"Ting Jin"....Listening Energy

[yat_chum]

"Ting Jin"....Listening Energy
Posted by Seattle Wushu Center on February 20, 2009


In Taiji push hands, "Ting Jin", or "listening energy", is one of the concepts practiced. The idea here, is to utilize the whole body as a listening device. As opposed to listening with only our ears, or reacting to something based on sight alone, we try to train the body to "listen" to what really is being "said", and not merely hearing what we want to hear or misunderstanding the "speech".

One of the hardest things to do in push hands, is to not plan our attack or defense, but rather, to let go of preconcieved notions of our partners and to move with what is going on "right now". Easier said than done. With any martial art, "what happens in drill, happens for real". Isn't it ironic, that we have to learn pre-planned drills in order to learn how to act instinctively and with no thought?

A friend of mine (who practices fencing) called me a few months ago, and said "You know how you're always talking about having 'spirit' when practicing martial arts? I was watching my fencing class today, and now I think I get it". "Its true", I said. "One should have spirit while practicing...without it, I would imagine that a fencer would only merely be holding a sword, instead of skillfully wielding it." She talked about the drills they do, and how it pained her to see some students merely walking through the drills. "How is it that they're not getting it? Why can't they realize that there's another sword pointed at them, and their spirit and attitude should reflect that?"

"They're too busy talking to themselves in their heads, instead of allowing themselves to listen to the opponent", I said. "Its just their egos that make them talk so loud in their heads they can't do anything!".

My personal philosophy, is that "ego" has no place in a self defense situation, fight or a duel. Ego can take the guise of "walking through a drill" if someone is concerned that they will look awkward. Ego can in turn, can result in a lot of "posing" and trying to always "look the best". Ego may even close people's minds to where no other way is best except for theirs. All that self talk, whether negative or overly positive, that not only dulls their hearing, but also, in some cases, blinds them as well.

I surmise, that mindset too, is a factor. In historical fencing these days, "bird blunts" (rubber tips) are used on the ends of blades, so as to not cause severe injury to other players. Protective equipment is also used. My theory is, that with all the safety precautions, the reality of swordplay is lost with some people....hence, not learning the ability to "listen". I see it all the time with Asian martial arts......head gear, gloves, shin protectors, chest protectors.....many times people will spar and throw techniques that will indeed "score", but not necessarily be effective in a realistic situation. I've seen people throw themselves onto a backfist strike or a side kick, if it meant that their punch lands first.

So how do we effectively "listen"? First....get your ego or pride out of the picture. Honestly, no one cares if you're a black belt or great fencer, or inbeatable wrestler. The only people that would really "care" are people associated with what you do, and that's about it. Anyone outside of your immediate circle won't know you, and if your ego is such that you actually think "your way is the only way", other fighters will indeed defeat you. In short, if you think you're "all that", you'll carry alot of pre-conceived notions that will hinder your ability to effectively listen to people.

Also, pay attention to the big picture...don't just hear the words....understand them. Ask for clarification if needed. Pay attention to body language if possible....body language many times speaks louder than words. "Feel" the conversation....follow it and yield to it, in order to learn how to lead it.

Understand that engaging in a physical bout is a very intimate thing. The more dangerous the situation, the more intimate it is. Whether you're in a fight or in a heartfelt conversation, the emotional intimacy of the situation is there. In order to win a bout, survive a self defense situation, or talk about a difficult subject, we have to keep our emotions in check yet allow ourselves to feel the emotions of not only ourselves but our opponent or partners........ Listen, feel, understand........see what your sense of "hearing" can allow you to gain.....

[yat_chum]

Taijiquan Pushing Hands
by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, February 14, 2008


Taijiquan Pushing Hands
Almost every Chinese martial style, both external and internal, has its own hand-matching training similar to Taiji's pushing hands. In southern external styles it is commonly called Bridge Hands or Coiling Hands, while in northern external styles it is called Folding Hands or Opposing Hands. Although the names are different, the purposes are the same. The techniques trained and emphasized by each style reflect the essence of that style, and are usually kept secret to prevent other styles from copying them or learning how to counter them. Once a student is accepted as a legitimate student and is taught these exercises, he has begun the serious study of his style.

In Taijiquan, there are also many styles of pushing hands, since almost every different Taiji style has its own emphasis. Some styles are extremely soft, and therefore emphasize only the soft Jins (power emission). Other styles emphasize harder Jin training, which tends to be more easily accepted by beginners. Some styles stress high postures and a small defensive circle while others emphasize low postures and a large circle. Even in the same Taiji style, there are often differences from master to master, according to their emphasis and understanding.

You may start pushing hands anytime after you finish learning the solo sequence, and it should be part of your training for as long as you practice Taiji. You learn to sense and follow your partner without resisting, so that you ultimately understand his strength and use it against him. Pushing hands also gives you a chance to practice the applications of the techniques, which increases your understanding of the sequence. Without such understanding, the sequence remains “dead”.

