Application of Indirect Power

Opponent’s Push – The Concept of Converged Power

Master Chen explains the practical application of Indirect Power (间接力). When an opponent pushes, Master Chen observes the common imbalance of the attacker: “He is pushing here. Although he is using both hands, he tends to apply pressure unevenly—one hand is light while the other is heavy” (他推的是这儿，虽然是两个手，但他总是有一个轻一个重; Tā tuī de shì zhè’er, suīrán shì liǎng gè shǒu, dàn tā zǒng shì yǒu yīgè qīng yīgè zhòng).Master Chen remarks that for a push to be truly effective, the practitioner must apply pressure with total uniformity: “You need both [hands] to be completely [even]” (你要两个都是完全…; Nǐ yào liǎng gè dōu shì wánquán…).

He notes, “If they [the pressure from both hands] are exactly the same, then your skill level is extremely high” (都一样的话，那你这个功夫就非常的高; Dōu yīyàng dehuà, nà nǐ zhège gōngfū jiù fēicháng de gāo).

This balance leads to what is known as Converged Power: “This is what we call ‘converged power'” (这就叫什么，聚力; Zhè jiù jiào shénme, jù lì). “When your power is gathered together, I cannot separate it; I cannot distinguish between Yin and Yang” (你的力聚在一起我分不开了，我分不出阴阳来了; Nǐ de lì jù zài yīqǐ wǒ fēn bù kāile, wǒ fēn bù chū yīnyáng láile).

The result of achieving this alignment is structural stability: “It is now aligned correctly, and once aligned, the center is locked in place” (就是正了，正了以后把中间给锁住了; Jiùshì zhèngle, zhèngle yǐhòu bǎ zhōngjiān gěi suǒ zhùle).

Pointing to the spot where the push first contacts the Taiji practitioner, Master Chen states: “This is called the ‘point of intersection.’ Because the forces intersect here, you cannot push through it” (这就叫相交点，力在这儿相交了，推他不行; Zhè jiù jiào xiàngjiāo diǎn, lì zài zhè’er xiàngjiāole, tuī tā bùxíng).

Referring to the incoming force from the opponent and the counter-force of the practitioner, Master Chen stresses that a perfect balance must be maintained:

“Once the forces intersect, I do not budge” (他这一相交，我一动不动; Tā zhè yī xiàngjiāo, wǒ yī dòngbùdòng). “You can move any other part of the body, but this specific spot cannot be moved” (推任何一个别的位置都可以，就这个地方不能动; Tuī rènhé yīgè bié de wèizhì dōu kěyǐ, jiù zhège dìfāng bùnéng dòng). “This is the fundamental principle of applying force” (这是用力的原则; Zhè shì yònglì de yuánzé).

Listening Skill and Indirect Force

Master Chen proceeds to explain the interaction from the perspective of the practitioner receiving the push: “Once I understood this [the point of intersection] and tested him, I realized how exceptional his listening skill was” (等这个明白乐，并且把他一试，他这个听劲儿…; Děng zhège míngbáile, bìngqiě bǎ tā yī shì, tā zhège tīng jìn er…).

Master Chen provides a technical correction regarding the term “Listening Skill” (听劲 Tīng jìn). While often defined as “heightened tactile sensitivity,” Master Chen finds that definition too vague: “I don’t like using that word [listening skill]; I prefer to say he has a superior command of the applied force” (我不愿意用这个词，就说对他的力的掌握比较好; Wǒ bù yuànyì yòng zhège cí, jiù shuō duì tā de lì de zhǎngwò bǐjiào hǎo).

This mastery allows the practitioner to perceive the opponent’s intent instantly: “I grasped his intentions the moment he made a move. I understood it, and once I understood…” (他一出手我掌握了，知道了，知道了之后…; Tā yī chūshǒu wǒ zhǎngwòle, zhīdàole, zhī dào liǎo zhīhòu…).

Demonstrating the application of Indirect Force (间接力), Master Chen shows how a tiny adjustment can displace an opponent:

“See? He has to move, even if I just adjust a single finger” (你看吧，这个手指头一调他也得走; Nǐ kàn ba, zhège shǒuzhǐ tou yī diào tā yě dé zǒu). “Even if I just drive through my heel, he is forced to move” (后脚一蹬他也得走; Hòujiǎo yī dēng tā yě dé zǒu). “That is the extent of the force required, because I have mastered this [Indirect Force]” (就这么大的力，因为掌握了你这东西了; Jiù zhème dà de lì, yīnwèi zhǎngwòle nǐ zhè dōngxīle).

If the opponent does not understand this concept, they remain vulnerable: “If you cannot grasp this, then that [being moved easily] is simply how you will react” (要掌握不住的话，基本就是他就是这个; Yào zhǎngwò bù zhù dehuà, jīběn jiùshì tā jiùshì zhège).

Master Chen concludes: “You can try pushing yourself—you all tried it last night. This is what happens when the force is not separated and is not resolved according to our principles” (你来推你试，昨天晚上你们都推了，就是这个。这就是力没分开，没按着我们的原则化解掉是什么意思？; Nǐ lái tuī nǐ shì, zuótiān wǎnshàng nǐmen dōu tuīle, jiùshì zhège. Zhè jiùshì lì méi fēnkāi, méi ànzhe wǒmen de yuánzé huàjiě diào shì shénme yìsi?).

