Flowing Zen

Movement and stillness are not separate — they are integrated, and they mutually act and react without any break in between. The movement of your form and the stillness of your mind, and vice versa are integrated. It is not that first you move your form, then you still your mind.

The ultimate aim of Tai Chi Chuan practice is to return to the Limitless Void (Tai Chi). It is also the ultimate aim of all great spiritual training and all known world religions. Because this great truth is expressed in different terms by different peoples (like attaining Tao, realizing Buddhahood, or returning to God), it may have different connotations for different people.

In part I of this series, I presented both a literal and figurative translation of the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise of Zhang San Feng. Now I will give an explanation and interpretation of according to the best of my understanding and experience. Since this explanation will be quite long, it will be presented in parts. The first part deals with what is frequently quoted but little understood, namely that Tai Chi originates from Wuji.

This guest post by my beloved teacher, Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, is Part I in a series about the Treatise of Zhang San Feng. If you are interested in Tai Chi, then this treatise is a must-read. My teacher’s translation is outstanding, and brings the treatise alive.