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Taiji and Science
There is no Jin
Part Two
by Master Chun Man Sit
Gravity – the force of no force
“Every object in the universe attracts every other object
along a line of the centers of the objects, proportional to
each object’s mass, and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between the objects.‖ Issac
Newton 1643 – 1727
This law sounds pretty complicated. Don’t worry. As
taiji practitioners, we only need to know that everything
falls down towards the centre of the Earth at a constant
acceleration, about 32 feet per second per second.
moment we can get away from gravity. Gravity is what
stops us from performing levitation. A person jumps
from a tall building to kill himself is performing suicide
by gravity. Gravity doesn’t hurt him. He was killed by a
great impact against the ground when his body hits the
ground. Mass times acceleration.
Gravity and rooting
Rooting is the art of wu-wei (non-doing). By relaxing
your body you will be connected with Mother Earth. No
force is needed. We cannot use force to achieve rooting.
We use force to move. Rooting means to be still, not
moving.
Also, remember this principle: with, not against. This
Apples fall, rocks fall, students fall; even masters fall;
and all fall at the same speed - 32 feet per second per
second. Gravity works on all things and knows no
discrimination. The reason we don’t fall into the centre
of the Earth is because we stand on solid ground with
correct body structure. If a student leans his body
forward too much, he will fall down. If a master makes
the same mistake, he’ll also fall down.
Understand this and you will know the art of leading
your opponent to fall into emptiness. ( 落 空 )
Here’s the secret: For example, when your opponent
attacks with a double push to your shoulders, do not
fight back. Instead, use your hands to receive his attack
in a calm and soft manner. Relax your shoulders and
allow gravity to drop your elbows down. When your
elbows fall down, your opponent will fall with you. It’s
that simple; both you and your opponent are governed
by the same gravity. The main key is: with, but not
against. No jin is necessary.
In fact, you must not use jin (force) at all, because jin is
anti-gravity. All our lives we are fighting against the
gravitational pull of Mother Earth. There is not a
means not to push against your opponent when he
pushes you. Instead you should try to accept his push
and make a good contact with him. Again, remember:
with, but not against. The goal is to become one with
your opponent. When that happens, there will be no
push, only stillness. If you and your opponent push
against each other, this is called double-heaviness, or
force against force. This is a struggle and the stronger
force wins.
The rhythm of yin and yang
When your opponent pushes, he is in the yang mood. If
you push back, you are also in the yang mood. This is
no good, because it is double yang. Both of you will be
too busy. When your opponent pushes you, you should
use gravity to achieve rooting. When you feel the
28 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 1, Issue No. 7