"As a martial art, tai chi chuan is externally a soft exercise, but internally hard, even as it seeks softness. If we are externally soft, after a long time we will naturally develop internal hardness. It’s not that we consciously cultivate hardness, for in reality our mind is on softness. What is difficult is to remain internally reserved, to possess hardness without expressing it, always externally meeting the opponent with softness. Meeting hardness with softness causes the opponent’s hardness to be transformed and disappear into nothingness. How can we acquire this skill? When we have mastered sticking, adhering, connecting and following, we will naturally progress from conscious movement to interpreting energy and finally spiritual illumination and the realm of absolute transcendence. If our skill has not reached absolute transcendence, how could we manifest the miracle of “four ounces moving a thousand pounds”? It is simply a matter of “understanding sticky movement” to the point of perfecting the subtlety of seeing and hearing. ... The highest truths Were passed to Confucius and Mencius. The spiritual practices for cultivating body and mind Were exemplified in the seventy-two disciples, Emperors Wen and Wu. This was handed down to me Through Xu Xuanping. The elixir of long life is within the body That we may restore our primal purity. Spiritual cultivation brings great virtue; Regulate it well and the qi and body will be whole. For ten thousand years chant the praises of eternal spring; Truly the mind is the genuine article. The Three Teachings are not separate schools, But all speak of one Great Ultimate, Whose greatness fills the universe, One standard fixed for all eternity. The teachings of the ancient sages are a lasting heritage, Opening the way for truth seekers down through the ages..."