Does Practicing Tai Chi Violate the Principle of Non-Violence?

Dear One,

You ask a very good question that I get asked a lot in my Tai Chi classes.

Here are some ways I answer the question.

• There is nothing wrong with practicing Tai Chi. In many cultures Tai Chi is considered meditation in motion. And it can be taught and used as a healing art. Many teachers teaching Tai Chi don’t even teach it as a martial art. They only teach it as a healing art.

• As a self defense system it has both non-violent self defense techniques and “violent” self defense techniques. The important consideration is the mind set of the practitioner.

• If you respond to a violent act with violence then you were “being” violent. It doesn’t mean you’re a violent person. If you have to use violence as soon as possible ask the Good Lord that many blessings be sent to all involved. Now you are “being” a healer, a saint, a good person.

• If you use a “violent” technique to keep yourself or someone from being injured or worse then you are a hero. Remember, bad things grow because good people do nothing.

• In my reality God is the Doer. First and foremost, I am His humble channel for peace, love and joy. Because I am a personal body guard I am placed in situations where evil must be stopped or good/innocent people get injured. So before entering a confrontation I say the prayer, “Lord, if at all possible let this cup pass. But not by my will Lord, let Thy will be done.” By the grace of God, 98% of the time I’ve had to enter an interesting situation nothing has happened, 1% of the time I may have had to raise my voice, and less than 1% God’s Grace saw to it that very little harm was done.

I welcome your comments.

Peace to you and yours,
Nayaswami Gopal