Chen Manching & Robert W. Smith

[tantienbreather]

RIP Robert Smith

[SeraIngram]

Mr. Smith<3 My dad and I love and miss you RIP<3

[pacfilm]

Unfortunately, Bob Smith passed away two days ago. This segment is from our film, MARTIAL ARTS: THE REAL STORY, which was produced for the The Learning Channel in 2002. More information available on our web site, Pacific Street Films...

[ContinuosChange]

Wow, did you notice that during the second push, as it was fading out, he launched that guy like he was leaving from a CANNON??!! Now THAT is what I call Fa Jing!!! hahaha!

[almagore1]

billysue2 Actually, there is nothing in this universe that is "physical". When seen through the light of the Spirit, all things that used to seem physical are seen to be merely shadows in the Light of God. Secular scientists believe that physical objects have an independent existence, they do not. Physical objects only exist through the continual love and will of God. If God, for 1 second ceased to will everything to exist, the entire universe would simply blink out of existence.

[ContinuosChange]

@almagore1 - aghhhhh, OK........

[tantienbreather]

@almagore1 You're late for your philosophy class! LOL

[almagore1]

@tantienbreather I can't figure out what you are referring to because I haven't commented for 3 months. If you are referring to what I said 3 months ago, I didn't learn that in a class but through personal experience. It is also what is taught in the Indian Philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. I like your comments by the way, I find them helpful.

[MrOphachew]

Anyone ever check out what Dan Doherty's take on Cheng Man Ching on line at Dan Doherty: Tai Chi Gladiator.

[david1234lee]

I studied professor Cheng's book fore more than 10 years, considering that as some sort of a Bible. He was intelligent, straight-forward and one of the greatest taichi masters ever! The key is relaxation, balance and also focus in a harmonizing process. I wish I could have met him!

[Krummerz]

I learned that there are birds called parrots who can mimic the human voice .They can say words ,whole sentences even.They can repeat the poetry of Shakespear and the wisdom of Socrates.But does this make them Shakespear or Socrates?

You have been taught a trick that mimics the actions of the great.And because your mind cannot see the difference between what you do and what they do you will never be able to do what they do.

[jimee44]

I learned that the multiple men pushing thing is a trick . I'm no master and I can do it ..... such things like this and the " unbendable arm " are used by charlatans in demonstrations . NEVER follow a teacher who uses this sort of thing . . a real teacher will always help you to debunk your notions of any magic in tai chi and lead you to what is real and simple ...the debunking should make you laugh in embarrassment at your fanciful illusions .

[Krummerz]

So many experts.So many wonders of the internal world.It's amazing you are not all out throttling lions and pushing over mountains.I guess it is better that you are all busy illuminating the world via You Tube or how would i feel safe to go for my morning walks ?

The Style of Yang is not the style that Cheng taught.The style that Yang Cheng fu evolved is not the style of Yang Lu Chan. Very few people teach the style of Yang Lu chan today.When Cheng lived on Taiwan he fought and never lost.

[smr144]

All physical push... No peng-jing. Really folks, do you think that Yang Lu-Chang, The Invincible, was undefeated in the fighting capital of the world -Beijing- of mid 19th century by doing this????? Give me a break...

[ContinuosChange]

@smr144 - you missed it knucklehead; it's an EXERCISE - a means to an end, NOT A FIGHTING TECHNIQUE!!!!

[smr144]

@ContinuosChange Dear Bare Knucklehead, Then, what is the end of physically shoveling another man? Since when is that an application of an internal principle(s)??

[ContinuosChange]

#1: @smr144 - First, Thank You for the Bare Knucklehead handle!! :-) Next, I was referring to the Push-Hands EXERCISE, not simply a physical push. I agree that in the footage the first push looks simply like a straight push relying solely on muscle, but as the clip fades that launch is anything but a physical push. I don't think he had that much muscle by the time he was that age. As for Yang Lu-Chang, you tell me, why would he spend so much time doing it if it was worthless??

