Tai Chi Chuan is a multifaceted art, deeply rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy and enriched by centuries of development. Grounded in the principles of Yin and Yang, designed with insights from the meridian system of Chinese medicine, and infused with effective martial techniques, Tai Chi also possesses extraordinary elegance and beauty when performed. It is more than just a scientifically proven beneficial exercise—it is a martial art, a healing art, and a performing art. Beyond its physical aspects, Tai Chi can profoundly influence spiritual perspectives, offering practitioners a calm and loving approach to life.
Tai Chi’s depth is layered, offering new insights to beginners and long-term practitioners alike. As my teacher, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, often says after nearly 70 years of practice and achieving the highest ranks of mastery, “I am still learning.” With such profundity, the question arises: How should one begin exploring this art? And for instructors, how should they approach teaching?
Sifu Bill Donnelly’s new book, Meditations on the Principles of Tai Chi, offers thoughtful guidance for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
About the Author
Bill Donnelly, based in Long Island, New York, is a 7th-generation lineage holder of Choi Li Fut, a traditional Chinese martial art, and a seasoned Tai Chi practitioner and instructor. Over the years, he has delivered lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and lessons at various organizations and events. Outside the martial arts world, Bill has spent over 20 years as a managing consultant, advising private banks, wealth management firms, and fiduciary executives serving high-net-worth clients. He is also a passionate musician, occasionally playing drums with bands at local clubs. Beyond his diverse interests, Bill finds solace in writing.
His first book, Inner Secrets: Discovering Tai Chi’s Hidden Lessons for Preservation, Protection, and Peace of Mind, received rave reviews for its thought-provoking content. Revisiting its pages often led me to reflect on life’s deeper questions. Naturally, I was curious to see what his latest work had to offer.
About the Book
Meditations on the Principles of Tai Chi is a compact yet profound workbook spanning 113 pages and 12 chapters. Designed as a 12-week guide, each chapter focuses on a foundational theme:
- Wuji: No Extremes
- Breath
- Learning and Self-Discovery Takes Time
- Yin Yang: Integrated Opposites
- Settle the Qi
- Intention
- Your Center
- Rooting
- Alignment
- Meditation + Qi Gong = Tai Chi
- Principle or Sequence: Where is the Focus?
- Your Tai Chi Path
These themes are universal and applicable across all major Tai Chi styles, including Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu-Hao, Sun, He, and Wudang Kung Fu. While the chapters are presented sequentially, they can be explored in any order.
Each chapter includes seven reflective questions (except the final chapter), designed to deepen understanding and connect Tai Chi principles to daily life. For example:
- “If Wuji means no extremes or no discrimination, where can you see this as oneness in the world?”
- “How can you incorporate your breathing with movement, even in the smallest task?”
These questions encourage readers to meditate on Tai Chi’s philosophy and its practical application. Rather than providing “correct” answers, Bill aims to inspire personal reflection and growth and the smallest task can be cutting an apple.
Practical Insights
One question that resonated with me was: “At the close of your day, how can you return to Wuji, a state of stillness, to rest?” Struggling with sleepless nights lately due to a grassroots project I’m involved in, this question offered me a moment of clarity and helped me find stillness at the end of the day.
Karen Hermann, a long-time Tai Chi practitioner from St. Louis, approaches the workbook uniquely. Instead of writing her answers directly in the provided space, she keeps a separate notebook to revisit and update her reflections as her understanding evolves. This method underscores Tai Chi’s layered nature—our appreciation of its principles deepens with practice and time.
Given this, I believe the book’s subtitle, A Beginner’s Guided Reflection to Cultivate Your Tai Chi, could be expanded to emphasize its value for practitioners of all levels.
Final Thoughts
Meditations on the Principles of Tai Chi is more than just a guide for beginners. It is a workbook that inspires reflection, self-discovery, and practical application of Tai Chi principles. Whether you’re new to Tai Chi or a seasoned practitioner, Bill Donnelly’s insights offer a fresh perspective to help you grow in your practice and in life.
Does tai chi ever taken a moral stand? Or does the yin-yang duality just apply a veneer of relativity to everything ?
Mr. Donnelly posed the question: “At the close of your day, how can you return to Wuji, a state of stillness, to rest?” I will ask a different question: Was Donnelly’s query inspired by the need to find a way to extinguish the moral angst that surely comes from successfully advising private banks and wealth management firms?
Charles, you have an interesting question, which is very profound and begs for a deep discussion. Personally, I think there is a moral stand but may sound very different from Confucianism on the surface. But deep down, it holds a very high level of standard. I will relay your questions to Sifu Donnelly. — Violet