Zhang Yi Zhong's Teaching Method and Philosophy

Zhang Yi Zhong teaches the internal martial arts, what he calls the "qi arts" in order to give his students culture, a model for relationships, and a lifestyle philosophy. What he primarily uses as the vehicle for this teaching is the Tai Ji system which was developed by Chen Pan Ling and various other instructors at the Central Martial Arts Academy in Nanjing during the 1930's. He primarily learned this form from Wang Shu Jin, with Chen Pan Ling giving advise and direction on occasion. However, Zhang says that over the years he has made some slight modifications based on his personal experiences. In Ba Gua, Zhang starts students learning Wang Shu Jin's system and then later teaches them the more complex system of Wang Jia Rui.

While it is true that Zhang was a student of Wang Shu Jin and no doubt learned a lot from him, I do not get the impression that Zhang would give Wang Shu Jin the credit for the art he teaches today. The physical framework of Zhang's teaching was derived from what Wang taught, however, the depth of Zhang's teaching comes from his seventy-five years of personal experience, research, and study. Zhang has spent his entire life intensely researching and studying martial arts, health maintenance, diet, and philosophy, and continues to do so today. Zhang tells his students that they must never be content with what they have learned from him. They should always continue to study, practice, research and illuminate. He states that if his students do not take what they have learned from him and continue to take the art, culture, philosophy, and self-cultivation process beyond what he has shown them, then he will have failed in his teaching.

Zhang considers the information he passes along to his students as a base, a foundation. He says that he provides his students with a base of principles. From these principles. integration, discovery, variation, and change emerge continually. It is a never ending process of growth and maturation. This changing and growing keeps the art alive and limitless. Zhang says that when students only copy without trying to create, the art becomes lifeless. He gives an example of two people drawing a picture of a third person. Although the two drawings are of the same object, they will not be exactly the same. He explains that the "art of drawing" lies in the differences between the two pictures because the differences define the individual interpretation and creativity. He says, "The difference is what gives it life. The art is in the difference. If the two drawings were exactly the same there would be no art." He feels that it is the same in martial arts. If two individuals interpret and execute a form or application exactly the same, there is no art, there is no life. Zhang says, "The martial arts have life in the projection of personal interpretation of principles. The principles form the root and the trunk of the martial arts tree. Individual interpretation is expressed in the leaves and twigs. The leaves and twigs can blow freely in the wind without disturbing the trunk."

Drawing from the Yi Jing (Book of Changes), Zhang continues with his discussion of foundational principles forming a base for limitless variation and creation by saying that although the principles of the Yi Jing do not change, the individual response to circumstance always changes. Zhang explains that there are three aspects to the Yi Jing: One is that which does not change, the next is that which continually changes, and the third is simplicity. The fundamental principles form the aspect of "that which does not change." Individual interpretation and constant change in response to circumstance forms the aspect of "that which continually changes." Lastly, Zhang says, "simplicity is the essence of skill and taste. The Dao adheres to simplicity, that which is complex does not follow the Dao."

To illustrate the nature of simplicity in practice, Zhang referred to a question posed by a student at a seminar Zhang had taught on the afternoon I met with him. The student had asked about using the mind to move the qi in the body. He asked about the mind moving qi from the dan tian, along the body's energy pathways, out to the limbs. Zhang's response was that all of that mental imagery is far too complicated. It is not in accordance with the principle of simplicity. Zhang said, "Clear your head and don't think about all of that stuff! Your energy will follow its natural course if you relax your mind and place your intention on your hands. "Where there is sickness, it will naturally he cured. Where there is no sickness, it will naturally be strengthened. Because it is simple, it is natural. The more complex it gets, the less natural it is!"