Jou Tsung Hwa (1917–1998)

Overall, this is the best book that I have found on the subject of tai chi. It's very thorough in it's descriptions of tai chi theory and practice. It has a lot of helpful diagrams and illustrations. This is not really a how-to book. The author goes a lot deeper than that. It's one of the few books that I have read more than once. The language can get a bit technical at times, but it seems necessary in order to explain clearly what the author is trying to express. If you only read one book show more on tai chi in your life you should read this one. show less

Shows you how to open your mind and spirit. For the first time in English, the way to enlightenment.

Other volumes are:

V. 1 The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan Way to Rejuvenation

V. 3 The Tao of I Ching Way to Divination. A new and refreshing way to understand and utilize the I Ching.

Contents

Introduction
Chapter One Yin-yang and tai chi
Yin-yang and tai chi
The riddle of creation
Who am I?
Chapter Two Furth dimension
The dimensions
What is time?
Wehre can we find the truth?
Chapter Three Philosophy
The goal of show more meditation
The first stage of enlightenment
Chapter Four Meditation
Preparation
Chi-kung for health
Transfer of ching to chi or lien ching hwa chi
Transfer of chi to shen or lien chi hwa shen
Proceed from shen to void or lien shen hwan shiui show less

A must have book for ANY tai chi chuan practitioner.

Contents

Introduction
Chapter One Raising the veil of mystery
Returning to the roots
Ancient Chinese wisdom
The four symbols
The eight trigrams: Heaven, earth and humantiy
The structure of the I Ching
Chapter Two The miracle of divination
The rationale for divination
The traditional approach
The master-key to sound judgment
The plum flower mind I Ching
The Hu Tien Method: Shao's marvelous pillow
The Hsien Tien Method: Entering the fourth dimension
Chapter Three The cradle of Chinese culture
How to read the show more 64 hexagrams
Part I Hexagram 1-30
Gian-Heaven
Kun-Earth
Tun-First difficulty
Meng-Covering
Xu-Waiting
Song-Lawsuit
Shi-Army
Bi-Loyalty
Xiaoxu-Small saving
Lu-Stepping
Taiii-Ppositive
Bi-Negative
Tongren-Fellowship
Dayouo-Great possession
Qian-Modesty
Yu-Joy
Sui-Following
Gu-Decay
Lin-Approach
Guan-Observation
Heshi-Bite through
Pen-Grace
Bao-Peeling
Fu-Return
Wuwang-Innocence
Daxu-Great saving
Yi-Jaws
Daguo-Great passing
Kan-Water
Li-Fire
Part II Hexagram 31-64
Xian-Influence
Heng-Constancy
Tun-Yielding
Dazhuang-Great vigor
Jin-Advancing
Mingyi-Darkening
Jiaren-Family
Kui-Opposition
Cu-Limpinug
Jie-Loosening
Sun-Decrease
Yi-Increase
Kui-Decision
Cu-Limping
Jie-Loosening
Sun-Decrease
Yi-Increase
Kui-Decision
Gou-Meeting
Cai-Gathering
Sheng-Ascending
Kun-Oppression
Jing-Well
Ge-Revolution
Ding-Caldron
Zhen-Thunder
Yin-Mountain
Jian-Gradually
Guimei-Married sister
Feng-Prosperity
Lu-Traveler
Sun-Wind
Dui-Lake
Huan-Dispersion
Ji-Bamboo joint
Zhongfu-Cetnral sincerity
Xiaoguo-Small passing
Jiji-Finished
Weiji-Unfinished show less