This pocket book deals with the philosophical aspect of the Chinese martial art of Tai Chi Chuan (Grand Ridge-post Fist). The editor's note at the end of the Preface informs us that this book is an abridged version of Waysun Liao's 1990 book entitled Tai Chi Classic. The book is separated into five chapters, they are entitled as follows:
1) Historical and Philosophical Background.
2) Ch'i: The Internal Energy.
3) Tai Chi Classics I: Treatise by Master Chang San-feng.
4) Tai Chi Classics II: Treatise by Master Wang Chang-you.
5) Tai Chi Classics III: Treatise by Master Wu Yu-hsing.
Master Waysun Liao is a Tai Chi Chuan traditionalist who follows the the valued old teachings of ancient China. The Confucian tradition has always advocated the training of the mind through philosophical study, which has integrated with the Daoist notion of physical practice. Confucius (551-479) advocated the practice of archery for the cultivation of the 'self'. The philosophical concept that is 'Tai Chi' is found in the Ten Wings commentary section of the ancient Book of Changes (Yijing), a book that became a valued Confucian treasure and masterpiece of philosophical literature. The Tai Chi Classics that master Liao translates into English in this volume, should be read before and after the physical practice of Tai Chi Chuan, and over-time their deep meaning should be understood and imbued. Eventually, through the awareness of the breath, Chi energy is cultivated and the physical movement and refined thought 'merge'. This means that the practice of Tai Chi Chuan, and the philosophy of the Tai Chi Classics become associated and symbiotic. At the level of mastery, movement and thought becomes 'one'. In a cynical world that sees tradition and spirituality denigrated, deconstructed and declared illogical and of no use, master Waysun Liao's work is a breath of fresh air, and a ray of light. A superb book of outstanding wisdom.