The purpose of practicing Tai Chi is not to train the body, but to train the mentality. In other words, practicing Tai Chi is not just about training the appearance, but more about training the mind. We should change our mentality and body shape purposefully and pursue more inward. Through practicing Tai Chi, we should not only seek a healthy body, but also cultivate good thoughts and consciousness.
1, To exercise, we must first strengthen our mind, and to exercise our body, we must first exercise our mind.
In modern times, Tai Chi practice has become very popular. According to the purpose of practice, Tai Chi practitioners can be divided into three schools. One school focuses on invigorating the spirit, with boxing routines as the main form, and a variety of movements, which attract the interest of learners. In particular, large-scale martial arts performances organized by the society are eye-catching and inspiring. Another school focuses on practicing exercises, hoping to master Tai Chi Kung Fu and learn the fighting skills created by predecessors. Within a certain range, they can be invincible and become the best among people. The third school focuses on pursuing physical and mental health, and does not pay much attention to performance effects and fighting skills. As far as personal hobbies are concerned, the author likes the third school, and expresses the views of this school.
Everyone knows that health is important, but it is not easy to really understand it. Many people have the problem of focusing on the outside and not the inside, which can be analyzed from three levels.
First, if the environment is regarded as an external factor and oneself is regarded as an internal factor. People often pay too much attention to external factors such as fame, wealth, status, spouse and children. However, “no one can replace you when you are sick”, which shows that health is the most precious factor for people.
Secondly, in terms of the relationship between one’s body and mind, too much attention is paid to external phenomena such as developed limbs and normal organs, while neglecting the training of internal psychological qualities and weak will. For example, some young people actually commit suicide because of a broken heart, and some people become discouraged and unable to recover after encountering a little difficulty and setbacks. When encountering a particularly difficult situation, some strong people die because of impatience and loss of confidence, while some weak people are finally saved because of their calm temperament and not losing confidence.
The third level of seeking external things instead of internal things is an inaccurate understanding of physical and mental health: in terms of the body, it is to pay attention to the external tall stature and developed muscles, while ignoring the internal health and practicality; in terms of the spirit, it is to pay attention to the external firmness of performance, while ignoring the cultivation of the internal ideological foundation.
The purpose of practicing Tai Chi is not to train the body, but to train the mentality. In other words, practicing Tai Chi is not just about training the appearance, but focusing on training the mind. We must change our mentality and body with a purpose, and pursue more inward. Through practicing Tai Chi, we must not only seek a healthy body, but also be able to cultivate good thoughts and consciousness.
Human beings are the perfect combination of spirit and body, and their essence is spirit. “Spiritual roots breed the source, and the mind cultivates the great way”, “understand the true and wonderful principles of Bodhi, cut off the demons and return to the original spirit”. That is to say, human nature has spiritual roots, and the method of cultivation is to rely on understanding the principles. Ancient practitioners all emphasized “refining oneself” and specifically pointed out that “self is my true nature in stillness and true meaning in movement, which is another name for the original spirit”. “People have three treasures, spirit, energy and spirit”, this ancient saying also shows that people’s spirit is the most important.
2, Learn the method of nourishing the heart from the oriental philosopher Zheng Banqiao
In the Qing Dynasty in China, there was a painter, calligrapher and writer named Zheng Banqiao. His secret to longevity lies in his health-preserving skills. His poetry, calligraphy and painting are exquisite, known as the three wonders. He reached a new artistic realm. This made him spiritually sustenance, open-minded and cheerful. Zheng Banqiao had a rough life, but he was always able to treat it with an optimistic mood. When he was an official, he offended his superiors because he asked for relief for the victims in the year of famine, and was dismissed from office. However, he was not depressed, nor was he depressed because of his failure in officialdom. Instead, he rode a donkey and returned to his hometown leisurely. After being an official for more than ten years, he returned to his hometown with only three donkeys, one for himself, one for the guide, and the third for his luggage. “Not surprised by favor or disgrace, watching the flowers bloom and fall in front of the courtyard”: flowers bloom and flourish, flowers fall and fail. Do not be carried away by temporary glory, and do not give up on yourself because of temporary humiliation. Be indifferent to fame and fortune, and be strong without desire. “I have no intention of leaving or staying, just follow the clouds outside the sky”: life and death are in the sky, and flowing water leaves no trace. Live happily, and don’t be sad when you die. The heart is as vast as the sea and the sky, and go with the flow. It can be said that this is an image of Zheng Banqiao’s open-minded life.
