Andrew Townsend's Blog: Andrew Townsend's Taijiquan Blog
July 5, 2018
"Everything is Taiji"
The most important lesson that I learned from the time I spent studying with Master James Huang some twenty years ago is that, as students of taijiquan, we are also students of Taiji. This lesson was imparted to me on a specific occasion and made an impression upon me that has permeated every aspect of my life.
Master Huang and I would normally meet in the mornings to practice taijiquan and pushing hands in a small park before he attended to his patients. Often, after practicing the form and playing pushing hands, we would sit on a bench under a shady tree and meditate for a while.
One morning after meditating, Master Huang noticed a neighborhood cat slowly and silently approaching a bird that was perched in one of the lower branches of a nearby tree. The cat moved with such precision and grace that it reminded me of a leopard stalking an antelope.
Master Huang turned to me and said, “Look at that cat. It is doing taiji.” We both watched the cat and marveled at how it moved, advancing with “cat steps” just like Master Huang had taught me to advance in the form. Eventually the bird became aware of the cat’s intentions, ruffled its feathers, and flew off squawking indignantly. The formerly-stalking feline transformed itself back into a simple house cat and sauntered off nonchalantly.
Master Huang then looked at me and made a pronouncement that I will remember for the rest of my life. He said simply, “Everything is Taiji.” We sat together for a few moments with this weighty statement settling into the silence. Then Master Huang spoke again, “Everything is Taiji.” At this time I had been studying with Master Huang for several months, and I had come to realize that when he repeated himself, which was not often, it indicated that I was to pay special attention to what he had said or had shown me. In this particular instance he made no further comment.
In order to convey the significance of this deceptively simple statement, I need to digress from my story and clarify the difference between Taiji and the martial art of taijiquan. According to ancient Chinese philosophy, Taiji is born out of the formless void when it begins to move and divides into heaven and earth. Heaven and earth possess the characteristics of yang and yin respectively and are the progenitors of “the ten thousand things,” which is to say all of creation. Taiji also includes the underlying principles from which the laws of nature are derived. As such, Taiji governs the natural universe.
In the world view of the ancient Chinese philosophers, humankind occupies a unique position between heaven and earth. According to Taiji theory, humans are also governed by the principles of Taiji. By formulating an overarching explanation of both the natural world and society, Taiji theory provides us with a complete and comprehensive perspective on life and the cosmos. Taiji theory represented to the ancients what the Big Bang theory, combined with Universal Field theory, is to modern-day physicists.
As its name implies, the martial art of taijiquan is based upon the principles of Taiji. The Chinese character for quan is usually translated as “fist” and may be more generally interpreted as “fighting style.” So, taijiquan is the fighting style based upon Taiji, the Supreme Ultimate, and may thus be translated as “supreme ultimate fighting style.”
Returning to the words of Master Huang, whenever Master Huang used the words, “taiji,” he was referring to our art, taijiquan. The entire time we spent together he never used the art’s full name, “taijiquan.” This is common in the world of martial arts, where “taiji” is recognized to mean “taijiquan.” At the time when Master Huang made his simple statement “Everything is Taiji,” I assumed he was referring to the martial art that he was teaching me.
As time has passed, however, and as I have gained both wisdom and a broader perspective, I now believe that Master Huang was, in fact, referring to Taiji. This is why I capitalize “Taiji” in the statement, “Everything is Taiji.” For me, everything is, indeed, Taiji. The martial art of taijiquan, while extremely important in my life, is secondary to the study of Taiji, which is the Tao, or way, of my life.
Over the ensuing years, I have found Master Huang’s simple statement, “Everything is Taiji,” to be the catch-phrase of my life. I have striven to incorporate his words into my daily practice. This underlying concept has guided my studies in Taoism, taijiquan, and qigong. More importantly, this insight has provided me with a foundation for living my life, observing and respecting nature, and interacting with family, friends, students, co-workers, and the people with whom I come into contact on a daily basis.
It is evident to me that any student of taijiquan must also study the Tao and in so doing must, by virtue of the sincere practice of this art, reach the obvious conclusion that “Everything is Taiji.” As Taoists, we must recognize that, ultimately, nature and the cosmos are neither benign nor malignant. The universe follows a natural order, and that order is governed by Taiji. Studying nature and observing the natural order with an open mind is an excellent way to understand Taiji. Recognizing the influence of Taiji in all natural phenomena enables one to accept with equanimity both good fortune and calamity, abundance and scarcity, youth and old age, living and dying.
The natural world can teach us many of the lessons we need to learn in order to live in harmony and balance. For this reason, it is highly beneficial to live in an environment where nature can be observed on a daily basis. Ideally, one should live in the mountains, by a lake or a river, or by the ocean. The presence of clean air and the influence of water are highly beneficial to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The opportunities for enjoying nature are plentiful if you are motivated to take advantage of them. Engaging in outdoor activities is both healthful and life-renewing. However, as students of taijiquan, we should learn to observe nature from the perspective of yin and yang, heaven and earth, strength and weakness, fullness and waning. Everything in nature teaches us about Taiji. Open your eyes and open your mind. You will see that, truly, “Everything is Taiji.”
Once you perceive that “Everything is Taiji,” you will naturally begin to incorporate the principles of Taiji into your daily taijiquan practice. With this realization, you will find yourself effortlessly seeking a balance between yin and yang, empty and full, advance and retreat, movement and stillness. The ultimate goal of our martial art is the embodiment of the principles of Taiji in our practice. As we practice the form, pushing hands, or standing meditation, we should strive to practice not only taijiquan, but also Taiji, the Supreme Ultimate.
