A Tai Chi master creates maximal impact with minimal effort. In fact, the Tao Te Ching states, [of the sage] that
"finally, by doing nothing, he accomplishes everything."
This sounds outrageous, but it actually makes sense. Our Level 4 "mastery" is to accomplish whatever we desire
with as little effort as possible. Preferably, we exert no "effort" at all!
This does not mean that we are excused from participating in our physical
reality. If we want to do a tai chi "uprooting," we need to be present,
have our energy grounded, connect with our partner, drop our weight/energy,
and energetically go "under" our partner for him or her to be uprooted.
Similarly, if we want to form a new business, we need to develop a business
plan, buy or lease a storefront, or develop an e-commerce site, cultivate
customers, perform a service or provide a product, track expenses, pay
our taxes, and all the other requisite aspects of doing business. So although
it is possible -- very possible -- to create reality through intention
alone, this discussion (and most of Level 4) deals with participating
physically in the creation. That means, we dance.
At the same time, we learn to dance without "pressing" energetically. Instead, we invite energy in, and
direct it according to our will. And we note that this can, when we desire, have some manifestation in
the world outside of our dance.
One of the best stories about this is told by Peter Ralston, one of the leading martial artists of
our day. When he was in his late teens, already an avid and accomplished martial artist, he was studying
judo. He was practicing diligently and vigilently, but he wasn't getting the breakthroughs. He seemed to have
to "force" his throws.
One day, in the judo dojo (school), he had a breakthrough. "It should
be easy!" he realized. From that point on, he sought what it was that
made it "easy" to throw someone, or "easy" to block their attempts to
throw him. He focused on grounding, on connecting, on using his opponent's
strength, and on "kizushi" or "off-balancing." He focused on learning
how to let his opponents how to "throw themselves." As a result, he gained
his black belt in record time.
Similarly, when we dance -- even when we do energy work -- "it should
be easy." If we're straining, trying, or pushing, then we have something
wrong. When we are "lined up," physically and energetically,
things flow of their own accord. And manifestations happen.
This does not relieve us of a responsibility towards physical practice. Peter is known for advising his
students to "practice until you puke." Inelegant, maybe. But to the point, yes. And on that note, dear ones,
I am going downstairs to practice.