Not being happy with things, not being sad with yourself, this is Zheng Banqiao’s way of health and longevity. Zheng Banqiao never sought fame and fortune, and did not care about gains and losses in his life. He wrote two famous scrolls, which are “It’s rare to be confused” and “Suffering a loss is a blessing” that have been passed down to this day. These two scrolls contain profound philosophy and are precious spiritual wealth left to future generations.
“Suffering a loss is a blessing” is a gift from Zheng Banqiao. The content reads: “Fullness is the opportunity for loss, and loss is the gradual process of gain. Loss to oneself is benefit to others. You can get peace from people outside and peace from your heart inside. You will be at peace and happiness. Inscribed by Zheng Xie of Banqiao”. It warns people to be willing to suffer losses and let others suffer losses. What ordinary people think of as loss is peace and happiness in Zheng Banqiao’s eyes. “It’s rare to be confused” comes from a story. It is said that once, Zheng Banqiao visited Yunfeng Mountain in Laizhou, Shandong Province, and stayed in a thatched cottage in the mountain at night. The owner of the cottage was a refined old man who called himself “confused old man”. In the owner’s house, there was an inkstone the size of a square table, with fine stone and excellent carving. Zheng Banqiao was amazed and praised it. The old man asked Zheng Banqiao to write a word so that he could ask someone to carve it on the inkstone. Zheng Banqiao improvised the four words “It’s rare to be confused” and stamped the square seal “Kangxi scholar, Yongzheng juren, Qianlong jinshi” behind it. Because the inkstone was large and there was still space, Zheng Banqiao asked the old man to write a postscript. The old man wrote: “It is difficult to get a beautiful stone, it is even more difficult to get a hard stone, and it is even more difficult to turn from a beautiful stone into a hard stone. Beautiful inside, hard outside, hidden in the hut of a wild man, not into the door of wealth and honor.” After writing, he also stamped a seal “First in the college examination, second in the provincial examination, third in the palace examination.” Zheng Banqiao then knew that the old man was a retired official. Seeing that there was still space on the inkstone, he picked up the pen and wrote another paragraph: “It is difficult to be smart, it is difficult to be confused, and it is even more difficult to turn from smart to confused. Let go, take a step back, and feel at ease at the moment, not for the sake of future blessings.” The two of them felt like they had met a soulmate, and they regretted meeting too late, so they talked about literature and words, talked about life, and became close friends.
If you want to be healthy, you must first have a correct mentality, and you must pay attention to learning the good health methods of your predecessors.
3, Mind training is more important than body training
In terms of training methods, Tai Chi practitioners can be divided into two groups: one group focuses on physical activities; the other group focuses on the conditioning of the heart and brain, which is called mind training. The author prefers the second training method.
The ancient Tai Chi “Secret Song” is a classic, “formless and imageless, the whole body is transparent. Respond to things naturally, the bells are hanging on the West Mountain. Tigers roar and monkeys cry, the water is clear and the river is quiet. Turn over the river and spread the sea, and live your life to the fullest.” Its first sentence points out “formless and imageless”, which shows that it emphasizes not physical movements, but the training of mind. The characteristics of Tai Chi are “yin and yang changes, light movements”, and its physical performance is “joints should be loose, skin and fur should be attacked, joints are penetrated, and the spirit is in the middle”.
