In
daily life we are often taught that we should be doing and
striving and making things happen, otherwise we're just
being lazy. But we often mistakenly take that to mean force and
excessive effort rather than just the appropriate amount of effort;
enough to get the job done without wasting energy.
If,
in your Taiji and/or Qigong practice, you use excessive effort you
create unnecessary tension, it becomes a battle, you are at war with
yourself.
(see Stretch Reflex)
Many
of us feel a certain level of tiredness almost continuously as there
is so much mental pressure and stimulus in modern life. However, the
amount of energy within the average human is quite phenomenal. For
example, ever had a 'Stupid Computer' day? I've yet to meet a
computer that responds well to being shouted at, or a keyboard that
responds well to being prodded repeatedly harder, or a 'mouse' that
responds well to being slammed onto a desk! But I imagine anyone who
owns a computer has tried at least one of these methods to encourage
their machine to pay attention when it seems to be ignoring you.
These
situations mostly happen when we're tired and not thinking clearly,
when we apparently have little energy, but a 'misbehaving' computer
can very quickly generate tremendous amounts of energy in what we
thought was a tired person!
This
is mental tiredness where the mind and body are disconnected, we're
trapped in thinking processes that drain energy away. The above
example shows that the body has huge reserves of energy, but we are
unable to access it because we are relying too much on thinking
(Mind) and have forgotten the
feeling (Body) aspect of ourselves. From this place of
disconnect the only option, again mistakenly, seems to be the use of
force.
Soft
Limit is the key to greater awareness
The
following qualities are important in giving you the opportunity to
become more present and aware as you play Taiji, and as you live
your life:
Feeling
Are
you fighting against yourself? Where is the resistance? Can you feel
the cause of any resistance or tension? How important is it? Can it
be dealt with now, and if not can you let it go until it can be dealt
with?
Response
to those feelings
If
a friend of yours was struggling with doubt and stress, what could
you do to help? Can you respond with the same kindness towards
yourself? Can you soften those tensions by doing less?
Repetition
Releasing
stress, tension, and struggle, won't happen instantly, but if you
practise softly with presence and intention, change is inevitable.
Through Taiji and/or Qigong you are exploring and getting to know
yourself in new ways that can benefit all areas of your life if
that's how you choose to use your practice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Which
of these is more appealing - Limpness, Tension, or Relaxation?
In
Taiji terms these would be defined as:
- Limpness: dull, static, exhausted - Too Yin
When you are limp, you don't feel the aliveness of your body, you only feel the heaviness of a structure that's collapsed in on itself. - Tension: hard, immobile, exhausting - Too Yang
When you are tense, you can't feel the aliveness of your body, you only feel tension. - Relaxed: soft, flowing, moving, alive - Taiji
Taiji is the harmonious balance of relaxation and effort – yin and yang.
When
playing Taiji, the term 'Soft Limit', encourages us to listen and
feel the appropriate amount of effort required to move through each
posture, some of which require more effort, some less. Because the
movements are slow and purposeful your sensitivity is being
consciously refined and deepened, and inevitably this will spill over
into everyday tasks, giving you access to greater energy reserves
because you are moving more efficiently and effectively, wasting less
energy. Your mind and body are working together rather than against
each other.
“The
soft Taiji method is the true Taiji.”
Dr.
Chi Chang Tao
Whatever
your level of experience, the use of Soft Limit allows you to be more
present and to appreciate where you are right now in learning this
new way of feeling/being with yourself. Remember: balance and
kindness are also essential.
Also
see the 5 Rules for Beginners
