"Throw open every bone and muscle of the body" | The Philosophy of Tai-Chi Chuan

Ponder this excerpt from the book "The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way of Rejuvenation" by  Jou, Tsung Hwa, 1981

"Before starting to practice Tai-Chi Chuan, stand erect [facing north]. Keep the head, neck and torso in one line, perpendicular to the earth, but relax as completely as possible. Avoid any nervous or muscular tension, any conscious facial expression. Empty your mind of thought. The result will be a look of serenity, representing the state of Wu-Chi.
   
The starting stage of Tai-Chi Chuan can be compared to a seed being planted in the ground in the spring. Something inside this seed is changing to a sprout. In much the same way the concept of practicing Tai-Chi Chuan is formed in the very first moment of change; everything is mobilized in a physical as well as in a mental sense. This transition from outer stillness to readiness for movement is called going from Wu-Chi to Tai-Chi.

Once the stage of Tai-Chi begins, one has a strong intention to practice Tai-Chi Chuan. The weight of the body rests squarely on the feet; in other words, one must be rooted to the ground. The Chinese say, "The root of the body is in the feet", this rootedness evokes the image of the earth. One's head and spine should be straight. In order for the spirit of vitality, or Shen, to ascend to the top of the head, it must be held as is suspended by a string from the ceiling of the room. The image of the sky is evoked by the says, "The spirit of vitality, or Shen, reached to the top of the head". By relaxing totally, one aims to throw open every bone and muscle of the body. In this way one allows the intrinsic energy, or Chi, to sink to the Tan-Tien, a point three fingers width below the navel and two fingers' width inside the abdomen. This principle, represented by the image of the humanity, is described as "the Chi sinks to the Tan-Tien."

When one practices Tai-Chi Chuan for years, gradually one will feel that every movement of Tai-Chi Chuan is the movement of the universe. One's body may be perceived as moving like the branch of a tree, blown every which way bu the wind. One's breathing will be part of the movement of the universe as well. The awareness of the environment being engaged in a gigantic cosmic dance will suddenly dawn on you. You and the universe will become identical, like the Tai-Chi diagram. You are then the Tai-Chi and the Tai-Chi will be you, or you will be the universe and the universe will be you."