Winning
Richness is a mental state. We are rich when we reach a point where we
realise that we have enough.
(John Lash)
Competitions
Tai chi competitions reduce the sophisticated art to a win/lose equation.
This is ridiculous.
Yet, it pleases many people.
Non-taoist
By entering a competition, a person already demonstrates a poor sense of taoism.
Taoism is fundamentally opposed to the notion of competition.
The self needs to be sublimated, not indulged.
Self defence is about protecting yourself when assaulted. It has nothing to with
fighting or competing.
No pride
Is a bird impressed by its own song?
Singing is what the bird does. The bird takes no pride in its voice. It is
simply following its own nature.
Taoism/zen teaches us that successful use of the art entails according ourselves
with what is happening.
We move as one with the moment.
Our body does what is necessary and no more than that.
It all feels to happen by itself.
Given that we have simply done what we are able to do, there is no cause for
pride.
Insecurity
The need to win reflects a deep insecurity. Competing is all about approval.
Rather than pit yourself against others, consider the source of this anxiety.
What drives you to compete?
Why are you insecure?
Leaning on things outside of yourself is a fundamental weakness.
Victorious
If you beat somebody to the ground with your bare hands, is this a victory?
Harming someone else is no cause for celebration. You should feel embarrassed.
Ashamed.
The victory of one person entails the defeat of another.
Cheering at someone else's failure is despicable.
Self defence
Tai chi people do not enter fighting competitions.
The art is about evading an attack. You are not interested in proving your
prowess or receiving acclaim.
People who enter competitions have an external martial arts attitude, not a tai
chi one.
Self defence takes no pride in escaping unharmed or incapacitating the attacker.
There is no victory involved.
You have not won. You have survived. There is a clear difference between the
two.
Page created 5 August 1999