THE BOOK OF CHANGE is the bible of Chinese civilization. It serves as the foundation for all other practices. Yi Ching, means the Book of Change or simplicity. It reduces the complexity of the universe into abstract lines of Yin and Yang. It boiled the world's phenomenon into 64 archetypes of hexagrams. No wonder even dear old Confucious loved the book so much that he begged heaven to grant him a few more months so that he can come to thorough understanding of the Book.
The
BOOK OF CHANGES OR YI Ching uses hexagrams
to describe the relational interaction between Yin and Yang. When Yin and
Yang are balanced, one reaches the state called Taiji, the Supreme Ultimate.
Logically then, Taiji Quan is an manifestation of such supreme state of
harmony between the Yin and Yang, the feminine and the masculine.
The thirty seven postures parallel the different phases, or 'Changes',
in Yin Yang balance depicted in the I CHING hexagrams.
For
example, the Hexagram of Nourishment,
The Corner of the Mouth, is an abstraction of the physical Taiji posture
of White Crane Spreads its wings. Looking at the pattern of the lines,
one discovers that the Yin lines are in the middle, while the two
Yang lines are on guard on the outside of the hexagram. This pattern
corresponds to the outstretched arms--the Yang strong lines, protecting
the soft torso of the Taiji player-- in the movement of a crane spreading
its wings. This may seems far fetch to some, but for a Taoist master
who lives and breath the Book of Changes; the abstract pattern of the hexagrams
takes on a vivid power and strength.
Deducing from the hexagram, we can further sense that the emptiness of the Yin lines within the Yang is a trap, like a mouth, linking the Crane posture to the practitioner's open chest. The outstretched arms will suddenly come together, closing in on the opponent just like a mouth closing on a morsel of nourishment. This is one of the martial application of Crane spreads its wings.
Furthermore, Taiji Quan is often called the Taiji of 13 postures. Many people, therefore, literally believe there are only 13 postures. Whereas, in reality, 13 is simply the sum of the 8 trigrams--the primal nuclear pattern of Yi Ching, and the 5 phases--the basic five natural elements of wood, fire, water, earth and metal.
Finally,
all Taoist practice has the goal of reaching the greatest possible harmony
of the Yin and Yang forces within the body and mind. The 63rd hexagram
of Completion becomes the state of accomplishment, balancing the fire of
Li and the water of Kan.
The
Abyss of Water is upheld by the Clarity of Fire. To master the practice
of Taiji it is, therefore, crucial that one be steeped in the philosophy
and meaning of the I Ching, the Book of Changes. It becomes the theoretical
ground upon which all Taoist practice must solidly rest. For at the heart
of Taoist practice is alchemy, turning the malleable lead of the physical
into the immortal gold of the metaphysical.
As
one begins the practice of Taiji, the 13 postures are the primal dances
of the 8 trigrams interacting with the 5 elemental forces of earth, water,
fire, wood, and metal. With the I Ching grammar, the inner meaning
of Taiji can finally be reached and true cultivation of alchemy becomes
possible.
For
further reading on Book of Changes and Taiji Quan, please read the next
article on Dragon
Taiji and Yi Ching.
please email for any comments t: Dan Tao School
updated 10/26/2000
Special
thanks to Donald White and Sue Terry for their corrections and contributions.