THE DISCIPLINE IN TAOISM & TAI CHI Part 2

Internal Arts, like Tai Chi, Ba Gua and Hsin Yi, seem to sometimes attract people with the idea that a "soft" art is an easier art. This is only true when practiced at a very basic level. When using soft, or internal arts for health purposes only, one can have average movement quality, below average strength in the legs and yet obtain some benefit from the general movement, such as increased circulation and energy flow. This is a person's choice, whether to practice it at this level or not. But it should be understood that this is not the genuine art form, and does not touch on the depth, discipline, careful training and awareness that Tai Chi practice and Taoist cultivation require.

It's much like the difference between little league and professional baseball or between a child's piano recital and a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall. The amount of hours, sweat and sacrifice that go into the latter examples, far outweigh the first. This is not to downplay any accomplishments that can be achieved at the basic level, in fact, it's a noteworthy accomplishment for someone to practice anything a few times a week for many years. I have students that do this and I praise them for their dedication. The point is understanding the levels. Understand the true place in your practice and then you will represent the artform properly. Understand it well, and you may even find that you are suddenly more disciplined than before. Understanding even to some degree what it takes to achieve, will give you a bit of humbleness, awareness and maybe even some motivation to press on and cultivate more deeply.

Please leave your questions or comments!

Laoshi Markle
Head Teacher Gold Summit Institute
President GSODEC
Director Buffalo-China Sister City Affairs