The Nature of Change in Tai Chi Chuan

Change is the essence of Tai Chi Chuan. Everything is subject to change. If allowed, this will occur naturally through and within the scope of training. There is change that is organic and natural, and there is change that is forced. Real change is constant and slow and needs patience. If we believe in the Taoist concept of "Wu Wei", then we should not interfere too much in the natural process. Someone once said that “Tai Chi should be like taking a walk”.

There is nothing more natural than that. But, how many of us “just walk or just sit”? To reach the point where Tai Chi Chuan is this natural isn’t so easy. There are many barriers to break down along the way. It is the breaking down of these barriers that make the changes. There is a great deal of difference between allowing something to develop, and simply just change for the sake of it.

Tai Chi Chuan is by its nature creative and it is through this creativity, that we can understand change. Tai Chi Chuan can never stand still, it is constantly evolving, needing nothing outside of the art to make it something else, or to “enhance” it . Each time you do the form, it is gone, you will never experience the same form again. Try doing 3 or 4 repetitions, one after the other, of the long hand form, and see how each one is different in feeling and execution. Tai Chi Chuan is the practice of what is. What is new, is inherent in the old. Your form can only be what it is, too much self criticism separates you from what you are doing and will inhibit your progress. Just simply experience your practice moment to moment.

My way of looking at this, is to let this natural creativity take its course. What is important is that things are given time to develop. This is achieved through practicing the very thing that you have, and not to constantly look for something new. I enjoy learning, but there is so much in what is already there, that to jump around looking for the next “new” thing, actually takes you further away from what is already present. If things are deliberately changed all the time, then there is no time to assimilate what you are learning. You may think you are learning “more” but more what? There is a clear teaching in Tai Chi Chuan that must be nurtured. I do believe that to practice “one thing”, is the way to really strengthen your Tai Chi Chuan. You must deepen that which is already under your own feet. This is “Beating raw iron until it becomes pure steel”. Tai Chi Chuan, like the Tao, can never be exhausted. There is more than enough within the practice for a lifetime.

I have never deliberately changed any part of what I do. But, things have changed, they have to. The more you understand the practice, the more possibilities you can see in the art. Allowing, through practice, development to take place from within, is to deepen your understanding of Tai Chi Chuan. Through martial practice we can reach a deeper understanding of ourselves. External change is cosmetic and nothing, compared to internal change (understanding).

No matter how many changes you make to a form, or how many forms you make up, it will always be that, a form. With regard to the traditional hand form, irrespective of style, how can anything be more advanced than these forms? You just have to look at the way the various forms have been structured. I know that there are various short forms but, whatever is done, must be born out of the traditional forms. I do not believe anything surpasses these forms. Be content to practice it. To practice the forms to the extent that you go beyond the forms, is the point. To completely absorb the principle to the degree that every move you make reflects the principle. This is a natural and spontaneous development gained through practice. Mastery of the form has nothing to do with changing it. It has everything to do with becoming one with it. That, for me, is the greatest change.

To become one with Tai Chi Chuan is no easy matter. It takes much time and effort. Tai Chi Chuan is a way of being fully in touch with yourself, (“do the form to know yourself”) of experiencing directly, the process you are in. When this point of awareness is present, then you are present. If you can be present moment to moment, it is like being at the edge of time, everything is moving with you at that moment. Whatever you are practising, is all you have at that moment. This is not something that you do to get anything or to go anywhere. If you are looking for something, it means that “it” will always be “over there” and implies that it is outside of yourself. Whatever you are practising, is it!

The martial arts are about constantly training the mind. Focusing both the physical and mental aspects, whenever and whatever you are practising. Be it forms, pushing hands, weapons etc. the mind is the same, focus is the same. Although it is nice to see a form well done, it should be remembered that Tai Chi Chuan is essentially not for the watcher.

It is important that you are not distracted by outside influences. No matter what may be going on, your focus must not waiver. The art is what matters. There may be more styles and opinions of Tai Chi Chuan, than you can shake a stick at, but do not worry about all that. A Zen monk once said to me “there are many six inch masters out there” meaning of course, it is all in the head. Let them have their opinions and theories, just get on with the practice.

The very fact that you practice will effect change. I said before, practice one thing. This one thing is something that can never stay the same.

When you read the many books and articles that are around today, each one with yet another way to do Tai Chi, it is quite futile to argue which is the best way. There are obviously ways that are better than others but it is up to the individual to find which is best for them. It is important to stay as closely as possible to what your teacher passed on to you. Even if you do, you will never be a carbon copy of your teacher. So in some small way you will have changed what you were taught. It should still be recognisable from the original.

As I have just mentioned teachers, I will just say this. Remember, nobody owns you. Your Tai Chi Chuan is yours, not your teachers or anyone else’s. Tai Chi Chuan is a fair deal - you get out what you put in. Tai Chi Chuan is also an exercise in self reliance, as it is entirely up to you. If real and profound results are to be had, it goes without saying that the standard of the teacher is important. You are going to invest time and money with this teacher, so make sure it is time and money well spent. Tai Chi Chuan is a very exacting art, and must be passed on correctly. Although the article is essentially about change, without a good teacher, this won’t happen either, at least not in a good way.

I am also reminded of a story. A student went to the master, and asked “Would you write down the secret of your art” after some insistence the master relented. Going into another room for a while, he came back and handed the student a piece of folded rice paper. Delighted, the student opened the folded paper, to his shock, all that was written over and over, was the character for “patience, patience, patience......”

As the years roll on, I find that what you already have is the very point of your practice. To develop this is the real treasure.