Gin Soon Tai Chi Chuan Federation

The Song of the Secret Transmission

(Transmitted by Lee Dao Tzu, with commentary by Vincent Chu)

No shape, no phenomenon, the whole body is transparent;

Commentary: No shape and no phenomenon refer to Tai Chi Chuan. It does not refer to physical objects or mental images. In other words, Tai Chi Chuan is not based on physical appearance. In practical application, it means to forget oneself and follow the other and deliver techniques according to the opponent’s actions. The whole body is transparent refers to the entire body being relaxed. The entire body becomes so relaxed that no opponent can find a target from one’s body to strike. This is equivalent to the whole body being empty. After one has practiced Tai Chi Chuan for many years, the body will accumulate much qi. It gives people a sense of the entire body being transparent, with no shape and no phenomenon.

Follow nature: solid rock is suspended on West Mountain;

Commentary: Follow nature to respond refers to the other rather than oneself. This statement refers to the partner in the push hands exercise or the opponent in a martial confrontation. In other words, when one encounters a threat, one follows nature to respond or ignores one’s ego and intention, so one is able to follow the opponent’s action. Although one is in a martial confrontation, one should not take the initial action. This is like being a solid rock suspended on the western mountain, suspended freely and calm.

The roar of a tiger, screech of an ape; The stream becomes clear, the river becomes still;

Commentary: Roar of a tiger and screech of an ape refer to breathing and qi circulation. The speed of the qi circulation is like the roar of a tiger and screech of an ape inside the body. Clear stream and still river are the description of the mind set one should have when confronting an opponent. It is only when one is calm and clear that one will come up with a better solution.

The ocean is disturbed; life is established.

Commentary: The ocean being disturbed refers to applying the mind intent to circulate the qi in the body like a disturbed ocean. Life established refers to Tai Chi Chuan practice as a discipline of refining the mind and cultivating the spirit. It observes the principles of overflowing, insufficient, following in a curved line, following in a straight line, not letting go, not going against, giving up on one’s ego, following, adhering, sticking, connecting, following, etc. Established refers to the practice of spirit, mind intention, and qi to achieve good health and longevity.
This Song of the Secret Transmission describes the highest level in Tai Chi Chuan. It is difficult to understand. It uses many ambiguous word choices. Without proper transmission from a knowledgeable teacher and many years of practice, it is not possible to understand the Song. The first half of the Song discusses the visible body. The second half of the Song discusses the invisible mind intention, qi, and spirit.

The Tai Chi Chuan Treatise
(Written by Wang Tsung Yueh, with commentary by Vincent Chu)

Tai Chi comes from Wu Chi;
It is the mother of Yin and Yang.
When it is active, it separates;
When it is inactive, it combines.

Commentary: Ancient Chinese philosophers believed that the universe was born out of the great void or nothingness. These Chinese philosophers called this condition Wu Chi. It is said that development progressed from Wu Chi to Tai Chi, Tai Chi to Two Elements, Two Elements to Four Phenomenon, Four Phenomenon to Ba Kua, and Ba Kua to everything. Tai Chi is composed of Yin and Yang. From Yin and Yang comes everything. Therefore, it is said that Tai Chi came from Wu Chi and is composed of Yin and Yang. Tai Chi is at the crossroads of universal development. When it is active, it separates into Yin and Yang. When it is inactive, it combines to become Wu Chi. Due to these facts, Tai Chi has active and inactive conditions. When it is active, Yin and Yang form. When it is inactive, it combines and returns to Wu Chi. Therefore, it is noted in the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise that when it is active, Yin and Yang are separate. When it is inactive, Yin and Yang are combined. For example, when two people confront each other, it is inactive when those two people do not make any movement towards each other. This is a condition where Yin and Yang are combined. However, when the two people begin to move towards each other, movements and transformations begin to happen and have substantial and insubstantial values. This is a condition where Yin and Yang are separated. The same thing is true with solo form practice. Before one makes any movement, it is a condition where Yin and Yang are combined. However, when one begins to move, it is a condition where Yin and Yang are separated.

