Wu Chi at the centre

I have noticed that beginner students of tai chi are often restless to learn the next part of the form. Sometimes even, before they have thoroughly memorised the portion that has been shown to them. If you are one of these people, I hope this brings you some peace. I also hope that it will give your teacher a break as you learn to slow down a little :)

No matter what the form, our single and constant reference point is Wu Chi. Wu Chi is the primal singularity, the state that existed before the Big Bang. From it came everything that is known and all that is not yet known. Wu Chi itself is perfect stillness, perfect silence, complete absence - nothing; the most potent state there is. Nothing can be added to nothing, and nothing can be taken away from it. When we move in tai chi, we carry Wu Chi with us. When we have a thought or a feeling Wu Chi is there behind it. Wu Chi is home, it is what we return to once the movement is complete.

Standing at the beginning of the form, before I even have the idea to move, I must make contact with The Stillness. Now, in the silence of the void, I can clearly perceive my intention to move arises. I feel the energy of my ​

A journey of a thousand miles starts under one’s feet - Tao The Ching - ch 64