Tai Chi starts with gratitude
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Tai Chi and Chinese martial arts in general is now quite known. However, what we see in the external look, but the inner art is less well known or conveniently swept under the rug. If we carry on like this, then martial arts will lose the substance that make it a valuable part of Chinese culture.
Whenever we commence Tai Chi, we should take a second to be mindful of the founders of the art. These would be Daoist Zhang San Feng, the founders of your school and your teachers. Without them, we don't have the art that we enjoy. Gratitude is important part of Tai Chi culture.
Before I started practicing Tai Chi, I did not understand what is Daoism. I now understand elements of Daoist culture, but I don't understand the Dao. It would be arrogant of me to say I do, because I am not cultivated enough to truly understand something so lofty. However, Tai Chi is a combination of many things. According to my master, the late Dan Docherty. In his book the Complete Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi combines elements of Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. This all makes sense and many aspects of Chinese culture are like this. It is hard to split it all up and nor is there a need. Buddhism borrowed from Daoism to appeal more to the Chinese. Daoism borrowed from Buddhism to keep themselves relevant. Confucianism evolved into Neo-Confucianism to remain with the times. All three are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture.
Zhang San Feng, the founder of Tai Chi Chuan was originally a Buddhist monk from the Shaolin Temple. He later left and became a Daoist priest. Since everybody learns from somebody else, it would not be unknown that Daoists are aware of Shaolin martial traditions. The same is true, vice-versa. So it would be realistic to expect that Zhang San Feng had used his Shaolin knowledge in the creation of Tai Chi Chuan. The Tai Chi we know today, tends to have a flavour that us the characteristic of internal martial arts.
I have heard or read from various sources that martial arts have nothing to do with Shaolin or Wudang etc. Sure, violence does not have a home in spiritual life, but self-defence does. The two are not the same and that no critical thinking has been applied. Justifying violence in this way is irresponsible. Martial arts developed and thrived in a temple communities, because there is a need for people to maintain health and be able to defend themselves from threats. If you take away the spiritual links, then a martial art will start to lose it's meaning. You see this in modern yoga studios, where there's little that is spiritually Indian. Is this progress?
Sure, you can do what you like with your lineage, in order to fit in whatever narrative you have in mind. But this is your opinion and you are entitled to have one. However, as practitioners, we have to respect our lineage. Art should be passed down and any action that tarnishes the reputation of the art is not acceptable. Gratitude is important as we all learned from somebody. I owe much to the many great people who helped me to where I am. We walk our own path, but our actions affects future generations.
Next time you practice Tai Chi and Qigong, remember where it came from. Be humble and show gratitude. We begin and end with gratitude...
As we come to the end of another year. It has been busy and with a number of changes taken place. White Horse Tai Chi has reached the 10 year milestone back in September. I'm grateful for the support I have been given. I have finally put up the testimonial page of my website. It was suppose to be up earlier in the year, but I never had enough time. It is now up and you may visit it by following this link.
Finally, I would like to wish students, friends and followers, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Chinese New Year will be on Tuesday 17th February and 2026 is the Year of the Horse. Let's make it special...
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