Song of Form Play
6.1 Relax mind then body,
6.2 In emptiness no obstacle
6.3 To connect to the ground
6.4 For power and balance.
Continuing from the previous post On Learning : Sub-Topic 1.2e.
SFP 6.1 - this line emphasizes the importance of using intent to sung rather than just let the muscles go soft. Sure, doing this way is a kind of sung, softness but it is not a balanced kind of sung.
You should keep in mind that Tai Chi is an art designed around the concept of Yin-Yang, changes, stability, quietude and balance. If you just go soft then you will lack the requisite hardness to balance the softness.
I know, I know, some readers will object to hearing the word "hardness" in the same sentence as "softness". However you dislike the word, it remains that softness must be balanced by hardness. The only question is how much softness, how much hardness to have on the same page.
I personally prefer to use the mechanical engineering term "stiffness" which is defined as the property of a material which is rigid and difficult to bend. Stiffness goes hand-in-hand with tension and compression.
The latter two properties are first studied in the technique of Brush Knee, Twist Step in Grandmaster Wei Shuren's 22-form. I have moved the study of tension and compression to Cloud Hands in the 8-step Health Form.
SFP 6.2 - this refers to the cultivation of emptiness as an actual qualia instead of an abstract idea.
SFP 6.3 & SFP 6.4 - both sentences state the purpose of SFP 6.2.
Taken together SFP 6.1 to SFP 6.4 basically describes the overall objective for the practice of the Beginning Posture in the 8-step Health Form.
The picture above depicts this concept in the practice of the Beginning Posture.
The objective is realistically achievable though it takes a lot of practice to get there. As you soldier on in your practice over the years the feelings you experience will change.
When you are able to truly feel the emptiness then you will be able to demonstrate our flavor of fajing.
More information on online training for the 8-step Health Form with the fajing principles here.