[ContinuosChange]

@smr144 - when you are engaged in a fight, what does it matter if it's a punch, kick, elbow, knee, joint lock, throw, or yes- EVEN A PUSH!! A technique is just that, a technique....... there's an old saying in our school: "sometimes you just have to hit people". Simply meaning apply what you need to save yourself or a loved one. Techniques are just a means to an end- push or not!!!

[dragob732]

who are this 13 MMA guys?

[dragob732]

yo man,where can i find this movie or amything else on Robert Smith?

[almagore1]

@dragob732 In 1967 a book by Robert Smith and Cheng Man Ching was published by Tuttle Publishing. It has complete instructions of Cheng's Tai Chi form with excellent pictures of Cheng doing his form. The title is "Tai-Chi" The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self Defense. The book is available in hardcover at Amazon.co.uk or both hard cover and paper at Amazon.com. I recommend the hardcover as the pictures are much easier to see.

[monkfg]

Smith's comments were good. Sending everything to the ground, make your opponent push the concrete and hit your opponent with concrete.

[bigfatdick5000]

All those in the West who denies the existence of Chi and calling the Chinese to be "stupid" for believing in Chi needs to seriously investigate into their claims.

[sonofthedestroyer]

Ask them to watch video of John Chang on youtube

[GDragon9666]

what is chi to you? because is it in fact mostly about blood flow, proper structure and kinetic energies....chi!

[jmwillnew]

Does anyone know Mr. Smith or how to contact him. I ask only because I was fortunate enough to read several of his books in the first years of my martial arts training, which gave me great perspective. I have always just wanted to thank him for his life, and sharing his experiences. So if someone could just tell him thank you from this anonymous person I would deeply appreciate it.

[yieldingbamboo]

Thats a great thing to do man. unfortunately I do not have his contact info.  I new the the Hsing-I/Xingyi, Taiji and Bagua world.

[bvindh]

i dont know either!!....yeayyy!!we are three o a kind!!!!

[DimitriGeorganas]

I second that....great books and great author.

[qimover05]

As a long-time student of Mr. Smith, I know when you say that you just want to thank him for his truly amazing life. He was one of the very first bridges from Ancient China to Modern America. A true Bodhisattva. He was able to access the precious teachings and make them completely available to those seeking. He gave us the breadth and depth of the essence of the Asian Martial Arts. A window into a different way of thinking from the Western model. A deep bow to my teacher.

[jmwillnew]

" Deep Bow " To Mr. Smith

[wkl168]

I was a tai chi student in San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1960's. Cheng Man Ching was in the city and sometimes came to the club to visit.  We students were shown a film in which Cheng Man Ching demonstrated the push hand. Opposite him was a young white man who was pushed and thrown into the air. Years later I learned the name of the white man. He as Robert Smith of Washington, D.C.

Cheng Man Ching was known as one of tai chi's "three bright lights" (sahn jeh) in the world.

[wkl168]

Testing.

[blues2mars]

Cherche prof Tai Chi Yang Style filiation Chen Man Ching a Paris :)

Thank you for spreading this invaluable testimony!

[YenJenChing]

When his students were asked whether he could push others that far, they say, "Come on. It's staged... at most 5 or 6 meters, but not that far as in the film."

[Jaxoran]

It all depends on the school you are from. This school, in the Yang tradition, was not about boasting and fighting. True to the philosophy of the Tao, their approach to practice was one of humility. I don't think Cheng Man Ching pursued fame and I believe what this man said about him: he was never beat.

Other forms of martial arts are about aquiring status by earning belts. This form of tai chi was not about that at all. So if you were looking for "show" you might leave disappointed.

[chebacco]

I don't want to start a war on who is real, and I respect Cheng, but... There is a film of Gin Soon Chu pushing on You Tube. He's a deciple of Yang Sau Chung. That's Yang Cheng Fu's oldest son. That "freezing Chi" hurts like hell, and is very disturbing. He is the real deal. Also grabbing hold of one of O Sensei's Uchi Deshi was more like grabbing a cat 5 hurricane. Just sharing experience.

