More on the Purpose of Tai Chi
To study a martial art for the sole purpose of self defense indicates a certain level of insecurity. Why bother with all the hard work unless there is a fear that, at some future time, it will be necessary to avoid getting attacked and beat up? That’s insecurity.
Yang Lu-Chan (1883 – 1936) was a kung fu/tai chi master who said,
“Even the ferocious strength of such ancient warriors as Meng Pen and Hsia Yui is of no interest to practitioners of Tai Chi Chi.”
This should net be construed as saying that if you study tai chi or some other art that there is nobody in the whole whole that could beat you up. Such thinking is ridiculous! Be reasonable; no matter how skilled you may be, all bravado aside, there is bound to be somebody who could prevail against you in a fight at any given time. Relative to this discussion, there are two types of people in this world; those who could beat you up and those that couldn’t. Who cares which is which? Are you going to look at everybody who walks past you and wonder which category they are in? What a waste of thought!
Instead, Yang Lu-Chan is simply saying that no thought is given as to the effectiveness of the art purely in a martial sense. There is no obsession to become “number one” in the ring or on the streets. Instead, the main reason for study should be health and longevity. The focus ought to be on increasing your resistance to sickness and disease rather than bullies. In comparison to this, the practical, or martial, skills are a mere trifle.
By the way, after a few years of studying a martial art, you will naturally increase your ability to withstand a real life assault. Just don’t worry too much about that part of it!
Agreed. Personal spiritual growth must be pure, to be pure it must be complete, whole, full, round in all directions. One man will pray after confrontation, while another seeks validation for his ego.
Good point. You have to feel sorry for a man who constantly seeks his own validation. Must be incredibly frustrating!