Authored by Zhang Xiaoying (张小瑛) Translated by Joshua Hehr
It has been five years since the renowned martial arts grandmaster Wang Peisheng left us. His voice, appearance, and smile still often appear before my eyes. The touching memories of interactions with Master-Grandfather remain vivid. Master-Grandfather's character and spiritual cultivation, his martial arts skills and profound mastery, his deep comprehension of Taijiquan's principles and techniques, and his insightful and unique analysis of the profound meanings within Taijiquan and traditional Chinese culture left me in awe and suddenly enlightened! Especially each time I revisit the discs of Master-Grandfather's lectures and watch videos of him demonstrating forms and applications, it is a wonderful enjoyment. You will follow his energy field and artistic conception into a realm of selflessness and otherness, that emptiness, stillness, naturalness, and incomparably wonderful artistic conception that makes one feel as if floating on air, intoxicated in spirit. Gradually I came to understand the infinite mysteries of Taijiquan and the profound realm of traditional Chinese martial arts. No wonder Comrade Deng Xiaoping inscribed: "Taijiquan is good." I also often heard my father say that Taijiquan is the most excellent boxing style, the leader among all schools of boxing! Master-Grandfather Wang Peisheng devoted his life to martial arts as his profession, and was a martial arts combat expert and fighting master renowned both at home and abroad. The Wu-style simplified Taijiquan 37 Postures, Qiankun Wuji Gong, and other methods he created have spread widely, with very significant effects for both health cultivation and combat skills, and are deeply loved by middle-aged and elderly friends as well as martial arts enthusiasts. We miss him immensely, and specially composed a short poem to express our deep remembrance of Master-Grandfather.
The essence.
Moving intention with the heart, guiding qi with intention, moving the body with qi, leading form with spirit—this is the essence of Taijiquan.
Acting purely through intention, following the movement of the body, the place where spirit and intention differ, the six spheres outside the body—this is your development and contribution to Taijiquan.
Flowing like clouds and water, with the spirit to swallow mountains and rivers, unity of heaven and humanity, supernatural transformation—this is the divine charm of the Taiji skill you displayed.
A commanding view from above, the finishing touch, cultivating both internal and external, following nature purely—this is the distinctive feature of your teaching and transmission of skills.
Movement within stillness, mechanisms everywhere, lightning and thunder, infinite variations—this is the feeling of martial arts peers sparring with you.
The magic formula.
Practicing tirelessly, courageous in actual combat, diligent in thought and perceptive in understanding, drawing from many sources—this is your secret to success.
Unafraid of adversity, unconcerned with fame and fortune, unfearing of strong opponents, dedicating yourself silently—this is your martial virtue and character.
A generation's grandmaster, renowned abroad, cultivating the martial arena, walking alone in the clouds—this is your inevitable fruit.
Bowing our heads in contemplation, hearts surging with emotion, following in your footsteps, striving upward, not disgracing our teacher's legacy, bringing glory to our country—this is our eternal vow.
September 2009