The way and its power
Why do I see things this way?
Because this is the way things are.
(Lao Tzu)
Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) is the name of the
taoist book which features the
underlying precepts of tai chi chuan.
It is sometimes translated as The Way and Its Power.
This is quite a dramatic title.
What is "the way"?
What is "its power"?
These are the questions facing every earnest tai chi chuan student.
The way
Tao Te Ching is not a religious or philosophical book. It is an attempt to
explain something that eludes explanation.
This may sound absurd.
However, imagine trying to explain 'love' to somebody...
It is not that easy.
Love is not a thought. It is not a word. It is a feeling.
Now, try to explain 'wind'...
Wind exists but can we feel it?
Do we feel wind itself or the air and dust particles moved by wind?
'The way' must be felt without intellectualisation. It must be seen through its
effects.
The power
If 'the way' is difficult to comprehend, 'the power' may prove even more
challenging for you.
Te refers to a power that can be used but not kept.
By according yourself with the way, you find that things flow.
You gain use of power.
Putting this into practice involves a combination of biomechanics, sensitivity,
structure, perception and balance, rhythm and timing.
The effect is often quite astounding.
It may even look 'magical', but it is not magic at all. It is the direct
application of Tao Te Ching.
If you are successful in according yourself with tao, then your application of
tai chi chuan will be graceful.
There will be no exerting or forcing.
Ease, gentleness, appropriateness... these are the hallmarks of skill.
Taoism
Taoism is the study into the nature of things.
It is an attempt to feel the how, the way of existence and accord yourself with
its character.
In any aspect of life there is an opportunity to flow easily with what is
happening.
Tai chi chuan without tao
If your tai chi chuan does not contain the insights and lessons of Tao Te Ching, you
possess an empty shell.
Your instructor may be skilled enough to provide you with a working system.
However, without tao, the deeper understanding is absent.
The principles and insights of taoism are essential to tai chi chuan.
The art was built with these in mind; it was intended to accord your body with
'the way' in order to borrow 'its power'.
Page created 28 May 1994