Written by one of the world's greatest living t'ai mantis system teachers, Beyond the Known is about the martial arts quest, and a mediation on the art of discipleship. In a series of parables relating the experiences of an unusually talented but otherwise typical martial artist, it calls for teachers and practitioners of all martial arts to question their motives and goals, to go beyond the superficial dazzle of prizes and awards, beyond repetition of techniques, ultimately to go beyond the known—the ultimate goal of the martial arts.Tri Thong Dang was born in Vietnam and studied under the revered Chiu Chuk-Kai, eighth-generation grandmaster of the Chinese t'ai mantis system. In addition, he was a practitioner of pa kua chang, hsing i ch'uan, qigong, and Yang style tai chi ch'uan. He studied and taught martial arts worldwide and was the author of Toward the Unknown and Beginning T'ai Chi , both from Tuttle Publishing. He was the founder and director, until his death of California's Budo Educational Center.Chapters Include:The false path.A meeting of minds.Beyond the bounds of intellect.A union of hearts.The vitality of the inexpressible.The irrelevance of the instrument of combat.A transformation.The path of duty.Weaving the web of karma.The web is broken.The first lesson.Lam has another lesson.On the pursuit of creativity.And yet another lesson.A master is born.
Toward the Unknown is a series of parables about the martial–arts quest, and a meditation on the art of discipleship.A careful reading of the text will lead teachers and practitioners of all martial arts to examine their motives, to go beyond superficial prizes and awards, to rise above a focus on fighting technique, and ultimately to transcend the known.The stories included here chronicle the exploits of Master Lam, the greatest fighter and teacher of his time. Lam, following the example of his late master, Tai–Ahn, seeks to create an environment in which the student might be both challenged physically and enlightened spiritually. He teaches by example, following classical methodology, which focuses on moral, ethical, and spiritual growth in addition to technical competence. As the exciting and spiritually uplifting sequel to Beyond the Known, this book, through philosophy and fiction, leads the reader toward the unknown.
A perfect introduction to Tai Chi for beginners! More than a martial art, T'ai Chi is a holistic method of self-healing, a form of moving meditation and a philosophical way of life. Health, relaxation, and self-defense are but a few of the many reasons cited for practicing this traditional exercise, which was created by a Taoist sage eight centuries ago. Now a recreational activity practiced by millions of people worldwide, T'ai Chi, with its physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits widely recognized and praised, is one of the fastest-growing Chinese martial arts in the world today.In this handy tai chi book, Master Tri Thong Dang, who has been an instructor of the Chen, Yang, Zhao, and T'ai-Mantis systems of T'ai Chi Ch'uan for over three decades, describes the «Simplified Tai Chi» form, a set of movements specifically designed for beginners by China's Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports. Master Tri's concise by lucid descriptions highlight the spiritual essence of the form and at the same time display its graceful simplicity. With over 160 clear, easy-to-understand illustrations, this excellent volume is the ultimate introduction to the world of T'ai Chi.Contents include:Why Tai Chi?A Glimpse into the History of Tai ChiThe Basic MovementsTai Chi Forms; including: Part the Horses's Mane, White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Hands Strum the Lute, Wingle Whip, Kick with the Right Heel, Needle at the Bottom of the Sea, Cross Hands, and more!