Tai Chi For Personal Tranformation

THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF THEM ALL

I consider the simple Tai Chi form called Tai Chi for Personal Transformation (TCPT) a variation of Mu-i as the best way to effect change in your life. The changes come as a surprise but they do start to appear in your life seemingly out of nowhere. TCPT is so simple that anyone can learn it in a few minutes. It takes just one minute to do.  It is only 14 movements and spoken statements. Yet it addresses how you navigate through life in confidence and wellbeing in this day and age. It also is spiritually invigorating in that it opens the door to seeing and better understanding your own life, and other people’s lives in the context of a magnificent, loving and ever changing and yet compassionate life force.   Here are the cliff notes on it. 

1. Beginning.  This is the standard Tai Chi first movement. Stand at the ready, with feet planted, knees slightly bent, arms at side, alert and ready.
2. Deep Breath. The hands come up chest high slide to the side and down as you sink down. This is the second movement in almost all forms of Tai Chi. It is a defensive response to an attack at the chest or throat.
3. Step Out.This is a standard type of “Brush Knee Twist Left” movement. Right hand in the Buddhist mudra of no fear.  The left hand sweeps across the lower body as a protective gesture
4. Gather. Step forward, with both arms sweeping up as if carrying a bundle of firewood or wheat. You say, “Gather up wisdom, health, relationships and prosperity.” Bring the hands to the center of your body. In Tai Chi this is the, “Dantian”, palms facing, a few inches below the belly button.
5.  Share. Turn to your right and push your hands out like you are pushing a car. Smile as you say the word, “Share”.
6. Two Eggs.Turning slightly to the left, extend your arms, curl your thumb into your palm for a hammer fist and realize that you get twice, or even 8X as much as you share. 
7. Reset. Bring the hands back behind you at kidney level and stand tall. Everyone needs to reset their life in some way at different times.  It is OK to reset your life patterns, diet, employment etc.
8. Use Intellect and Creativity. Step forward saying, “Use left brain intelligence and right brain creativity.“ The arms are extended head high as in, “Double wind blows to the ear.”
9. Speak Your Truth. Turn to the left and with left arm horizontal across the chest, the right hand shoots up as in a throat stab. 
10. You Are Blessed and Forgiven. Or Rain on Beijing. The hands come from a point, noise high and sweep down as if sliding down both sides of an imaginary roof. You did your best. It is OK.
11. Accomplish Your Goal.  Or Dragon’s Tail.  This is tricky. It is a forceful, martial arts style, right hand punching motion, but make sure you turn your left foot in so you do not hurt yourself. 
12. Break Free.  Or Withdraw. You step back with the right arm sweeping up to the right and left, down and back.  It is a form of, “White Crain Spreads it’s Wings.”
13. Regard What You Have Done.It is a form of, “Cross Arms”.  The arms are crossed in front of the chest. Move the head to recall the arc of your previous movements.
14. Be At Peace.  Drop the arms, bring the legs closer together, feel the balance. Consciously drop your shoulders and relax.

These simple movements, and very importantly, spoken words, take about a minute to go through. You can do them fast or extremely slowly, but a sense of humor never hurts. Tai Chi masters tend to have a rather serious expression on their faces when they do their forms, but TCFSC is different, so I suggest you have a sort of smile on your face and in your eyes.  This is not about winning in a fight.  It is about getting your material, social and spiritual life in order.

As an elderly man that has been on a spiritual journey all his life, and tried just about everything, I sincerely believe this is the best of the best. I will not put down yoga, traditional tai Chi, Vipassana meditation, SGI chanting, Christian devotion, Sufi dancing, Islamic prayer, or breathing practices. I have tried these and many more, and make no claim to have tried everything, but I believe this is the best way to get your head and heart straight in navigating life and the deeply spiritual nature of our life’s journey. See the accompanying video to illustrate the sequence.  Do this once or twice a week.  You will be amazed.

Please credit Sigmund Chow of Hawaii to design this type of form to assist in meditation. Then  

Roshi Nor Wong who brought the form to the mainland as a somatic process of movements for teaching personal responsibility and social change. Alonzo Young has taught the form throughout the Bay Area.  The above description is a modification prepared by Robert (Bud) Abbott Ph.D.