The Tai Chi Treatise

Wang Zong Yue

Tai Chi, being born of Wuju, is the mother of yin and yang. In movement it differentiates; in stillness it consolidates. It is without excess or insufficiency. Follow, bend, then extend. When the other is hard, and I am soft, this is called yielding. I go along with the other. This is called adhering. To quick movements, I respond quickly. To slow movements, I follow slowly. Although the transformations have innumerable strands, this principle makes them as one thread. From careful investigation and experience, one may gradually realise how to comprehend energy (dong jin). From comprehending energy, you will attain by degrees spiritual illumination (shen ming). Nevertheless, without an exertion of effort over time, one will not be able to suddenly have a thorough understanding of it.

An intangible and lively energy lifts the crown of the head. The chi sinks to the dantien. No leaning, no inclining. Suddenly hidden, suddenly appearing. When the left feels weight, then the left empties. When the right feels weight, then the right is gone. Looking up, it then becomes yet higher. Looking down, it then becomes yet deeper. Advancing, there is an even longer distance. Retreating, it is then even more crowded. One feather cannot be added. A fly cannot land. The other does not know me, I alone know the other. This is to be a hero with no adversaries along the way. Does it not all come from this?

There are many other kinds of martial arts. Although their forms are distinct from one another, overall they are nothing more than the strong taking advantage of the weak, or merely the slow yielding to the quick. Having strength to strike those without strength, the slow of hand giving way to the quick of hand - these are all from inherent natural ability, and bear no relationship to the capability that comes from earnest study. Examine the expression "Four ounces deflect one thousand pounds." Clearly this is not accomplished by means of strength. Observe a situation in which one who is aged can skillfully fend off a throng. How can this ability be one of speed?

Stand like a balance scale; active, like the wheel of a cart. Sink to one side, then follow. If double weighted, then one will stagnate. Whenever we see those who for several years have perfected their skill, yet are unable to employ this neutralisation and are generally overpowered by others, this is merely from not having to understand the fault of double weighting. If you want to avoid this fault, you must know yin and yang. To adhere is to yield; to yield is to adhere. Yang does not leave yin; yin does not leave yang. The mutual cooperation of yin and yang is precisely what makes up the understanding of energy (dong jin). After comprehending energy, the more the practice, the greater the refinement. Silently memorise and ponder, and gradually you will attain what you wish from your heart and mind. The foundation is to yield to the initiative of the other. Many mistakenly forsake the near in pursuit of what is far away. It is said: "To be off in one's aim by the slightest fraction, one will lose the target by a thousand miles." The student must therefore be carefully discerning of the details herein. This comprises the treatise.

Translated by Louis Swaim, in Fu Zhongwen: Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan
(North Atlantic Books, 1999) Used by permission.