Michael Garofalo has
shared his tai chi insights and wisdom on-line information for many years via
his blog and his other extensive on-line resources.
He is a very
generous man who makes many well-considered points:
The word
'master' varies in meaning as it is used in different cultures and languages.
In the taoist/zen traditions, a 'master' is one who is enlightened,
highly respected, venerated, a great contributor to the tradition, especially
wise and insightful, and possibly possessing special and extraordinary powers of
mind, body or spirit. If you had a relationship with such a 'master' it would
often be one of a Guru and disciple, a Father and son, an Authority and learner,
or a Superior and inferior ranks relationship. At some point, after many years
of study and practice, such a 'master' would make a decision, based upon your
abilities and performance and your face to face relationship with the 'master',
to grant you authority to teach, or certify your enlightenment, or otherwise
acknowledge your advancement into the ranks of a new 'master'. One aspect of the
philosophical taoist tradition also tends to downplay the importance of titles,
honours, degrees, and rank; and, instead, tries to bring more of a focus on
natural living, simple living, committed ongoing inner practice, and having the
heart-mind realize the tao as more important than social status. Some of these
taoist/zen practices are part of the tai chi chuan teaching style.
As a
general rule, tai chi chuan internal martial arts schools do not award degrees,
levels, ranks, or belts as do other martial arts systems. Many excellent and
experienced (10 years +) tai chi chuan teachers are also very modest, and prefer
not to be called 'master'. They may ask to call them 'Sifu' or 'Teacher', or
simply refer to them as 'Mr. Surname'.
Many tai chi chuan schools are
also autocratic and non-democratic in their organization, do not have a formal
and written curriculum, and are not coordinated with activities in other tai chi
chuan schools. These tai chi chuan schools are a business, operated by
individuals, do not provide for leadership changes; and, as such, are not
interested in cooperation or sharing with competitors.
As for my personal
preference, I favour a standardized tai chi chuan curriculum, written, and
coordinated with other schools teaching the same style of internal martial arts.
I would prefer a clear, written, and standardized system of testing and grading
by ranks, levels, or degrees of proven expertise as is found other external
martial arts (e.g. aikido, karate, kenpo, judo, taekwondo, etc.). I'd like to
see tai chi chuan practitioners wear belts, specialized clothing, sash markers
or other symbols to show their proven rank based on passing standardized tests.
I prefer to see the curriculum of tai chi chuan structured and orderly, written
and published, levelled, and accredited by an outside administrative authority.
Yes, I'm more of a Confucian or Legalist rather than taoist on this
subject.
I see the situation starting to change somewhat. For example, in
the United States, the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association now has a clear
curriculum and ranking system. In China, the physical education curriculum at
universities and colleges provides for a 'wushu' (martial arts) curriculum and
awards degrees accordingly, and does include tai chi chuan in the curriculum. A
number of tai chi chuan schools around the world are now developing a specific
written curriculum and rank testing. Traditional Chinese medicine, medical
qigong, and acupuncture now have accredited programs, standardized curriculum,
publications and textbooks, and ranking systems in the United States. I applaud
these efforts.
If you can earn a 'Master of Arts or Science Degree' in
five years by taking classes and tests at an accredited university, and a
Doctorate in 9 years, then you should be able to do the same in tai chi chuan
and be called, at some point of proven accomplishment, a
'master'.
