| Feature Article
The 3 Harmonies of Tai Chi
– with Ourselves, Others and Nature
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
Harmony and balance have great significance in most cultures. In
Chinese culture, medicine and philosophy strongly recommend moving
towards a state of harmony. When we are physically, mentally,
emotionally or spiritually out of balance, our health, relationships and
environment will cause us all sorts of problems.
Tai Chi Chuan – the Grand Ultimate Fist – is grounded in the Taoist
philosophy of yin yang balance. In Tai Chi, creating this balance and
harmony internally is the starting point. All Chinese philosophies and
healing practices have their roots in this state of natural balance.
When we first begin learning Tai Chi, we discover how uncoordinated and
tense we are. No wonder we experience health problems or a sense of
malaise. Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as an integrated
system of channels, connecting the internal with the external. If
blockages and imbalances in the energetic system prevent the energy from
flowing freely through these channels, we become ill. Acupuncture,
herbs and massage can all improve the flow of energy. Practising
movements of the healing arts, such as Tai Chi and Qigong, can also
achieve this. Working with the body and mind empowers us. Ultimately,
we develop a deep understanding about our body, mind and spirit.
Harmony with Oneself
Once we have learnt Tai Chi well and practise regularly, we will feel
the qi flowing through the body. We will feel a calm joyfulness that
makes us happy to be alive and happy to be doing whatever we are doing.
This is when we begin to internalise the principles and philosophy of
Tai Chi. We begin to know what is good for us and what is not. This
can be reflected in our eating habits and lifestyle choices. Since we
are more intune with the body, we are less likely to cause it harm.
Often excessive behaviour is a form of self harm – a lack of self love
and respect. Through Tai Chi training, we come to realise the sanctity
of all life, ourselves included. A new found contentment with who we
are at our core begins to bloom. We learn to love and respect ourselves
as we are but understand we can grow and live life to its fullest.
Harmony with Others
As inner harmony evolves, our relationships also grow in depth and
understanding. In the Tai Chi model, this is reflected in the training
with a partner we call Tui Shou or Push Hands. Once we have
sensitivity, stronger legs, balanced posture and a more integrated body
from our Tai Chi practice, we learn to control and coordinate our
power. This power emanates from the ground, and is directed by the
waist and expressed through the arms and hands. We learn Ting Jing,
that is, listening to our partner’s energy and sensing his most subtle
movement. We learn to absorb, neutralise and redirect our partner’s
movements and force. We discover how to flow with instead of fighting
against force. As soon as we resist, we meet confrontation and we also
experience tension and fear.
As our Push Hands skill becomes more natural, our view of the world also
becomes less defensive. We learn to be more open to others. We also
know how to adapt and change when danger presents itself. Mentally and
emotionally, we flow more freely. We notice our own reactions to things
more clearly. We begin to see that we influence our world much more
than we realised. Angry moods lead to angry encounters. Arrogance
attracts superficial friends. Fear invites enemies. Calmness and
happiness encourage the same from others.
Harmony with the Environment
All
enlightened masters remind us that our world is a reflection of our
thoughts. We learn to acknowledge our thoughts, feelings and actions
for what they are, rather than attributing them to others. We learn to
see the good in ourselves and others. As our sense of harmony and
balance infuses ourselves and friends, it then moves out to the
environment. We see its beauty and majesty. We realise the importance
of respecting nature, not plundering it. We take what we need and we
also give back. Nature is our inspiration and sustenance.
Lao
Tzu, a sage in the 6th century BC, talks about wu bu wei
which means the doing of not doing. It hints at action which stays in
harmony with nature and people and refrains from harm. We do not demand
that people or nature fit our expectations. However, we are not
passive. As Lao Tzu suggests, be gentle, not harsh. This will lead to
more harmonious relationships. Respecting ourselves, others and nature
is a recipe for happiness and good health.
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