Chen Bing Taiji Academy Canada
455 rue Church H9W 4W8 Beaconsfield, QC, Canada

Jin is not strength, but the improvement and refinement of strength. Jin is not posture, but action. Posture is the preparation and completion state of the acti...on, while the action is the process that joins one posture to another. Jin is not spirit, or expression, or aesthetic, although it can take on a spiritual expression and look very beautiful. Jin is not qi, but it needs qi. Jin is not a substance, but it depends upon a substance to accomplish it. Jin is neither intention nor willpower, but it requires the guidance and concentration of intention and willpower. See more

Sunday morning ramble. "Know thyself". But how? If I want a sound, well-rounded opinion that is beyond an emotional, psychological, self-serving bias: Whenev...er I'm into something, or interested in a certain subject matter, I do a few things. First, I look at several different sources/angles, and am discerning about the reliability/reputation of those I come across. It doesn't get the impulsive thumbs-up only because it jives with what I want. I'm prone like anybody else. So I gotta reel myself in, which is a bummer, I know! lol! If it's a study of any kind, I do my best to see who is conducting and funding that study. What might their agenda entail? Who are they "sleeping" with or perhaps trying to discredit? I will research the cons and critiques associated with whatever it is, or even seek out empirical evidence that disproves that very thing. Better yet, if possible, I will speak to an authority on the matter. Once I undergo this process, I can render an informed and confident decision. I don't focus merely on the aspects that appease, support and pacify my beliefs or view, ignore/dismiss all that doesn't, then go to town with that lopsided perspective. This only creates a very narrow, internal reality, not a universal one, if that even exists. Especially these days, where the Algorithm gods will only feed me what I want to see and hear, right? If I want to purchase something online for example, I don't just look at the glowing reviews. I make an informed purchase based on what is, not what I want things to be. That would be foolish shopping. In earnest, I attempt to look at other things in my life in the same manner, in hopes of finding the closest thing humanly possible to an unbiased truth. My peace, balance & dignity rely upon it. To ultimately not bullshit or kid myself, especially if I am at fault. I'm never satisfied with doing that on the long-term. Why do I feel this way? Why does this bother me? What keeps bringing up that thought? Am I looking at things with fresh eyes, or is my history and emotions creating or colouring my perception? As the old, now cliché Biblical adage promises: "...and the truth shall set you free." It's certainly more difficult to exercise valiant impartiality regarding matters of the heart, or any personal challenge, be it with our family, friends or colleagues. So much is invested into these relationships! We are enmeshed. However it is doable (that is, once the obscuring emotions subside), and it leads us to a much greater understanding and deep acceptance of many things. Here we find genuine healing, clarity and equilibrium, too. When computers first came about, they labelled it as the "Information Age". Such poetic and tragic irony, really, when we are neck-deep and drowning in the age of complete, utter misinformation! So it is really up to us as individuals to seek out clarity. Not simply a truth that self-soothes and fuels a strongly-held, emotionally-charged opinion. That is not using our wisdom or intellect and completely unreasonable. We stop absorbing relevant information that doesn't suit us at that point, and therefore are only working on the bits and pieces that coddle, not the whole picture. Many do not realize what is truly compelling them. Many more think they know, but when the chips are down, still do not. So this brings up all kinds of problems from personal relationships to world affairs. I firmly believe that finding that higher comprehension starts with brutal self-honesty and self-awareness, which I fear is grossly lacking in mainstream society, and a major reason for why we can't get our collective shit together. *If* you deeply understand what makes you tick, what triggers you, why you love this but have aversions to that, or why you vehemently deny certain, undeniable truths about yourself, then you start to see why you have certain leanings, and in some cases, realize they are based on your own, unworked issues or bolstered biases. Logic, intelligence and higher consciousness are not responsible for your perspectives, or even your actions in such a case. One is then assessing situations, making decisions (often important ones), through that heavily filtered lens. You are on auto-pilot - Reactionary (fight or flight mode), bias, and working from a low-level of consciousness. It is, as the famous Yogi Sadhguru points out, projecting your psychological drama/process that is running wild, and has nothing to do with actual reality. Old traumas, bad experiences, ancestral/family/geographical/political/social influence, nervous system(s) etc etc etc are all at play. These influences/patterns are deeply-rooted and hardwired. Until you REALLY observe and connect with this fundamental, defensive human habit, and understand how it plays a major role in your judgement and sense of reality, it will drive all aspects of your life, and you will continue to live in self-created fiction. Buddhists will often speak of this life as being nothing more than a dream. This touches on a variety of things, including quantum physics. A simple way of looking at it: We can all agree that a table, for example, is an amalgam of molecules, furiously bouncing about to create form. The table doesn't really exist as it is perceived. We only see a table, though. That is Relative reality, whereas the molecular structure is Absolute reality. What they also mean, put very coarsely, is that we all have our heads up our asses. Until we realize how our mind/ego works (or doesn't work), and how it completely distorts our perception of reality, even in the face of glaring facts, we will remain asleep, as they say. And the more we stay in our bubble of denial, the more we feel dissatisfied and unhappy with our life. Because something just doesn't feel right inside - there's always like a perpetual, underlying conflict. We are not even honouring our highest self with inner-honesty. It's a vicious circle, happening on very subtle levels of being in this instance. The Sanskrit word is Samsara. Your forever spinning, cyclical shit-storm. If you'd like to know how to get to the heart of the most important matter, YOURSELF, and in turn affect substantial and sustainable change within, not to mention for the good of your loved ones as well as society, I will be soon offering one on one meditation and mindfulness coaching to a select few. People have been asking me, and I gather these stressful times have prompted a need. So here I am! However beyond this, and what is lacking in most spiritual courses offered today is, I will provide students with some crucial, Buddhist tenets that will help tie the practice together. The science of mind. It's pure psychology, folks. No fluff, magical solutions or flaky stuff. As some of you know, besides teaching authentic Tai Chi, I am traditionally trained in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, mind-training and meditation. I went to the source and am willing to transmit the tradition to you in a practical manner. Please DM to reserve your spot and for further details. No dabblers, please! "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." Rumi Keep it real peeps! Have a beautiful day!!

It is always the simple that produces the marvelous. ~ Amelia Barr ~ Image by Brigitte Lorenz

The "Kua" is not a familiar word to the layperson, but people who practise Taijiquan are very familiar with the word. This is because the kua plays a key and... decisive role in the practice of Taijiquan: 1. It is the bearing that connects the upper and lower planes of the body. The coordinating actions of the kua enable the upper plane to rotate left or right that in turn put into motion the actions of the four limbs. 2. It allows the transmission of strength. The body’s natural load can be transferred to the bottom of the feet by loosening the kua, making the upper body light and the lower body stable. The rebounding force of the legs and feet on the ground can be transmitted to the waist through the rotation of the kua. 3. It uses folding and tucking motions to adjust the height of the body. In Taijiquan the height of the body and the usual half squat/sitting position are achieved by the folding and piling of the kua. 4. It is a generator of the body’s power source. Pushing off the ground starts with either "loosening and sinking" or "rotating and sinking", using the ground's rebound force, which is then transmitted sequentially to the hands. In the Taijiquan context, "kua" is not muscle, tendons or joints and bones. The whole area that connects the thigh bones and pelvis is collectively called "kua". In discussions of Taijiquan, there is sometimes confusion and misunderstanding about the Chinese word kua, which is not adequately represented by the English translation to the "hip". It is helpful for practitioners of Taijiquan to understand what kua encompasses.