The Length of Force and the Spiral Path

Skill level in Taijiquan is determined by the distance between the Point of Contact and the Source of Power.

Master Chen explains: “The more you practice, the higher your skill level becomes. This is because skill is acquired as that point moves further away from the intersection [the point of contact]” (越练水平高呢就是，另外那个地方离相交点越远越有功夫; Yuè liàn shuǐpíng gāo ne jiùshì, lìngwài nàgè dìfāng lí xiàngjiāo diǎn yuè yuǎn yuè yǒu gōngfū).

He continues: “So this force—the so-called expansion—means it must be applied rapidly from the point of intersection” (所以这个力呢，所谓的展开就是从相交的一点把他一定要快速的; Suǒyǐ zhège lì ne, suǒwèi de zhǎnkāi jiùshì cóng xiàngjiāo de yīdiǎn bǎ tā yīdìng yào kuàisù de). “It must be transmitted to a very distant location” (传递到一个很远的地方; Chuándì dào yīgè hěn yuǎn dì dìfāng).

Master Chen then asks, “What is the logic behind this?” (它是个什么道理呢？; Tā shìgè shénme dàolǐ ne?)

The Analogy of the Stick

To convey the concept of indirect force, Master Chen asks the audience to imagine holding a stick: “Imagine you take a stick” (就是你拿一个棍儿; Jiùshì nǐ ná yīgè gùn er).

To emphasize the importance of length, Master Chen provides an extreme example: “If you were to poke someone with a stick from 108,000 miles away, that force would be at its maximum” (你十万八千里之外拿个棍儿捅他这个力最大了; Nǐ shí wàn bāqiān lǐ zhī wài ná gè gùn er tǒng tā zhège lì zuìdàle).

The Challenges of Long-Distance Force

Master Chen explains the difficulties of applying this long-distance force: “One problem is that when there is a great distance, if you try to poke the opponent and they move aside, you cannot ‘catch’ or contain them” (有一个问题，远了之后你这个力啊，一捅的时候，他在边上跑了，你合不住他; Yǒu yīgè wèntí, yuǎn liǎo zhīhòu nǐ zhège lì a, yī tǒng de shíhòu, tā zài biān shàng pǎole, nǐ hé bu zhù tā).

This failure to contain is what he calls “being unable to handle [contain] him” (这就叫合不住他; Zhè jiù jiào hé bù zhù tā). He notes that “his counter-force, directed to the sides, will bend the stick. Therefore, we must resolve this contradiction” (他那个力，他往两边，那个棍儿他弯，所以我们要解决这个矛盾呢; Tā nàgè lì, tā wǎng liǎngbiān, nàgè gùn er tā wān, suǒyǐ wǒmen yào jiějué zhège máodùn ne).

He further explains:

“First, you must know how to apply force. It should be as far-reaching as possible—and within the body, the further the source, the better” (第一得知道怎么用力，一定是越远越好，在身上也是越远越好; Dì yī dé zhīdào zěnme yònglì, yīdìng shì yuè yuǎn yuè hǎo, zài shēnshang yěshì yuè yuǎn yuè hǎo). “But when the distance is great, two problems arise: First, the structure may bend. Second, if it doesn’t bend, it becomes ‘stiff’ (rigid); if the opponent touches that rigid edge, the structure breaks” (但是一远了，他出两个问题，第一是他弯，第二是他不弯的时候就叫僵，对方一碰那个边你就断了; Dànshì yī yuǎnle, tā chū liǎng gè wèntí, dì yī shì tā wān, dì èr shì tā bù wān de shíhòu jiù jiào jiāng, duìfāng yī pèng nàgè biān nǐ jiù duànle).

The Solution: Spiral Force (Silk Reeling)

Master Chen poses the central problem: “In training, how can we ensure that the force remains long and penetrating?” (所以练呢，怎么样才能保证这个力要长; Suǒyǐ liàn ne, zěnme yàng cáinéng bǎozhèng zhège lì yào zhǎng).

The solution is to deliver force through a spiral rather than a straight line.

“As the force grows longer, it must travel in this [spiraling] direction. When it travels this way, it ‘envelops’ the path of force within itself, preventing the structure from bending. Furthermore, when it spirals and coils like silk (Chan Si), the opponent cannot effectively suppress it” (长的同时，力要这么走，他这么走的时候，他就把他包在里面，他就不弯了，并且他螺旋缠丝这么走的时候，对方碰他，碰不动他; Zhǎng de tóngshí, lì yào zhème zǒu, tā zhème zǒu de shíhòu, tā jiù bǎ tā bāo zài lǐmiàn, tā jiù bù wānle, bìngqiě tā luóxuán chán sī zhème zǒu de shíhòu, duìfāng pèng tā, pèng bù dòng tā).

