Comments on Newspaper Articles

Recently I read in a newspaper article mailed to me that T’ai Chi Chih is a form of therapy. I also read that it is thousands of years old and was brought to these shores by me. Of course, neither of these statements is true.

The purpose of the TCC movements is to circulate and balance the Vital Force. That this has therapeutic effects is easy to determine. That TCC is a ‘moving meditation’ that tends to bring serenity and renewed energy is well known. But these are not the aims of TCC; they are side effects which bring great benefits. When the Yin and Yang are brought into approximate balance (to be perfectly in balance would be to return to the “Uncarved Block”, to our “Original Face”, a state of perfect bliss) the physical mechanism is in tune and circumstances of life seem to favor us, all subject to the laws of Karma.

People usually begin study of TCC to correct some physical ailment or to gain renewed energy. We all know how often this happens, and their efforts usually meet with success. But the spiritual benefits, the changes in negative habits and conditions, are more than was originally bargained for. TCC is not therapy, not exercise, and certainly not a tranquilizer–but it is all of these in profusion as concomitants of the circulation and balancing of the Vital Force (Chi).

As to T’ai Chi Chih’s history, I took the original two movements, altered them, and added to them to make up TCC as it is now. No one had done “Daughter in the Valley” before, no one had performed “Bird Flaps it’s Wings”. Please don’t falsify and say to interviewers that TCC is a thousand years old, a well-kept court secret.

The great secret in TCC is what happens to the Vital Force. We should be grateful for it.