Most martial arts cultivate aggression.
It is a natural, human, easy response to violence/confrontation.

Tai chi does not use aggression.
It calls upon the student to be emotionally calm and composed.
This is not so easy, but is far healthier: physically, psychologically and emotionally. 

Tai chi does not deal with abstract concepts.
In self defence, failure to evade an attack means that you will be compromised, hurt or injured.
There is no room for abstraction.
We must deal with the really real. 

A punch is not theoretical. It is tangible. So is the pain when you fail to deal with it successfully.

Businesses seek to make money. They accomplish this in many ways.
One method is 'abstraction'.

Instead of handling money with your hands, you are encouraged to use 'electronic' methods of payment:

1. Credit card
2. Debit card
3. Store card
4. Standing order
5. Direct debit
6. Mobile phone contract

These all serve to distance you from the transaction itself.

Zen is concerned with what actually exists. What is right in front of you. 
In this sense, it is not in any way philosophical.

Reality can be experienced directly.
It is tangible.
The danger with thinking too much is that it serves to distance you from what is real.

Freedom means the ability to move easily and readily; without preparation or preamble.
In any direction.

You cannot have a fixed plan in mind.
You must adapt, change and improvise.
Flow smoothly with the changes, move with what is happening, avoid conflict and resistance.

A person who lacks spontaneity is often like a robot; a conditioned machine.
They are dull and zombie-like.
They say the right thing at the right time.

But they are mannequins; smiling pretty and appropriately, but the eyes are not alive.

Spontaneity is a major theme in the internal arts.

Strangely, so few people are capable of this, or really understand its meaning and value.

The vulgarity of 'show' is lost on modern people.
We are encouraged to parade our talents.

Read the Book of Tea or In Praise of Shadows.
The modern trend of showing-all is depicted as being shabby and vulgar.

Then read further back in history; to Chuang Tzu and Lao Tzu.
Showing-off is seen as highly foolish; reflecting a desperate need for approval, for recognition.

Look very closely into the eyes of people around you.
The muscles around the eyes and within the eyes are so revealing.

A healthy eye echoes the inner condition of the person: alert, free and child-like with curiosity and unchecked emotion.

An unhealthy eye is blank and fixed.
The spirit is walled-in behind a protective visage of fear and paranoia.
Frequently, the individual is so tense that their entire face becomes a mask; incapable of genuine, spontaneous expression.

Shen can be seen in the eyes: life, vigour, alertness.

Equally, the lack of spirit is frequently evident: dullness, fear, defensiveness, laziness.

Laziness is the affliction of modern society.

The Western world is enslaved by its comforts and conveniences.

There are 5 levels of Tai Chi Instructor in the UK these days:

1. Health-only Tai Chi Teacher
   - 5 years experience
   - these are the majority
   
2. Tai Chi Chuan Instructor
   - equivalent of 3rd dan black belt in any martial art
   - 5 years experience
   - these people are less common
   
3. Tai Chi Expert
   - 15 years experience
   - 10,000 hours tai chi chuan practice
   - 10 years teaching experience
   - fewer to be found
   
4. Tai Chi Master
   - 25 years experience
   - 30,000 hours tai chi chuan practice
   - 20 years teaching experience
   - pretty rare
   
5. Tai Chi Grandmaster
   - extremely rare

Peter Southwood has graded Sifu Waller as being a Tai Chi Expert based upon his practice quality and experience.

Has society become less dangerous?
Has the need for personal safety lessened?

The skills of the internal martial arts can be used in modern life.
They have not faded or dated.
Non-conflictive solutions.
Flowing rather than fighting.
Making space.
Allowing.
Moderation.

We are faced with stresses, conflicts and threats in everyday life.
You need to be sharp and alert.
Kung fu teaches this.

In seeking to harness the health-giving aspects of tai chi and to share them with the masses, the Chinese government broke the back of the art.
If only they had called their new art something else entirely...

To name the 24 step 'tai chi' is a sad joke.
To equate modern competition forms with the art of Yang-the-invincible is outrageous and sadly absurd.

Why did the Chinese destroy tai chi?
This is a great mystery.

Was it deliberate?
Do they even realise what they have done?

Tai chi was once vaunted as being the greatest system of kung fu in China.
Yet 150 years later and the art lies in ruins.