Tai Chi - An Experience of Oneness with the World by Anita Burns
Anita Burns
Tai chi is about changing our internal
environment so that life becomes a joy to live and not a burden to drag
into old age and death. It is about helping your body to let go of the
past and your mind to slow down and cease churning. Tai chi encourages
your internal focus to shift toward cherishing and remembering all that
is wonderful in your life. It predisposes you to look forward to ways to
make life better, rather than remembering how unsatisfying it has
been.
Most importantly, tai chi gives us the ability to realize a
greater human potential in ourselves and to have genuine compassion for
others. Tai chi, with its gentle strength, moves us closer to feeling
more truly alive.—Bruce Frantzis
Practicing Tai chi sends us into an experience of complete oneness with
the world. In its satiny, smooth movements, the cares of the world
temporarily dissolve into unimportance. Like the ocean tides, each
motion flows into the other.
Tai Chi has no sharp or sudden movements. It is done in graceful,
rhythmic, circular motions and is the ultimate in moving meditation,
blending body and mind in complete harmony.
From it’s humble beginnings in 2205 B.C. as a discipline to prevent life
force stagnation in the body, Tai Chi has changed throughout the
centuries, evolving from one form to another, each Tai Chi master making
improvements and adding a personal touch.
Today, although there are innumerable versions of Tai Chi, they are all
derived from four major Tai Chi styles: Yang, orginally a Chen family
secret discipline for self-defense and health; Wu, a shorter, less
athletic version, developed by a Chen family son when he opened Tai Chi
to the public; Ho, an athletic version, usually performed only in
China; and Sun, an aggressive, forceful style.
Although watching Tai Chi is a joyful experience, in any style, it was
never intended to be a performing art like dance or gymnastics. Tai Chi
is an inner art, harmonizing and strengthening the body, mind, and
spirit.
Tai Chi, unlike most exercise disciplines, puts no undue stress on the
body. You remain completely relaxed during the entire process. You don’t
huff and puff, and are never pushed beyond your capability. Tai Chi
builds strength and endurance steadily and slowly through the movements,
employing balance, motion, and breathing.
There is no age limit for enjoying Tai Chi. People of all ages
participate and benefit. Tai Chi masters claim that legs can be
strengthened, blood circulation can be improved resulting in a more
alert, mind, improved, limber joints, and better balance. Tai Chi
teaches us how to relax during movement, promoting strength and force in
our actions.
As a meditative practice, Tai Chi creates a calm and alert mind, capable
of focused attention. The benefits of meditation are commonly known and
recommended by many doctors and psychologists. They claim that
meditation provides a release of emotional tension and allows creative
flow and introspection. Tai Chi practicers often say they are better
able to cope with stress, interact more easily with people, and
generally feel better all over.
The philosophy of Tai Chi embraces the relationship between body and
mind—that a troubled mind will affect the body and a weak sick body will
affect the mind. In a world full of stress, Tai Chi is like an oasis in
the desert. The constant flow of smooth, rhythmic, circular motion,
creates mental and physical peace and harmony. Many Tai Chi students say
they experience a floating, timeless sensation. Worries and anxieties
seem to melt away. Tai Chi pulls the attention inward. The practicer
becomes acutely aware of body and mind moving in complete unison.
Tai Chi is properly experienced with comfort and ease. The more it is
practiced, the better it feels. Master TT. Liang said, "At first I took
up Tai Chi as a hobby; gradually It became an addiction”