The reason that Yin and Yang is mentioned at the beginning of the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise is due to the fact that Tai Chi Chuan and its applications were created based on the Yin and Yang transformation principle. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan is the physical interpretation of the Yin and Yang transformation principle. The Tai Chi Chuan Treatise mainly discusses the application and principles of Yin and Yang transformation and how to apply these principles in Tai Chi Chuan. When one understands the Yin and Yang transformation principle and applications, one understands Tai Chi Chuan.

Yin and Yang transformation has a specific set of rules. Tai Chi Chuan is based on this set of rules. To understand and practice Tai Chi Chuan correctly, one should know this set of rules well. They are the following:

a. Yin and Yang Opposition

A feature one can see in the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol is that the symbol has two equal portions, referred to as Yin and Yang fish. These two components are opposite and complementary to each other. The ancient book of Yi Jing (book of changes) reveals that everything in nature has Yin and Yang components’ duality property and principle. These Yin and Yang components rely on each other to survive and support each other in a single entity. One of the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol features is a reflection of this information. There is an ancient philosophical concept, “one Yin and one Yang is the Dao”, that reveals that everything is manifested from the interactions of theYin and Yang components. When people are thinking and learning something or a new subject, they always begin with Yin and Yang opposing and complementary components - the basic building blocks. It is so much easier to understand or to learn if one begins with the basics. Opposition and complementarity are basic rules of nature. It is also the highest rule in Tai Chi Chuan practice. Zheng San Feng, the patron saint of Tai Chi Chuan said that Yin and Yang components are the establishment of Tai Chi phenomenon. If one does not understand this information, one is not his student. Therefore, in Tai Chi Chuan practice, it is common to observe that the movements have hard and soft power, opening and closing motions, substantial and insubstantial transformations, and fast and slow motions. The opposite and complementary principles will make the body equally exercise, better coordinated, and more balanced. The same principle applies to accumulating and discharging power as well.

b. Yin and Yang Within Each Other

This feature in the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol is exemplified by the black fish having a white eye and the white fish having a black eye. This means that there is Yin element in the Yang component and Yang element in the Yin component. In other words, Yin and Yang are the root of their opposition, and it represents infinite divisional process. This is a very unique distribution. Therefore, martial arts practitioners consider this a perfect distribution and go as far as recommending one should have hard and soft components in each technique to be effective and powerful because absolute hardness is easy to break and absolute softness is easy to collapse. Therefore, absolute hard and absolute soft are not good. We often observe a similar recommendation in Tai Chi Chuan practice as well. In every opening motion, there should be some elements of closing. In closing motions, there should be some elements of opening. This is clearly defined in substantial and insubstantial transformations, hard and soft power applications, fast and slow motions, etc.

c. Yin and Yang Complementarity

One of the features in the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol is that the bigger part of the Yin fish is complementing the smaller part of the Yang fish (i.e., the Yin fish head is aligned with the Yang fish tail, and the Yang fish head is aligned with the Yin fish tail). The larger part of the Yang fish is next to the smaller part of the Yin fish. Yin and Yang complement each other.

The book of Yi Jing explains this as the nature of things in their dynamic condition. When the first part is advancing, the second part is retreating, which is a phenomenon providing balance and stable condition with quality transformation. In Tai Chi Chuan practice, one should correctly apply this information to practice, especially with Tai Chi Chuan push-hands exercises. It is only when one correctly applies this information to practice that one is able to launch multiple techniques in offense or defense. One will not lose in competition.

