T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Meditation

by Da Liu

An ideal introduction to T'Ai Chi Ch'Uan, providing clear descriptions of the methods of meditation and exercise, and illuminating the underlying theory, so readers can understand as well as practice the techniques in their daily routine.

Genres: Spirituality, Martial Arts, China, Taoism, Reference, Nonfiction, Philosophy

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 1986

Reviews

[path · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a thoughtful description and historical treatment of T'ai Chi and its connections to Taoism. As a westerner, I found the connections to Chinese medicinal practices and philosophical beliefs to be very interesting and also quite perplexing. Nevertheless, I appreciate that although the author seemed to acknowledge that he was addressing a western audience he did not cater the explanations to western sensibilities. Instead, there is a sincerity to the descriptions of chi and vital energy, its movements through the body, and its supposed health benefits.

I read the book to learn more about meditation and mindfulness and found quite a lot to practice and train myself on. Other readers looking for the same will likely find an approach that works for them, no matter their level of physical ability. The illustrations are helpful at interpreting some of the textual descriptions of the active meditation movements, but readers who are overly concerned about reproducing movements precisely may find the residual ambiguity to be a bit unsettling. Fortunately, Da Liu stresses that the bodily movements are not as important as the mental movements and visualization, which appear easier to explain.

[Stephen Romney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book focuses less on the how, and more on the why of Taijiquan and Meditation, delving into Taoist philosophy and treatises such as the I Ching, or Book of Changes, which serves as the foundation of Taoist practices such as Tao Yin exercises and the cultivation of qi.

It leans hard into the esoteric elements of the art, especially during the final chapters that discuss the process of transmuting sexual energy in to qi and later to shen, or spirit, in rather meticulous detail. (To the point that a prude like me felt rather unconlmfortable.)

While the book claims to be an introduction, the author repeatedly references other books the author wrote prior that seem almost like required reading.

It also probably helps if you've already been practicing the art under the guidance of a qualified instructor prior to reading.

If you're interested in the more esoteric elements of Taijiquan, or at the very least want to understand the context, then you may get more out of this book than I did, but I advise you take some of the recommendations with a grain of salt, as it relays some potentially problematic anecdotes that may result in misinterpretation.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about Tai chi. The author is the first master to bring the art to the united states.

[Dab · Rating 2 out of 5]

your chi comes from your peen

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not that I learned anything really new from this book, however it did offer some new insights and confirmed much of what I've already studied.

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good information on meditation and breathing. Just what I was looking for.

"As Heaven and Earth, each human being is a union of light and dark."

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Taoist philosophy and TCM, this book focuses on Yang Taiji so the form work is a little difficult to follow if you are a Chen student!