太極拳論     王宗嶽

太極者，無極而生，動靜之機，陰陽之母也。動之則分，靜之則合。無過不及，隨曲就伸。人剛我柔謂之走，我順人背謂之粘。動急則急應，動緩則緩隨。雖變化萬端，而理爲一貫。由招熟而漸悟懂勁，由懂勁而階及神明。然非用力日久，不能豁然貫通焉。

虛靈頂勁，氣沈丹田。不偏不倚，忽隱忽現。左重則左虛，右重則右杳。仰之則彌高，府之則彌深，進之則愈長，退之則愈促。一羽不能加，蠅蟲不能落，人不知我，我獨知人。英雄所向無敵，蓋皆由此而及也。

斯技旁門甚多，雖勢有區別，概不外，壯欺弱，慢讓快耳。有力打無力，手慢讓手快，是皆先天自然之能，非關學力而有爲也。察四兩撥千斤之句，顯非力勝；觀耄耋禦衆之形，快何能爲。

立如秤准，活如車輪，偏沈則隨，雙重則滯。每見數年純功，不能運化者，率皆自爲人制，雙重之病未悟而。欲避此病，須知陰陽；粘即是走，走即是粘，陽不離陰，陰不離陽；陰陽相濟，方爲懂勁。懂勁後，愈練愈精，默識揣摩，漸至從心所欲。

本是舍己從人，多誤捨近求遠。所謂差之毫釐，謬之千里。學者不可不詳辨焉。是爲論。

Taiji Quan Classics 

by Wang Zhongyue/Translate by Sun anguang

Taiji, being born of infinity, is the origin of the dynamic and static and the mother of Yin and Yang. When moving, it divides. At rest, it reunites. There should be neither excess nor deficiency. Following the opponent, bend or extend. When the opponent is hard, I become soft, which is called yielding. Then, when the situation turns around in the favor of me, I follow the opponent, which is called adhering. To the opponent’s fast move I response fast. To his slow movement I follow slowly. Although the changes various and infinite, the principles remain the same. First step is to get familiar with the moves and applications, then gradually master the art of knowing and applying energy, finally, to approach the intuitive understanding of this art. However, without long time diligent practice, one will not be able to have such a sudden and thorough enlightenment.

The crown of the head is suspended from above and Qi is sunk to the Dantian. No tilting, no leaning. Suddenly appearing, suddenly disappearing. When the left feels weight, then have the left become insubstantial. When the right feels pressure, then have the right become empty.

When the incoming force is upward, I follow and become higher. When the incoming force is downward, I still follow and become deeper. When the opponent advances, let him feel the increasing distance. When he retreats, let him feel the chasing is urgent. I become so light and alert that even a feather cannot be added and a fly cannot land. The opponent does not know me but I do know him. A real hero is born and has no equal because of all of this.

There are many other styles of martial arts. Although their forms are distinct from one another, more or less they are same of the nature. The strong beats the weak, the slow yields to the fast. Those who have big force and speed prevail. But all this is natural born ability and not related to the capability after mastering the fighting arts. Studying the saying of the four ounces repel one thousand pounds, it is apparent that this cannot be accomplished by strength. From observing the elder fighting multiple opponents, it cannot be the matter of speed.

Stand straight like a dropping scale. Move as lively as a cartwheel. To have only one side heavy, so the other side can follow. If double heavy occurs, then there is stagnation. The reason why those who with years training still cannot apply neutralization and skills is that they have not comprehended the problem of double heaviness and restrained themselves. To avoid this fault, one must understand Yin Yang. To adhere means to yield. To yield means to adhere. Yin not separates from Yang, and Yang not separates from Yin. Yin and Yang are mutually cooperated and dependent from each other, which is the understanding of Jin. Only after understanding Jin, the more practice, the more refinement. Practice with your heart and mind, gradually you will be to do at your will. The basic principle is to give up oneself by following and yielding to the opponent.

It is sad that most practitioners cannot understand this and work on something far less important. Remember the slightest aviation error can cause a thousand mile divergence. The learner, therefore, must discriminate precisely.