Tai Chi and Spirituality
I was a rather timid child living in the squatters around Medan Tuanku, Kuala Lumpur. As a child, I was bullied at school. As I did not want any further trouble for myself, I did not report the bully to the school or to my parents. This perhaps instilled some martial arts interest in me and from an early age, I loved watching martial arts films.
I came into spirituality some 13 years ago and treasure everything I learned from my root master, His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche. Dharma as I would call it gave me the confidence in my life and whilst I acknowledged the change, some people claimed I became different, almost to the point of arrogance. Perhaps when they compared one who always acquiesced to one who now understands a little more ‘truth’ and is able to debate and take no nonsense, I do seem somewhat arrogant. Hand to heart, this was not my intention. Perhaps, I began seeing other people’s actions as more controlling and did not wish to be subject to any of that, which reminded me of my bullied childhood days.
So, with my spiritual journey, I found it tough at times to be consistent because of my attachments to personal secular life: family, work, finances, etc. This is unsatisfactory as Dharma is about consistency and effort. Age is catching up too and never was there a morning gone by when I would not wake up with aches in my joints, usually in the arms.
So it was that I was watching a television series called Tai Chi and decided to sign up at a local gymnasium. My Tai Chi sifu is Eddie Ong and he comes from Penang. He is a skilled Tai Chi teacher who explains in detail the art of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a slow art which can be sped up into a deadly form of martial arts. In its slow form, it is likened to ‘dancing meditation‘.
I felt inspired by the principles of Tai Chi as it balances my mindset with my spirituality and offers a tranquil way to stay healthy and at the same time bring about inner peace.
Tai Chi practice has many benefits such as:
- Develop skills for self-defense
- Foster self-awareness and confidence
- Increase energy levels
- Maintain or increase flexibility, strength and vitality
- Improve posture, coordination and balance
- Develop the ability to relax and let go of tension
- Develop inner stillness and calm
- Help deal with stress
I was quite amazed upon seeing people from different backgrounds in the class; they have been training, some of whom, more than 10 years. They are very polite and mindful and bow to our sifu when they come into the class. All these are traits for a successful spiritual aspirant.
I said to myself that I had to see through this Tai Chi routine as a parallel for my spiritual training. My patience paid off and I have completed the 28 Yang Style in about one year.
In the words of my Tai Chi sifu,
“Tai Chi Chuan is about Yin and Yang. It is about seeking harmony and balance. The training is in accordance with the principle and classic concept that will lead to one’s ability to resolving a conflict confidently, and yet calmly. As one progresses and understands Tai Chi as an ‘Art of Life‘, one will grow with it over the course of time. As with nature, one cannot force it to happen. It takes time. It is a process which keeps on evolving.”
In some medical areas, doctors are known to recommend patients to take up Tai Chi as a form of physiotherapy, helping to improve body posture and muscular weaknesses.
I love my Tai Chi and I would recommend anyone, of any age to take this up. It is a healthy art and it helps one in mind training, an added boost to my spiritual training.
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I usually see a group of older people practicing Tai Chi, the slow motion movement, what strike my mind was, it’s a traditional Chinese exercises for the age of group. Is interesting to know that Tai Chi has great physical health benefit. An for a spiritual person, it helps them to control the mind to focus better and keep them healthy.
I had no previous experience with Tai Chi but there is something magic about the way it makes you feel and its ability to connect someone to do something greater. Thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts of sharing this article to benefits others.
Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. Most people took up Tai Chi mainly for the health purposes.There are numerous health benefits while learning .
Learning Tai Chi is really good for our health and it gives us a clearer mind, because when we practice Tai Chi, we have to stay very focus and be aware of our every movement, it seems just like doing meditation, stay focus and aware.Thank you very much for sharing this good article with us.
Tai chi is a mind-body practice that involves a series of slow, flowing exercises that combine movement, meditation, and rhythmic breathing. Although it was initially developed as a martial art, it’s commonly practiced as a form of “moving meditation.” According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, tai chi’s movements can help stimulate the flow of vital energy (also known as “chi”) and, in turn, promote healing from a variety of health conditions.
Many practitioners of tai chi use this technique to enhance physical and mental health, as well as to improve posture, balance, flexibility, and strength. In addition, tai chi is said to boost mood, alleviate pain, strengthen the immune system, and improve heart health.
The Benefits of Tai Chi
In recent years, studies have shown that taking up tai chi may be beneficial to people with certain health conditions.
