Jerusalem is the well-spring of three great religions, Judaism,
Chrsitianity and Islam. However, in recent decades the influence of the
Far East has infused itself into this spiritual tapestry. Initially, the
hard martial arts were a welcome import to the tough inhabitants of this
country that has been in a state of war since its creation in 1948. As the
country matured the internal martial arts found a welcome home in this
special country. Hsing I, BaQua and Taijiquan can be studied there with
Masters who either visit regularly or now live in Israel.
Jerusalem is a city of spiritual power in which internal martial arts
has found a natural home to develop. Arieh Lev Breslow, a trained
historian, initially was a student of Ken Cohen, the author of The Way of
Qigong, and was greatly influenced by the teaching of Zhengmanqing having
studied with his student Ben Lo. In 1981 he moved to Israel and founded
the Jerusalem School of Taijiquan and Quigong.
Jews are known as the People of the Book, and as a member of that
religion Mr. Breslow quickly realized that to advance in the study of
Taiji, one must learn and understanding the Chinese Taiji classics. Many
of his essays reflect his learning in clear, concise and entertaining
language that profoundly set forth and apply the teachings of such greats
as the Lao Tze and Confucius to the study and practice of Taiji.
In his essay on The Origins of Taijiquan, Mr. Breslow reviews the
competing theories of the origins of Taiji. He explains why the commonly
held belief that Zhang San-feng is historically improbable and that the
most probable origins of this system emanated from Wang Tsung-yueh and the
Chen family. He describes the transmission of the legacy of the Chen
family to Yang Luchan, an outsider who was accepted by the clan due to his
great natural talent. Mr. Breslow explains how Yang Luchan was influenced
by nationalism when he opened the secret teachings of Taiji to the public
in an era when China was facing the humiliating colonization by Western
nations and Japan. He posits that Yang Luchan adopted the Confucius style
of education and offered his knowledge to all serious students in China.
And at the core of all the teachings of Taiji are the principles of Laozi,
who over two thousand years ago explained, “ The soft can overcome the
strong; The supple can overcome the still. …”
In a fascinating essay entitled Ten Push Hands Lesson from the “Art of
War,” Breslow applies the teachings of Sun Tzu to Taiji. He explains
initially that push hands in Taiji is an exercise in which one tries to
conquer the self rather than the opponent. One must suppress the ego in
order to learn from his opponent and develop strategic thinking. Some
examples of Sun Tzu applicable teachings are: (1) Victory is gained by
surprise; (2) If you know others and know yourself you will not be
imperiled in one hundred battles; and (3) The superior militarist strikes
while schemes are being laid. Mr. Breslow equates these principles to
those in the Taiji classics: (1) Suddenly appear, suddenly disappear; (2)
The opponent does not know me, I alone know him; and (3) If others don’t
move, I don’t move, and if others move slightly I move first. With great
ingenuity Mr. Breslow explains the applications of these various maxims in
Taiji push hands in a way that will be of good use to the serious Taiji
practitioner.
In the essay entitled Push Hands and the Development of Internal
Energy, Mr. Breslow focuses on how to develop internal jing energy and he
explains how to perform the “Slow”, “Line” and “Fa Jing” pushes. The Slow
Push techniques develop the ability to push through an opponent’s root
without resorting to force. The Line Push techniques develop the ability
to push directly through the opponent’s center. The Fa Jing (internal
force) Push as opposed to the Li (external force) Push develops the
ability to release internal force and energy rather than relying on ones
external strength. Once again, Mr. Breslow describes these techniques
succinctly and with clarity, which in itself demonstrates a mastery of
these techniques. Included with the Fa Jing instructions are detailed
descriptions of important breathing techniques. With illustrations and
clear explanations, He explains the Small Heavenly Circulation breathing
technique and he details how the mind should focus on various points in
this practice.
In another fascinating essay entitled Confucius, Enlightenment and the
Martial Spirit, Mr. Breslow explains how in the West the influence of
Confucianism on Taiji has not been properly appreciated and has been
blindly overshadowed by Daoism. Professor Zhengmanqing, according to Mr.
Breslow, explained that Taiji was greatly influenced by Confucius’ Chung
Yung or “Doctrine of the Mean.” This concept involves the balance and
timing one must use to comport oneself morally throughout life. Mr.
Breslow sets forth the historical development of this Chung Yung in
Confucian philosophy and how his Chinese spiritual “maggid” [Heb. “other
worldly teacher”], Zhengmanqing, applied these precepts in his Taiji
practice and life.
Mr. Breslow also displays a true type of Taiji softness and morality in
his essay entitled Using Taiji Principles to Prevent Falls in Seniors and
the Physically Challenged. He cites an Emory University study that
determined that seniors over 70 who studied Taiji had nearly half the
falls than those who did not. Having had senior aged students over the
years, Mr. Breslow developed a Taiji curriculum for the aged. These
involved both Flexibility Exercises and Leg Strengthening Exercises
derived from regular Taiji practices. He also utilizes “Taiji Walking,”
which concentrates on slowly shifting of weight from one foot to the other
while stepping heel first and the “checking” that side by lifting the foot
an inch of the floor before transferring the weight. Mr. Breslow also
writes about how he has used these techniques effectively with Parkinson
patients.
In the Garden of My Teachers is a worthwhile addition to the library of
all serious students or teachers of Taiji. If provides a good sourcebook
and fine summary of important Chinese Taiji Classics that must be
incorporated into the practice and teaching of Taiji. Mr. Breslow, in the
Jewish tradition Semicha, the practice of handing down traditions from one
generation of teacher to the next, provides with clarity many of the
fundamental Confucian principles believed in and practiced by Professor
Zhengmenqing. He also provides insight into the origins and practice of
Taiji that only a trained historian can convey. I recommend this book
highly to Jews and Gentiles alike, and most importantly to all persons who
wish to expand their physical and spiritual horizons.
