Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 231
Locking In Changes
Tai Chi and Chi Kung have been used for a long time to aid an individual in his or her quest for physical, mental, and spiritual growth. We practice and hope for positive results. We feel better after practice or we wouldn’t continue to practice. I have found a way that helps people to become aware of changes to the body/mind and lock them in so they become a permanent change. It is simple, and I guarantee that if you do this, you will gain the changes you are looking for.
When you have finished your practice, whether it is Tai Chi or Chi Kung, you need to set aside a few moments to stand quietly, close your eyes, breathe naturally, and think about and say this to yourself:
“Let go of the past. (Pause) Let go of thinking about yourself as you used to be. (Pause) This feeling, right now, is all there is. The rest is in the past, and you can let it go. (Pause) This feeing, right now, is all there is, and you can let it go. (Pause) Don’t look for things that were in your body in the past. Don’t expect them. Don’t try to find them. Just keep letting go. (Pause) This feeling right now, is all there is, so keep letting go.”
Simple. Try it out. Take your time, and let your body/mind feel and experience who you are RIGHT NOW. That way you can always grow and change. Don’t get stuck in the past. You are not the same person who started the practice session. Believe change is possible.
Gaining Respect
Full contact fighting contests have been quite popular for the last couple of decades. Tai Chi Push Hands tournaments were quite popular a few years ago, but I’m not sure at the moment. There are many lessons to be learned from these contests. The most important for me is that nice guys do finish first, and what counts is how you play the game, not whether you win or lose.
If someone can best his opponent without hurting him, he gains respect from all. It takes real skill to win one of those matches without destroying the other person, and very often it is not the big guy who wins. Technique is extremely important.
If we can take a lesson from these contests and relate to our interpersonal relationships, we will have come a long way. We don’t have to put other people down to move ahead. We don’t have to hurt our loved ones when we disagree.
Martial arts training is not about fighting for most of us. It is about learning, practicing, and using the martial philosophy in our everyday lives to keep ourselves healthy and happy, aiding those around us to recognize their skills and abilities, and increasing our own enjoyment of life.