Back in Vienna and now also with a fix 40h job I can’t practice that much. But, as Master Chen often says, Taiji practice is more about perseverance. So I do in fact practice all the time. On the subway, while sitting and an Yilu or Jibengong here and there when waiting on the train.
At first I was worried, that this is not enough. Sure, I won’t be having huge breakthroughs that fast, but I have some from time to time and that’s good. Instead of waiting for some time off where I can practice I practice all the time a little bit. That sums up. I recorded this Video at the end of my first 3 months visit to DQS and I see a lot of improvement already.
What I want to say with this? Do small things all the time. It’s worth it and it’s better than doing nothing after all. (People on the Train might look strange at you, though)
happy training
cheers
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I absolutely agree. While we need regular dedicated time for sure, doing little practice here and there keeps the mind on taiji all the time. Breakthrough can happen anywhere at any time. It’s only a matter if you are ready to catch it. (I just have to ignore the people looking at me weirdly along the way).
I understand Pawel . Ive been studying kuntao, silat, and bagua as well as filipino kombatan for going on 21 yrs now. And have been seriously practicing PM for going on 2 yrs.doing yilus for a year and almost 2 months, and I have a hard time not practicing PM soley . Its pretty much all I think about anymore. The aliens have infected me …
I like you both feel the same. Regarding breakthroughs: I have them mostly on the go. I use Evernote to record a memo so I won’t forget to pick them up and practice the new feelings in the form when I do a dedicated training.
I recently purchased Jonathan Bluestien’s book on martial arts so I could read Master Chen’s interview. It is entitled ‘ Boiling Point ‘, and describes GM Hong’s life and dedication to taiji. The need to reach a critical threshold is of paramount importance, and we fail, because we aren’t willing to go far enough. In modern life, everything pulls us away from out training. No one really understands what we are trying to accomplish. So to reach a boiling point, it is necessary to not only ‘keep the fire burning’, but we must ensure at some point it is hot enough to reach the threshold where true change takes place. Easier said then done. The big take away for me in the article, was that Hong’s life was SO simple, he had only Taiji, his life was very very difficult, but wasn’t complex or entangled like our modern lives. Like all people who achieve greatness in their field, it is their pure dedication and total immersion in one focus that causes a paradigm shift.
99 and 100 degrees make a huge difference for water. 1 to 99 degrees is still water, but 100 degrees can become steam. To get it, I believe one has to make taiji his/her number one thing above all else, but how many are truly willing to make such sacrifice?
My wife says martial arts is an all consuming part of my life. She knew what I was before we started dating. (Ive been married for 14 yrs now). I’ve recently come to the realization that I really only relate to my Tai Ji sisters and brothers and the rest of my martial family. We try time and time again to be normal so regular people can enjoy our presence . But we are not. I think we just have to accept our place and allow the distance. We are not the same as regular people. I’ve tried to be, and it just creates more conflict . Tai ji is me . Martial art is me. Not something I do. We will just keep evoving through our training , and not get too involved with the lack of spiritual independence of those we love outside of our life of our practice.