True Taiji


The true purpose of Taiji is the true purpose of our sojourn on the Earth. Though outwardly based on physical exercises for health and self-defense, all deeply refined teachers aim to lead their students through the body to the realm of Qi, then gradually, step by step, working their way through the 3 levels jing, qi and shen before reaching the Beyond and the final realisation of freedom from the 3 worlds of human existence.



Levels of Taiji. Taiji practice has an external level, 3 internal levels within the Deep Mind and the level Beyond the Mind. External practice is concerned with body positioning, balance, weight, contracting, relaxing, calming the disturbed emotions and quieting the thinking mind - then using these skills to physically interact with a partner.

The 3 internal levels - internal body level, energy level and mind level - can be named: earth, man and heaven; etheric, astral and celestial; or jing, qi and shen.

Typically 4 to 10 years is spent on the external level - depending both on the initial condition of a persons system and the intensity and intelligence of their practice. Beyond this, many do not go. The internal levels are trained within the Taiji Form. It does not require separate exercises, such as standing meditation or sitting meditation - though pure mind-energy exercises can complement the inner-methods of the Taiji Form at a later stage. The external level is concerned with brain consciouseness while the internal levels progressively use the Deep Mind.


Taijiquan - Supreme Ultimate Fist. The further back in time we look, the more obscure the history of Taiji becomes. Yet from the study of this past, two things become clear. Firstly, that the inner essence of Taiji flows down from genuine teachers to sincere pupils in unbroken chains. Secondly, that each teacher must devise his or her own training system to express and pass on this impersonal inner teaching. The teaching must evolve outwardly or die inwardly. Yang Cheng-Fu developed the Yang Style Slow Form. Cheng Man-Ching created the Yang Short Form, and shifted the emphasis from fighting to internal harmonisation. Master Huang Xingxian created the Five Loosening Exercises, systematised 18 patterns of pushing-hands, and included the Sanfeng Quaiquan (Quick Fist) - a fighting fast form with ancient roots. While pupils under Master Huang's direction, we learnt and taught his system. Now, the training system we teach arises from our own individual understanding.

In former times Taiji was developed and practised within the Chinese communities of the world but its source is beyond the limits of race. In the old days in China, teachers with a good Art would seldom teach outside their own family or clan. This was for self preservation in a competitive and dangerous world. Consequently, methods could then be associated with the common family name of the clan. Now that fear is no longer a major factor in the transmission, open minded Masters recognise that the best potential may be found outside their own clan. Family names now serve little purpose. It is only a hindrance to the peaceful teaching and learning of Taiji to give undue importance to the various styles - Yang, Wu, Chen and other lesser known variations, or to claim some generational family link back to that styles founder. This is all attachment to outer form and is the mark of those who are young in the inner aspects of the Art.

Master Huang Xingxian (Huang Sheng-Shuan) - deliberately taught his art widely and freely, for the sake of the art, the sake of the students and, as he explained, to prevent anyone claiming sole transmission and using that for self promotion. When a person passes beyond the external or body level their inner understanding should no longer be concerned with the name or outer form of the style. On the 3 internal levels these outer differences progressively have no meaning. Beyond the Mind they do not exist. As for beginners and the psychologically insecure, let them debate the relative merits if they feel compelled to do so. A practitioner's, teacher's or master's ability stands by itself with no consideration for name, race or title. Taiji arose in China but belongs to the Earth.