I seem to be getting a bit of a celebrity treatment here. We have quite a few beginners joining our push hands class as a result of an article which came out in the newspaper. These students are now ogling at how relaxed I am, how smooth my actions look, how I manage to wiggle my way out from a tight spot. How I even have a “masters move” to escape the incoming force.
It’s all a bit flattering, but I know myself. My level is still quite a far cry from my teacher’s. I need to practise really hard to get to his level (read this article to get a sense of how hard…). Even if the practice is there, it’ll take a “great leap of imagination” to proceed one level up. It’s not about the things you can do. It’s about the things you cannot do. It’s the space in between these words that give words meaning. It’s the space in a bottle that gives bottle it’s usefulness. The tomb will say 1936 – 2010. It’s the space in between those years that defines the person in the tomb.
I used to think that it’s the things you do that defines you. Now, I think the things that you don’t do will also define you. Afraid to take the next step? That’ll define your life. Afraid to grab hold of the opportunity in front of you? The missed opportunities will define you. You’ll be asking all the what ifs. These what ifs will absorb your life.
Can you consciously move into the spaces? Instead of moving into the next rung, the next step, can you move into the space? Is this what space is?
No. You’ll have to respect the spaces. The spaces are there to make sense of the next object. Without those spaces, the objects occupying the space wouldn’t make sense. However, you can consciously create the space in between, so that the objects are more defined. Just like how I’m writing this post. There’s a space in between the words, and a bigger space in between paragraphs.
I have also consciously created a space for me to think. I quit my day job. I’ve freed up more time for me to think and reflect. I’ve created a larger “space out” time.
Going back to the push hands class, some students are eager, which is good when learning. But you’ll have to respect the spaces in between the learning stages. The spaces are there to help you. If the next stage of learning seems to far away, that’s because it is. You either create a stage which is more achievable, or master the current stage you’re at now. So the trick is to create a smaller space in which to leap over.
Once you’ve understood the spaces, you understand how far you need to go before the next leap. You’ll need to work hard. Some spaces are huge, which you must also respect. Leaping across a great chasm will mean certain death, whether a physical death, or a death in interest in Tai Ji.
Respect the spaces, and you will progress further.
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2 Comments
Well said. Quitting the day job is working wonders with your writing. I agree with what you said here. For me it’s not space but silence and not having to fill it with noise or chatter which allows me to learn and grow.
Nice post. I particularly like the statement “Leaping across a great chasm will mean certain death, whether a physical death, or a death in interest in Tai Ji.” Students need to be aware that nothing of value comes without effort. It’s the effort that also gives things their personal value.
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[...] in one step. You will fall. Jumping a great chasm will mean certain death. You’ll have to respect the spaces. Just take a small step. Find out more about yourself one little bit at a time. Train to climb a [...]