Chen Xiaowang, Jan Silberstorff - Five Levels of TAIJIQUAN - PDF (OCR) PDF
Chen Xiaowang, Jan Silberstorff - Five Levels of TAIJIQUAN - PDF (OCR) PDF
Chen Xiaowang, Jan Silberstorff - Five Levels of TAIJIQUAN - PDF (OCR) PDF
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S IN G IN G
DRAGON
L O N D O N A N D P H IL A D E L P H IA
T h is e d itio n p u b lis h e d in 2 0 1 2
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L ib r a r y o f C o n g r e s s C a t a l o g i n g i n P u b l i c a t i o n D a t a
X ia o w a n g . C h e n .
T h e five levels o f ta ijiq u a n / G ran d m aste r C h e n X ia o w n n g ;c o m m e n ta ry by
M aster Jan S ilberstorff.
p. cm .
“First p u b lis h e d in G e rm a n in 2 0 0 6 b y Lotus-Press."
IS B N 9 7 8 - 1 - 8 4 8 1 9 - 0 9 3 - 1 (a lk . paper)
1. Tai chi. I. S ilberstorff, Jan. II. Title.
G V 5 0 6 .X 5 3 2 0 1 2
6 !3 .7 * l4 8 - d c 2 3
2011045988
B r it is h L ib r a r y C a t a l o g u i n g in P u b l i c a t i o n D a ta
A C 1P catalogue record for this b o o k is available from the B ritish Library
IS B N 9 7 8 1 8 4 8 1 9 0 9 3 1
e lS B N 9 7 8 0 8 5 7 0 1 0 7 9 7
Level 1 of Taijiquan 31
Chinese Original Text 32
Translation 33
Commentary 35
Level 2 of Taijiquan 41
Chinese Original Text , 42
Translation 44
Commenrary 49
Level 3 of Taijiquan 61
Chinese Original Text 62
Translati:
>n 63
Commentary 66
Level 4 of Taijiquan 77
Chinese Original Text 78
Translation 78
Commenrary 80
Level 5 of Taijiquan 85
Chinese Original Text 86
Translation 87
Commentary 88
THE AL^inORS 95
Y r e fa c e to th e
C je rm a n E d it io n
Cordially,
Joachim Siuhlmacher
Publisher o f the German Edition
6
Introduction to
th e 「ive Levels
( I I I N M . ORIGINAL T L X T
I K A N 5L [ION
five stages or five levels of martial skills (Gong Fu) built upon
each other. Each level of Gong Fu has its own particular and
very distinct specifications. The highest goal is achieved with
Level 5. In the following five sections every single stage with
its own requirements and purposes will be described in detail.
This is done with the hope of offering a chance to Taijiquan
enthusiasts worldwide to gain a realistic assessment of their
own currt-nr level. From this point they may then realize what
they should learn next and which steps they have to take in
ortlcr ro rcach the stages that follow.
The five levels serve as a guide in two aspects. First they help me
assess where I am now and what will follow. Secondly they help
in the understanding that learning too fast or skipping something
may not be n shortcut. Sometimes it is exactly the opposite, and
precisely and slowly examining things turns out to be the fast lane
in the end. If the goal is to learn Taijiquan - which uses martial arts
as its expression or even to understand Taiji ('the grand ultimate’),
it means that 1 have to find a way of practising in which I can
reach these abilities and realizations by working on myself. It is
not about knowing many forms. It is not about demonstrations or
the glory of winning tournaments. It really is about understanding
this certain essence, making it your own and growing with it. It
is important to know that for this purpose one vehicle is enough;
one system with corresponding basic exercises, refinements and
advanced levels on which to build. This system must be complete
within itself and be able to lead to the 'grand ultimate’.
And I have to walk this path with sincerity and care, step by
step.
This is one of the meanings of the grandmaster’s words:
10
hnroduciion to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
•W iiji’ (literally 'w ith o u t rid g e ’,but interpreted as w ith o u t lim its /
w ith o u t extremities) is represented as an em p ty circle a n d sym bolizes
the o rig in o f be ing , o f Taiji, in its orig in a l, un d iv id e d unity, the
eternal absoluteness, the u n c han g in g .
