"...Focusing on qi - to become perfectly gentle, to be able to be like a newborn child!... To see clearly in all directions; to be able not to take action (wuwei)...

 

This is called "secret proficiency" Xuán dé "

​

This is what Laozi writes in the tenth part of the Daoist treatise Daodejing.And the neo-Daoist philosopher Wang Bi, comments, among other things:

“Whoever applies [flow-regulating exercises] qi achieves the harmony of perfect tenderness...”

One of the three Daoist philosophy, along with Confucianism and Buddhism, the pillars of Chinese culture, is said to have not many texts, but has a whole bunch of applications. Because the Daoist concepts of strategy of action concern most Chinese activities, with art, including martial art, of course, at the forefront. "Secret proficiency" is one of those concepts in which, as in a mirror, the whole way of effective action in changing circumstances is reflected. To understand it, we need to know about the two most important assumptions of Daoism.

First of all, the world, understood as a whole of what exists, is in constant motion, in permanent transformation. Nothing is unchanging, stable, everything flows and transforms, according to the flow of qì(气)between the two poles - yīn and yáng (阴阳) Secondly, in order to function effectively in a world of constant change one must adopt an appropriate cognitive attitude - the Chinese call it "non-mind" (wúxīn - 无心). In short, it consists in not accepting any assumptions and perceiving the world in its raw, fluid form - that's why this attitude is compared to the mind of a newborn child, a being that has not yet managed to adopt cultural norms and ways of observing and judging reality, acts naturally and spontaneously.

The question arises: why do we need wúxīn? Exactly to act effectively in the reality in which we have to function. Chinese Daoist sages believed that such an attitude would allow us to see the very principle according to which reality functions, to see the flow of qì and also allow us to harmonize with the movement of the flow of qì, with the movement of the transformation of the world. Because, according to the Chinese, it is better to use the movement of the river to flow it, than to try, for example, with the help of oars, to go against the current.

"Secret proficiency" is just such an ability to function in the world, the ability to achieve harmony with the current of reality changes. When we function in harmony with the movement of the world, our actions have the power of Nature - we are stable as a mountain, fast as the wind, and our blows have the power of a typhoon, or a rock avalanche. And why do we call such proficiency secret? Because this way of acting refers directly to Dào (道) himself - the inexpressible and inexplicable source of all reality. Dào cannot be understood by discursive intellect, one cannot be understood, Dào can only be experienced by entering the path of practice, and the effect of this experience is not even perceptible in words - that's why we are talking about mystery. Acting with "secret proficiency" for outsiders seems almost impossible to achieve.

But one important thing: “secret proficiency” is not a kind of miracle that comes, affects our outside, as in the concept of inspiration, it is also not an innate ability, as it works in the Western idea of talent. It is the result of persistent, constant exercise, practice in achieving the appropriate cognitive state and in regulating the flow of qì. Chinese martial art Tàijíquán (太极拳) is one of the practices that can be undertaken to achieve “secret proficiency” and enter the path of achieving harmony with the world. And then there will be no situation in which we will not find ourselves and there will be no events that will throw us off balance.

We cordially invite you to practice the style of Chén Tàijíquán(陈氏太极拳) -the way to achieve harmony with yourself and with the world.

​

Rafał Mazur