In a research review published in Canadian Family Physician in 2016, for example, researchers analyzed previously published studies and found “excellent evidence” that tai chi appears to helpful for Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis, preventing falls, improving cognitive function in older adults, and rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Thank you Keng Nam for such personal sharing about Tai Chi. Admittedly I do not have much familiarity with Tai Chi and your sharing offers such interesting insights.
Although the prominence of Tai Chi is no longer primarily tied to its original objective of self-defence/martial arts, it has pretty much evolved into a graceful form of exercise that’s now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions. In fact, I have often heard it being described as meditation in motion, as it is said tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.
Agree that there are many similarities between the attitude and discipline which are demanded in Tai Chi and also spirituality. Hence, Tai Chi can indeed be complementary to any form of spiritual practice.
It is great that Tai Chi lessons are now offered at Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) on Saturdays for Kecharians and also the general public. This is but one of the many reflections of Rinpoche’s constant care for all of us as Tai Chi is also something recommended by Rinpoche for the general health and well-being of KFR residents and all Kecharians.
Wow…..beautiful experience about Tai Chi with spirituality , Thank you Keng Nam for this sharing. , Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. Most people took up Tai Chi mainly for the health purposes. There are numerous health benefits while learning Tai Chi and more suitable for the older people .It is a very low-demand form of exercise that works to incorporate the mind as well as the body which will help in spiritual practice too.
Dear Keng Nam,
Thanks for sharing about Tai Chi and its relations to spirituality. At the moment I do not have special interest in this form of art. All I know about it is the slow movements and I understand that this type of exercise uses some form of energy. I couldn’t relate much on how it could be related to spirituality. I hope in future I can learn more about this. Thank you for the spark of interest about Tai Chi in me now.
Thank you Keng Nam for sharing your experience about Tai Chi with spirituality. Thank you also for pointing out the benefits of learning Tai Chi. I do agree that when we progress in our spirituality, whatever samsaric things that other people do, you will tend to stay away from it. I think it is a way for us to learn to let go of our attachments.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Thank you Keng Nam for sharing this article. I think Tai Chi is not only for aged senior citizen, but for young people too. Just that because of its slow movement, many people mistaken it is for aged senior citizen. Personally, I quite like Tai Chi. I always wanted to find a good place to learn Tai Chi, but until now still haven’t really act to find one. I know that Tai Chi is founded by Zhang San Feng, and it teaches us to breathe and to balance our Qi. Of course, with proper breathing method and proper using our Qi, plus the it teaches ur the energy we use in certain posture, it has become a powerful martial art. Hence, it can be “以柔制刚” (defeat the force with tenderness). With the method it teaches us to balance our Qi, we can be more concentrate, focus and think clearly, in our case, it benefits in our spiritual path 🙂 I think i must start now to look for a good Tai Chi class as a kick start. Thank you Keng Nam. _/\_
Tai Chi is very similar to Buddhism that talk about the balance of life, middle view that taught by Nagarjuna, Tai Chi appears in both Taoist and Confucian Chinese philosophy, where it represents the fusion or the balance of yin and yang into a single ultimate.
Learning Tai Chi is really good for our health and it gives us a clearer mind, because when we practice Tai Chi, we have to stay very focus and be aware of our every movement, it seems just like doing meditation, stay focus and aware.
Of course if there is opportunity, I would like to practice Tai Chi again since there are so many benefits.
Thank you Ken Nam sharing your learning Tai Chi experience. I find Tai Chi is the slow martial art when i young. So i choose to learn Tae Kwon do in my school time. What i agree and felt the same way you had shared is through the process of learning Tae Kwon do, i have learn self discipline, behave and control emotion better not simply fight with people when you had learn the technic of fighting. The technic i learn is for self defence and not show off. I certainly like to learn Tai Chi art now when i getting older, which suitable clam our mind with existing our body. With healthy body will help our spiritual practice to improving our mind.
We should keep up a daily physical practice especially as we don’t walk and move that much anymore compared to our ancestors. We sit so much, don’t walk but rather take the car to get to another place and there are reasons for it also like dangerous weather situations in the winter and timing. Improving our awareness of the body and mind has benefits which improve our quality of life and the choices that we make. In terms of spirituality what stays out for me is that it is not about us but about how we can help others, those around us and those we touch by making a positive difference for them. H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche always shows care and is a living example of how we can benefit others always and to put others before ourselves.
Thank you Keng Nam for sharing your experience.
