Practicing Boxing and Remembering My Teacher | Recalling a few Things about My Respected Teacher

Taiji Songquan· Promote the Dao and cultivate righteousness

It began in 1988

Recalling a few things about my respected teacher

Encounter

One Sunday 28 years ago, I was writing a manuscript titled “The Origin and Development of Pulse Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine” in the doctor’s office when a friend called and said that his Tai Chi master had come to handle some business. If we were interested, we could meet and chat.

Before long, there was a knock at the door, and a middle-aged man in simple clothes walked in. The person who came was none other than my respected teacher. After exchanging pleasanches and sitting down, I asked, “I heard that you just returned from giving lectures in the United States. Can they understand Tai Chi?” My respected teacher replied, “I was invited to give a lecture on traditional Chinese medicine.” I was surprised and said, “Aren’t you the master who teaches Tai Chi?” My respected teacher replied, “Tai Chi is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine.” During the break of the lecture, someone asked me to take my pulse. After taking it, I said, “Hurry to the hospital for a check-up. You won’t last more than a week.” He was greatly surprised because he had never felt any discomfort and had never been diagnosed with any disease. A week later, his family informed him that he had passed away due to advanced liver cancer. I asked, “How do you know he won’t survive for more than a week?” My respected teacher replied, “His liver qi has been completely exhausted.” I asked, “What does it feel like when the liver qi is completely blocked at the fingers?” My respected teacher replied, “When you practice boxing to a certain level, you will naturally understand it.”

Watching my respected teacher’s receding figure, I threw the manuscript of “The Origin and Development of Pulse Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine” into the trash can and decided to visit him that afternoon to learn boxing.

My respected teacher took a sip of tea and asked slowly, “Why do you want to learn boxing from me?” I said, “The core of traditional Chinese medicine is qi, but the orthodox understanding in the industry is that Qi is merely a concept rather than a substantive existence.” I want to experience qi through practicing martial arts, so that traditional Chinese medicine can be built on the foundation of truth and authenticity, and truly help more people. My respected teacher put down the teacup and said, “You are the first person I have met in all these years who doesn’t learn boxing for himself.” Tai Chi can generate the “qi” as described in traditional Chinese medicine. If one encounters a wise master and adheres to the correct methods, they will surely experience it.

More than twenty years have passed, and I have finally understood the pulse and qi as my master had said, and gradually entered the realm of traditional Chinese medicine.

Substitute practice

One day, the son was learning boxing from his master in the small courtyard. After practicing for more than an hour, my legs kept trembling. My respected teacher said, “If you are tired, take a rest quickly!” Come on, sit here with me, wipe the sweat off, have some water, and Master will practice for you. My spouse hurriedly said to their son, “Don’t sit on the master’s chair!” “Master is practicing boxing. How could you just sit there!” My respected teacher said, “Don’t be bound by conventional etiquette.” Sit and rest thoroughly. Take a good look. Master’s practice is the same as your practice. Having said that, he meticulously and slowly demonstrated the entire set of boxing.

On my way home, I asked my son, “Did you understand when Grandpa Yang was practicing boxing for you?” The son replied, “Understood.” Practicing boxing is not just about the movement of the arms and legs. Each stroke has its own internal rise, development, transition and conclusion, as well as rhythm and cadence. I asked, “Why is it said that when the master practices, it’s the same as when you practice?” The son replied, “With a teacher in mind, we are of one heart and one mind.”

Sachets

One day, I went to the small courtyard to learn boxing. As soon as he entered the door, his master came up with a smile and said, “I heard that you have come to learn boxing. Junfeng got up very early to make these three traditional Chinese medicine sachets and gave one to each of your family members. Please, this master of traditional Chinese medicine, assess whether they are qualified or not.” She is in the final stage of preparing for the exam and won’t come today. She asked me to pass her on. Taking the sachet, a warm feeling flowed through my heart. I truly felt the warmth of my family and silently made up my mind: Only by practicing martial arts well can I repay them.

Four liang of force

One day, after finishing learning boxing in the small courtyard, my respected teacher asked, “Do you have any more questions?” I thought for a moment and said, “In Tai Chi, four ounces can move a thousand pounds. Are these four ounces the weight of four ounces or just a metaphor? The exact size varies from person to person.” My respected teacher said, “Come here. Put down your bag and your heart. Let’s experience the four taels force through the Eight Circles’ mutual generation push Hand.” Saying that, he put his hands together and pushed left and right with four taels of force for a total of 64 laps. After demonstrating, he said, “The seed of four taels of force has been completely planted in your body. As you practice gradually, it will become more and more abundant until it becomes a natural force on your body.”

Stepping out of the courtyard gate, my tears couldn’t be held back and streamed down my face. My lover asked, “What’s wrong with you?” I said, “Master is so down-to-earth!” When it comes to four taels of force, just give me a gesture and you’ll be fine. I never expected that I would push it 64 times at a leisurely pace! My lover said, “Master has always been a master of boxing. The seeds he gives you must be the most complete.” As I turned the corner of the alley, I wiped away my tears and looked back. My master and his wife were still standing at the entrance of the small courtyard, smiling and waving goodbye. Little did I expect that this wave of the hand would turn out to be a final farewell!

Write a book

On the desk is the only last work of my respected teacher, “Taiji is the Way”. Its words are simple yet its meaning is profound. As my gaze gently caress it, the teacher’s voice, appearance and smile of teaching by word and deed seem right before my eyes… Back then, I once asked, “Which book is the best for learning Tai Chi?” My respected teacher replied, “My master once instructed me: We are the ones who write books for others to read. If we practice boxing well, we will be the best boxing books.” I said, “Your martial arts skills and realm are so high. Please publish a book as soon as possible!” My respected teacher replied, “The publishing house has long made an appointment with me to publish a book, which has been included in the publication plan. I have also started writing it long ago.” However, I practice boxing every day, make progress every day, and have a new understanding of boxing every day, constantly overturning my previous understanding. If I were to publish a book now, I’m not sure what’s written in it is the most correct understanding. I’m afraid it might mislead people! I said, “If you keep making progress like this, when will it be a stop?” When will this book come out? My respected teacher looked up and laughed loudly, “From this perspective, I’m afraid I won’t be able to write a book of my own in my lifetime!” But it doesn’t matter. There are still you! We are all book writers – keep practicing! Aren’t you the best boxing books?

The smiles and laughter of my respected teacher are forever engraved in my heart and often inspire me to keep practicing boxing and strive for continuous progress.

“合” 可以翻译为 “a perfect match”

December 4, 2024

The training center is always open to both new and old students for sharing their insights and experiences on learning boxing, as well as memories and commemorations of Master Yang Songquan. The genre and theme are not limited. We welcome your submissions to the email:

taijisongquan@126.com

Thank you all for your active participation

Taiji Songquan Respectfully begins

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Encounter Taiji, encounter the gift of life