Meaning of ‘sung’ in Tai Chi 🤔

The concept of sung was introduced to me initially as simply relaxation - the idea that the more that we can relax with good structure and alignments, the better results we will get in our training.

But it wasn’t until around 2017 where I started to hear the term ‘sung’ and the concept was explained to me in more depth as something like ‘release’ or ‘letting go’.

Then through practice my perspective and understanding changed.

I began to see it as a kind of equanimity and letting go in the face of physical force or even confrontation. A mental state - not attaching to a specific outcome, content to accept what ever forces are placed onto the body without resisting.

Even overriding the natural fight or flight response where the muscles would naturally contract. But that doesn’t mean surrendering either.

So sung can be thought of as maintaining an open attitude of non resistance, non fight, non contraction.

If I get pushed or hit then no worries.

This means being able to let go of the ego, the need to get even with my training partner or opponent.

In push hands being ok with taking a step rather than fighting to maintain ones stance even if in competition that might mean losing the point.

At higher levels sung starts to become ‘Hua’ which means neutralising force and this is where the practitioner doesn’t need to move very much if at all to maintain structure. This is not the same as bracing however.

Ultimately being released in Tai chi should mean being released in life, being less stressed, healthier and happier. 🙏😎

#plebchain #taichi #grownostr #meditation