Indeed, Tai Chi is a slow art and a type of martial art because it’s slower compared to the others martial art etc., Shaolin Kung Fu, Taekwondo and WuShu, which come with a faster pace and movement, we think that they are more powerful and attractive. Due to the perceptions we have on how the world should works to be productive, fast and powerful, hence, we underestimate the strengths of Tai Chi, it’s about being slow, patient and wait for the right moments to defend, ultimately, it’s seeking harmony and balance.
Tai Chi should be aggressively promote in this era, for people who are attaching to secular pleasures and busy from fulfilling purely desires from oneself, thus one can find harmony and balance within oneself.
I have always heard about Tai Chi, but this is the first time I read an article all about Tai Chi. What attracted me is “ The training is in accordance with the principle and classic concept that will lead to one’s ability to resolving a conflict confidently, and yet calmly.” Is interesting to know that Tai Chi is not just an Exercise but can lead to inner peace and calm. May be is good that for some of us to learn Tai Chi which I think it may help us for our spiritual path. And I think the slow movement may be train us to be more patient and focus. Well from the article, look likes it is a very good exercise for everyone. Thank you for sharing.
As far as I know, Tai Chi is part of martial art and now many people taking it as a practice of health purpose. In those olden days, people have wrong thinking concept of martial art as fighting. Some even think is rude and rough for women. Deep down, they don’t really understand the beauty of martial art.
Martial art is a very good practice of controlling our mind physically and mentally. Thru martial art, one person will be able to focus better on the behavior, attitude, mind and breathing. Practice martial art will benefit us physically healthy and mentally happy and positive.
Therefore people of all ages are encouraged to practice this excise. Now we are living in this hectic society where crimes are common thing happen around. If we practice martial art as self defense, we could save ourselves from being involved in crime such as robbery, kidnap, rape, murder etc.
Thank you Rinpoche and Mr.Tan for sharing this article.
Jet Li popularised this Chinese ancient art of self defense through a few movies in the 1990s. I remember after the movie many people in Malaysia took up the art for health reason, self discipline and self defense. In the 70s when I came to KL to work I stayed with an old relative who I worked for. I used to see him practicing Tai Chi every evening and learned the basics from him. But alas I did not further the art and as the Chinese saying goes “I have returned what I’ve learned to the master.” Tai Chi is indeed a wonderful art with its roots dating back thousands of years in China. Till today we see countless people of all ages all over the world practicing it.
Since young, I was always fascinated with people doing Tai Chi practice. Especially in the mornings on the way to school, even just by looking at their movements, I felt a sense of calmness. Not sure why I never took the time to have a go at it though. Two of the benefits caught my attention, which are something I would like to benefit from the practice are 1) Foster self-awareness and confidence 2) Develop inner stillness and calm. These two will be my main concerns if I were to ever take up lessons.
I remember our Guru, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, mentioned before, that Kechara Forest Retreat will have classes that involves activities such as meditation, art, music, etc. Lets hope that Tai Chi will also be part of the programs so that others can also enjoy the wonderful benefits.
I’m not really familiar about martial art and all I know about it is self defence and it help our physical strength.
It is interesting how we can actually combine martial art with spirituality. I did a serach and read a bit about Tai Chi which give me a better understanding of what is it about. Most Tai Chi is done outdoors which allows for direct contact with nature. Through this daily contact, we can develop an intimate relationship with nature. Our movement will eventually feel like the movement of the trees, birds and whatever else is in our surroundings.
Tai Chi develops a refined sense of awareness of our body unrivaled by most forms of meditation. Tai Chi combines breath, movement, verticality and
shifting the weight which develop an awareness that can’t be arrived at through sitting practice. Through the awareness of our body, Tai Chi will give us an awareness of the whole universe as a part of us. When the chi in you
body starts to resonate with the chi of heaven and earth we will have a an experience of closeness to nature that is quite profound.
Tai Chi cultivates silence in the mind which has far reaching effects for the mind and body. When the mind is calm, then the body is calm. When the body is calm and centered, then life’s challenges are not seen as injurious to the mind. This calmness of mind is to be cultivated in our practice at all times, because it will help us deal with people in a positive way that are angry with you or want to hurt you. Getting angry with those who are angry with you never helps the
situation, it usually makes it worse. Instead, try to cultivate patience, because the stronger person knows when to walk away from a fight. Not because the person is the weaker of the two but because of the knowledge of the damage that can occur to both parties.