[elscooch]

imagination becomes reality

[Bhagawann]

Like aikido and O sensei

[tekshow]

Chi isn't mystical, but it is an energy flow. Acupuncture has shown that there are meridians in the body that energy in various forms passes through. Any person understands this nowadays because we know that the human body carries electrical current, gives off a heat signature, and has its own magnetic field. 2000 years ago, or even 200 years ago we called the science behind it Chi.

[WingChunBoyz]

He is tapping into the ground power..nothing spiritual or mystical it's just physics and good bone structure.

[Ghostfuture]

Was CMC actually famous in China?

[bboytao]

Not really. As far as I have heard, if you read TT Liang's book STEAL MY ART, Chen was actually not as advanced as many of the masters in China. In fact on a few occasions according to the book he was injured by masters for being boastful

[karlcrawford]

you can see from the video that he moves through the hips,It's not really linear at all like so many tai chi practitioners who move like robots.a type of spring power needs to be expressed through the joints then jing can be emitted

[emborios]

"root his chi into the ground"...for christ sakes. I like tai chi for what it is, but the mystic crap makes me puke. It's all physics, and anyone who believes there's mystic powers involved is a prime victim for cultists and other impostors.

[nastied]

chi is not something mystical, it is natural. Mechanics/physics can explain much of the workings of tai chi, but don't think it can explain it all(so far). If you wanna read more, checkout the books by Stanford physicist William Tiller. Have you felt the tingling sensation of chi?

[imbrd]

do you know what taiji is? there is nothing mystical/delusional about chi. it is as real as the air you breathe, the light you see, the water you drink. chi is in short, the expression of life(energy). the only way for taiji is through the dantien- meditation, cultivation, relaxation, and internalization. that is the nature of internal art we call taiji- following the way of the Dao.

[almagore1]

@emborios It is not "just physics". What is Mystical? Different people have different definitions. Someone who thinks it is just physics has never felt his chi and moved it through mind intent. I am no expert but I have done Cheng's form for 40 years and know there is much to it that is non-physical because I have experienced it.

[billysue2]

@almagore1 there is nothing in the universe that is non physical

[gangstasamurai]

haha, well said DeviSamit.

[DeviSamit]

Cheng Man-ch'ing is justifiably regarded as one of the great masters of the 20th century. I studied at his school in New York, and was there at the time of his death. His official cause of death was listed as a cerebral hemorrhage. As far as his ability is concerned, anyone who was privileged to experience the power of his push will testify that it was unparalleled. And those posters to this list who are expressing anger, prejudice and hatred have missed the entire point of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

[k4jdp]

Ten years ago I was sending out inquiries to martial art group on-line to see if anyone knew if Robert Smith had transferred his films of the Taiwanese masters to video yet. Very glad to see that some are now being posted. He must have hundreds of them from his CIA assignment of 1959-62. Wish more will be forthcoming.

[rhan3488]

who cares what he died from. The point is. is that he was a good teacher and great taiji boxer. He is just a man just like any of us. No one should judge anyone like that. Most chinese boxers still smoke especially the older ones. does that make them anything less?

[baguaman8]

I am afraid the last two posts are hearsay and unsubstantiated. I have known several of Zheng Man Ching's students in Taiwan (and studied with one), and I corresponded with Bob Smith for years, but I have never heard he died in such a way. Though the man did like his wine!

[lotusden]

not a Daoist and died from falling down the stairs (drunk). search heaven man earth to see some top notch taiji from somebody alive. not much around thats for sure

[HYPNOSISWORKS123]

Follow no man.  Be your own light.

[osheen18]

u sound like jiddu krishnamurti

[sonofthedestroyer]

Shocking to know that this great tai chi taoist master died of ALCOHOL ABUSE! I was shocked to learn this as i have his book and followed him as if he was my guru.

[benjyaw]

his surname is nt Chen, it is Zheng. For goodness sake. He will jump up from his grave! ;)

[statisticool]

Great video, thanks!