Now, I start learning and here is the path. B ut I stray from the direct
path by m isunderstanding the material in different ways. I develop
and there is progress, but not w ith o u t deviations. This means, I
need a teacher that can show me my mistakes and correct me, so
that I can change direction and find m y w ay back to the path.
//
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
12
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
13
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
14
huroduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
Let's assume 1 start at zero (0). In the beginning I may move into
rhc negative zone. That may be seen as worsening, and I only begin
IS
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
to improve later. But this method can have its benefits. I want to get
away from certain old concepts and patterns. I should, for example,
not use stiff muscular effort, but use my internal energy. At this
point I still don’t have an understanding o f ‘internal energy', but
am already being asked to give up stiff muscular effort. This means
that, where in the past I might have shoved someone away, I now
remember not to use muscle power and am left with ‘spaghetti
arms'. Nothing has yet taken the place of muscle power. I no longer
use muscle power, but I do not yet have anything to use in its place.
Seen from a martial arts perspective, I have become worse than
before, because where I could previously push somebody away,
now I no longer do that. However, this is not a negative effect, but
what is meant by ‘investing in losing,. It is that simple. I give up
a certain concept which I no longer want to pursue. But it takes
time until I make enough progress with the new conccpt I want
to learn. During this transition period I may temporarily be worse
off than I was with my old concept. This, however, is part of the
path;or could be at least. It depends on the method of practice, or
how I want to get involved with it. There is also the possibility ot*
making progress from the outset, without moving into the negative
zone. In this scenario I would stick to my ‘crude muscle power’ and
let go o f it bit by bit - that is, whenever I can replace it with my
acquired ‘internal ability. Using the first method, you would first
learn standing, then Reeling Silk, and only after having attained
a strong base would you learn the form. Pushing Hands would
be added to the practice only much later, once ‘muscle power'
had been dissolved and replaced by 'internal energy*. The second
method would allow you to learn from the beginning, including
Pushing Hands.
With each new insight all learned concepts would be integrated
gradually, much like the pieces of a puzzle. ‘Muscle power’ would
slowly yield to ‘internal power,
. This second method does not enter
a negative zone, and therefore it seems that you progress faster
in the beginning. But later on the path this student will progress
significantly more slowly, because he is still dinging to something
16
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
that he should let go of. The first method is exactly opposite:In the
beginning you drop back, but later, you progress faster.
Assuming intelligent practice, both methods will meet up again
at a certain point on the path.
-1—
Level 1 is the level in which I learn all the exercises and movements
in their external sequence. First I learn the basic exercises, standing
and then Reeling Silk. Afterwards I learn the forms. I learn to flow
through them without having to think about the sequence anymore.
In addition, 1 learn basic principles o f vertical body alignment, of
standing straight. The understanding is not yet refined, but very
simple. The spine should be vertical, the weight should sink, the
crown of the head should feel as though suspended from above -
these are the basic principles that are to be taken into account, and
which should be able to apply within the form in a straightforward
way. This is also described as Taijiquan as gentle gymnastics’,
‘Taijiquan for relaxation’,or even ‘stress-free with Taijiquan’. All
these aspects fall within Level 1. These concepts do, of course,
inevitably indicate that we cannot yet talk o f Gong Fu in its real
sense.
With Taijiquan the basic assumption is that it is fundamentally
a martial art. This means that at Level 1 we cannot yet talk of
martial abilities. I have learned the movements in the way someone
learns gymnastics, which means as a form of exercise, a sequence of
movements. That does not mean that I can already implement the
techniques of Pushing Hands partner exercises or the self-defence
applications.
17
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
‘Tui S h o u ’ (
‘P ush in g H ands') refers to the partner exercises o f
T aijiquan.
18
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
E x te r n a l u n io n s
S h o u y u z h u he — the hands and feet are connected.
