Tai Chi Power Secrets

What can magic tricks teach us about the cultivation of Qi

These three tai chi tricks are the direct result of self cultivation. In Chinese culture for hundreds of years, the practice of the golden elixir (jindan) was central to medicine, theatrical performance, exorcism, and martial skills. Why? Two reasons.

First, all four of those things were overlapping categories. Medicine was partially theatrical, employed exorcistic concepts, and relied to some extent on the martial prowess of the doctor (or the individual in the case of self-healing). The overlap is similar for the other three, and for most arts.

The second reason is they are all constructed around moving while remaining empty. Empty in this case means empty of intent. In translation, we sometimes say, “empty of desire.” This does not mean totally without desires, it does not mean apathetic. It means empty in the sense that the body is not holding or containing any desires. All of these Tai Chi tricks are just different ways of demonstrating emptiness.

When my body is empty of intent, the space around my body becomes “luminous.” In Chinese the word luminous is shenming 神明. It done not mean that I glow in the dark. It means I can feel the aliveness of space and use it to move.

I have an online class once a month where I teach meditation and the golden elixir using the Daodejing. Daodejing Online

I also teach workshops. Drop me a line if you are interested.