T’AI CHI CH’UAN: fist of the supreme ultimate
T’ai chi ch’uan Chin., lit. the “fist (fighting method) of the supreme ultimate (chi)”; a form of meditation based on physical movements and a method of self-defense. The origins of T’ai chi ch ‘uan are said to go back to the 14th century. It is practiced by performing a sequence of soft, flowing, and slowly executed movements, which coordinate mind and body i.e., consciousness, breath, and the body as such and thereby produce a harmonization of the energies of yin and yang (yin-yang). T’ai chi ch’uan enhances the general state of health of the practitioner, dissolves tensions in the body, and removes blockages in the energy meridians. There are at present five main styles, the best known being the Yang style, named after its originators Yang Lu-ch’an and Yang Ch’eng-fu.
T’ai chi ch’uan is normally practiced alone, but there is a method known as t’ui-shou (roughly “pushing hands”), which involves a partner. T’ai chi ch’uan can also be performed with a lance, knife, or sword.
TSO-WANG: sitting and forgetting
Tso-wang Chin., lit. “sitting [and] forgetting”; Taoist method of meditation descriptive of the highest stage of Taoist absorption. The practitioner of tso-wang does not meditate on an object, but rather allows his mind to float freely without intervening. In this way, he abides innonaction (wu-wei) and becomes one with the Tao. He leaves behind all forms and limitations and is free of wishes and desires. The Chuang-tzu (Book 6, Chapter 7) describes tso-wang as follows: “On a third occasion Wen Hui met Confucius and said, ‘I am getting on.’ ‘How so?’ asked the Sage. ‘I have got rid of everything,’ replied Wen Hui. ‘Got rid of everything!’ said Confucius eagerly. ‘What do you mean by that?’ ‘I have freed myself from my body,’ answered Wen Hui. ‘I have discarded my reasoning powers. And by thus getting rid of body and mind, I have become One with the Infinite. This is what I mean by getting rid of everything.’ ‘If you have become one,’ cried Confucius, ‘there can be no room for bias. If you have passed into space, you are indeed without beginning or end. And if you have really attained to this, I trust to be allowed to follow in your steps’ ” (Giles 1961).
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Books on T’ai chi ch’uan
Books on Tso-wang
External links: Yin-yang / T’ai chi ch’uan / Wu-wei / Chuang-tse / Confucius (K’ung-tzu)