taiji classics playing hands, part 1
Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 10:10 pm
https://brennantranslation.wordpress.co ... -classics/
ESSENTIALS OF PLAYING HANDS [PART 1 (a commentary to the Song as well as the beginning of early version of Understanding How to Practice)]
解曰。以心行氣。務沈著。乃能收歛入骨。所謂命意源頭在腰隙也。
意氣須換得靈。乃有圓活之趣。所謂變轉虚實須留意也。
立身中正安舒。支撑八面。行氣如九曲珠。無微不到。所謂氣遍身軀不稍癡也。
發劤須沈著鬆静。專注一方。所謂静中觸動動猶静也。
往復須有摺叠。進退須有轉換。所謂因敵變化是神奇也。
曲中求直。蓄而後發。所謂勢勢存心揆用意。刻刻留心在腰間也。
精神提得起。則無遲重之虞。所謂腹内鬆静氣騰然也。
虚領頂劤。氣沈丹田。不偏不倚。所謂尾閭正中神貫頂。滿身輕利頂頭懸也。
以運氣運身。務順遂。乃能便利從心。所謂屈伸開合聼自由也。
心為令。旗氣為旗。神為主帥。身為驅使。所謂意氣君來骨肉臣也。
To clarify [the exercise of playing hands]:
Use your mind to move energy. You must get the energy to sink. It is then able to gather into your spine. The Song says: “The command coming from your lower back.”
Your mind must perform alternations nimbly, and then you will have the qualities of roundness and liveliness. The Song says: “You must pay attention to the alternation of empty and full.”
Your posture must be straight and comfortable, so as to brace in all directions. Move energy as though through a winding-path pearl, penetrating even the smallest nook. The Song says: “Energy will flow through your whole body without getting stuck anywhere.”
When issuing power, you must be calm, relaxed, and still, so as to concentrate it in one direction. The Song says: “In stillness, movement stirs, and then in moving, seem yet to be in stillness.”
In the back and forth [of the arms], there must be folding. In the advance and retreat [of the feet], there must be variation. The Song says [itself quoting Sunzi]: “The magic lies in making adjustments based on being receptive to the opponent.”
Within curving, seek to be straightening. Store and then issue. The Song says: “In every movement, very deliberately control it by the use of intention.” And also: “At every moment, pay attention to your waist.”
If you raise your spirit, then you will be free from worry of being slow or weighed down. The Song says: “If there is relaxation and stillness within your belly, energy is primed.”
With your headtop pressing up naturally and energy sinking down to your elixir field, there will be no leaning in any direction. The Song says: “Your tailbone is centered and spirit penetrates to your headtop, thus your whole body will be nimble and your headtop will be pulled up as if suspended.”
Use energy to move your body. You must get the energy to be smooth. Your body can then easily obey your mind. The Song says: “Let bending and extending, contracting and expanding, happen as the situation requires.”
Your mind makes the command and the energy is its signal flag. Your spirit is the general and your body is the army. The Song says: “Mind is sovereign and body is subject.”