In Tai Chi Chuan practice, one witnesses this Yin and Yang complementarity everywhere. It is from substantial and insubstantial transformations, quantity and quality transformations, advancing and retreating engagement tactics, left and right strikes, top and bottom strikes, ascending and descending body manipulations, etc.

d. Yin and Yang Spiral Transformation

One of the features of the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol is a wavy line or a divider. It represents that the division is a dynamic condition, not a constant condition. This refers to all the transformations happening and developing in a spiral dynamic . Tai Chi Chuan movements and practice utilize the bodily joints, so the movements are always in slow and circular or spiral motions, not a straight line. This spiral motion is so steady and with control that some practitioners describe it as pulling silk from a cocoon. When the motion is slow and steady, the delicate tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the body and at bodily joints are properly exercised, stretched, and lubricated, which is a necessary quality to support martial arts activity. If the motion is fast, the delicate tendons, ligaments, and muscles at bodily joints can easily become injured. Of course, if the body and bodily joints are exercised regularly, the body will become so soft, flexible, and strong that one can move quickly for martial arts application. Many people describe this body condition as being like water. Since most of people are born with the body and bodily joints not ready for vigorous martial arts activity, it is better for one to begin martial arts training with the objective of improving the condition of the body condition and bodily joints.

e. Yin and Yang Balance

Another feature of the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol is that the Yin and Yang fish exist together in one entity. This Yin and Yang balance is explained in the book of Yi Jing as the originator of all things. When Yin and Yang come together, it interacts and produces. If Yin and Yang cannot come together, it is separated and dies. When a philosopher said that Yin and Yang produced 10,000 things, it is the result and demonstration of this Yin and Yang balance and interaction. Yin and Yang balance is a vibrant and dynamic condition. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan practice is a process of balancing the body’s Yin and Yang components. It is a process of balancing the body’s different physiologic organs and functions. The result is a healthy body.

One can see, although the Tai Chi Yin and Yang Symbol is a simple symbol, it has much hidden information. In order to improve one’s Tai Chi Chuan skill, it is necessary for one to invest the time to study this ancient simple symbol well and incorporate the information into one’s Tai Chi Chuan practice.

It is neither overflowing nor insufficient;
It follows either a curved or a straight line.

Commentary: This statement is the essence of the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise. It involves the Yin and Yang principle and incorporates it into martial arts. The rest of the Treatise is but elaborating further on this principle.

a. Overflowing refers to no confrontation.

b. Insufficient refers to not separate.

c. Following a curved line refers to following the opponent’s advance to retreat.

d. Following a straight line refers to following the opponent’s retreat to advance.

From a Yin and Yang perspective, overflowing and insufficient are but the physical interpretations of Yin not separating from Yang or Yang not separating from Yin. Following in curved line and following in straight line are but the physical interpretations of the condition of Yang being more than Yin or Yin being more than Yang. If one is over extended in advance, one could lose balance and be at a disadvantage under the control of the other. It is the condition of Yang beginning after extreme Yin or Yin beginning after extreme Yang. In Tai Chi Chuan practice, the requirements from these four principles of overflowing, insufficient, following in curved line, and following in straight line are not to let go, not to go against, to give up on one’s ego, and to follow, adhere, stick, connect, follow, etc.

In Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands exercise, when the partner advances, the other retreats. When the partner retreats, the other advances. All of these occur without any separation. They are but the same principle applied in physical practice. The same principle can produce many operations. When one has this Yin and Yang principle, one has Tai Chi Chuan. When one understands this principle, one understands Tai Chi Chuan.

From this statement, one can understand that Tai Chi Chuan is not based on a specific set of physical movements. Any physical movement is possible as long as it is not separated from the principles of overflowing, insufficient, following in curved line, and following in straight line. However, if one pays too much attention to the physical movements, it is difficult to understand Tai Chi Chuan.

When my opponent is hard and I am soft,
this situation is called “running”;
When I am in a position of advantage and my opponent is not,
this situation is called “adhering.”