Master Huang and I would normally meet in the mornings to practice taijiquan and pushing hands in a small park before he attended to his patients. Often, after practicing the form and playing pushing hands, we would sit on a bench under a shady tree and meditate for a while.
One morning after meditating, Master Huang noticed a neighborhood cat slowly and silently approaching a bird that was perched in one of the lower branches of a nearby tree. The cat moved with such precision and grace that it reminded me of a leopard stalking an antelope.
Master Huang turned to me and said, “Look at that cat. It is doing taiji.” We both watched the cat and marveled at how it moved, advancing with “cat steps” just like Master Huang had taught me to advance in the form. Eventually the bird became aware of the cat’s intentions, ruffled its feathers, and flew off squawking indignantly. The formerly-stalking feline transformed itself back into a simple house cat and sauntered off nonchalantly.
Master Huang then looked at me and made a pronouncement that I will remember for the rest of my life. He said simply, “Everything is Taiji.” We sat together for a few moments with this weighty statement settling into the silence. Then Master Huang spoke again, “Everything is Taiji.” At this time I had been studying with Master Huang for several months, and I had come to realize that when he repeated himself, which was not often, it indicated that I was to pay special attention to what he had said or had shown me. In this particular instance he made no further comment.
In order to convey the significance of this deceptively simple statement, I need to digress from my story and clarify the difference between Taiji and the martial art of taijiquan. According to ancient Chinese philosophy, Taiji is born out of the formless void when it begins to move and divides into heaven and earth. Heaven and earth possess the characteristics of yang and yin respectively and are the progenitors of “the ten thousand things,” which is to say all of creation. Taiji also includes the underlying principles from which the laws of nature are derived. As such, Taiji governs the natural universe.
In the world view of the ancient Chinese philosophers, humankind occupies a unique position between heaven and earth. According to Taiji theory, humans are also governed by the principles of Taiji. By formulating an overarching explanation of both the natural world and society, Taiji theory provides us with a complete and comprehensive perspective on life and the cosmos. Taiji theory represented to the ancients what the Big Bang theory, combined with Universal Field theory, is to modern-day physicists.
As its name implies, the martial art of taijiquan is based upon the principles of Taiji. The Chinese character for quan is usually translated as “fist” and may be more generally interpreted as “fighting style.” So, taijiquan is the fighting style based upon Taiji, the Supreme Ultimate, and may thus be translated as “supreme ultimate fighting style.”
Returning to the words of Master Huang, whenever Master Huang used the words, “taiji,” he was referring to our art, taijiquan. The entire time we spent together he never used the art’s full name, “taijiquan.” This is common in the world of martial arts, where “taiji” is recognized to mean “taijiquan.” At the time when Master Huang made his simple statement “Everything is Taiji,” I assumed he was referring to the martial art that he was teaching me.
As time has passed, however, and as I have gained both wisdom and a broader perspective, I now believe that Master Huang was, in fact, referring to Taiji. This is why I capitalize “Taiji” in the statement, “Everything is Taiji.” For me, everything is, indeed, Taiji. The martial art of taijiquan, while extremely important in my life, is secondary to the study of Taiji, which is the Tao, or way, of my life.
Over the ensuing years, I have found Master Huang’s simple statement, “Everything is Taiji,” to be the catch-phrase of my life. I have striven to incorporate his words into my daily practice. This underlying concept has guided my studies in Taoism, taijiquan, and qigong. More importantly, this insight has provided me with a foundation for living my life, observing and respecting nature, and interacting with family, friends, students, co-workers, and the people with whom I come into contact on a daily basis.
It is evident to me that any student of taijiquan must also study the Tao and in so doing must, by virtue of the sincere practice of this art, reach the obvious conclusion that “Everything is Taiji.” As Taoists, we must recognize that, ultimately, nature and the cosmos are neither benign nor malignant. The universe follows a natural order, and that order is governed by Taiji. Studying nature and observing the natural order with an open mind is an excellent way to understand Taiji. Recognizing the influence of Taiji in all natural phenomena enables one to accept with equanimity both good fortune and calamity, abundance and scarcity, youth and old age, living and dying.
The natural world can teach us many of the lessons we need to learn in order to live in harmony and balance. For this reason, it is highly beneficial to live in an environment where nature can be observed on a daily basis. Ideally, one should live in the mountains, by a lake or a river, or by the ocean. The presence of clean air and the influence of water are highly beneficial to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The opportunities for enjoying nature are plentiful if you are motivated to take advantage of them. Engaging in outdoor activities is both healthful and life-renewing. However, as students of taijiquan, we should learn to observe nature from the perspective of yin and yang, heaven and earth, strength and weakness, fullness and waning. Everything in nature teaches us about Taiji. Open your eyes and open your mind. You will see that, truly, “Everything is Taiji.”
Once you perceive that “Everything is Taiji,” you will naturally begin to incorporate the principles of Taiji into your daily taijiquan practice. With this realization, you will find yourself effortlessly seeking a balance between yin and yang, empty and full, advance and retreat, movement and stillness. The ultimate goal of our martial art is the embodiment of the principles of Taiji in our practice. As we practice the form, pushing hands, or standing meditation, we should strive to practice not only taijiquan, but also Taiji, the Supreme Ultimate.
Andrew Townsend's Taijiquan Blog
In this blog, Mr. Townsend will post interesting insights and information regarding the practice of taijiquan. Many of the postings are based upon his studies with his former and present teachers. Ple
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