Neidan Seal Script: Sanbao
Neidan Seal Script: Sanbao
Neidan Seal Script: Sanbao
Professor Payor
East Asian Civilization
15 October 2018
Neidan
64 emblems of Yijing
Through the concepts, understanding, and history of neidan, neijia is a huge example of
this practice. Neijia, being a term of Chinese martial arts, translates to “internal martial arts” and
focuses on a “soft style.” This involves spiritual, mental, and aspects of Qi, contrasting the
differences between “external” approaches. Dating back to the 17th century, neijia was developed
by using neigong exercises. Neigong exercises are internal, in which focuses more on Chinese
breathing, meditation, and spiritual practice disciplines. These all relate to the practices of Taoism.
The many martial art schools of neigong train people how to coordinate each individual's body
with breath. This leads to the harmonization of the inner and outer energy. From there, this creates
a method of utilizing power and technique within the body. While the physical body is still, one
learns how to move in conscious, deliberate, movement. The purpose of it all is to be more relaxed
and release muscular tension, while maintaining the skills of coordination, concentration, and
technical skill. The ultimate goal is to become one with Heaven.
tuishou
The focus on the internal emphasizes the importance of awareness of the spirit, mind, and
energy. This all refers to the Three Treasures. An example of a training method for neijia is
called tuishou or “pushing hands.” This routine involves two people and is also played as an
international sport similar to Judo and Sumo wrestling. Through this, one learns how to manage
leverage, reflex, sensitivity, timing, coordination and positioning. The purpose of “pushing
hands” is to disengage natural instinct to resist force with force. The human body learns how to
yield to force and redirect it. Another method in neijia is called fa jin. This method means to
release explosive power or to refine it and isn’t specifically a striking method. Through this
method, it shows the concept of internal martial arts. Every move begins with the management of
internal state, then projects to a physical one. Without the internal, there is no successful
external. The strength isn’t necessarily
measured through physical health, but is
measured through internal. An example that
defies the physical concept of strength is the
“one-inch” punch. Popularized by the martial
artist Bruce Lee, the “one-inch” punch is a
move executed between 0 to 15cm. This
move’s power isn’t focused on the amount of
momentum of the punch, since it doesn’t
have much length. This is where internal
martial arts come to play. One’s technique
emphasizes the internal to achieve such a
move. On top of that, having a relaxed and
Bruce Lee performing the “one-inch” punch. positive mindset is the first step in self-
defense and health.
Although neijia seems like a great,
methodical practice, there are cultural problems for Western students. When Westerners begin the
practice of neijia, they get “bored” of the simplicity of movements. Having said, they expect more
of a “complicated” system in terms of physicality. Westerners usually find trouble in letting go
and letting Qi develop naturally. This takes patience in a way they don’t expect. This makes it hard
for some Westerners to fully understand the concept of internal martial arts. They need to
understand that the true internal power comes from the understanding of the basic principles of
neijia, not the complexity of physical movement. Going on this journey of neijia makes it hard for
Westerners to understand that there will not be a formal recognition of completion. This will
always be a work in progress. In Chinese culture, it is known that if a master thinks he has mastered
his art, his knowledge is in decline.