We must not injure important parts for the sake of the unimportant
The story in the preface of
The Essence and Application of Taijiquan is a minor issue.
That story of his Chengfu’s conversation with his Grandfather
is inconsequential to the purpose of the book.
Which was to enhance a students practice of Yang Style Taiji.
In the time it was written,
the preface story was used to urge people to practice.
Today, that story does not matter.
In that book,
This what Yang Chengfu says is important
The essential idea in compiling this book is to pay attention to both the form and the function.
The overwhelming info in the book
is to help a Yang Style student study
the Practical Application of Yang Taiji.
It was not written to replace
In-person hands-on Taiji instruction.
It's a re-edit
So, if you don’t like the story in the preface,
do not read that book.
Read the original
Methods of Applying Taiji Boxing
Taijiquan Shiyongfahttps://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/methods-of-applying-taiji-boxing-taiji-quan-shiyong-fa/The excerpt below is from
Essence and Applications The comparison of the 1934 book, Taijiquan tiyong quanshu with the 1931 book,
Taijiquan shiyongfa,
clearly indicates that Zheng Manqing’s role
was to edit and polish the earlier version.
A statement in Yang Chengfu’s “Introduction” supports this:
“This book is based on the previous books,
revised, and corrected, to remain as a standard model.”
The underlying demonstration narrative is substantially the same in both books,
and its structure strongly suggests that it was a direct record of Yang Chengfu’s own teachings.
In the original version of the book,
Methods of Applying Taiji BoxingTung Ying Chieh says this
Each posture is explained in ordinary language so as to make it easy to understand.
Inevitably there are omissions and errors in the text.
When you come across them, forgive.
This book is Yang Chengfu’s transmission of boxing theory.
But fellow practitioners who read through it should by no means take the writing too seriously.
You should only lay importance on the theory.
If you are finicky about the writing,
you will likely make mistakes in your own study of the boxing methods.
And, so I hope you all will pardon the writing.
Whichever book you choose to read
You'll get more out of ignoring the minor
And, Focusing on what's Important.
