4 leung move 1000 catties

Last night was Mid Autumn Festival so only 4 of us showed up for TaiChi this morning. I was early and everyone else showed up late, because they were out late with the family, picnicing, enjoying the lanterns and the grandkids. Mr. Lai took me through the 108 steps once. I thought we were doing 24 step, but turns out I've been learning the more complex one. He hopes I'll be ready to practice on my own by the time I go to Bali for meetings. I hope so too.

After practicing taichi we stood and chatted. The sifu told me I need to keep my head up and look ahead not down. He said that the theory of taichi is "4 leung moves 1000 catties". 4 leung is around 8 ounces. 1000 catties is around 1000 lbs. He said he didn't need to overcome my strength and mass to defeat me, but rather "borrow" my strength, momentum and mass to beat me. Taichi works not by direct resistance, but by subterfuge, by using your strength against you.

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Centering

This morning during TaiChi I felt really "leuhnjeuhn", that's Chinese for "clumsy". My shorts were too long and I could feel them dragging on me when I tried to balance on one foot and kick. Mr. Lai, the 70+ year old man, who is helping me is constantly telling me to be careful of "my center". Instead of balance, he says "center". As you move from foot to foot, it is vital that your center of gravity shift. If you don't shift your center, you can't properly make the next move. Footwork, balance and centering are crucial basic skills. Our sifu, Mr. Lau (in his 60's) called me up the other day and had me lean into him and push against him. My 220 lbs couldn't budge his 150 lb frame. He put down roots and I couldn't move him.

Jesus followers in the 1st century cautioned "be careful how you walk". They were talking about life, not TaiChi, but I think they would agree "watch your step, keep centered, step carefully, maintain balance. But what does that mean for a follower of Christ? I can't speak for everyone, but I know I need to stay Jesus centered. When I move from one activity to another, I need to refocus on Jesus and what he wants to do in my life and through my life at that instance. If I run ahead without centering, I inevitably open my mouth, insert foot, say or do something stupid or hurtful. I don't want to become paranoid, just "centered". I want to be able to stand on one foot like a crane!