Mr. Yang Yuting, a senior boxer, pointed out that “the whole body is naturally relaxed, joints are penetrated, the mind is quiet, and the nerves are not tense”, “the body and mind are relaxed and calm, naturally stretched, soft, round, slow, the chest and abdomen are loose, the blood flows smoothly throughout the body, the nerve endings are active, and the body and skin feel sensitive.” Mr. Feng Zhiqiang pointed out in his book “Introduction to Chen-style Tai Chi” that “practice should start from Wuji, and seek the opening and closing of yin and yang seriously”, “the way to seek Wuji is to stand quietly in Wuji. Choose a quiet place with fresh air, stand naturally, relax your whole body, eliminate distracting thoughts, and seek tranquility. Gradually, you will calm your mind and spirit, and your body and mind will be empty and quiet. You will forget about the self and the world, and you will have no thoughts and no things. Your body will be like the void, and you will enter a void. Wuji scene. Stand quietly and wait for it to move, and let it be natural. When you are empty and quiet, a little spiritual resonance will arise in the sea of qi, and there will be opportunities from Wuji, and the extreme stillness will bring liveliness, and Taiji will come when you move.” From the above discussion, it can be seen that the most important thing in practice is to practice mind training.
The Tai Chi boxing secret “rely on the mind to work hard” is the true scripture. It points out that the adjustment of the mind in practice is the core, the key and the foundation. If the mind is properly adjusted, it can not only cure diseases and promote health, but also develop wisdom and stimulate human potential. To practice Tai Chi internal power, you must first practice relaxation and softness. Internally, you need to relax your mind and spirit, that is, your mind is free of worries; externally, you need to relax your limbs and joints, that is, your muscles and bones are all relaxed and your own clumsy strength is removed.
Practitioners require tranquility, “a mind without distractions is called tranquility, a mind without thoughts is called tranquility, a mind that is clear and calm is called tranquility”. In the world, people are all troubled by everything, all because of material desires, the mind follows the external environment, and the self-nature is confused. The cultivation of a clear mind is the basic entry-level skill of Wuji, and extreme tranquility gives birth to wisdom. The most important thing is to calm the mind and calm the spirit, that is, the cultivation of the mind. Cultivating the mind and nurturing the nature is to cultivate oneself.
A person can only succeed if he studies with sincerity and seriously understands. The classics of the predecessors and the words and deeds of the mentors can only play the role of imparting guidance. The ultimate success depends on one’s own spiritual attitude and understanding. Cultivation cannot be done by tricks. It requires hard work, but it is not physical work, nor is it simply physical activity. Cultivation requires seeking guidance from a wise master, constant thinking and tasting, enlightenment, and understanding, and constant summarization and reflection in practice. Only by constant understanding can one achieve something.
“If you plant flowers intentionally, they will not bloom; if you plant willows unintentionally, they will grow into shade.” Many practitioners emphasize practicing with intention, but not success unintentionally. More haste makes waste. It is against the principles of cultivation to rush for success. Only when you are not intentional and do not seek, can you see progress in your kung fu. Farmers sow seeds in the ground and wait for them to grow on their own. If you are impatient and try to force them to grow, they will only hurt the seedlings. As long as practitioners have a goal in mind, they should allow their kung fu to accumulate slowly. Rushing for success will not only be unhelpful, but may also lead to obsession and cause harm to themselves. We must learn to “do worldly business with a transcendental mentality” and do everything with a detached mentality. It is the attitude of practitioners not to seek gains and losses, fame and fortune, or retribution. Use this mentality to practice Tai Chi, and be patient and wait for the skills to grow on their own. Especially in the practice of standing Wuji Zhuang, you must overcome impatience.
The characteristic of Tai Chi is that it requires concentration, and all movements are completed under the guidance of thoughts and consciousness. Ancient Chinese boxers called the use of this kind of thought and consciousness in boxing practice “spiritual intention leading form”. The so-called spirit refers to vision, and the so-called intention refers to thought. When practicing Tai Chi, people’s movements and postures should be guided by vision and thought. This is an important principle.
In our daily life, the use of spirit and intention is not uncommon. For example, when we use a shovel to dig a hole, we hold the shovel handle in our hands and step on the shovel with our feet, but at this time our thoughts and consciousness must reach the tip of the shovel, so the force we use can penetrate into the shovel head, and we can clearly feel that the shovel head touches stones or tree roots, so as to take corresponding measures. When practicing boxing, we should also pay attention to the use of this method.