January 8, 2013
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Leaving my Tai Chi school
Leaving my Tai Chi school
Life event
Today I sadly made the final decision to leave my Tai Chi school. This is due to a typical East meet West clash…or at least the way we generalize them. The Shifu announced that he wants his school to be more traditional Chinese since he is the seventh generation master of his particular line. The implication is however a far harsher means of discipline through punishment. Not greeting properly might for example demand 200 push-ups. The Shifu is to be obeyed at all times without question since he is the master.
For me it was too much of a price to pay. I could not sacrifice my individual right to this approach no matter how beneficial the Tai Chi was. I could not see eye to eye with the Shifu and consequently saw no other avenue but to resign.
This event took me back to the rights and liberty for which so many people have thought. The concepts of individual freedom that grew from the Greek Athenian culture to philosophers like Jean Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire who were no genius but had the boldness to recognize the value of the individual. This sense of equality and freedom was exported by the founding fathers of the USA to the new world. There liberty and equality was established as basic conditions of life. Today I realized how deeply I value the premise of equality and freedom. We so often see it as cheap because it is taken as the norm. However equality and freedom is something far more important and we should never forget how long it took to establish those values.
Sure, I might have over reacted and maybe the intent will not be applied with the same fierceness but for me it was a matter of principle. I had to stand up in this small way for the ideal of freedom and equality. We should never allow anything to erode these principles.
So now i am without a Tai Chi teacher but my conscience is clear.
I stand for the freedom and equality of all.
Comments (4)
Hmm..an interesting development. I hope you can find another teacher so you can keep up with your Tai Chi.
You have made the right move. It sounds like your Shifu has acquired some delusions of grandeur. Not a good look for the leader of an arts group. Lao tsu would turn in his grave. The mark of a great leader is humility and that goes for the Master as well.
I hope you will find a more suitable teacher.
@songoftheheart - At least I completed the 24-form so I can continue practicing what I know in private. I just wont progress to learn more while waiting for another teacher. We still will continue with Tai Chi at my work place so it is not the end of the road for me in terms of Tai Chi.
@GaijinWords - I am afraid you are right. I was clear about my reason in my letter of withdrawal and maybe it will also give the Master some thoughts to ponder. There are not many Tai Chi trainers in the area but I will visit them and see if there are a better match. I just want to do Tai Chi for recreational purposes and do not need a train with a grand master to enjoy the art.
You will do just fine. Continue to practice is the best thing. Good luck with finding a new teacher.