turn in the path.

And everything we need to know is inherent in the very first thing we thought we

understood. Each new thing we come to understand is nothing more than a deep

probing of the original step.

Travelling the winding path is a process to be enjoyed, not hurried. It doesn’t matter then if we stop beside a woodland stream. Or stop to listen to a singing bird; or carefully plant a tulip bulb; or take the time to feel the earth; or take the time to feel. “All wisdom is within the single child who runs zigzag through the field.”

Dennis Watts

Gold Coast Tai Chi Academy

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