Z h o u y u xi he - th e elbow s and knees are connected.
Jian yu kua he - the shoulders and hips are connected.
19
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
In te r n a l u n io n s
X in y u Yi he - the heart and m in d are connected.
Q [ y u li he - Q i^a nd strength are connected.
jin y u g u he — the tendons and bones are connected.
20
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
21
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
22
Introduction to ibe Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
23
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
24
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
25
The Five Levels o f T aijiqm
26
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
One can always progress further, and never really achieves 100
per cent of all that is possible.
While I am occupied with learning external concepts at Level 1
such as forms and movements, aligning the body, developing a
certain kind of stable softness, creating movements from the centre,
ere., at Level 2 we are increasingly concerned with reaching greater
depth. Here I work on building the energy flow in each individual
movement completely, and controlling it. Within Level 1 these
arc present only fragmcntarily and intermittently, so that some
movements feel comfortable, while others do not.
From Level 3, the circles become smaller. Level 3 is the stage in
which it is said that the large circles become medium circles. The
meaning of this relates not to the outer movements, but to the inner
cncrgetic spirals. These become smaller, and one could also say that
the energy becomes more dense. This causes the movements to
become ever more refined, more penetrating, and stronger.
Level 4 has much the same content as Level 3, but on
;i significantly higher level and Level 5 is a certain form of
disengagement. This form of disengagement is the so-called
'invisible mystery’. Now mysticism comes into play.
Regarding martial ability we can say that there is none
at Level 1. At Level 2 there are martial abilities in a slow, soft
framework. However, someone who has progressed beyond
Level 2 will have real ability. He will, as a rule, be in a state of
mind in which tournaments and competition no longer interest
him. This is no longer because of an intuitive fear that he cannot
stand his ground, but rather due to spiritual maturity. This is the
reason why we no longer find masters with a high level o f skill in
tournaments or at Pushing Hands meets. This, however, is not to be
over-simplified. I f l have reached the second part of Level 2, I can
show, feel, and be aware of abilities while somebody pushes gently,
shoves, strikes, or punches. This is when I begin to notice a certain
superiority although, if somebody was to attack me aggressively
or take me by surprise, my structure would still often collapse. This
changes at Level 3. At Level 3 one should be able to ward off and
neutralize aggressive and powerful pushes, and at rhe same time
27
The Five Levels o f Taijiqudi
28
Introduction to the Five Levels o f Gong Fu in Taijiquan
this high level yet. That doesn’t mean tournaments are bad. It only
means that the people have not progressed that far and that almost
all participants are on a similar level. This has to be understood
correctly. You will not see a grandmaster facing a beginner, but
rather two people, one of whom has studied for perhaps four years,
and the other for six. There isn’t too much of a difference there.
I remember Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang. I was at his house and
had asked a particular question. He looked at me and asked me:
‘Jan, how long have you been practising Taijiquan?’ This was back
in 1994 and I responded:'Seven years/ He laughed and said:£You
just barely started. After 50 years I myself have barely scratched
the surface/
In tournaments students usually face other students; masters
do not face other masters. And even then, if the masters were on a
similarly high level, they would either do nothing, or start a mock
combat.
Therefore in a tournament we have the following problem:A
generally low level which is relatively equal between the opponents.
Don’t expect any great demonstration o f skill to happen. However
if you ever have the pleasure of witnessing a serious competition
between a high level and a low level,you will get to see these
beautiful effects for real.
This means that at Level 4 we can actually demonstrate these
effects, not just put on a show. Level 4 is about not only directly
dissolving a large amount of force, but also applying one’s own
power explosively and targeted.
At Level 5 there emerges a freedom about which ] will talk
more later on.
It should be noted here that progress proceeds at a relatively
even pacc, although subjectively for us it may feel increasingly slow.
In the following diagram I represent length of practice relative to
progress made:
29
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
In the beginning the curve is visibly shorter and steeper, and it grows
longer and flatter with time. This is the difficulty that I described
at the beginning of Level 2 :In the beginning one perceives daily
progress, but as time goes on, it seems to slow down.
