Journey to Self Mastery
– Chief Instructor Brett Wagland

Training in Tai Chi or any of the traditional Chinese health and martial arts takes the practitioner on a path of self mastery.  This journey explores how we use the mind and body to heal and strengthen ourselves.  At first, we discover how much tension and force we use to move our bodies.  This is reflected in our everyday lives when we experience tension headache, a stiff neck and back, poor coordination, a forceful and defensive attitude and a quick temper.  As we learn to relax, we find we can achieve more with less effort and tension.  We become more flexible and content.  We don’t take ourselves too seriously.  Our interactions with others are more friendly and harmonious. 

In the higher levels, compassion and respect for all beings begin to become the norm.  Conflicts are resolved amicably.  Our view on life broadens and we develop a sense of spaciousness in our consciousness.  In terms of physical contact, the high level is exemplified by achieving impressive results with a minimum of exertion.  Confidence and calm influence our enemies and friends in a positive way.  Tai Chi masters, Yang Lu Chan, Chen Fa Ke, and Aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba, all achieved this level of self mastery.

At the first stage of our Tai Chi training, we tend to rely on physical strength.  Everything is done with much effort and self consciousness.  We are not very aware of our bodies and how to coordinate each part.  The Chinese masters say that we use too much hard force.  When students try out martial applications with each other, they rely on tension and force to deal with a physical threat.  We can see the same analogy on the emotional level.  In an argument, we may try to shout the other person down.  We see the other person as separate from us.  The other person is a threat and needs to be overpowered.  This level is fraught with tension and fear.  Our vision is narrow and life is a series of battles.  Harmony and balance are not part of our daily living at this stage.

The second stage is characterised by a greater awareness of the interaction and coordination between the physical and mental.  Our consciousness plays a greater role in our training.  We can feel the movement as we do it.  We find it easier to calm the mind and relax the body. We have also developed a stronger sense of qi (energy) which moves through our bodies as we practise. 

In the context of self defence, we are more likely to use skill and techniques to overcome the opponent, rather than brute strength.  However, even though we have become more skillful, victory is not always ours if we meet with an opponent who is more resourceful and faster than we are. 

In other areas of our lives, we try to find smarter ways to do things.  We become more sensitive to other people’s needs and feelings.  Instead of just arguing our case, we listen to others.  As our skill level rises, we become more confident in our ability to deal with difficulties and are therefore less defensive.  We feel stronger physically, mentally and emotionally.

In internal martial arts, such as Tai Chi, Bagua and Xing Yi, an important part of the training is awakening the waist.  The waist includes not only the physical waist but also the acupuncture points, Ming Mun (the Gate of Life) located towards the back, and Dan Tian (the Field of Elixir) located towards the abdomen.  At this level, we feel how this area links the upper and lower parts of the body and how power from the legs is directed to the hands via the waist. 

At the third stage, we have a very high level of physical coordination and relaxation.  We can even relax our organs.  The mind and body are seamlessly connected.  We can feel and detect aberrations in our own bodies and even in the minds and bodies of other people.  As a result, we have an awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings.  This leads to a greater respect for ourselves and all life. 

At this level, we meet all physical attacks with calmness and humility.  We do not harm for the sake of it.  Our skill will instruct others to behave in a more constructive way and to conduct their lives more positively.  The great masters of this level can subdue most opponents by using the mind on a psychological level.  They can interrupt the thoughts of others and control them with subtle movements.  Although it appears to be some form of supernatural skill, it is in fact a product of hard work and deep knowledge of how the mind works. 

At this level, mind, body and spirit unite.  These great masters win over many skeptics with their love and respect for fellow human beings.  Conflicts are usually transformed into dance and play in the presence of these masters.  Keep training and develop these higher level skills which are there for any one who wants to work for them.  Aim high and be inspired!