We take the training home with us, the lucky persons having someone of like mind to practise with. Difficult, of course, to take a weekend's experience and attempt to change a lifetime's habitual approach, but we all know the reputation tai chi has, for benefits as well as for length of time it takes to "get it right." (Hah!) It is difficult for martial artists, perhaps used to accomplishing an end with exerting more power or force, to abandon these approaches which may have served them well for years. This is a matter of balance; of the self, of the other, of the situation, and does not yield to force. Strength is in plenty when we are young, but gets in the way of learning this method, and ultimately is a declining quantity as we age. It is better to take the Classics' admonitions as real and relevant, use the four ounces to find and move with.
Herman paraphrased: "I am moving even further away from 'winning/losing' in the training... look at it as an exchange, pay attention to 'the way there.' It's noticing where the pressure changes, from moment to moment.... being at the moment it looses itself. If you get caught up in the ending, if you contend and strive to overcome the other... you will never get this. It's really in the process."
(I might add at this point that it would be a grave error to assume that the foregoing implies Herman is a happy go-along with it pushover. I can't stay standing in front of him, nor have I seen anyone else. He is a loving generous teacher, with a very clear vision of who and where you are at the moment.)
I am reminded of my early days in martial arts. I was studying Aikido, and Uyeshiba-Sensei was still alive. I remember reading, with incredulity, a martial arts magazine article on O-Sensei, disparaging his move from the martial prowess to the esoteric spiritual. Really, I think, that's where we're going with this. Herman said recently, "I'm tired of trying to convince. If people want to fight, they should go where there's fighting. You have to let that other stuff go. As you relax, as you empty your mind, it opens you up to what's out there."
Perseverence Furthers
"A Humorous Read"
I came across this on website KeepersoftheCage.com, a post from an anonymous guest. I laughed when I read it, I could see it so clearly; that's still my reaction after training with the man over thirty years....Posts reproduced as written.
Guest
Posted: May 3 2006, 03:10 PM
"... the point of the insubstancial becoming substancial. see you in the cage when were 85 years old...."
I thought the same thing...that can't be real!
One master I met was Herman Kauz.
Later became disciple of Grandmaster Cheng Man Ching in New York.Cheng Man Ching was the first chinese to bring tai Chi to America, simplifing the long form to a managably short form to adapt to the westerners fast paced lifestyle. So that any one could enjoy the benefits of training.
Judo, Jujitsu, karate expert and champion and a westerner,...I instantly stereotyped his Tai Chi......man, old white guys tai chi for senior citizens, Saturday morning Tai Chi Club. I was ready to leave with dissapointment when I saw him, he's a master?
Just then he singled me out being the new face at the gathering saturday morning in the parking lot behind the Kung fu school in Escondido, CA Master Kauz bounces around San Diego county teaching at informal meeting places requesting a small fee for that session......Back to our first meeting in the parking lot, he spotted me flicking his finger, motioning me to come over. As we moved twords each other, I noticed he had a real bad limp, he suffered a stroke earlier in his life which dissabled half his body...I'm now thinking what the heck, dude..., this is pathetic! Then he puts his arms up as a challenge, let's see what you got. I thought I would be all praises from the Master of how good my tai chi was.( I'd been training diligiently for years under Ferng Rong Hui, My friend and Teacher. Was involved in learning free style wrestling at Palomar college from the advice of my tai chi teacher)Begining of my MMA before the UFC. THIS IS IT, EVERY TIME I MADE CONTACT WITH HERMAN KAUZ I WAS TOSSED TO AND FRO, LIKE A CAT PLAYING WITH A MOUSE. I WAS HUMILIATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111, ALL MY TRAINING CONCLUDED. THAT I WAS WALKING AROUND IN A DISSALUSIONED STATE. AND MY TRAING WAS JUST ABOUT BEGIN ALL OVER AGAIN!