Doing Taiji without pushing hands is like buying a car and not learning how to drive. Pushing hands teaches you how to drive in a parking lot. However, even if you can drive skillfully in this lot, it does not mean you are capable of driving on the freeway or in the city. In order to be able to "drive in real traffic," you must also learn the two-person fighting set and free fighting. The fighting set was designed to give fighting experience which resembles real fighting. This is like driving your car with an instructor's supervision. The last stage, free fighting, is your solo driving in traffic.

In pushing hands, the first step is to build up your sensitivity in the sensing Jins - Listening Jin and Understanding Jin. These two Jins are the foundation of all Taiji martial techniques, and are developed through the practice of Adhere-Stick Jin. Until you can "hear" (through feeling) and understand the opponent's Jin, you will not be able to understand his intention and power, and will not be able to fight effectively.

After you have grasped the tricks of Listening and Understanding Jins, the next step is to learn how to neutralize, lead, and control the opponent's Jin. Once this is learned, you will be able to react with the various offensive Jins as appropriate to the situation. Naturally, during all your practice you should not forget the fundamentals, such as keeping your body centered, comfortable, and steady, otherwise you will lose your balance. You must also remember to coordinate your Qi (energy) with your Jins. Utilizing the ‘Hen’ and ‘Ha’ sounds is very important in Taiji martial applications, and play a major role in raising the Spirit of Vitality and stimulating the Qi to reach further and increase in strength. Also, Taiji ball training is often used in the internal styles to train Listening and Understanding Jins It is also used to train adhering and sticking while doing the circular advancing and retreating motions which are required in the internal martial arts.

At first, the student should learn the basic exercises which are the key to the door of the secret of pushing hands. They will help you to understand and develop your skill at Listening, Understanding, and especially Neutralizing and Leading Jins.

Once you have mastered all of these basic exercises, you should practice the techniques corresponding to the eight directions, and learn how to coordinate them with your footwork according to the principles of the five elements and the eight trigrams. With this training you will be able to understand the principles and general rules of pushing hands, and lay a foundation which will enable you to research and study further. Finally, a student will train the martial applications of pushing hands techniques. These will build a foundation which will allow you to begin learning from the from the 88-posture two person fighting matching set.

There are a number of important principles you should always remember and follow when practicing pushing hands. Read the ancient poetry and songs of the Taiji Classics regularly throughout your training, because they can teach you both key principles and ideas for training. Theory and practice continually reinforce each other, so your ability and understanding will benefit from repeatedly reading and pondering these written records of the masters.

Here are three selections from the Taiji Classics which are concerned specifically with pushing hands.

Song of Eight Words
Wardoff (Peng), Rollback (Lu), Press (Ji), and Push (An) are rare in this world. Ten martial artists, ten don't know. If able to be light and agile, also strong and hard, (then you gain) Adhere-Connect, Stick-Follow with no doubt. Pluck (Cai), Split (Lie), Elbow-Stroke (Zhou), and Shoulder-Stroke (Kao) are even more remarkable. When used, no need to bother your mind. If you gain the secret of the words Adhere-Connect, Stick-Follow, then you will be in the ring and not scattered.

Song of Pushing Hands
Be conscientious about Wardoff (Peng), Rollback (Lu), Press (Ji), and Push (An). Up and down follow each other, (then) the opponent (will find it) difficult to enter.

No matter (if) he uses enormous power to attack me, (I) use four ounces to lead (him aside), deflecting (his) one thousand pounds.

Guide (his power) to enter into emptiness, then immediately attack; Adhere-Connect, Stick-Follow, do not lose him.

The Secret of Withdraw and Release
First Saying: Deflect Deflect and open opponent's body and borrow opponent's Li (strength).

Second Saying: Lead Lead (opponent's power) near (my) body, Jin thereby stored.

Third Saying: Relax Relax and expand my Jin, without bends.

Fourth Saying: Release When (I) release, the waist and the feet must be timed carefully and accurately.

This subject is further explored in the DVDs Taiji Pushing Hands Courses 1 & 2 and Courses 3 & 4.

[Josh Young]

Good stuff, no amount of understanding the theory of listening energy can develop the skill, it is only through practice that it develops. This is part of what makes Taijiquan what it is, at least to my primitive mentality that is.

[Dvivid]

Studying theory deepens your practice.

Gaining experience through practice helps you to understand theory.

Practicing qigong teaches you to become more sensitive and develop the 'kung fu of internal vision' and more refined 'listening' skills.

[Josh Young]

Sometimes having theory in mind gets in the way of realization.
It can be suggestive and lead people to imagine things that are not there.

For me the theory of listening jing is worthless, only practice has benefited me in this area. This is unlike many other jings where the theory has helped me.

[Ralteria]

[quote="Josh Young"]Sometimes having theory in mind gets in the way of realization.
It can be suggestive and lead people to imagine things that are not there.
[quote]

Agree...though I've seen some who have natural listening skills as well.

[Dvivid]

Id agree that in this particular subject, experience is the main factor.

[Dave C.]

The other side of the coin is that without the theory to guide you, you could think that you have developed something that you have, in fact, not developed. Theory is a guide. Think of it like a vase. The vase is the shape. It's up to you to fill that vase with water -- practice. But outside of the "shape," you wouldn't know what you're practicing or why.