Martial Tai Chi™

Joanna's Religion and Philosophy

There is often an assumption that someone who practices Chinese martial arts should take a Chinese philosophical world view. There seems to also be an assumption that one should take on ideas about Traditional Chinese Medicine, divination, geomancy, animistic folk superstitions and goodness knows what else. There seems to be a specific liberal political perspective that comes with the White Western Tai Chi fan belief package that is generally anti-Maoist, so the love of all things Chinese is not absolute, even as it stands. Regardless, while I see many valuable things in Chinese culture, I do not consider it to necessarily qualify as the pinnacle of human thought on all fronts. Some people seem to take great exception to teachers of Chinese martial arts who are not also enthusiastic proponents and promoters of Chinese culture per se, but I cannot see why this should be the case.

I suppose as a Westerner it is a lot safer to simply promote an entire cultural package rather than trying to exercise discernment, only to appear critical of a foreign cluture. I know from experience that a Westerner who does criticise Eatern culture is not only in danger of accusations of ignorance, but also accusations of racism, cultural imperialism, eurocentricity etc. I have even been threatened physically for my criticisms.

Because the matter has caused a stir on public forums, I have decided to present here my religious / philosophical perspective simply so that people know what it is. Students are under no expectation whatsoever to believe in any of the things I believe. Such matters are very rarely discussed because they are almost never relevant to our martial training. Philosophical ideas tend only come up when a student raises the subject.

Personally I have explored many faiths and philosophies including Hinduism, Judaism, Kabbalah, Sikhism, Buddhism, Catholic and non-Catholic Christianity, Islam, Shamanism, Confucianism and Daoism. I think it was the Daoist view that the Way is simultaneously creator, creation and "way of creating" that started my understanding of G_d, though the picture grew fuller from there. I think Sikhism really helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of G_d. Confucian altruism helped me to understand the spirit of virtue and I think I learned about forgiveness through Christianity.

But I consider The Truth to be in Judaism and Kabbalah. This does not feel like a matter of faith to me, but a knowledge more certain than any other thing I know - the certainty I am most certain of.

A Few Beliefs

Everything we can change about ourselves - that is what we do. The purpose of our Kung Fu lies within this realm.

Everything we cannot change - that is what we are.

Everything has a soul and that is its purpose. We are here to be.

We each have free will and are responsible for everything we do. No other force is greater than the will.

To serve G_d here on earth - to fulfill His purpose for you for the greatest good of all - that is righteousness. The greatest good for all is also the greatest good for you as an individual. There should be no conflict - that would make no sense. We should strive to discern His purpose for us, harmonise our wills with His and always seek the greatest good.

An atheist protests that he does not believe in G_d, but G_d is not ours to believe or disbelieve in. I do not understand how the atheist can consider himself to be more real than the force that brought him into being. The atheist might then protest that he has no evidence that the force that brought him into being is conscious. But I then have to ask what the rationale would be behind thinking that the force that brought your consciousness into being is less conscious than you? Where is the credibility behind such an idea? Is a computer manufacturer less conscious than the computers he builds? G_d - the cause of the universe - is the ultimate reality. Whatever name we call Him by, He is the one constant we can be sure of.

A Personal Statement of My Faith

Know that HaShem made the world and everything in it including you and have faith that everything is perfect as it is.

Having made you in His image, you have the power to exercise your discernment and creative free will, to improve on things. You have the power to turn negatives into positives (and vice versa). Struggle is evidently part of perfection, pushing you constantly to conquer and improve.

Trust that He made you this way on purpose and have faith in your power to use the discernment He gave you.

Thoughts are things: destined to become realities, so be positive. Doubts, fears and limitations are not helpful.

Nothing stands in the way of will.

Baruch HaShem

Music

For the record (ba da bum), my favourite music in the world is made by the Sámi Joiking Band, Adjagas. Perhaps because I am genetically a mix of Sámi and Ashkenazi, it has a strong spiritual aspect for me - it feels like a big part of what I am on an essential level.