“The opponent cannot touch [affect] it because the force is angled. If it were a straight stick, it would break upon contact” (碰不动他，因为你一碰他，他是斜的，他只要是个直的棍儿的话，一碰它就会断的; Pèng bù dòng tā, yīnwèi nǐ yī pèng tā, tā shì xié de, tā zhǐyào shi gè zhí de gùn er dehuà, yī pèng tā jiù huì duàn de).

Summary of Principles

Master Chen concludes: “These are the internal principles of force” (这是力的里面的几个道理; Zhè shì lì de lǐmiàn de jǐ gè dàolǐ).

“The most fundamental principle is that whenever you engage an opponent, the force must originate from a different [distant] location” (简单的最根本的就是只要是交手的时候，力要从另外一个地方走; Jiǎndān de zuì gēnběn de jiùshì zhǐyào shi jiāoshǒu de shíhòu, lì yào cóng lìngwài yīgè dìfāng zǒu).

To summarize:

“First, the farther the source, the better” (第一，是要离得越远越好; Dì yī, shì yào lí dé yuè yuǎn yuè hǎo). “Second, the line of energy must never be broken” (第二，这条线不能断; Dì èr, zhè tiáo xiàn bùnéng duàn).

“Therefore, this energy line must be maintained. We have already discussed the issue of the ‘power path’ (Jin Lu) at great length” (所以，这条线不断呢，我们已经就说这个，劲路的问题讲了很多很多很多了; Suǒyǐ, zhè tiáo xiàn bùduàn ne, wǒmen yǐjīng jiù shuō zhège, jìn lù de wèntí jiǎngle hěnduō hěnduō hěnduōle).

Demonstration: The Energy Thread and Power Sources

1. Connecting the “Wire”

At first, the technique yields no reaction from the opponent. Master Chen diagnoses a lack of structural integrity:”The wire is broken, so the force didn’t go in” (这个线断了，所以那个劲儿没进去; Zhège xiàn duànle. Suǒyǐ nàge jìn er méi jìnqù).

After adjusting his hand’s direction and aim, the opponent shows a slight reaction:”I made an adjustment, and you see—the force went in, right?” (所以我一调整，这一调整你看，劲儿进去了吧？; Suǒyǐ wǒ yī tiáozhěng, zhè yī tiáozhěng nǐ kàn, jìn er jìnqùle ba?).

Master Chen notes that while this fine-tunes the aim, it is still localized: “But that was only using the hand” (但这是用手的; Dàn zhè shì yòng shǒu de).

2. Shifting the Source of Power

Master Chen then demonstrates indirect force by moving the source of power progressively further away from the contact point. He first shifts the source to his dantian, then to his rear kua (hip joint): “Now that I am using this [the dantian/kua], the strength has increased. Can you feel it?” (现在是用这儿了，劲儿长了，感觉到了吧？; Xiànzài shì yòng zhè’erle, jìn er zhǎngle, gǎnjué dàole ba?).

Finally, he draws force from his rear foot—the maximum distance from the contact point: “If it sinks, you will see it completely descends; he won’t be able to stop the force from spreading through his whole body” (那如果一沉你看，整个的下去了，他全身你就堵不住了; Nà rúguǒ yī chén nǐ kàn, zhěnggè de xiàqùle, tā quánshēn nǐ jiù dǔ bù zhùle).

The opponent reacts as if being pierced. Master Chen explains the sensation: “It feels like a needle is stabbing you” (觉得是一根来捅你; Juédé shì yī gēnlái tǒng nǐ).

3. The Role of the Contact Point

Master Chen concludes this exercise with a vital reminder about the Place of Engagement:”This place only plays the role of a connection (he). It cannot use [direct] force” (这个地方他就只起个合的作用。他不能使劲儿; Zhège dìfāng tā jiù zhǐ qǐ gè hé de zuòyòng. Tā bùnéng shǐjìn er).

Demonstration: Indirect Force via Internal Separation

Master Chen uses a second student to demonstrate how to handle a push. He explains that if the reaction is too local, the forces remain “entangled”: “This is local; it hasn’t been separated. So when I combine (he), the force stays right here” (这就是当地的，没分开，所以我一合，力量走这儿; Zhè jiùshì dāngdì de, méi fēnkāi, suǒyǐ wǒ yī hé, lìliàng zǒu zhè’er).

The Sequence of Application:

Establish Contact: Master Chen uses a small amount of force at the point of contact as a feint. “Then, he feels some force” (然后他有点儿力; Ránhòu tā yǒudiǎn er lì). Activate Distant Sources: Once the point is established, he engages the shoulder, dantian, kua, and finally the rear foot. The Result: The opponent is overwhelmed by the sudden increase in indirect power.

Master Chen describes the sensation of the force passing through: “I initiate from here [the source], but it passes right through this point [the contact point] like that” (我从这儿走，但是这个地方，这么样过去了; Wǒ cóng zhè’er zǒu, dànshì zhège dìfāng, zhème yàng guòqùle).

He emphasizes the stillness of the contact point: “This place [the point of contact] does not move at all” (这地方一动也不动; Zhè dìfāng yīdòng yě bù dòng).

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Part 7. Not using force is a magic trick

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