Do We Really Get What T'ai Chi Is?

T'ai Chi Ch'uan is so often seriously misunderstood. Is it a peaceful art or is it a martial art? They are two sides of the same coin, yin and yang. Many, at the mere mention of self defense, shut right down. It is only by embracing the concept of uniting with an opponent that one learns to control his energy. In life there is either unity or opposition, it is also yin and yang and control in life is learning to flow with and direct either force. Neither is good or bad, they are just energy. This helps us expand our outlook to go beyond the oppositional perspective of, this is good and that is bad. I like this, but I don't like that. I am comfortable with this but afraid of that. It is these thoughts that sap our powers of control, as they will align us either with or against the energy at play.

Self defense is also play, we play with our opponent even though he may be fighting with us. Learning to play in life is great fun. Embrace having no fear. Without fear we can unite with energy and direct it. There is never anything to fear, for T'ai Chi Ch'uan is love. It is the art of unity. That is power and control in T'ai Chi Ch'uan. We can embrace everything and by doing this embody true empowerment and discover who we are; for we are, all powerful.