Later the steepness of the curve lessens, and progress is not
easily seen over longer periods of time. Even later one has students,
and one’s own development is no longer in the steep part of the
progress curve. The students, however, begin at the beginning.
Therefore they seem to progress relatively fast, while the teacher
appears to have moved only a little bit further on. Even though he
may have practised just as much, it appears as though his students
have progressed much faster over the same time, but in the end,
they also will be at the teacher's former position on this curve. This
means that subjective perception o f progress will slow down for
the students too, as the years go by.
This is one o f the reasons why some students seem to approach
their teachers very quickly, but can never actually catch up with
them. This assumes that both parties practise equally hard.
Since there are no shortcuts or overtaking lanes, but only
concrete practice, the pace of progress actually stays the same.
In the following part o f the book we will examine all the levels
again with the help of the original text. We shall pay particular
attention to Level 3 (beginning at the middle of Level 2), 4,and 5.
30
jauan
31
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
C H IN E S E . O RIG IN A L T t X T
S
:
U t
a
: ; :
32
Level 1 o f Taijiquan
T R A N S L A T IO N
When ₩vc practise Taijiquan the principles for the various parts
of the hodv are:
• rhc vertical alignment of the body
33
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
34
Level 1 o f Taijiquan
the martial skills are hard rather than gentle, and an imbalance
prevails between Yin and Yang. The student is not able yet to
rcplace the hard with rhe soft, or ro perform the applications
with simplicity and ease. At this point, when the student is still
ut Level 1,he should not be roo zealous in the pursuit of the
adaptabilin-of the single stance.
( OMME.NTARY
When we practise Taijiquan the principles for the various parts
<>f rhe body are:
• the vcrrical alignment of the body
• adjusting head and neck as if the body was suspended
from a rhrcad from above
• relaxing the shoulders and sinking the elbows
35
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
arms and legs are properly coordinated. During this phase tin*
practitioner should not focus too much on the reLjuircmcnts of
the single body parts in relation to rhe movements.
Here it becomes clear how ambivalent we can be:on the one hand
I am too stiff and helpless and have the feeling that nothing works.
O n the other hand I also have the feeling that it already feels pretty
good. It appears ‘solid from the outside, but empty within’.
When reading this time specification you should keep in mind th;
u
it was written by a man who is completely immersed in tradition,
who even leads this tradition and is attached to the classical-original.
This time specification assumes a teacher/student relationship in
which both live together and train together intensively every d;iy.
36
Level 1 o f Taijiquan
This also goes for the number of years listed for Levels 2, 3 4, and
5;this is not achievable by going to a group class twice a week.
This reminds us of the term fang song’. This Chinese term for
•relaxntion’ means not to be limp, as we are when we lie on the
couch and watch TV. ‘Fang song’ incorporates the degree of body
relaxation which allows for optimal functioning, that is, optimal
energetic transmission. This means neither empty nor angular,
but exactly in between, in that place where everything optimally
harmonizes with each other.
37
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
T his can occur, for example, w ith a trick that the other is not
prepared for.
This stage is described as: 10 per cent Y in and 90 per cenr Yang.
B ut w hat are Y in and Yang?
In the context o f Taijiquan, Y in is the emptiness, while
Yang embodies the solid. Softness and gentleness are Y in , the
forceful and the hard are Yang. Y in and Yang are rhc union o f
opposites. Just as neither o f the two can be left aside, borh are
able to substitute each other, capable o f changing into each
other and transforming. I f someone is capable o f holding Y in
and Yang at balance w ithin himself, we call this 50 per cent, so
that the person can m ake use o f his potential by 100 per cent.
38
Level 1 o f Taijiquan
Sim plicity and ease can on ly occur where inner blockages cease.
W h e n I w ork forcefully, grimly, or w ith tension, I cannot execute
effortless movements, because I constantly collide w ith in myself.
Even i f l w ant to make them effortless, I cannot, unless I make them
empty, m eaning not connected in the body, but then they have no
effect.
