不平衡中求平衡 In Search of Balance while in State of Imbalance

一些人在太極拳理中以夫妻比喻陰陽，在狹義上並無不妥，但在廣義上是不合適的比喻。夫妻關系，是由大自然化生規律而演變成禮教上的關系，是人為的安排，可聚可散。而陰陽二氣在太極中的既對立又統一的性質是不會改變的，否則萬物皆不能化生，世界亦不存在。我們談太極必須弄清太極本性。如談太極之變化及應用又是另外一個層次。

Some attempt to equate the Taiji yin-and-yang relationship to that of husband and wife. Narrowly speaking, it is beyond criticism. However, broadly speaking, it is not totally appropriate. A husband-and-wife relationship is formed as a result of the social ethical code, which is different from the product of evolution based on the universal law of change. The former is merely an artificial arrangement which could be maintained or undone at any time.However, the yin-and-yang in the Taiji sense is that of a dialectical relationship which never changes in nature.Otherwise, nothing can ever evolve from that phenomenon, nor would the world eventually come into existence.While discussing Taiji, we must always bear in mind its inherent properties. We have to be clear about them when
studying Taiji concepts. One would be addressing the topic from a different level if the discussion are on Taiji evolvements and application of its concepts.

太極是不停活動的，無時無刻都在變化，在世間上最明顯的例証便是水在流，氣在飄。在這種活動過程中，空氣中及水裡的份子不停改變其位置，與比鄰的份子們作同向或反向的動，形成一個極不穩定的境界。因此，身體練到有水的特性便有我獨知人，人不知我這高超的本領，這是太極拳的本質。在體用上，學會了在不平衝中求平衡，正是太極拳應用及變化的核心。在這個過程中無論陰陽二氣如何變動，二氣總不能分離。再舉一個例子：我們用秤秤一
件東西，秤砣重量往往比該物件輕，這是不平衡。要秤出正確重量就是將秤砣在衡桿上移動到平衡點上找到平衡。不要小看這簡單的道理，這是四兩拔千斤技巧，是太極拳的體用精要。能將身體練成可秤不同角度的精準秤計，便可立於不敗之地。

Taiji is forever in motion and evolving, the most convincing proofs on Earth being flowing water and moving qi. During the course of such movement, the molecules in the water and air keep changing position. They move either alongside or away from the neighbouring molecules, thereby, creating a highly unstable state. Similarly, if one can turn one’s body into a water-like state, he is said to have attained the state of “knowing’ his opponent while simultaneously keeping him “in the dark”. This state manifests the properties which are inherent in Taiji. In practice, when one grasps the technique of staying in balance while in a state of imbalance, one has addressed the essence of Taiji concepts in terms of their application and understanding of Taiji evolvements. In this process, whatever changes manifested by the yin-and-yang do not result in any split of what really is holistic qi. To cite another example – when we do a weighing exercise, the weight usually weighs less than the object being weighed creating a state of imbalance. To arrive at the accurate weight, one has to move the weight across the equalizing bar in search for the point of perfect balance in order to restore balance. We should not overlook such a simple exercise. It really highlights the technique of si liang bo qian jin (using 4 taels of weight to affect 1000 catties), which is the essence of the practical application of Taiji techniques. When one’s body is so trained to acquire the ability of accurately weighing any object at all angles, he will become invincible.

Written by Patrick SW Chan
Translated by Vicky Wong