Posted by Sean on January 07, 1997 at 00:53:43:
In Reply to: Re: Tai Chi posted by grasshopper on January 05, 1997 at 18:45:55:
: : As far as developing paranormal abilities, the martial arts is filled
: : with self-delusion. People trying to transform thenselves into
: : supermen. I have seen a kung fu "master" get seriously stomped in
: : a bar fight with a larger person. If this stuff was possible to any
: : degree, law enforcement and military people would have figured it
: : out by now.
: : So save yourself the time, unless you are someone who has trouble
: : unwinding. If, like me, you are trying to "cultivate a vigorous
: : spirit", stay well away from it.
: You would not have seen true 'masters' in bar fights...these are not
: skills that a policeman could learn; they are skills that come from
: decades of dilegent training and focus...paranormal-no...
Dear Grasshopper et al:
My intent was not to sound bitter. I am a sceptic, not a
rejectionist. But there is nothing magical about the martial
arts. The pressure points I believe he is asking about are
nothing more than an artery running over a bone close to the
surface.
Tai Chi uses some basic laws of physics to upset an opponent's
balance (the only laws we must all obey). But as you pointed
out, they take 15 to 20 years to learn. And even then, there
is no guarantee. That stuff you saw on the TV show, grasshopper,
never existed. People would like to believe it, but it's just
Hollywood.