Tai Ji Quan Treatise: Attributed to the Song Dynasty Daoist Priest Zhang Sanfeng (Daoist Immortal Three Peaks Zhang Series Book 1) by Olson Stuart Alve & Sanfeng Zhang

Author:Olson, Stuart Alve & Sanfeng, Zhang [Olson, Stuart Alve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Valley Spirit Arts
Published: 2014-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

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The bigger question pertaining to this verse is why do you need to calmly stimulate the qi and retain the spirit internally? Actually, these functions are at the root of mastering all Taijiquan skills—and occur from abiding by the Dan Tian.

To develop the qi, it must first be stimulated calmly. This calm stimulation has its source in the Dan Tian. The qi is calmly mobilized through the circulation of the breath and blood, and the source of doing this is through the mind-intent.

From abiding by the Dan Tian, the qi, breath, and blood begin circulating more fully throughout the entire body and, consequently, are heated. This internal heat then starts affecting the sinews, tendons, and muscles of the body. Once the warm qi, breath, and blood have entered the muscles, they begin to penetrate into the bones and help create more marrow, thus increasing pliability of the bones and leading to greater health.

When the qi circulates freely throughout the body, it can then be directed through the arms and into the hands. This is the true nurturing of qi and it originates with the mind-intent. Therefore, to retain the spirit internally is actually rooted in the principle of sinking the qi into the Dan Tian.

The second benefit from abiding by the Dan Tian can be seen in the self-defense aspects because all the responses will be directed by the waist rather than by the upper body. And, because the reactionary force is generated from the waist, the qi and jin (intrinsic energy) can be more easily expressed as well. Intrinsic energy comes from the sinews and tendons, and so the more pliable and stronger they are, the greater the energy that can be released. When the qi and jin are expressed together, nothing is stronger. Therefore, this verse, “Calmly stimulate the qi, so the spirit is retained internally,” is full of meaning and purpose, and essential to the correct practice of Taijiquan.

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