Commentary: This statement explains the meanings of running and adhering. Running, sticking, and other techniques from Tai Chi Chuan are based on the Yin and Yang principle. Running is when in the situation that my opponent is following to attack me, I yield with softness. Adhering is when I follow the opponent’s attack to position myself in an advantageous position, while not going against the attack in a way that ends with a disadvantageous position. This operation is also the application of Yin and Yang transformation. Running, adhering, following, and not going against are but the functions of the overflowing, insufficient, following in a curved line, and following in a straight line principles. One should keep in mind, when applying these techniques of running and adhering, there should be no separation. This is called Yin and Yang interaction. Otherwise, the techniques will not work and will not adhere to the Yin and Yang principle, and are thus not Tai Chi Chuan techniques.

When the movement is fast and my response is also fast,
this situation is called “connecting”;
When the movement is slow and my response is also slow,
this situation is called “following.”
Although there are many possibilities of change,
The logic is but one.

Commentary: This statement explains that when advancing or retreating one should go together with the partner. It does not matter if the motion is fast or slow. One should follow all the time so that when the partner moves fast, the other follows quickly. When the partner moves slow, the other follows slowly. This approach also adheres to the Yin and Yang transformation principles of overflowing, insufficient, following in a curved line, and following in a straight line. Although advance and retreat have many variations, they follow the same Yin and Yang transformation principles. As a Tai Chi Chuan student, one should pay attention to this information to master the amazing art of Tai Chi Chuan.

From becoming familiar to slowly understanding jin (d**g jin),
from d**g jin to wisdom.
This knowledge cannot be comprehended
without many years of practice.

Commentary: In this statement, “familiar” refers to the techniques of running, adhering, following, and against as explained in previous statement. It does not refer to any specific physical operation. D**g jin refers to the understanding of their applications and functions. When one is familiar with their applications and functions, one will enter the wisdom. To achieve this wisdom, it requires time to practice to internalize the material. This is why this statement ends with “This knowledge cannot be comprehended without many years of practice.”

Suspending the head from above,
Sinking the qi to the dantien.
The body is positioned upright, not leaning,
Appearing and disappearing.

Commentary: The Yin and Yang transformation principle discussed in the previous statement refers to the application of Tai Chi Chuan. In this statement, it is refers to the body. If any object has application and body, it is complete and qualified to exist. Suspending refers to applying the mind intention to position the head to have relaxation, softness, and correctness. Sinking to the dantien refers to the requirement of breathing and to sink the qi down to the area three inches below the navel. One should pay attention to this requirement. It is sinking, not pushing. Sinking is a natural action, and pushing is not. Sinking causes no harm to the body. Pushing is a conscious action not good for the body’s health. Again, sinking is a natural action. It is done by relaxing the chest. Keep in mind that breathing should be done naturally with comfort and no force applied. If one applies force, the body is rigid, and the qi cannot sink. Leaning refers to the internal power, not the positioning of the physical body parts. The positioning of the body parts has many variations. Otherwise, the body is too rigid to have any flexibility to perform with versatility. Therefore, leaning refers to the internal power. It should be upright and balanced, better known as equilibrium. Appear and disappear also refers to the internal power, not physical movement. Internal power can follow one’s mind intention to appear and disappear. This cannot happen with a physical body. Therefore, appear and disappear refer to the application of internal power. When one applies it in yielding and running techniques, it disappears. When one applies it in discharging and adhering techniques, it appears.

When it is heavy on the left, it should be empty;
When it is heavy on the right, it should be empty.
Covering both substantial and insubstantial,
looking up and drilling inward.
Advancing seems long; retreating seems hurried.

Commentary: This statement refers to a martial confrontation and how to act and react in left, right, top and bottom, and front and back directions. These operations are but the physical interpretations of Yin and Yang transformation principle applied in martial activity.

a. Heavy on the left and right means if the threat coming from the left is strong, I retreat to neutralize it. However, if the threat coming from my right is strong, I retreat to neutralize it.

b. Looking up and drilling downmeans that if my opponent makes me go up, I follow the motion to go up as high as possible; if my opponent makes me go down, I follow the motion down as much as possible.

c. Advancing and retreating refers to steps forward and steps backward. If my opponent makes me advance, I follow the motion and step forward as much as possible. If my opponent makes me retreat, I follow the motion and step back as much as necessary.