At this point, when rhe student is still ar Level 1,he should nor be
too zealous in the pursuit o f the adaptability o f the single stance.
39
ve XY
vr
41
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
C M IN E .5 L O RIG IN A L T L X T
:
:
---- C
) B
)
W.
42
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
:
;
43
The Five Levels o f aijiquan
T R A N S L A T IO N
Level 2 begins with the last stage of Level 1, when the srndcnt
is able to perceive the flow of internal energy, Qi, and it
concludes within the first stage of Level 3. Level 2 still deals
with resolving imperfections, for example:
• rigid force becoming evident during Taijiquan training
44
Level 2 o f Tdijiqudn
45
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
46
Level 2 o f Taijiquai
47
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
48
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
COMMUNTAKY
Level 2 begins with the last stage of Level 1,when the student
is able to perceive the flow of internal energy Qi, and it
concludes within the first stage of Level 3. Level 2 still deals
with resolving imperfections, for example:
• rigid forcc becoming evident during Taijiquan training
49
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
T his has already been said in the in tro duction :elementary school —
m idd le school - university. W hoever cannot accept this, and wants
to progress too fast, w ill n o t reach certain levels.
If, for example, the chest is sunk too much, neither the hip nor
the back will be straight. O r, i f hip and waist arc roo relaxed,
the chest and bottom may protrude. Therefore, there* is an
absolute necessity for precision in order to comply with the
distinct requirements o f all body parts, so thar they can move
in union.
This allows the entire body to integrate and acc<>rdingly ro
be in full and coordinated unity. The latter means coordinarion
between internal and external unity, or their integration. Inner
closure implies the coordinated incorporation o f heart (xin)
and m in d (Yi), o f internal energy (Q i) and force (li), ot' tendons
(jin) and bones (gu). External integration of the movements
implies the coordinated union o f the hands with rhc feer, o f
the elbows with the knees, and the shoulders with the hips. Ar
rhc same time the body should be open in other sections, so
50
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
< >r one part o f the body moves too slowly compared with the
wliolc, or it moves without enough force. In this way the entire
amount of force would be undeveloped. Both phenomena
contradict the principle o f Taijiquan. Every single m ovem ent
in C hen Taijiquan must conform to the principle o f the Reeling
Silk exercise (or ‘can si gong’).
51
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
This means that the whole body is permeable, the whole body is
connected, and there is a centre to movement as a whole.
52
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
called Yin flows, begin in the fingers and go through the shoulders
and hips back to the Dantian. The so-called Yang flows start in
the Dantian and move through Mingmen up the spine through the
shoulders and into the fingers. And just like pushing or pulling a
cart, a movement even if it starts in the hand - is still guided by
the centre (Dantian).
Within the upper body, the wrists and the arms should be
gyraring, that is, doing circular moves, while the lower body, the
ankles and the upper legs should rotate. In the same way the
t(>rsu, rlu* hip and the back move by roration.
53
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
The danger at this point is that I cannot yet grasp the theory in
all its depth or I consider it too superficially and therefore lose
interest. I become inattentive to the teachings or the training
because I believe that I already know all of it. This is a very big
trap. This trap also catches trained teachers once they lose their
‘beginner’s mind’.
54
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
The teacher is there to solve the whole problem and, together with
the studenr, clarify his personal difficulties. The clarification of
difficulties with the help of a friend, however, is like therapy;it is
help in a moment in which I need it, in which I need a talk and
support.
This means that for the actual instruction subject matter,
I should ask the teacher. For all the exchanges of opinions and
personal ideas it is, however, better not to encumber the teacher
too much and rather discuss it with fellow students and friends.
Chen Xin continues;
₩₩*hen both the principle and rhe method have been understood
and training is done wirh persistence, success will in the end
prevail.
55
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
Generally we can say that most people are able to reach Level 2
of Taiji-Gong Fu wirhin four years. Someone who has reached
a state of perceiving a gentle flow of Qi inside his body will
suddenly begin to understand. The srudenr at this point will be
full of confidence and enthusiasm and will train with sheer jov.
