Tai-Chi Chuan Theory by Wang Zongyue

Posted by Yue "Annie" Shan on August 7, 2012

We would like an English version. Please let me know if you could help with the translation.

王宗岳太极拳论

太极者,无极而生,动静之机,阴阳之母也。动之则分,静之则合;无过不及,随曲就伸。人刚我柔谓之走,我顺人背谓之粘。动急则急应,动缓则缓随。虽变化万端,而理惟一贯。由着熟而渐悟懂劲,由懂劲而阶及神明。然非用力之久,不能豁然贯通焉。虚领顶劲,气沉丹田;不偏不倚,忽隐忽现。左重则左虚,右重则右杳。仰之则弥高,俯之则弥深;进之则愈长,退之则愈促。一羽不能加,蝇虫不能落。人不知我,我独知人。英雄所向无敌,盖皆由此而及也。斯技旁门甚多,虽势有区别,概不外乎壮漆弱、慢让快耳。有力打无力,手慢让手快,是皆先天自然之能,非关学力而所为也。察“四两拨千斤”之句,显非力胜;观耄耋能御众之形,快何能为?立入枰准,活似车轮。偏沉则随,双重则滞。每见数年纯功不能运化者,率皆自为人制,双重之病未悟耳。欲避此病,须知阴阳。粘即是走,走既是粘。阴不离阳,阳不离阴。阴阳相济,方为懂劲。懂劲后,愈练愈精,默识揣摩,渐至从心所欲。本是舍己从人,多误舍近求远。所谓差之毫厘,谬之千里,学者不可不详辨焉。是为论。