The Tai Chi form starts with a meditation on emptiness, or wu chih in Taoism. For the Buddhists, emptiness creates a cause for future enlightenment, for the Taoists it is the beginning of the universe. After this practice you begin to shift your weight onto one leg and this creates the universe cosmologically as you separate yin and yang. The form then leads you through all eight trigrams of the I Ching and the five elements which is everything we know of in this world and our surroundings. At the end of the practice, we rest back in a state of emptiness. In Tibetan Buddhism this is called practicing creation and completion stage yogas. Creation stage means that a pure universe is being created and that is where we as practitioners abide. Completion stage means that within this universe we meditate on emptiness or the lack of inherent existence of the universe (mandala) created. This is the quickest method to attain enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism, because it purifies our natural grasping at a self and the phenomenon within our universe.
Tai Chi cosmology is an abbreviated form of this practice from Tibetan Buddhism, the only difference being in the Tai Chi postures we are becoming deities within the universe or mandala. In addition, we meditate on specific energies moving through are bodies which are similar to what is called a body mandala practice in Tibetan Buddhism. The body mandala suggests that our body is made up of different deities and these deities control energy in our body and the world around us. Developing awareness of different energies moving through our body during Tai Chi practice has very similar effects. Tai Chi combines this type of internal movement of energy and postural movement in the same way it combines spiritual practice and body awareness. There is no doubt that there was some intermingling of these two traditions of Taoism and Buddhism in Chinese history. This would account for the cross training in meditation and martial arts that is common in ancient Chinese culture.
Whether it be cosmologically, or viscerally, Tai Chi has many spiritual applications. Like most ancient systems of knowledge that we have intact today, Tai Chi integrates all the elements of our lives into the practice. Movement, meditation, martial arts and spirituality all become an avenue for exploring our selves and our relationship to the universe.
Thank you for sharing your experience in Tai Chi and how it relates to your spiritual practice. I go agree that it both gel as Tai Chi is also a practice of our mind.
The movement seems easy but require lots of focus and concentration. Hence it is a practice of our mind towards our body movement and balances.
I love tai chi and I would recommend anyone, any age to take this up. It is healthy and it helps in mind training, an added boost to our spiritual training..
Dear Keng,
Thank you so much for sharing the insights.Learnt a lot about the mind games we usually go through when coming about the clashes we have with our arguing friends. I also had the similar experiences and I could relate the some part of your sharing with my interest in martial arts since age 11.
_()_
Thank You Mr Tan for sharing something about yourself with all of us.
The opening of this article resonates with what I encountered. After learning a little bit about dharma, I feel less compelled to hold on to my self-cherishing image, which had developed and evolved over time into this humongous inflated egoistic monster. It is as if that I started to shred the attachment to the monster, or at least attempted to. As a result, I let go of what I perceived as the best perceived image for myself and just act the way I would like to (of course as appropriately to the occasion as possible). I see this change in myself as a positive one. It is as if I have returned to the younger me, when I was carefree, but with dharma knowledge in my system. How wonderful.
Thank You Rinpoche, and Mr Tan for this blog article. I will keep up my practice based on His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s teaching.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
I learnt Tai Qi more than 25 years ago when I returned to Kuala Lumpur during my summer school vacations. I was the youngest in the class. I remembered it was quite difficult because it required us to remember the stances, focus on the movements and move slowly. Although the movements were slow, we were sweating bullets.
There was one session when the grand master came to visit us from Chicago. He was around 70 but looked 20 years younger than his age. He demonstrated how to use Qi to defend oneself from being attacked. A big guy was pushing one of his arms. Then with a swing of his other arm, the guy was pushed far away. It was amazing how powerful the Qi is if we know how to use it.
Through my experience, Tai Qi is very good for daily exercise and focusing.
I remembered my Tai Chi sifu relate a story. There was a group of different individuals from different backgrounds. They came together to me a grand sifu. The grand sifu asked each one to show him their favourite tai chi stance and everyone was trying hard to demonstrate this or that form.
One guy just stood very still for 10 minutes and git the attention of the grand sifu. He said if one can master the standing posture one’s tai chi is grounded and roots will sprout and when I heard that I just cannot take my mind off the many dharma lessons our Rinpoche gave us to focus on our preliminaries, the ground work that will support future advance dharma practice.
Some tai chi students of course left our class because they cannot understand why they need to pay to stand 10-20 minutes in a class without learning any forms and claims my tai chi sifu a fake. Little did they know it is their lack of discipline and resolve that led to their failure of mastering the art.