In some cases a strong urge may develop to practise more and
more, and nor to stop at all!
56
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
57
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
That means we are still making too many mistakes, using too
much or too little effort, we are still making too many unnecessary
movements. We still have to pay attention to and spend time
adjusting our body correctly. Therefore it is easy to miss the attack
and difficult to seriously ‘oppose’ it.
Therefore we are also not yet able to successfully keep the force
o f the opponent away from our centre. A little bit too much or too
little and the opponent once again reaches my centre.
As long as we are still ruled by our will, the movements can
also not flow naturally. If l am still too hyper-active, I also make too
many superfluous movements.
58
Level 2 o f Taijiquan
attack wirh less and more gentle force and altogether move
more slowly, the learner may have time to readjust his body.
This kind of soft and slow action is, however, only possible in a
friendly situation. In real-life circumstances I cannot assume that
the opponent will move so slowly and softly that I can deal with
it. In the regulated situations in which you meet your friends and
experiment, you can develop a certain level of skill, which, however,
will not hold up to more demanding pressure.
So, once again:
59
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
For all these reasons, the srudent is not yet capable of acting
during the Pushing Hands in accordance with the principle of
‘peng ‘lu’ ‘ji,,and ‘an,. A person who has entered this level ir>
characterized as 20 per cent Yin and 80 per cent Yang. This is
described as ‘a new and undisciplined hand, .
60
uan
61
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
CMINC.5E. O R IG IN A L T E X T
ifi
,
.
r
F,
.
s
f
62
Level 3 o f Taijiquan
I KAN5LAT10N
63
The Five Levels o f Taijiquai
64
Level 3 o f Taijiquan
MasterJan Silberstorff
65
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
COM M ENTARY
In this sense, at Level 3 one should begin with large circles, and
conclude with medium circles (the circulation of energy).
The classical texts of Taijiquan say that Yi, the awareness, and
Qi deserve higher regard than the forms. This means that while
practising the forms one should pay great attention to the
awareness.
66
Level 3 o f Taijiquan
67
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
For many it is not clear why they should not concentrate too much
on the Qi. Again and again we must think o f the silk threads which
tear and stick to one another easily, becausc they represent a very
subtle guidance o f energy. Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang always
says:‘Half thinking, half not thinking —half thinking, half feeling.’
Here we get the message which we are already familiar with from
Level 1:Do not attempt anything too doggedly, learning takes time,
do not force anything. But there is also a deeper message. After
the end of the stage in which we understand that consciousncss
guides energy through the body and initiates movement by means
o f mindfulness, the process begins in which consciousness arises
within the movement, immerses within it.
The same goes for the gaze; the gaze, simplified, as the
realization of spirit. The gaze indeed guides the movement, bur it
does not stare ahead of it. It leads the movement, but at the same
time also arises in it. Or the other way around, the gaze flows
with the movement, despite simultaneously leading it. Likewise
for consciousness: it leads the energy, but at the same time arises
in it. This prevents us from concentrating too much on Q i itself.
Too intense concentration creates tension. This interferes with
the flow and the energy gets blocked, or stagnates. ‘Yi dao, Q[
dao' means that when consciousness arrives, energy also arrives.
Thus consciousness leads energy, or energy follows consciousness.
Yet at a high level both happen simultaneously. If, however, the
consciousness concentrates too much on Q[ itself, there is no
progress. Both, consciousness and Qi, stay in the same place.
Therefore stagnation results.
This is the reason why consciousness should not concentrate
too much on Q i Actually, consciousness must not stay in one
68
Level 3 o f Taijiquan
69
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
70
Level 3 o f Taijiquan
7/
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
72
Level 3 o f Taijiquan
At this point the student will gain more and more confidence if
he keeps practising hard. This usually results in a spontaneous
increase in the num ber o f forms being practised day by day,
and the excrcises become refined, for instance by the use of a
thrcc-metrc-long staff, or a sword, sabre, long-pole o r spear, or
by learning about explosive force (fajin).
