I emphasize quite often that Tai Chi is a “Wen Ren Quan” (Scholar’s Martial Art); therefore, having the correct understanding of its concepts is very important, particularly in a time which is even harder for people to tell what is right and wrong.
Some people say that if you practice external martial art slowly, then it will become Tai Chi Chuan; some other people even say that if you want to learn good Tai Chi Chuan, you have to learn external martial art well first, based on the fact that a lot of Tai Chi masters were first great external martial art practitioners. No wonder that people always like to add a Tai Chi diagram behind some martial art signs which have a knife, sword, rod, or stick; or after they are done with an active & rhythmic Shaolin chuan, people always like to finish with a Tai Chi chuan practice to make their body and mind relaxed and comfortable, and further make themselves feel that they are at an even higher level which combines both internal & external practices. This is really ridiculous. Actually, it just makes others doubt these guys’ martial art practice.
So now let us see the difference between internal martial art & external martial art. From the names, obviously, we can know that “internal” means domestic, which means it is developed from local Chinese Taoist Philosophy; “external” means foreign, which means it was imported into the orient by Bodhidharma. They are different in appearance. There is a saying, “internal practice is a breath of Qi; external practice is tendon (muscle), skin, and bone.” External martial art tends to appear strong; internal martial art, in contrast, tends to be relaxed and soft. The spirit (mind or qi) of the external martial artist is directed outward, which makes their eyes vigorous and bodies imposing; internal martial art emphasizes “Nei Lian (drawing inward),” which appears not too much different from normal people. External martial art practices the Ren meridian, so they have to bind the waist, contract the abdomen, and raise the anus; internal martial art practices both the Ren and Du meridians, so we want to loosen the groin, shrink the chest, and expand the back. External martial art talks about breathing (inhaling and exhaling air, or post-Heaven Qi); internal martial art talks about guiding (the Qi which is already inside our body or pre-Heaven Qi).
Next, let us discuss how their practices are different. External martial art focuses more on strength, speed, and technique; however, there is no technique in internal martial art. Rather, it talks about taking advantage by following. The practice methods are fundamentally different, so the usages are even more different. The use of Tai Chi Chuan is based on Lao-tzu’s sayings, “Reversal is the movement of the Tao; Weakness is the function of the Tao ” and “Use normalcy to govern the state; use surprise tactics to lead troops.” Summing up the above points, there is a considerable degree of difference between internal martial art and external martial art. Do the different routes come to the same end? Do the ten thousand flows end up at the same origin? I do not know; in the process of practice, however, I know it is impossible to practice internal and external together.
Today, we are already walking on the Tai Chi path. We really have to reinforce the correct concepts. Please do not be fooled by the martial art novels or movies on the street, or be bluffed by some “Great” masters.
Over the years, our Tai Chi school’s (Ru Yu Tai Chi) philosophy, thoughts, and training have done quite a lot of adjustments. We already have so many witnesses of Tai Chi’s health benefits and Tai Chi’s practical usages. I hope we can uphold the persistence of the literati, make untiring efforts for the witness of this pure Taoist Tai Chi Chuan - Cheng style Tai Chi. Of course, in terms of health, we are confident enough about it; however, in martial art? How to meet fast with slow? How to utilize a martial art which requests that we abandon the instinct and use the way of simple relaxation to face external martial art practitioners who have strength, power, and kaleidoscopic changes in technique? We really must try even harder and harder.
Finally, I want to cite a saying from great master Cheng Man Ching with my great respect. He said it on a welcome home feast from staying in the United States for many years.
“If Chinese martial art still wants to occupy a seat in the worldwide martial arts community, besides Tai Chi Chuan, what else?”
Ladies and gentlemen, we still have a long way to go and bear a heavy duty. Please let us encourage each other to forge ahead!
Author: C.K. Chen (original published in the Ru-Yu News-letter NO.2 1991.02.05)
Translated by Kuan Chung Chen (Median) & Jacob Newell