Competition
The Tao-te-Ching says, “He who does not compete, does not meet competition.” This refers to competing against others but competing against the self is a benefit of competition. Testing what you know, or what you think you know about your understanding of Tai Chi. Testing your body’s ability to move with intent with eyes alert and aware. Testing your ability to demonstrate “stillness in motion” with a quiet mind and without tension. This self competition is the ultimate benefit for me.
The event(s) provide a goal for you to practice much more then you normally would. To do a form “a thousand times” becomes a necessity so that you can hopefully forget what you are doing when you are doing it and demonstrate the principals of the art form without effort. This is what the (5) judges want to see. Not the specific form, which differs between schools but the principals that bind them together. And even when you think you understand and have done it enough, you can still forget or become disoriented. This in turn tests your ability to recover, find your way back or go down another path and doing it as if it was meant to be all along, without fear.
We study to be relaxed and without tension. Placing yourself in the competition environment tests that and when you have competed repeatedly, the stress becomes controlled instead of chaotic. This mind set is beneficial for how you live in the world.
Jeff thank you for sharing your wisdom. Everyone benefits when they put themselves out to to test their limits.
Dan Staub