These operations are the methods that enable Tai Chi Chuan defeat the strong from a weak position. It is also the Yin and Yang transformation principle applied in martial application. Keep in mind that the application only works effectively if the Yin and Yang move together without any break. That means if the opponent moves fast, I react quickly. If the opponent moves slow, I react slowly.

No feather can be added, and no fly can land.
Nobody knows me, and I alone know others;
The skill is invincible, and this is how to achieve it.

Commentary: This statement refers to the result after one is able to apply the overflowing, insufficient, following in curved line, and following in straight line principles.

No feather can be added refers to the body being so sensitive that light weight such as feather cannot touch the body without one knowing it. No fly can land also refers to the body being so sensitive that no fly can land on one’s body without knowing it. One is so sensitive that one knows the opponent’s power and intention the instant the opponent makes a slight movement. From this knowledge, one formalizes a strategy to neutralize the threat. This is the skill all Tai Chi Chuan practitioners attempt to achieve. It is a skill developed from transmission and correctly applying the Yin and Yang transformation principle. This is also the description of wisdom in the previous statement,“From becoming familiar to slowly understanding jin, from d**g jin to wisdom.” One can see, Tai Chi Chuan is very different from its peers. Therefore, it is called a Chinese internal martial art. It is an art based on transmission and the application of intelligence, not natural ability. However, if one studies it as one would a typical Chinese martial art, it will be difficult to achieve any success.

This art has many options;
Although techniques differ, most of them represent
the strong bullying the weak, the slow defeated by the swift.
This is the result of natural ability, not of physical science.
The statement “Four ounces overcomes a thousand pounds”—
This obviously does not refer to power.
There are many examples of an older person defeating a young man—
This is not the result of speed.

Commentary: Due to the fact that Tai Chi Chuan is difficult to correctly understand, most of the students assume it is a typical Chinese martial art. This confusion and misunderstanding is shared by many. The above statement specifically points this out and explains that Tai Chi Chuan is not a typical Chinese martial art. The “art” here refers to martial art, and “options” refer to different Chinese martial arts other than Tai Chi Chuan. The many arts may physically look different in ex*****on. However, those arts focus on the strong defeating the weak, the slow losing to the fast, and power defeating the powerless. These are the common understandings about martial arts. It applies one’s natural ability to function. It is the ability one was born with or based on one’s physical build. It is not an ability one learned later in life. Tai Chi Chuan does not depend on one’s natural ability. Rather, it is based on the abilities one learned later in life. One applies four ounces to defeat 1,000 pounds, and an older person defeats a younger man. These indicate that they are not solely based on speed and power. Tai Chi Chuan skill develops from learning from a knowledgeable teacher.

If one learns only the physical movement, this is not enough. Tai Chi Chuan does not only involve the physical body and movement. Therefore, the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise specifically points out that it is not a typical Chinese martial art. If an art is solely based on physical movement, it is not Tai Chi Chuan.

Rather:
Inactive, like a balanced scale;
Active, like a turning axle.
When sinking — following, spontaneously;
When double-weighted — stagnant.

Commentary: Balanced scale is refers to a device to weigh things. It has an axis. This statement recommends that when one conducts a movement, the body should be straight upright like a balanced scale. It also means equilibrium. Balanced scale refers to the power of equilibrium. In other words, a posture should be stable, not leaning. When one has equilibrium, any posture can be a Tai Chi Chuan movement. If a posture has no equilibrium, it is not a Tai Chi Chuan movement. It shares the same information and requirements as balanced scale on an axis. In order to have equilibrium, the entire body should be relaxed and soft so that the entire body is better balanced. If the body has stiffness, the power is scattered, not concentrated, or not integrated; it is not possible to have equilibrium. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan practice requires a relaxed and soft body. In order to have relaxed and soft body, one should not use physical force. For the same reason, Tai Chi Chuan movements should not use physical power.

