Pushing Hands and ‘’Eyes Wide Shut’’

I would regularly train at the SCLC Zocalo, in front of the classic church, with folks passing to and fro. Such an environment is valuable for training in (1) focus as well as (2) detachment from Social Norms. Being a foreigner makes such detachment easier, of course. In USA, in this decades-long era of socio-economic polarization, I have had some memorably negative experiences while going  my Art in public places. Once, while in Reno, my movements resulted in 2 police cars with sirens, with 2 beefy policemen jumping out of the car, with guns pointed at me. One said: ´´Don´t move!´´
The other said: ´´´Show your ID!!!´´

Of course, such testosteronic  Stimulus-Response actions are understandable, considering that in their work, especially in Reno, they no doubt came across many folks who were on drugs/mentally unstable/dangerous/homeless/etc. Another factor was the location where I was doing my Art—in the railroad freight yard, while I was waiting for a freight train, in the tradition of Jack Keroac and ´´On the Road´´. In the spirit of Ting-Dong-Hua, I responded to their mutually exclusive commands,  by responding in a refined/assuring/calming tone of voice: ´´Yes, Officers…´´

While doing my Art in the Zocalo in SCLC, I never had any negative vibes from anyone. Some people would be curious, and some young kids would try to tease me or test me. I would typically respond in a playful mood, by doing interesting/strange movements, whilemaking animal sounds…in a sense of good vibes, rather than anything scary or threatening. Here is a video of me giving an initial Pushing Hands  class in the Zocalo, as people pass by.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-HeK8qvz4I

In SCLC I gave a few Pushing Hands Workshops, and had 2 regular long-term students, and others passing thru. Well do I recall the Master John Chung Li´s words describing his students in Boston. His words: ´´…they are like fish, coming and going…´´ That was the generation  of the 1970s, described by the singer Carole King in a lyric: ´´Doesn´t anyone stay in one place anymore?´´

Both my regular students, one Spanish and the other Argentinian, gave me the nitty-gritty explanation of the general perception about Pushing Hands etc.—that it takes a long time.
Hmmm…in contrast to the often-lengthy process of learning a Form, Pushing Hands can be well-suited for (1)Beginners and (2) those focused upon cultivating/maintaining Beginner´s Mind.

By having eyes closed, one naturally switches into a defensive mode, rather than  strategizing about attacking the partner. There is nothing to think about doing, other than cultivating:
* Ting Jing (Listening Energy)
* Dong Jing (Understanding Energy)
* Hua Jing (Neutralizing Energy)

In Boston, 30+ years ago, Master T.T. Liang told me, confidentially, his evaluation of his friend, Master Li (also in Boston at that time). Master Liang told me that Master Li ´´lacks Neutralizing Energy´´. Ten years later, having returned from 3 years in Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan, I briefly stayed with Master Liang at his place in St. Cloud, Minnesota. One day, while training with him alone in his basement, I asked him to clarify what he meant, regarding Master Li.
Master Liang said, in his subtle/light-hearted/inscrutable manner: ´´OK…push me…´´ Then he closed his eyes, and made a humorous face. I did not attempt any Fa Jing. I just continued to push slowly/gently at his center…

One final ´´Eyes Wide Shut´´ experience. (BTW, the phrase is the title Stanley KubricK film—a truly inscrutable film, unless one studies it via explanatory YouTube videos, and sees its increasing relevance to current social dynamics in these Modern Times.  ) The experience—in 1978, when Master Li decided to move from his Studio in Boston Chinatown, down south to Florida, and its many retiree communities, we were all traveling in a car at night, with 3 other students. I was in the back seat, with Master Li next to me. We both had our eyes closed. I was semi-asleep. Then I noticed, his breathing was becoming slow and deep. I decided to sync with Master Li, and he responded knowingly. Then I noticed, when my mind would wander, he would respond by clearing his throat. Gradually there was a deeper sync, and then I was in another reality. There in the backseat at night, headed to Florida with 3 other students, I was having a mystical experience with my eyes closed! I was losing my sense of ´´Self´´ and was merging into …not  ´´the LIGHT´´, but into ´´the Dark Void´´. It freaked me out. I started to laugh nervously and opened my eyes.