| Feature Article
The Way of the Master : an Endless
Journey
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
When I first began training with Fei, he taught me the
Tai Chi low leg practice, moving slowly with thighs parallel to the
ground. He said this is the first stage of training – it develops the
roots of the tree. Fifteen years later, I am still trying to master
this practice.
Another teacher of mine, Grandmaster Fu Sheng Yuan of the
Yang Style, said, “If you want to master the art, you have to be able to
eat bitter – endure the difficulties.”
One soon realises that mastery of the Chinese internal
arts is firstly a path to self mastery. There are many obstacles to
overcome. In the beginning, it is remembering and practising what you
have learnt. It is not until you have given priority to your own
practice that you will eventually realise that practice is a joy, not a
chore. Students always feel good and receive some benefits doing the
practice every time. However, if they have not given priority to
training regularly, everything else will come first and in the end, they
will not have the attitude, the time and the habit required to do the
practice. They will not be able to deepen their training and feel the
joy derived from their practice.
Kung Fu, which implies going beyond a superficial level
of skill, is built up gradually with consistent quality practice. It
means we train all year round. Even when we are not well or are very
busy, we can still practise some Qigong or relaxation Fa Soong Gong
movements. Every occasion is also an opportunity to practise. While
driving, learn to relax your body, especially your shoulders, and
practise staying calm in traffic. Maintain your equanimity in heated
moments. Cultivate your mindfulness during mundane tasks, such as
washing dishes. Learn to listen to others and understand what they are
really communicating. Ease tension with humour or a smile, practise
quick thinking, learn to be efficient, know how and when to relax.
Many of China’s great masters have all had to endure many
hardships to reach a high level. Chen Fa Ke (1887-1957), 17th
generation of Chen Style, is one such person. He is the teacher of
Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang (1928- ), founder of the Hun Yuan Tai Chi
system that you are learning. Chen Fa Ke was quite sickly as a child.
His parents never thought of him as being an heir to the family art of
Tai Chi. In the village, he was easily beaten by all the others. One
day he overheard his parents lamenting about their son’s weak
constitution . When young Chen Fa Ke heard this, he made up his mind to
be the best Tai Chi exponent in the village.
In the beginning, he trained with everyone else but was
not catching up. One day, while going to work in the fields, his cousin
had forgotten some tools and sent Chen Fa Ke back to get them. His
cousin said he would walk a little slower until Chen caught up. This
simple incident gave Chen the idea of practising more often than the
other boys in the village as a way to catch up and overtake them. Chen
Fa Ke would wake earlier to train and would also practise while the
other boys were napping during lunch break.
After three years of hard training, Chen Fa Ke became the
village champion. Many in the village attributed his skill to a secret
family training method. However, during this three year period, his
father had been away on business.
As time went by, Chen’s skills developed to a very high
level. While demonstrating one day, he used his downward sinking qi
energy in the Buddha’s Warrior Pounds Mortar Tai Chi movement, smashing
the floor boards under his feet. While in Beijing, he was challenged
numerous times. Once he disarmed his whirling broad sword opponent
while using only his feet.
On another occasion, a champion Mongolian wrestler
challenged him. As the wrestler took hold of Chen’s arms, the wrestler
just laughed and bowed to Chen. There was no apparent struggle. A few
days later, the wrestler visited Chen with many gifts. Chen’s students
were puzzled by the visit. The wrestler said, “Didn’t your teacher tell
you? He could have thrown me any time. I had no balance at all.” This
was an indication of Chen’s high level of skill, humility and good
morals; he did not allow the wrestler to lose face in front of his
peers.
Many
great masters never proclaim themselves as masters. They always know
that there is always further to develop and that training is an ongoing
process. Chen Fa Ke was once given a plaque by the martial arts
community in Beijing. It says, “Your skills are second to none.”
Instead of displaying the plaque, Chen kept it under his bed!
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