In Zen,

We don’t find answers.

We lose the questions.

                      -Zen Saying

Zen is a Japanese word which shares the same Kanji as the Chinese ‘Chan’ – 禅. Which again comes from Sanskrit ‘Dhyana’ (ध्यान) which means to be in attention. When in attention the subject and object are allowed to be. There is no interference of thought bubbles as there is nothing within creating the necessity. So if there is nothing then what is being sought and why all the fuss about all techniques, applications and meditation in Taijiquan. If one can draw a parallel to Yoga what is the point of all Asanas when there is nothing which is sought. This calls one upon the very nature of seeking and to address this we will now focus on the value of the techniques, application and meditation.

Rationality of Techniques

Seeking is knowing yourself and to know one’s self one needs to reflect. But what aspect of yours would you reflect? For this one has to discern one’s composition. Based on maturity of the person, physical body can be regarded as one constituent aspect. But when we refer to the body based on one’s self awareness one can come to terms with it  as a composition of other aspects some of which can be enumerated as 1) Respiratory system 2) Cardio-Vascular system 3) Lymphatic system 4) Musculature 5) Skeletal system 6) Digestive System 7) Brain and its Nervous system. Being self aware of these aspects and having the ability to enumerate them, knowing the mere nomenclature, are vastly different things. Possession of self awareness of these aspects enables one to act appropriate to the state of various systems and bring them in harmony to achieve balance. Knowing the mere nomenclature will not empower one to do anything, regardless of the state of the various systems.

This is very much like learning to ride a bi-cycle. There are three variables – handle-bar, breaks and the pedals. Those who achieve balance innately understand the values the the three variables attain to achieve a particular successful ride, those who are new don’t. If we were to extrapolate the analogy to the body with its multitude of variables, those who are self aware, know the direction, speed and the danger based on their immediate awareness of the state of the various systems. Those who understand only the nomenclature will have to rely on a General Physician.

How do we achieve self awareness of our body? By exercising it appropriately. The exercise should serve to achieve the reflection that will ultimately enable one to achieve self awareness. In Taijiquan the appropriateness is something someone has to establish before it is passed on. Many masters have dedicated their lives in passing on the knowledge once they have realized the appropriateness and the effectiveness of a Taijiquan technique. A good technique is not something dry but it is very much like a play. Children become self aware of their body thanks to their innate tendency to play. A good instructor understands the layers of a technique and bring out an aspect which will be appropriate to a particular student. As the student evolves the instructor brings out other layers appropriate to the growth that his student sees. As one becomes self aware the tendency to come to balance, an innate instinct, kicks in and one begins to leverage one’s body and guide it effectively. Ultimately it is the art that chooses the practitioner though in the beginning the art waits and gauges whether there is enough intent in the wannabe practitioner.

Rationality of Application

Knowledge without a test is poison. One has to put the theory to test. No matter how beautiful a theory unless it demonstrates appropriateness and effectiveness an instructor will not be able to enable the growth path for the student. Student too will be forced to take a deeper look at one’s understanding. Application study is not necessarily partner practice in the beginning. One has to demonstrate the techniques to the satisfaction of the instructor without even the instructor saying much. The feedback can be an “OK!” to indifference. Reflect upon it and figure it out. This is an emotional process but it forces the student to move away from a comfort zone. It takes a lot out of one and unless the student is not mentally and physically mature application study does not help. Diligent practice of techniques and building the practice hours helps one ready for the application study. The instructor must come in and address the queries of the student and be ready for their own knowledge to be tested. Such opportunities are used by the instructor to prepare the student for partner work.

When it comes to partner work there is a code – mutual respect. If one cannot respect their sparring partner, application study does not help. It is not a contest but a process of honest reflection. Openness and trust are key to deriving the most from the process. One must gauge their selves and their partner and mutually discuss. Taijiquan is a science and demands research and applications have to be studied systematically. Eloquent words are not in reality effective as partner work. The techniques are seen for their bare bones and under the watchful eyes of the instructor the next door for growth is opened- meditation.

Meditation

Meditation in Taijiquan is the process of attaining balance in the understanding of the individual techniques. Another analogy – Stringing the pearls into a necklace. Here is where one comes to terms to the qualitative aspects of 勁 or Jin, meaning the underlying active force in the technique. One begins to appreciate their physical constitution and its essence which the Chinese refer to as the 精 or Jing. Once there is a refined understanding one has the means to discipline their 气 or Qi. Without optimized breathing the technique will dissipate instead of energize. The process enables one to come to terms ultimately with their very spirit which the Chinese refer to as 神 or Shen. All this you achieve by being in Zen 禅 all along. It is not a will but a background where everything transpires. You don’t will yourself to sit quietly but rather let the process unfold and have the presence to reflect, thanks to the balance one has attained. As long as one can reflect, one is in Zen. But all this is mere theory unless one has actually established one’s self in it. Being in a process with an experienced guide helps and as one matures they can let go- to leave the nest and fly.

Summary

All practice is to enable inner balance of one’s faculties. The practices may seem general but the individual instructions are specific to the student. The role of an instructor is to filter the generalities and get specific instructions for the student to work on. This to enable an effective path to establish the innate awareness of one’s constitution so that one can maneuver effectively, quickly. Intent is to trigger the agency within so that a student wakes up to their own possibilities.