73
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
help him, the teacher comes to meet him half-way and lets him
have his wishes. Inside the teacher knows that the student will
not progress by learning a lot of different things. But it gives the
student joy, and so he will occupy himself with the material and
finally come to a point at which real interest is generated. Suddenly
he understands what it is all about, and knows that what he is
doing, which is Taijiquan, is what he really wants to do. This is the
turning point, and now the student follows the teacher. Now the
teacher no longer approaches his student so politely and lets him
practise all kinds of forms. Now the serious, patient work begins:
for example, remaining a long time in standing meditation, and the
corrections thereof.
In the beginning it is good to come to meet the student and
his ideas and to encourage his joy and interest in the subject;very
much like practising Taijiquan with small children. You cannot ask
children to stay in standing meditation for an hour right away. You
have to inspire them. And then, when this inspiration is there, and
has become a habit, that is the time when the entertainment factor
can be reduced, and the real, important, and effective content can
be taught. Now one is certain that the student will persevere;before
that point, he will just quit.
Here we have reached a point, for which the Chen family has a
tradition described, according to Chen Xing, as ‘Do not make the
slightest noise in the garden for three years/ This means that one
withdraws for a long time from public life in order to be able to
dedicate oneself exclusively to training.
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Level 3 o f Taijiquan
C'.iving way or throwing off still requires roo much effort. The
body is srill roo rigid. This condition is described as 30 per cent
Vin and 70 per cent ₩ang; still the hard prevails too much.
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
ve i
lauan
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
C H IN E S E . O RIG IN A L T XT
F “
te
,
'
T R A N S L A T IO N
78
Level 4 o f Taijiquan
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
COM M ENTARY
80
Level 4 o f Taijiquan
point has hardly any effect, the martial use can also be disregarded.
The imagination would rather lead the body to tense up due to the
mind’s effort o f imagination and become distorted (according to
rhe imagined application). In addition, every movement has many
different applications. What should the mind do? Imagine one
application on Mondays, another on Tuesdays, and yet a third on
Wednesdays, during practice?
At Level 4, however, one has reached a greater depth. Now it
makes sense to attend to the applications; however, not concretely,
or with precise applications, but rather within a scheme, because
a real application happens spontaneously out of the nature o f the
situation and does not come through the mind.
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
82
Level 4 o f Taijiquan
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
84
uan
85
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
C M IN L 5E . O RIG IN A L TZXT
r
, .
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-v
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86
Level 5 o f Taijiquan
T R A N S L A T IO N
87
The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
COM M ENTARY
Now we truly have reached a very high level of martial art, meaning
the control of the self and the opponent.
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Level 5 o f Taijiquan
‘With the gentle flow o f energy, with the cosmic energy, one’s
own internal Qi moves in a natural way.’
Solid forms are always in the aspect o f being, the impermanent. All
that has form is impermanent. All that is, is impermanent. All that is
not impermanent, is ‘not being. Not being is the invisible.
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
With the gentle flow of energy, with the cosmic energy, one’s
own internal Qi moves in a natural way. Moved by a solid form
all the way through to the invisible.
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Level 5 o f Taijiquan
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
Because the master can now let the essential force out of every part
of his body, his whole body is comprised of so-called 4skin fists’.
That means he can attack and defend with every body parr; thus,
also directly in the place in which he is confronted. For the attacker
it means the following:Wherever he comes into contact with the
master, he already lost. Releasing energy and collecting energy
are in balance. This means the master moves without exhausting
himself, without effort.
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Level 5 o f Taijiquan
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
and free action. Because body and spirit are pure and free. No
problem, no suffering. Happiness results.
The way has become the goal. Whatever I have achieved, and even
if it was the absolute last and highest: I continue on the path, walk
it further and further. All has become the way, all is the goal:The
way is the goal, and it was never any different.
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h e / A u th o r s
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The Five Levels o f Taijiquan
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