Sifu Says: Awareness Of Yi, Chi, Li
By: Robert Hoffmann M.A.
Date: 06 July 2007

Last week in the Pleasant Valley class, Sifu expounded on the importance of maintaining awareness of the interdependence of Yi (mindfulness), Chi (“internal” energy) and Li (physical force expression). Sifu asked that this edition of “Sifu Says” deal specifically with the interconnection among these three aspects of iliqchuan.

It is important to be aware of how Yi (awareness), Chi (“internal” energy) and Li (physical force expression) coordinate in the practice of iliqchuan. Iliqchuan, is not separate from the wholeness of being. Iliqchuan is an art of awareness. Awareness reveals the interdependence between the nature of mind, , internal energy and physical result. These three aspects must coordinate without a gap in order for ones expression fo iliqchuan to reach the higher levels. Naturally, when students can coordinate these three aspects of being without fault, the mind stays calm and the ability to remain dynamically balanced is enhanced, without effort or egotistical attachment.

On this point Sifu said, “It is important to emphasize how to use awareness, in order to make sure the chi is correct. Having chi coordinated with awareness, you can be sure physical force is there. This is the meaning of Yi Tao, Chi Tao, Li Tao.”

Literally translated, “Yi Tao, Chi Tao, Li Tao” means “mind way, energy way and physical force way”. Mind-way, coordinated with Energy-way, coordinating with Physical force expression results in what may be observed as technique.

In the same class Sifu added more wisdom to his explanation of “Yi Tao, Chi Tao, Li Tao”. Specifically, Sifu said, “you must know how to recognize the mind. Recognizing the nature of mind is to recognize cause and consequence. Cause and consequence are sequential, and impact everything. Because iliqchuan understands the interplay of mindfulness with expression, only students of iliqchuan can understand iliqchuan”.

For example, when people try to put iliqchuan into the conceptual “package” of another art, conceptual limitations come into play, creating a conflict of comprehension. The conflict of comprehension is based on past habits and judgment. Habit and judgment prevent mindfulness. Consequently, since iliqchuan deals with the nature of mindfulness fundamentally, the presence of conceptual conflict blocks the mind from resting on mind and thus hinders full potential and natural response without effort.

Sometimes it may seem difficult to recognize and realize the nature of mind directly. Fortunately, owing to the interdependence of things, it is possible to use the body to support mindfulness. Specifically related to the effective coordination of Yi Tao, Chi Tao and Li Tao, Sifu recommended the following postural considerations.

“Simultaneously balance the dan-tien and ming-men. Work on these two things, work on them together, then the body will be available to recognizing and realizing the coordination of Yi, Chi and Li.”
After such a wonderful teaching, Im sure I speak for all students in saying, “Thank You Sifu”.