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Chinese Internal Martial Arts embrace a certain philosophy and quality of movement that is entirely different than other Martial Art styles.  The philosophical and spiritual underpinning of TaiChi Chuan and the other Chinese Internal Martial Arts is the Taoist philosophy/religion.  Taoism is a relatively unknown spiritual path in the East.  The written cannon of Taoist thought specifically states in its “genesis” passage that “The Tao that can be named is not the true Tao”.  What this means is that if you say the Tao is this, then it cannot be that.  If you say the Tao is that, then it cannot be this.  Instead, Tao is really this, that, the other and the 10,000 things (everything). 

The first differentiation of Taoism is the Yin Yang symbol that is so famous in both Eastern and Western modern thought.  The Chinese name for the Yin Yang symbol is “Tai Ji” (also spelled “Tai Chi”).  One translation is “the Grand Ultimate”.  Unfortunately, this does not quite describe what it fully encompasses.  Again, when you label something, you are explicitly saying that it is not something else.  This is the limitation of language in describing the Tao.  Western thinkers can think of the Tao as God (in some ways).  God it taught as ineffable, unknowable, mysterious.  The sames holds for the Tao.

The concept of Yin Yang (or Tai Ji) describes what happens when the Tao is differentiated or more specifically described or in the case of TaiChi Pushhands, movement begins.  For example, you cannot describe lightness without darkness.  You cannot describe beauty without ugliness.  You cannot have happiness without sadness.  Each part is integral to the other.  For example, what is the difference between and angel and a demon?  Well it depends on your point of view.  The angel you prayed to in order to help destroy your enemies is, is the demon attacking you if you belong to this enemy.  Part of the difficulty of understanding Taoist principles is that you must realize that you cannot have one without the other.  We cannot know and embrace peace without first knowing war.  Understanding and coming to terms with this Dichotomy is critical to acceptance of others and living at peace with yourself.

In the art of Tai Chi Pushhands, we are in movement with another person.  Ultimately we cannot control the thoughts and movements of the other person.  One person might use strength at a certain moment and another person must accept this movement and yet at the same time not be dominated by that movement.  A balance between softness and hardness must be reached.  The practitioner must be able to accept the dichotomy that they cannot be too soft or to hard.  Understanding that softness, retreating and yielding are just a differentiations of the whole and cannot be known without their corresponding opposites of hardness, advancing and leading, will yield a better understanding of Taoist philosophy. Being able to balance these qualities while dealing with the unknown of another person’s movement can be challenging and is part and parcel of Tai Chi Pushhands theory and skill.

This integral relationship between Tai Chi Pushhands and Taoism cannot be ignored.  I remember when I was a teenager and I began the practice of Tai Chi Pushhands.  I was at the time a baptised and confirmed Episcopalian. Once I began the practice of Tai Chi Chuan I began a conversion to Taoism.  I could not progress without this acceptance of Taoist thought and integration of Taoist practices into my Pushhands practice and my life.  Pushhands became a microcosm of life and how to work through its hurdles.  While I am not suggesting that you must convert to Taoism to succeed in your Pushhands practice, I do think it is a must that Taoist principles be integrated into your practice in order to progress.  Any thoughts?

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