Wednesday 17 August 2016

Taijiquan and Chinese classical philosophy

"Taijiquan has directly, boldly and openly drawn nourishment from Chinese classical philosophy,and comprehensively transplanted philosophical discourses. Two conditions made this possible. Firstly, Chinese classical philosophy itself is a study of the harmony of human and nature, and the examination of the development and relationships of yin and yang opposites and changes within the relationships. It is a systematic, holistic perspective that is a perfect fit for Taijiqu...an philosophy and therefore provides an ideal foundation. Secondly, in its developmental process it went through a series of "selection" and "cultivation" by martial arts exponents. The practical elements of the theories are carefully positioned and matched with actual practice, removing illusory "abstruse" theories, to enable the transition from "philosophical theory" to "martial theories". The end result is a martial art where every posture and technique is supported by a philosophical root, and each martial theory and philosophy can be implemented in action. When one reads a 'Taijiquan Treaties' it's often hard to say whether it is a martial arts theory or a philosophical statement. In fact, it is a combination of the two. If you do not appreciate the connotation of these wisdom in your undertaking of taijiquan practice, then it is a great pity" 

                                    ~Yu Gongbao, the author of the world's first dictionary of Taijiquan~

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