[AlbertEdmonson]

... Robert W. Smith?

[omava]

He was a co-author on Asian fighting arts, was Cheng student while writing. He said of all the people he wrote about and trained with, Cheng Man Ching was far superior than the rest. This included all styles of fighting.

[ophuchew]

Well I like. I've heard about both GM CMC and RWS and have both their book(s) on Taiji as well as reprints of RWS's books on Hsing-I, Pa Kua/Bagua, Chinese MA from the early 80's. And now we get to hear what RWS really sounds like. And we actualy get to see GM CMC in action. They are both truley my greatists teachers I never knew.

[Kelimu]

People see an ordinary thing and may think it's something special

[niyiuh]

were do you guys find this stuff...between dpgdpg and taoboxer you guys are completing my martial arts education...many thanks and keep it coming guys :)

[blackjamm]

Zheng Manqing's form is not the one I practise; I practise the Yang Chengfu style long form. What you will know, if you practise the Yang style long form, is that Chengfu's book was prefaced, edited and fleshed out by Zheng Manqing. He and Fu Zhongwen were the two most trusted students, but only Zheng Manqing was able to leave China prior to the 90s. His form is elegant, and he was a very good and skilful taijiquan practitioner.

[steveg219]

What you are seeing is the style that CMC created and taught. He was fully trained and well versed in traditional Yang style, which IS somewhat different. He was an undefeated fighter and quite advanced in control of Qi. Do not mistake the difference in how his style looks from older Yang style, he had the internal power and could use if effectively....

[drdankness]

that guy sounds funny... thats funny vincent!

[vincentho17]

i hate people know nothing about Chinese kung fu and bullshitting

[drdankness]

i can assure you that what i see on that video, is VERY different from Yang style. CMC was a mediocre student of Yang Cheng Fu, not the disciple many claim him to be. CMC is not like true Yang Family style at all. CMC style= Tofu Style Tai chi

[barimbo]

CMC was maybe not masterstudent of Yang Cheng Fu. Nevertheless he became a master and one of the most reknown and respected Tai Chi authorities of his time. You talk without respect, and that's bad style. Train more and keep your mouth shut about things you're still in the process of learning.

[drdankness]

he's shoving the opponent, not using peng jing power

[imbrd]

CMC 'style' is a style of taiji- it is taiji just like 'yang' or 'wu' style also is. internal power is what you cannot see- the difference between external and internal is the internal. CMC is real- it is not some "make believe" mysicism.

Internal power CAN be wielded in less than a few milimeters to more than a couple feet- external requires the use of a couple feet and cannot be discharged the same as internal power

[zhongding]

i bet what you like is the fake shite

[blackjamm]

Why, when using the an technique, would he use peng-style energy? And it's written "pengjin". Jing means sperm, semen, or essense.

[MasterGohring]

Jing that means sperm is pronounced with a high level tone or what is called first tone. Jing that means power is pronounced with a falling tone or fourth tone and means power. It can be confusing because in Tai Chi we want to preserve our jing1 for long life and at the same time learn about how to develop and use our jing4 for self defense.

[drktmplar]

It's Jin4, not Jing4.

[drdankness]

chen man ching style... NOT TRUE YANG FAMILY TAI CHI. this is not the POWER of tai chi... its flowery BS

[imbrd]

by the way, i was wondering why- halfway through the 'clip' ~1:48, the sound is screwy

[DPGDPG]

That section you are talking about was an entire seprate clip in itself that I attached to the whole clip. It did not have sound and was slowed down.

[bbathk]

bull crap

[imbrd]

how is this crap? this is very real- and the power is true- so what do u mean 'crap'?

[imbrd]

o when was this on TLC? where can i find the video/episode? this is awesom

[DPGDPG]

This aired 2002. You can find the video here http://www.psfp.com/martial.ht­m. This is a documentary on martial arts which only has a small section on CMA and even a smaller section with RWSmith.

[fzeeshan]

Wow