Wednesday

Black belt and beyond

Many people labour under the illusion that the black belt symbolises some sort of martial arts graduation.
This is most odd.
Passing your black belt simply means that you have a firm grounding in the basic precepts of the art.
It is not the pinnacle.
It is the end of the beginning.

In tai chi, most of your study and training takes place after you have passed 1st dan.

Everything you know so far must be dismantled and reconsidered.
Many new skills must be acquired.
Each movement you make has to imbued with countless neigong concerns.

The journey is now suddenly far steeper and vastly more interesting. Your skills will expend in directions you never imagined.
Refinement and subtlety will reveal unseen facets of the art.
You will possess wholly unanticipated new concerns.

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