A local student came over to my studio, student seeking advice on looking for authentic Taoist Tai Chi Chuan. He has been a student of "Taoist Tai Chi Chuan Society" and is questioning what they do. Well... for starters I don't like playing policeman, on these types of subjects cause everyone can do what they do. I think if it is helping someone get better health and wellness then that is perfect. It really does not matter per se what is so called "authentic", because once it leaves China and comes here it is a adapted tradition. America the melting pot, not a exclusive one view collective consciousness culture by any means.
I am no stranger to this Tai Chi Association; I have taught many of their teacher's Qigong and Meditation, Energy Healing throughout the years here in Michigan and in Windsor Canada. Many of them do it privately in fear of reprisal from the group, but its cool I understand, there can be alot of politics even in Tai Chu Chuan Groups. Many come to me for supercharging their personal practice, or how to setup personal shrine for the home. I never ask any questions about the group, or what they do...I do what I do and that's enough! Nobody appreciates a busy body gossiper.
Taoism & Quest for Orthodoxy
In Western Cultures there is a quest for creating fringe Taoist Society's. This is not the only group trying; there are many. The founder of the Taoist Tai Chi Society took up these practices to heal himself and he was successful. Today it really has evolved into a large network of groups worldwide. They even have a Taoist Temple in Canada. But is it true Taoist Tai Chi? Hmmmm read on (lol)
Truth is the form is a adapted version of the Traditional Yang Cheng Fu form of the Yang Tradition. We could say it is follows in the consciousness of "Taoist Spirit" inspired and follows loosely Yang Family/Style structure. The form follows a nice easy flowing style just like the Yang's. It is not a well oiled performance form that just looks flawless, but it does flow for commoner use. They have the reasoning for how they perform the tradition. They are doing positive work for people and they generally offer the practice inexpensive or free.
Wutang Taoism is the root of true Taoist Tai Chi Chuan. A tradition with many forms techniques, Martial Arts and Meditation Traditions and even Religious practice. Wutang Mountain is a large place with many Masters and teachers, and so there are countless variations. Wutang Tai Chi is not the easiest way to enter into Tai Chi, but it is the source tradition of Tai Chi Chuan as we know it. The smaller 13 forms are usually the ones people like for basic health routines, but it takes teachers willing to share with students. Many like the Chi Cultivation Meditations over the form, cause the practice works quite fast for stress and illness. Many seek Taoist Identity and like the religious tradition, and mentor under a real Master ordained in all of the Traditions. Taoism is a never ending study of the self and nature. Adopt the "forever a student" approach and be open to learn; work on yourself and you will go far.
Wu, Sun, Hao and many others are adapted largely from Yang Family. Yang Lu Chan was a genius with his technique and tradition and he became famous all through China. There are many variations of his teachings that even exist to this day that were birthed from his travels and teachings to his sons. The reason there are so many variations like many Master's he and his sons taught students based on ability and interest. Many teachers teach like this to remain open and to serve the many.
In the beginning Yang Lu Chan was a Chen Stylist in the beginning. The Chen Family is more closely to what Wutang Tai Chi Chuan is, but its more of a family style of Chen Family teachings. Even Chen Family Tai Chi Chuan has a wide array of teachings as well. So it is a endless sea of adaptations today. Each school and practice has their view point how to make their system work. All I will say is follow the ones that gives you desire to practice and joy when you do it. It will take a mentor in whatever Tai Chi Chuan tradition you do to ensure you do the form correctly and not to injure yourself through improper postures and movement.
In the beginning Yang Lu Chan was a Chen Stylist in the beginning. The Chen Family is more closely to what Wutang Tai Chi Chuan is, but its more of a family style of Chen Family teachings. Even Chen Family Tai Chi Chuan has a wide array of teachings as well. So it is a endless sea of adaptations today. Each school and practice has their view point how to make their system work. All I will say is follow the ones that gives you desire to practice and joy when you do it. It will take a mentor in whatever Tai Chi Chuan tradition you do to ensure you do the form correctly and not to injure yourself through improper postures and movement.
Taoism in western cultures is complicated; it is complicated even in China. Daily life in China is not like it use to be before Mao Tse Tung and the Communist Red Flood. All the teachers I have ever studied with left cause of it. Taoism, Buddhism and other practice systems can no longer exist as it was. A sad true story to a once paradise on earth; but it don't matter cause it is omni present everywhere now. The traditions will go on and adapt. What was traditional may not be of value in the future anyhow.
Many act like they own some rights to the Tao; no one owns what cannot actually even be described; lol...Many get real political with Taoist practice, quest for making it a mission, the "Tao of Dollars" the marketing of Taoism which just really pisses off all the Orthodox Lineage Masters off. True Taoism follows the making the practices available to those in need and not with a recompense price-tag attached to it. This is done in Traditional Buddhism as well-all truths groups I will say. With that said this is the West- if you want your group to survive you will have to support the mission, nothing is free in America! Don't let a good thing die in the "spirit of self sacrifice" and a very Asian way of doing things.
Many act like they own some rights to the Tao; no one owns what cannot actually even be described; lol...Many get real political with Taoist practice, quest for making it a mission, the "Tao of Dollars" the marketing of Taoism which just really pisses off all the Orthodox Lineage Masters off. True Taoism follows the making the practices available to those in need and not with a recompense price-tag attached to it. This is done in Traditional Buddhism as well-all truths groups I will say. With that said this is the West- if you want your group to survive you will have to support the mission, nothing is free in America! Don't let a good thing die in the "spirit of self sacrifice" and a very Asian way of doing things.
The real Taoist experience is everyone's own experience. So again noone "owns the Tao"; feel free to tag it as such- its your life, live it as you see fit. I think if you like this Tai Chi Tradition follow it. The core philosophy behind any of these practices should be the emphasis of sharing for the masses and helping one another out. As Hua Ching Ni has taught for many years TAO=Together As One.
GWA
