The Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳論)

太極拳論 by 王宗岳

太極者，無極而生，陰陽之母也。動之則分，靜之則合。無過不及，隨曲就伸。人剛我柔謂之走，我順人背謂之黏。動急則急應，動緩則緩隨。雖變化萬端，而理為一貫。由著熟而漸悟懂勁，由懂勁而階及神明，然非用力之久，不能豁然貫通焉。虛領頂勁，氣沉丹田，不偏不倚，忽隱忽現。左重則左虛，右重則右杳，仰之則彌高，俯之則彌深，進之則愈長，退之則愈促。一羽不能加，蠅蟲不能落，人不知我，我獨知人。英雄所向無敵，蓋皆由此而及也。斯技旁門甚多，豈虛學哉！有旋轉之法，得心應手，惟口傳心授，方能得之。

The Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan by Wang Zongyue

“Tai Chi is born from Wu Chi (the state of undifferentiated and limitless potential), and it is the mother of Yin and Yang. When there is motion, it divides; when there is stillness, it unites. Do not exceed or fall short; follow the curves and adapt to the extension. If the opponent is hard, I remain soft; this is called yielding. If I follow the opponent and he retreats, this is called sticking. Move quickly if he moves quickly, and slowly if he moves slowly. Although there are myriad transformations, the principle remains the same. Through diligent practice, one gradually understands the energy (jin). With the understanding of energy comes spiritual enlightenment, but this cannot be achieved without persistent effort. Keep the head suspended as if by an invisible string, let the energy sink to the dantian, and remain upright without leaning. Sometimes the energy appears and disappears like a shadow. If weight is on the left, then the left side becomes empty; if weight is on the right, then the right side vanishes. If one raises, it seems ever higher; if one sinks, it seems ever deeper. If one advances, the opponent feels longer; if one retreats, the opponent feels more constrained. Even a feather cannot land on me, and a fly cannot settle. The opponent may not know me, but I know the opponent completely. Such is the skill that makes heroes invincible. There are many other martial arts, but none so profound as this. Mastery comes from the heart and the mind, passed down orally and practiced with dedication.”

Expounding on The Treatise on Tai Chi

Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳) and Daoist Philosophy

• Tai Chi and Wu Chi: Tai Chi Chuan draws deeply from Daoist cosmology. “Wu Chi” refers to a state of primal, undifferentiated stillness, while “Tai Chi” represents the dynamic interplay of Yin and Yang. This cosmological model reflects the way Tai Chi Chuan movements emerge from stillness and flow seamlessly between opposites, like hardness and softness or advance and retreat.
• Yin-Yang Theory: The movements of Tai Chi Chuan emphasize balancing Yin (softness, yielding) and Yang (hardness, firmness). The practitioner is trained to react dynamically, responding to force not with direct opposition but with adaptability and fluidity. This reflects the broader Daoist principle of balance in the universe.
• Concept of Energy (Jin) and Qi: Tai Chi Chuan emphasizes the cultivation of internal energy or “Qi,” which flows smoothly through the body’s meridians. This energy is refined through understanding “jin,” a subtle power that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual awareness. The sinking of Qi to the dantian (an energy center in the lower abdomen) and the suspension of the head exemplify these principles.
• Daoist Connection: Daoism places a significant emphasis on harmony with nature and the universe. Tai Chi Chuan serves as a moving meditation that embodies these values, encouraging practitioners to cultivate stillness within motion and to align themselves with the natural forces and rhythms of life.
• Spiritual Enlightenment: The Treatise describes a path to spiritual understanding, beginning with the mastery of physical movements and leading to a deeper spiritual awakening. This journey is akin to the Daoist pursuit of oneness with the Dao (the Way), a state of spiritual realization and harmony with the cosmos.