Conventions
The very nature of science is that most of our current ideas are wrong,
irrelevant or unimportant. Science progresses by demonstrating that our
hypotheses and conjecture need to be overhauled, thrown out or modified.
(David
Suzuki)
Assumptions
Our lives are based on certain assumptions. We take things for granted
without proof. We treat things as a given.
Ideas such as 'religion' and 'monarchy' are widely accepted. And unchallenged.
There is a certain arrogance implicit within an assumption; the idea is treated
as reality, regardless of fact.
People often believe that they have a right to do things a certain way. They
assume authority.
They sometimes think that their way is the only way to do things.
Consider 'Windows' on your computer...
There are different ways to open and close a window. Different ways to save
data.
Each of these methods is equally valid.
We cannot assert that there is just one correct approach. We would be incorrect
to make such an assumption.
Traditions
A tradition involves the passing-down of information from one generation
to the next.
The knowledge is treated as a time-honoured, unchanging standard.
With tai chi, people have passed-down the art for centuries. But it has not
remained static.
To a certain extent, it has evolved with the times.
Is this a bad thing?
Consider: if a 21st Century person was given a 16th Century martial art, would
it have any real world value?
If you are honest, some aspects of the art would still be viable, but other
material may be hopelessly antiquated.
Essence
There are certain
conventions used in tai chi: softness,
connection, gravity, not forcing, slowness, composure and energy.
These qualities are what make the art 'tai chi'.
Tai chi is not just the form.
After all, there are so many forms and they are all called 'tai chi'.
Some are a viable method for training internal power, whilst others are
merely dance.
The art resides in
how you do the material,
why
you do it a certain way and
what you choose to do with it.
In the tradition of tai chi, it is important that the
essence
of the art is passed-down.
Transmitting an empty form from generation to generation is pointless.
Contradiction
Some beginners are interested in performance art and
competitions.
These approaches violate the taoist
precepts upon which tai chi was built.
If we are going to follow the taoist approach to softness, smoothness,
non-aggression and conflict, we cannot ignore their
condemnation of competition.
Competition involves resistance, contest, rivalry, struggle, force, wilfulness
and end-gaining.
If you want the art to work, you cannot seek to be soft on the one hand and then
compete on the other.
There is a contradiction in that approach.
How you are must permeate all aspects of your art and your life. You do not have
"one face for giving and one face for taking".
Familiar practices
People follow conventions because they are familiar. They see no need to
're-invent the wheel'.
However, not everything we have in modern society is viable.
Look around you.
The legal system, education, politics... does any of it really work? Be honest.
Computers are useful. But are they really all that good? Have we
achieved the paperless office?
Do they really save us any time?
There may be an accepted way of doing things, but that is not the only way.
If you are smart, you will consider the nature, character, purpose, essence of
what you are undertaking.
You will re-assess its validity.
Explore
options, variables, alternatives.
Adapt,
change, improvise.
Take nothing for granted. Re-invent the wheel. Only this time, improve it.
Page created 17 August 1998