The Lesson of the Wind

The Lesson of the Wind ~ and How It Relates to Tai Chi Practice Question:  Does it have form?
Answer:  It has no form.

Question:  If it has no form, how can it be seen?
Answer:  It can be seen, but not with the eyes.

A writing from the Tao says, “When you look at it, you don’t see it.
When you listen for it, you don’t hear it.”

This is the Way of the Tao and the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong.
Let’s take the example of the Wind to understand this principle.
Seeing the tree branches sway in the mountains, watching the great waves in the sea, we cannot say that the wind is not there; yet, we cannot see it. We cannot grasp it, so, in a sense we cannot say that it is there.
“Looking at it, you don’t see it, yet never are you not seeing it; listening for it, you don’t hear it, yet never are you not hearing it.”
To say it can be seen and heard does not mean it is within the reach of the outgoing faculties, eye and ear. The Masters tell us that it is a matter of cultivating the inner self.
This is the Qi, the Life Force Energy that flows within us and throughout all of nature. It can be seen and heard by the will. This is also the way of refinement of our higher potential.
As we practice Tai Chi and Qigong, in the beginning of refining the self, we feel as if no progress is being made. Then, we begin to see how movement and stillness work together towards the goal. Notice how, when any work is accomplished, all our entanglements abruptly cease. We arrive at a place where movement and stillness are both forgotten and all is calm in our within.
Now, the Qi potential can be gathered like the sail gathers the wind, and the inner pearl begins to take shape. In this way, ultimately, our Tai Chi nature walks and moves us, sits and stands with us through each breath.
The teachings of the Grand Masters use various stories and ways to lead our Tai Chi from the crude to the subtle, from the unseen to the seen, so that gradually, a state of being in our center is fully entered, where beatitude, essence, openness and compassion can be realized and lived.
The Way is not on paper. Writings and sayings are like a wonderful boat that comes to ferry people across a river. Once we arrive safely on the other shore, the boat has no more use to us. This being said, we should not cling to the words, just savor the meaning, tap in, and root to the source. We can choose to place our attention on happiness in our Tai Chi practices.

Chung Ho Chi by Li, Tao-ch’un
"The Book of Balance and Harmony" translation by Thomas Cleary, Revision by Marilyn Allysum
Tilopa Tai Chi Qigong Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota and Maui, Hawaii