Chuang Tzu and the Butterfly, Dreaming

Chuang Tzu

Once Zhuangzi [Chuang Tzu] dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was Zhuangzi. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuangzi. But he didn't know if he was Zhuangzi who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuangzi. Between Zhuangzi and a butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things.

Reference:  Zhuangzi.

Chuang Tzu's Taoist Philosophy

Chuang Tzu

Chuang Tzu - or Zhuangzi - was a Taoist, whose philosophy differed notably from that of Lao Tzu.  Mostly in the early years of studying and practicing T'ai Chi, I read his writings in the so-called "Inner Chapters."

Zhuangzi and Huizi were strolling along the dam of the Hao Waterfall when Zhuangzi said, "See how the minnows come out and dart around where they please! That's what fish really enjoy!" 

Huizi said, "You're not a fish — how do you know what fish enjoy?" 

Zhuangzi said, "You're not me, so how do you know I don't know what fish enjoy?" 

Huizi said, "I'm not you, so I certainly don't know what you know. On the other hand, you're certainly not a fish — so that still proves you don't know what fish enjoy!" 

Zhuangzi said, "Let's go back to your original question, please. You asked me how I know what fish enjoy — so you already knew I knew it when you asked the question. I know it by standing here beside the Hao."

Those early years were partly my university years as well, and I remember others' philosophy that resembled this sort of logical argument.  In recent years, as I've worked on my Theory of Algorithms and The Core Algorithm, I progressed my thinking on such philosophy:

• Huizi makes a mistake in presupposing that the only way we can know what people or animals enjoy is by being like them.
• Even if we are like them, for example, myself as a man vis-a-vis other men, this point is not a de facto conclusion that I can know what they enjoy.  
• Because we cannot ever be anyone except ourselves, we will always fall short of a complete knowledge of others.  What I've come to call The Inevitable Gap.  
• However, we are endowed with a brain that senses others and with empathy, in particular, which offers us a conduit for indeed knowing what others enjoy.  

Bruce Frantzis Uproots an Opponent

Bruce Frantzis uproots an opponent

It may seem too philosophical or esoteric to say via T'ai Chi that the weak overcomes the strong.  That the fist is iron wrapped in cotton.  That an ounce can deflect a thousand pounds.  

But it is all true.

A well-timed and well-rooted fa jin - a sudden, powerful release of chi, as Bruce Frantzis demonstrates - will make an opponent think twice, before attacking you again.

Shed your Skin like the Snake

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The Soul Always Knows

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Grappling Techniques by Chen Zhonghua

This was shot on Da Qing Shan, May 2013. Master Chen Zhonghua was observing some of his students practicing competitive Tui Shou (Push Hands). He then stepped in to 'show them how it's done'. What he is demonstrating is how to apply traditional techniques from the Yilu form directly in grappling scenarios against a resisting opponent.

Chen Zhongdua is very strong with his T'ai Chi practice and application.  So be sure to take care when studying and doing what he demonstrates.  It's mainly for advanced students.  Please feel free to contact me, if you have any queries.

That said, self defense in T'ai Chi is neither elaborate nor athletic.  You see that movements are straightforward and economical.  That is, Master Chen kicks, and push, and altogether moves just enough to defend himself.

Practical Self Defense by Chen Zhonghua

This is a training method from the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system. Here master Chen Zhonghua and Gord Muir demonstrates a drill that will allow two people to train to match the opponent's power and strategy.

Chen Zhonghua teaches students to sink lower, just enough to match an opponent's push, and redirect the oncoming energy into your legs and to your root on the floor.

He also knows that if an opponent matches your push in one direction, and therefore neutralizes your energy, you can still sense his weakness and topple him in another direction.  He showed with the first student, who was firmly rooted in his self defense posture, that pushing him toward his back easily uprooted him.  

Finally, T'ai Chi is known as circles within circles.  So the arm rotation he demonstrates with another student is an effective way for him to neutralize her push.  Circles, curves and arcs are practical metaphors in self defense.