"Invest in Loss!"
Master Chen Man-Ching* Flash, Speed & Outcome
* The point is to Learn, not win
* Don't hurry; Progresssss.
Flash, Speed & Outcome
The deadly trio of things that appeal to young players. We get addicted to showy results, flashy moves and attention-getting sounds. Witness the noise and explosive quality of entertainment for the young. When we're young, we want to show our prowess at breaking things; not building things. We want to be noticed. We want to show off. We want respect. Yet flash and noise cannot build skill or wisdom -- which come slowly, and in small increments over time.
The Point is to Learn; not to Win!
With many a background in the competitive martial arts, we have to overcome our previous training and focus not on winning each exercise; but on harvesting the learning in it. We may come to the art with a reflexive desire to be tense, strong, fast and combative. Each is exactly the wrong thing to bring to a TaiChi Kwoon (school...) Bring instead, the relaxed intention to discover how the body and the universe actually work -- without stress, strain or combat. As a matter of fact, the fastest way to acquaint yourself with TaiChi is to lose -- as often as possible. Get lots of practice partners, especially people who are better and more experienced than you. Lose to them -- repeatedly! As your losing matches approach 500, you will discover a little more about how your body works, how the art operates and how those simple movements have many uses. At 1,000, you may know something.
Don't hurry. Progressssss!
So the formula for doing well in TaiChi is: Don't rush. Don't push. Don't try. Don't question the wisdom of the Masters (Well not all the time anyway...). Don't tense up. Don't be strong. Just gather experience and wisdom through steadfast practice. In a year, you'll be taken more seriously by your teacher, and by your colleagues. In two, you'll have a working idea of what this thing is about. In four, you'll be a leading student; maybe a disciple. As the experience mounts, you'll be less rushed, more relaxed, able to manifest chi, able to connect to nature, and able to deal with losses in practice. Keep on! Teach! Keep on! Discover and widen the path. Soon Master, you'll be helping beginners find their way.
"Slowly come. Slowly Learn."
Master Fah-Su, Abbott
Monastery of the Eighteen Lohans
Taiwan