Tai Chi Chuan - Goalposts and خبر
There are (at least) two kinds of growth experiences in tai chi.
One is the خبر, another is the goalpost.
OK, خبر is basically “khabar” (Arabic) and it means a piece of news. It is specific, like a news item.
I’ll call it khabar from now on!
In any given class, you are given a khabar. Some detail that needs to be corrected. Usually you need to be fairly comfortable at this point so that you have mind left to absorb it. Often this is very rewarding. You’ve gotten something new, it helps, you are better for it. Usually it doesn’t take all of you in order to get it. Often it may be a detail that has to be given to you because otherwise your habit or lack of understanding prevents you from seeing it. In this way, it can be an eye opener.
You want as many of these as you can possibly get. To get more, listen to the corrections that other students get. You may or may not need that correction, but you can again zero in on the detail and take note. You can also check in on the teacher as you do the form with he/she. I myself often looked at Maggie, even after many years. I note few of my students take a look at me. Sob. They use class time forms to just do the form.
But they are missing an opportunity to grab a khabar.
How many khabars do you need to improve your form? To say this is a slow method is stating the obvious unless you take private classes. And even then, overload may stop you from actually getting what is being given. Comfort and even a kind of confidence is needed with the khabar.
The goalpost is much more difficult and gives you much much more growth. However, often it involves lots of time, repetition, and some sort of pain/strain. It may be physical pain, as in holding postures for a long time, or mental strain as in paying attention to something over and over and over and over again, much like following the breath in meditation. Either way, you are expanding your capacity and the effect is far deeper than the khabar. You are going past a limit, a boundary. This is rarely fun. And it is often priceless.
Actually, one way to make it more fun is to do this with a group. I have not a clue as to why that is so, but this has been my experience. Perhaps it's simply we are all in this together, suffering for the greater good, for the benefit of each other and ourselves. The oneness here can be powerful.
Both styles of growth are necessary. Many students love the khabar, but resist the goalpost.
A few love the goalpost. A few. Masochists.
A word to the wise!
Actually, one way to make it more fun is to do this with a group. I have not a clue as to why that is so, but this has been my experience. Perhaps it's simply we are all in this together, suffering for the greater good, for the benefit of each other and ourselves. The oneness here can be powerful.
Both styles of growth are necessary. Many students love the khabar, but resist the goalpost.
A few love the goalpost. A few. Masochists.
A word to the wise!
