22 May 2005

Dr Chi Chiang-Tao


Photo: Barbara Richter, 1976

Some anecdotes/quotes from Dr Chi. If any of you can remember any others please add them to the comments.

JK: What should I practice when I return to London?
DrC: I suggest you practice spirit.

JK: What is the highest level of Tai Chi?
DrC: Nothing.

DrC: Back way bad way.

Dr Chi to a nervous student who had just shown the great man his Form "Have you ever heard of the principles of Tai Chi?"

Similarly "Your way 10 years, 20 years, 50 years - no progress"

JK: Did any one like Master Cheng (Man-Ching)?
DrC: I think maybe Mrs Cheng.

After watching JK doing his Form excruciatingly slowly Dr Chi commented "Like elephant!"

In relation to seated meditation: "Waste of golden time".

2 comments

Anonymous said...

back way bad way ? did he mean easy way ? or trying to achieve something in a hurry? short cut ?

taiji heartwork said...

Retreating is incorrect.
Going back (whilst yielding), even when accompanied by a waist turn, is still running away.
You must always advance.
Of course you must advance whilst turning so as to be subtle & soft about it.
This is a fundamental principle of heartwork - always forwards, into the fray.