Table of Contents;
Health Benefits
The Characteristics of Taichichuan in Martial Arts
The Tao of Zen by Ray Grigg (Tuttle 1994)
This book tracks the "Zen" component of Zen Buddhism to Taoism. In so doing it elucidates the origin of at least a few of the issues that come up in historical readings and provides a context for some of the Taoist philosophies. There is also a philosophical context for internal martial arts, as seen in this quote:
'Fundamental to both Taoism and Zen is the tactic of avoiding the avoiding, a double negative that yields positive results. The eventual directness of this indirection is finally achieved by softening the defenses that obstruct what "is really known already." It takes inner strength to reach the "real answer" by no longer avoiding the unavoidable. This is not prescience. It is the recognition that the continuous unfolding of circumstances is expected, familiar, and appropriate. Finding this "known already" first requires emptying, the deep softening that feels initially like being totally lost and confused. Slowly, the implicit order is sensed then discerned as a peaceful balance moving softly and harmoniously in a vast mystery.'
Table of Contents, Introduction , Balance
There are a number of books that we can recommend on Nei Jia kung fu, Hsing I Ch'uan, Pa Kua Chang and associated topics including an English version Sun Lutang's book on Xing Yi Quan. Many of the books we most want to see have been the subject of translations by Joseph Crandall and Andrea Falk.
The Joseph Crandall translations of the Jiang Rong Qiao books on Xing I ('Motherfist'), the Linking Form and Baguazhang are classics. They are important books and english translations are available here. Andrea Falk's translation of Li Tanji's The Skill of Xingyiquan is terrific.
Three powers, Obvious Power, Hidden Power, Transformed Power
This book belongs in the library of anyone that in interested in Hsing I, Chinese internal arts or perhaps even any other sort of martial arts. Li Tianji's Skill of Xingyiquan is rapidly becoming required reading in our group for the discussion of internal martial arts alone. Other general reading includes several books on Yiquan or Dachengquan.
