Tai Chi with a Twist

Intent.

In a number of places the Classics talk about 'where' movement occurs first (translations: Barbara Davis):

"first in the xin [heart-mind], then in the body" and "xin is the commander".
(Wu Yuxiang, 'Exposition of Insights into the Thirteen Postures'.).

"In all these cases, it is yi [intent], and not from externalities."
('Taijiquan jing'.)

"Yi and qi are the lord, the bones and flesh are the subjects."
('Shisan shi ge'/'Thirteen Postures Song'.)

This got me thinking about the process and the relationship between Xin (心, heart-mind) and Yi (意, Intention). Fortunately there's a fairly succinct explanation offered by Chen Yan-ling's (1943) 'Taiji Compiled: Boxing, Saber, Sword, Pole and Sparring' (Ch.5: On Intention and Energy):

"As for intention, some say the intention is the same as mind and mind is the same as intention, but there is actually a slight distinction between mind and intention. Mind is the commander of intention. Intention is the assistant of mind. Mind moves and intention is sparked. Once intention is generated, energy follows it. In other words, these three parts – mind, intention, energy – are intertwined in a cycle. "
(Trans. Paul Brennan, available: https://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/taiji-boxing-according-to-chen-yanlin/)

This is expanded on by Yang Jwing-Ming (2015, 'Tai Chi Chaun Martial Power' YMAA Publication Center) as "a person must have xin first and then yi, because xin is the source of yi. If you want to do something, that is called xin. When you want it and fully intend to do it, or actually do it, this is called yi. Sometimes the words are put together: xin yi. This can be translated “mind” or “intention," and also refers to the intention to do something specific."

[Image from 'Taiji Compiled: Boxing, Saber, Sword, Pole and Sparring']

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Memories of Christmas Tai Chi!