Words of Wisdom on Taijiquan Philosophy
By David Chen, 2002.

• Silence within silence is not true silence.
  Silence within noise is true silence.

• Taiji has no specific path---
  We’re all going the way we believe to be the right way.
  An attentive mind is the only map needed for this journey.

• Taiji is an investment that grows over time and pays dividends in all areas of our lives.

• We do Taiji to become a "better me," not a "better than you."

• The ultimate goal of learning Taiji is for us to blend it into our everyday life.
  The more you understand the Tao of Taiji, the more you are humbled by its truth.

• Understand the strong; keep to the gentle.
  Understand action; keep to neutral.
  Understand varieties; keep to the one (Tao).

• We are like frogs in the well.
  We all claim an understanding of the art, but not one of us has seen the whole.

• Taiji exercise can help us become healthier.
  Taiji philosophy can help us become a better person.

• Taiji is not "The Way" but a means to help people realize their own way.

• The higher the level you reach, the less Taiji books will be of interest to you, and the fewer Taiji friends who will be able to share insights with you.

• There’s only one Taiji, but there're thousands of opinions.

• Taijiquan evolves through generations;
  we are not at the end of its evolution but are a part of it.

• None of our Taijiquan styles are original.

• Relaxation is lifelong work.
  If you don’t want to let go of desire, no one can help you relax.

• A gongfu movie is a movie; a Taiji demonstration is a demonstration;
  but a real life challenge is the real challenge.

• The real challenge is how to apply Taiji principles to our bosses and spouses.

• Taiji can be an exercise, a meditation, a philosophy, a performing art, a martial art, a sport...or all of above;
  the only limitation is our mind.

• Yin--yang is the mother of all things,
  We learn Taiji in order to become a better child.

• Taiji is a process of how we live life, not a goal to be achieved.

• Taiji adapts to all people, instead of requiring all people to adapt to it.

• Tajiquan is like a bright mirror---it reflects our physical and mental weakness;
  we need to polish it constantly in order to see our true self.

• Develop the mind and awareness in your practice.
  Neutralize the intention and desire in your living.

• A high-level practitioner hears words of wisdom, and diligently puts them into practice.
  A middle-level practitioner hears words of wisdom, and remembers them at first, but later forgets.
  A lower-level practitioner hears words of wisdom, but does not recognize them.

• Taiji philosophy helps us to broaden our vision in order to be less judgemental.