Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life: Revealing the Deeper Mysteries of China's Ancient

by Graham Horwood

Revealing the Deeper Mysteries of China’s Ancient Art for Health and Harmony Over the centuries, the ancient martial art of Tai Chi Chuan, better known as Tai Chi, has exerted an almost magnetic influence for millions of seekers, attracted to its promise of physical resilience, emotional well being and spiritual illumination. Emblematic of China’s greatest traditions in philosophical and religious enquiry, there is a grand, elusive mystique to Tai Chi that seems to transcend its apparent emphasis on self-defense and good health. What, really, is the basis for this enduring appeal? Why has Tai Chi become so popular in the West? And what benefits can we really expect from its practice? In Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life, Graham Horwood brilliantly explores these and many other questions. Horwood demonstrates how Tai Chi links not only to the I Ching, to Taoism and to Chinese alchemy, but also to the greatest traditions of both Western alchemy and modern science. A portrait emerges of Tai Chi as a dynamic blueprint for the true functioning of the universe. To practice Tai Chi correctly is to directly embody the great universal truths as they naturally unfold in our daily lives. But what is correct Tai Chi practice? Moving beyond the theory, Horwood’s Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life reveals deeply practical techniques, drawn from the Yang Family’s formerly secret teachings, on how to optimize one’s energetic and spiritual development. Without this kind of specialized knowledge, Tai Chi is unlikely to reward you with its most powerful benefits. A treasure for novice and seasoned practitioner alike, Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life makes a welcome and far-ranging contribution to our understanding and practice of this mysterious discipline. Introduction Jung, Wilhelm, and the I Ching…The I Ching and Life in Harmony…Feng Shui and the Balance of Nature…Science, DNA, and Tai Chi…The Role of Change in the Universal Life Force…The Dark and Light Sides of Tai Chi Chuan. Chapter One The Philosophy of Taoism, from a Western Perspective…Chinese Thought and History…Alchemy and Opposition…The Number and Name of Creation…Tending the Waters of the Unconscious. Chapter Two The History of Tai Chi Chuan…The Four Styles of Tai Chi Chuan…An Ancient Way of War…The Tai Chi Hermit…The Spiral Dance of Chen Wang Ting…Tai Chi Goes Underground…Yang the Shadow Boxer…The Yang Family Style…What the History of Tai Chi Tells Us. Chapter Three The Eight Pa Qua Trigrams…Chinese Chien—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid…Chinese Kun—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid…Chinese Kan—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid …Chinese Li—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid …Chinese Tui—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid …Chinese Chen—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid …Chinese Ken—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid…Chinese Sun—Western Equivalent, Relationship to Martial Posture, TCM Organ/Meridian and to Amino Acid …Conclusion of the Pa Qua and Their Relationships. Chapter Four The Five Elements—Wu The Relationship with the Tai Chi Form, Movement, and Internal Organ Balance…The Psychology of the Wu Hsing…The Four Elements in Greek Thought…From Paracelsus to Quantum Physics…Applications in Tai Chi…Fire Element—Tai Chi Attribute, Direction, Emotions, Sounds and Organs…Earth Element— Tai Chi Attribute, Direction, Emotions, Sounds and Organs…Metal Element—Tai Chi Attribute, Direction, Emotions, Sounds and Organs…Water Elem

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Michal Schmalz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems like a good resource to learn a few new things about Tai Chi. I like most the parts which compare principles of Taoist philosophy to Jungian psychology and western mythology. On the other hand there are two things about this book that I don’t like:

1. The author doesn´t properly cite sources of his information which is problematic considering that some of the claims in the book are controversial.

2. The biggest problem I have is with drawing comparisons between western science, Chinese philosophy and Chinese medicine. Comparing trigrams in I Ching with the structure of human genes and it´s amino acids solely on the basis of numerology goes too far in my opinion. I have no problem operating within the system of Chinese medicine and it´s premises. It´s a system of its own and I have no problem respecting it. But things just get messy when somebody tries to mix it with western scientific knowledge and tries to draw parallels without supporting his conclusions with proper evidence or at least proper citation of sources. It´s the most important issue here because it´s such a controversial topic with tons of false information out there.

To sum up my points. If you are fan of Chinese medicine and Tai Chi Chuan you will have no problem with the book and probably will learn a few new things. If you are coming from “scientific” background I would suggest looking for other resources (unless you consider numerology a science).