Greetings..
As someone else said, i don't train to go fight in NHB tourneys.. my ego is already too healthy, why add more.. i do train to be functionally capable in a situation, though.. and, IMA's will accomplish that given the right teacher.. Interestingly, it is my perception that the Taiji player is non-confrontational.. would look for a peaceful resolution to possible violent situations.. the Taiji adept would appear harmless until precisely the right moment to take advantage of surprise.. Training isn't looking for a winner, it's looking for a learner.. we train to learn and even a loss has lessons..
Matches designed to determine the "best" are also putting the players in unnecessary danger.. you never know what your opponent's intentions are, they may willing to maime you in order to win a match (possibly appropriate for the street, but not for fellow students).. I train for that unlikely situation when i might actually have to use force to change the outcome of a situation, i do not conduct my life as though that situation lurks at each corner (that's just paranoia, not to mention a poor quality of life).. I train regularly and intensely to meet such challenges but i conduct my life so as to avoid unnecessary ventures into those situations.. The best fight is the one you were capable enough to avoid.. Oh, and make no mistake, Taiji is quite effective in any arena, only too few people understand its full capabilities which are not limited to physical confrontation.. it is equally rewarding to control a situation through TaiJi skills applied to communication and reasoning.. The true loss, is the belief that physical force is the determining factor in a confrontation..
The most dangerous man on the planet? One of many that are willing to unleash unspeakable terrors on innocent people in the name of their righteous beliefs.. Not some well trained martial artist or gunslinger, that is just the voice of well-fed egos.. even the gunslinger is prey to a good sniper, and the sniper prey to another and so on...
As for Masters.. My teacher often said, there's a little old guy somewhere, probably mending his fishing nets.. that could walk through a gathering of "Masters" without them even noticing that he could defeat any one or the group.. he is the Master..
Be well...
Last edited by TaiChiBob; 12-25-2003 at 06:57 PM.
TaiChiBob.. "the teacher that is not also a student is neither"