Review
1:
Review
1:
"It was with
some trepidation that I agreed to write a review on Grandmaster
Ip's book. For example what if I didn't like it? Or worse what if
I couldn't understand it? Fortunately none of these anxieties
turned out to be a reality, for the book is packed with both old
and new information, all of which benefits from the addition of
clear understandable explanations to the translations from the
original Chinese. But firstly let me tell you what the book is
not. It is not:
1. A HOW TO BOOK. neither is it
2. Another regurgitated version of the classics or of the Yang
family history.
This book is a compendium of living instructions, all of which
apply equally to today's practitioner as it did in years gone by.
Some of these instructions you will be familiar with and others
you will no doubt wrestle with for some time, before you fully
understand them. In addition there are aspects of Tai Chi not
normally covered in other publications. For example there is a
chapter on posture testing - a subject in its own right and which
we at JDIATCC know is relatively easy to understand, but damn
difficult to do in practice. If you can master the advice given
in this chapter, then this in itself will justify the purchase
price.
There are many books that provide translations of some of the
classics, but this book goes further. It provides a mixture of
the classics together with Grand Master Ip's own journal, which
adds life and meaning to what in other books are just esoteric
translations. I can't pretend, nor did I expect, to understand
all of the teachings in this book.
It is one of those rare books that can be re-read, with each
re-reading revealing new insights and understanding to the
practitioner. It should also be kept at hand and used as a
reference book as and when the need arises.
I can't summarise this book better than repeat the words used by
Master Ding :-
" The aim of this book is to empower the Tai Chi Chuan
practitioner with the opportunity to grow and mature at many
levels…. and should be used as a tool to exercise the mind,
as well as feed the spirit". And this it does in Spades
The translators should be congratulated on a job well done. I
highly recommend this book and eagerly await the further volumes
promised by the translators."
Bob Thomas
Review 2
"I had no
real idea of what to expect from this book. Grandmaster Ip Tai
Tak is held in high regard, but definitely stays out of the
limelight. So many people seem to know about him, yet so few seem
to really know him. I think we are lucky that his 1st disciple
has built a structure that can bring Grandmaster Ip's knowledge
to the masses. It is unlikely that the book would have been
conceived, much less published, if Master Ding's drive had not
been part of its production.
What first struck me when my eager hands took hold of the book,
was the cover. I know we are not supposed to judge a book by this
factor, but I am afraid that I could not resist. The photo of
Grandmaster Ip is a good choice. Combined with the stylish yet
slightly understated artwork it projects the gravity, sensitivity
and depth that the book deserves. Before you even open the volume
you are assured of its value.
One of the criticisms I would level at previous traditional Tai
Chi books based around poems, songs, sayings and key phrases are
that they can be fractured and disorganised - seemingly random
collections of what is important material. In addition the
translation can be odd and lacking in commentary to aid in the
passage's understanding and digestion.
This book takes a different approach. Where possible the original
Chinese characters are published, so that if you do disagree with
the translation you can work out your own (ho! ho!). We are also
assured that the translation is as literal as possible (even if
that may appear clumsy in English) and that it was done with
reference back to Grandmaster Ip. Thirdly there is commentary by
Grandmaster Ip himself. This appears whether it was he who
originally wrote the Chinese or whether it is his commentary on
other people's texts.
As for the actual content: I know it plumbs depths where I have
not been in Tai Chi. Even on the first skim through it I picked
up several comments which surprised, several which scared and
shocked (especially those to do with what it takes to be a
successful student) and many that will help prevent me from
wasting time by taking the wrong path forward. The implication
from the introduction is that there are more volumes to follow.
This volume took around 2 years to compile. I hope the next can
be done much sooner!"
Nick Cheang.
Review 3
"One of the
biggest problems with so many books about Tai Chi is that Tai Chi
itself is such an experiential mixture of common sense, good
engineering and spiritual development that it is hard to find
ways of speaking about it to people who haven't had the
experience. Yet here, in this book "Tai Chi Chuan
Revelations", is just such a mix, ranging from the
absolutely practical to the sublimely lyrical, making it, for me,
not only the best book I have found on the subject, but the only
one that successfully translates not just the facts, but the
feeling of a foreign(Chinese) philosophy into practical, yet
poetic English. The book is organised into three continuous parts
giving first the Chinese text, in pictograms (written by
Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak), followed by a literal translation (by
Master John Ding), followed by a further breakdown, discussion
and clarification of the concept, making it one of the most
complete books on the subject. Even in the preface we find
mention of the more mystical element of Tai Chi ("Tai Chi
… is a discipline that binds together the physical, the
mental and the spiritual and only when these three essential
human qualities are embraced and united can a pure new entity be
formed."). But then the book goes on to talk so practically
and in detail, about how to stand, how to hold the head, how and
why to focus the mind and, even more important, a detailed
description of the main concepts, how to practise them and why
they are so essential to good Tai Chi.
For me, as a student, one of the great glories of Tai Chi is the
way it enables me not only to keep fit, but to express myself
physically - to create a "still point" and dance around
it - and so it is the combination of practical and lyrical in
this book that speaks most eloquently to me and has totally
changed the way I think of Chinese people talking and
communicating in their everyday life. Think how much nicer it
would be if our politicians used the kind of images on page 48?
If our relationship to the Euro, instead of waiting for the
'right combination of economic factors' was: "Like the eagle
that continually circles in the sky when preying on a rabbit,
ones position is never static. Like the crouching cat about to
pounce, one waits in stillness for the opportunity to strike.
Whether in motion or in stillness, the intention is always
present." Much more positive. And my own favourite set of
images on page 155, "Combining the mind and the Chi brings
about changes in Yin and Yang which are like tidal waves and
hurricanes, clouds drifting and the continuous flow of water, the
flying albatross and fish jumping out of water, the running of
rabbits and eagles preying, sinking and floating, appearing and
disappearing, dramatic changes in the atmosphere and
unpredictable weather." It is statements like the above,
placed alongside clear descriptions and information on concepts
such as adhering to an opponent, sinking, posture examination and
testing and so much more, that draw the reader into the
practicalities and the mystery of Tai Chi and makes the book easy
to read. It is not, I think, a book for a beginner, but a
"must" for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of Tai
Chi and willing to work at the concepts."
Ken Young
[ Interview with Grandmaster Yip | Tai Chi Chuan Revelations | Extracts | Order Form ]