After ending the teachings…thunder, lightning…an actual “jolt”…a “shock”… however upon additional reflection…realizing one’s mindlessness is a starting…
51. Chên / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)I Ching
SHOCK brings success.
Shock comes-oh, oh!
Laughing phrases -ha, ha!
The shock terrifies for 100 miles,
And he doesn't let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice.
As a human, I’ve spent my share of anger. As a Tai Chi teacher, I’ve additionally seen my fair proportion of anger “coming and going” because the saying goes. There’s a baseball adage whereby one figuratively acts as “pitcher” and “catcher” on the similar time, thus my very own saying “As a trainer, I see anger coming and going”. My pupil and fellow trainer Mike F. tells me that as knowledgeable musician he swims in a sea of perpetual criticism. Such criticism he says comes from his fellow musicians in addition to orchestra leaders and conductors. But, he states that he doesn’t lash out on the conductor or his colleagues.
I recall an incident in 2004 which occurred proper after assembly my current trainer, Grasp Stephen Hwa. I used to be within the throes of patting myself on the again as a result of I had realized the Classical Tai Chi type with fairly a little bit of ease. What I did not understand is “that I used to be shifting a sure means, however actually, I used to be not shifting that means” in any respect. In any case, I believed, I had completed the teachings from the Classical Tai Chi video collection. Grasp Hwa wrote that when he noticed me making an attempt to internalize my motion away from the arm and shoulder, my actions initiated from the chest space. He said that I might scrunch my chest to start out an upper-body motion.
I recall being admonished fairly vehemently by him on this “scrunching”. The critique got here throughout considered one of my non-public courses with him at an area park in Rochester, NY within the Summer time of 2004. I admit to being stunned by the vehemence of his correction however didn’t really feel indignant.
In October of 2004, I recall studying the Classical Tai Chi Discussion board 10 which was referred to as: “After Ending the Classes, A Starting”. There I got here throughout a whole written account of the critique. First I learn “It’s good to keep in mind, generally the looks of actuality is definitely an phantasm”. This was adopted by an admonition to make use of “ a contemporary eye to evaluate the lesson video which may uncover any misinterpretation of actions”. Then I learn a synopsis of my assembly with Grasp Hwa and my “scrunching” once I thought I used to be shifting appropriately.
The place I didn’t really feel “indignant” upon receiving admonition in particular person, I did really feel indignant when studying the admonition in writing. My thought was: “How may my trainer put my mistake in writing for all of the world to see”? I initially felt sullen and indignant as a result of I felt my trainer was being condescending and insulting and I felt shocked by what I learn. In any case, I believed (regardless that he didn’t use my title however merely stated “one pupil”) who else may it’s however for me, me, me. Insert the melody and extra lyrics for: “You’re so useless, you most likely suppose this tune is about you” right here.
After stewing on this for a while, I started to mirror extra calmly. Through the “hottest” moments of that incident, nevertheless, I shunned making any indignant retorts to my trainer. As I “cooled” down, nevertheless, I started to understand that I had been senseless, proud, and boastful thus pondering extra extremely of myself than I must. Upon additional reflection, my preliminary indignant thought was “I’ve studied Tai Chi earlier than this for a very long time, I’m a great pupil, how can he say this to me”?. After additional consideration, nevertheless, I noticed that it was I who had contacted Grasp Hwa and requested him to show me, not the opposite means round. If I needed him to show me why was I not being humble and gracious about what he had stated or written about “me”? After additional reflection, I noticed that he had offered an excellent speaking level and lesson for 100 different college students who may gain advantage from my mistake.
I noticed I used to be being “Egotistical” and senseless over the egotism and maybe one may nicely ask what’s egotism, what does it must do with studying Tai Chi otherwise you for that matter?
Here’s a “story” which will assist:
“The Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty was a nationwide hero for his success as each a statesman and navy chief. However regardless of his fame, energy, and wealth, he thought-about himself a humble and religious Buddhist.
Usually he visited his favourite Zen grasp to review below him, and so they appeared to get alongside very nicely. The truth that he was Prime Minister apparently had no impact on their relationship, which appeared to be merely considered one of a revered grasp and respectful pupil.
Sooner or later, throughout his common go to, the Prime Minister requested the grasp, “Your Reverence, what’s egotism in keeping with Buddhism?” The grasp’s face turned purple, and in a really condescending and insulting tone of voice, he shot again, “What sort of silly query is that!?”
This sudden response so shocked the Prime Minister that he turned sullen and indignant. The Zen grasp then smiled and stated, “This, Your Excellency, is egotism.”
Creator Unknown
THE IMAGE
Thunder repeated: the picture of SHOCK.
Thus in concern and trembling
The superior man units his life so as
And examines himself.
