225. Genchitaofu Baguazhang's Yi - 艮氣道福八卦掌の易
In the Baguazhang Art of War series, there are at the moment four titles available. The first title is called ‘The Baguazhang Art of War’. The second title is called ‘The Baguazhang Qigong Illustrated through 64 I-Ching inspired Postures’. The third title is ‘The Baguazhang Tao of War’. And now there is a fourth book in the series called, ‘The Baguazhang I-Ching of the Genchitaofu Way’. This fourth book is much larger than the previous three books, and is for the baguazhang and internal martial arts practitioner that understands the relationship between bagua and the I-Ching. This book can be read from cover to cover like the others or used as a book of consultation like the Zhou Book of Changes. And as you can guess, it deals with the concept of change. The concept of change is at the heart or essence of what baguazhang as a martial art is. And is a fundamental aspect that separates it from other styles; including Tai Chi. The moment a baguazhang practitioner adheres to rigidity and steadfastness, is the moment he becomes a defeated man. But by incorporating change (in whatever term it is called), that defeat becomes the seed of victory. All things in the universe, whether or not you can see it, are in a state of constant change. This is not spiritual mumbo-jumbo, but something which has been proven in science again and again. What makes my book different to the orthodox Zhou Book of Changes is that the sequence of the hexagrams have been remastered into the order of the Genchitaofu Baguazhang Way. And, that while the hexagram interpretations may seem similar, they are in fact different and are based on actual working-in-the-field questions, not reinterpretations of what happened five thousand years ago in around the time of the Shang-Zhou dynastic succession. While I strongly encourage you to read and use it, this book is not for the person who daydreams about using Baguazhang for streetfighting. But it is for the person who has come to appreciate, that while streetfighting is illegal in most countries, the guys who are good at streetfighting, for them it is all about the money. And that if you were to engage in such conduct, it will eventually put you in harms way. Thankfully, that harm (however which way it comes and is experienced) is in fact heaven’s way of testing your metal on the field of battle. It is the proving ground that comes just after you have decided to not quit the martial art you have spent years dedicating your life to. And have overcome the trolls attacking your style. And you’ve hung in there, even though your martial brothers have all jumped ship for the latest popular martial art style going. This book, ‘The Baguazhang I-Ching of the Genchitaofu Way’ is my gift to you. Read it. Use it. And transcend the level you are at.