Active, like a turning axle. Due to the fact the wheels on cars have axles, this statement recommends that Tai Chi Chuan practice should be like a car wheel that has an axis. Simply put, it refers to vertical equilibrium. Although the body is continuously moving in Tai Chi Chuan practice, one should maintain this vertical equilibrium.

When sinking - following, spontaneously. Sinking refers to the feeling after the body relaxes. Following refers to activity. This statement explains that when two forces move against each other, if one force separates from the other force, it is no longer against it. It is capable to be active again. Therefore, following enables neutralizing force against force. It has Yin and Yang transformation.

When double-weighted - stagnant. Double-weighted refers to two forces against each other. When this happened, it is a stagnant condition. There is no activity. The condition has no Yin and Yang transformation. Being double-weighted is a major mistake in Tai Chi Chuan practice. For any defeat in Tai Chi Chuan, it is the result of the student not fully understanding the condition and not being able to find a solution for this double-weighted condition. A double-weighted condition has no Yin and Yang and no Yin and Yang transformation. Tai Chi Chuan practice is based on the methods of the weak defeating the strong and the slow defeating the fast by employing the principles of overflowing, insufficient, following in a curved line, and following in a straight line. The previous statements, such as “When it is heavy on the left, it should be empty. When it is heavy on the right, it should be empty. Covering both substantial and insubstantial, looking up and drilling inward. Advancing seems long; retreating seems hurried.” And “No feather can be added, and no fly can land.”, are based on utilizing the Yin and Yang transformation principle to defeat the opponent. If one defeats the opponent, the result is not from Tai Chi Chuan skill.

Observe:
Many practitioners with many years of practical experience,
still not knowing how to maneuver,
still controlled by their opponent.
Why? Because they have not comprehended the fault
of double-weighting.

Commentary: Practical experience refers to the practice of Tai Chi Chuan. This statement refers to people who spend many years of practice but are still not able to defend themselves and are controlled by the opponent in a martial confrontation. The reason is that many of these practitioners do not realize they were defeated due to a double-weighted condition.

To avoid this fault one must know yin and yang.
Adhering is running, and running is adhering.
Yin is not separate from yang, and yang is not separate from yin.
When yin and yang interact, this is called d**g jin.
After one has this d**g jin skill, the more one practices,
the better the skill.
With more research and practice, developing even more skill:
the ability to move freely according to one’s mind-intent.

Commentary: This statement explains that to avoid this double-weighted condition is to have d**g jin. D**g jin is based on the Yin and Yang transformation principle. In other words, it is using the principles of the overflowing, insufficient, following in a curved line, following in a straight line, and sinking and following to avoid double weighting.

Adhering is running, and running is adhering. It means that when one applies adhering technique, it should have a running feature, and vice versa. If adhering has running feature, or vice versa, it has Yin and Yang and Yin and Yang transformation.

This is the skill of ignoring one’s ego to follow the opponent.
However, people mistake this and focus on the far
rather than the near;

Commentary: Ignoring one’s ego to follow one’s opponent’s movement means following the opponent’s movement. It is the application of the principles of overflowing, insufficient, following in a curved line, and following in a straight line. This statement explains that it is easy to neutralize the threat by ignoring one’s ego and following the opponent’s action. However, there are many people that do not follow this recommendation by applying force to meet the threat. The result is force against force, the condition of force against force. The threat is not able to be neutralized, and there is no solution. This is what this statement refers to when referring to near and far. This is explained in the previous statement that many practitioners spend many years practicing yet are still defeated and controlled by opponents. It comes from not understanding the mistake of being double-weighted.

This is called, “A mistake of one inch results in a miss
by a thousand miles.”
Students should pay attention to this.

Commentary: This is a warning statement. If one loses direction, one loses everything. In order to not waste time on training, one has to distinguish fact from fiction.