There are two ways that we are able to look at the classics.
Firstly we are able to take them as they are in their literal sense, or
we are able to take them as back up to our own evolution. I prefer to
use the later method and use the classics, as back up to my own evolution
of t’ai chi. Of course in the beginning we must follow the
teachings of a competent master
In order to learn the basic movements and some of his/her Ideas etc,
but if we stay as disciples, we stay as sheep and never evolve our
own ideas and take the art right back to its beginning and learn for
Chapter Four, The Classics: Page 62
ourselves what the old masters learnt for themselves. If we are to
take any internal martial art which is largely based upon unseen internal
forces back to it’s beginning then we must have some idea of
what the old masters were thinking. For this purpose we have their
own thoughts, the classics.
There have been many translations of the classics but the ones that
give the most correct versions are those that use as little English language
licence as possible and only use direct translations. In this
way we are able to allow the words to enter our minds and give us a
helping hand only when we are ready to receive the correct information.
This is because this person is at a basic level of understanding;
however, if this same person reads that same classic writing at a
much later time in his/her development then they may receive what
the classics have to offer. If your martial art is to be truly your own
then you must take it right back to it’s beginning and learn what the
masters learnt.