Patrick, first of all I want to apologize for plagiarizing a passage on your comment to Michael’s post, not to mentioned Sifu’s FAQ. I intended to comment your diary entry “TJ April 14, 2012“, then after reading Sifu’s comments to both of you, I thought not delaying it anymore because the right timing to do it would be lost. I guess this post of mine goes also in accordance with Michael’s undoubtedly progress (still, who am I to evaluate anybody’s progress…?).
Michael, do you remember telling me: “Letting these qualities come about and finding the 13 points is, as sifu says, in a very small place”. I was then a little unaware about this Sifu’s advice and I remember thinking: “how great is this guy’s attention to (important) details“!
Patrick believe it or not when I was reading your comment to Michael’s post, in the middle of it, I was already thinking on “eating bitter “as a possible title for this post. Since you are acquainted to my tortuous writing I'll try to be clear enough.
Reading your diary entry I thought of “lucky guys (and girls)” as another possible title because of our fortunate exposure to Sifu’s teachings on I Liq Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan. This wouldn’t be a good choice either, because it wouldn’t express the right meaning I want to convey, plagiarizing you again and maybe disregard in some way.
Patrick, (since it was your post that inspired these lines – as occasionally they do - giving me the opportunity to put in perspective the impressions/feelings, perhaps, of most of the people who have begun their journey in the Internal Martial Arts with TCC) please imagine that instead of ILC and Sifu’s guidance you had begun with TCC and an instructor looking for the kind of structure you’ve described, emphasizing song, central equilibrium, rooting (despite being it energetic or the natural gravitational pull), the “sitting” and so on. In this case you’ll have an idea and understanding of the odd feelings that occur to people, the “taijiers” like me, with lengthy TCC practice. Look at Jeff’s blog and you’ll see what I mean, although Jeff may think otherwise of what I’m trying to express (Jeff I’m sorry to suggest your blog explicitly without prior request but I guessed you wouldn’t mind).
My previous “taijier” background didn’t help, in anyway, to feel the right feeling of “feet merely touching the floor”. From the very first class of stage 1 this concept was the most singular and difficult to grasp (still a work in progress – as a matter of fact like all the ILC principles and qualities). As an analogy to my previous understanding of TCC principles think of a one sided coin (as a print on paper) if it makes any sense at all!
Now I begin (just beginning) to understand and feel the right feeling of “feet merely touching the floor”, and the emergence of “new dimensions” by studying and practicing (see FAQ “eating bitter” and be aware of Sifu’s remarks) seemingly resolve the inconsistency with tai chi rooting the way I see it.
Patrick, once more thank you for your courage exposing your experiences in favor of the kung fu brothers and sisters here at Sifu On demand. Michael I thank you for the same reason. With your posts we get the unique opportunity of learning with your experiences and Sifu’s invaluable comments and teachings.
I think this must make some sense to all sincere practitioners, kung fu brothers and sisters, that have here at Sifu On Demand the unique opportunity to feel what “internal” (in the martial arts) stands for, and by the same reasoning the unavoidable truth of Eating Bitter.