太極拳禪定特質的探討

The characteristics of meditation in Tai Chi Chuan

太極拳是華人特有的傳統運動，這種運動是以用意為主。由意來領導動作，從而帶動內氣的周轉，是一種可以養成練習者的專注力、培養身體鬆柔度，同時又可以調整練習者呼吸狀態的訓練，所以是初習禪定者一種很好的輔助運動。此外，因為太極拳可以養成練習者的專注力，故可將之視為是一種禪定。對於無意學習禪定的人來說，練習太極拳除了可透過運動的功效達到健身的目的外，亦可以得到收攝散亂的心念與意念專注的意外效果。目的：本文旨在闡揚太極拳對初學禪定者的調身功效以及一般大眾經由練習太極拳所獲得的靜心效益，不涉入對「太極」意涵的探討。方法：由於佛教在禪定有特別的成就，因此本文主要依據佛教對禪定的看法來檢視太極拳的禪定特質，同時並佐以太極拳先賢所遺留的相關資料以及現代科學的相關研究，在太極拳的拳理與要領中領會太極拳的禪定特質。結果：太極拳運動具備禪定的特質，因此禪定的學習者透過太極拳的運動方式不但可以獲得調身的效果，亦不會因為太極拳而使心境起伏躁動，至於一般練習太極拳的大眾則可透過太極拳獲得初步的靜心的效果。結論：太極拳對心理狀態的改善與心靈的提昇所具有正面且積極性的意義。Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese traditional exercise. The exercise is directed by the mind. The mind leads movements and then the internal energy follows afterwards circulating along within the body. Therefore, this mind orientated exercise is able to cultivate not only tenderness of the body but also mindfulness. In the meantime, the breathing condition of the practitioner can be improved results from the effect of the internal energy helping oxygen entering into cells as the exercise is proceeding. The exercise is then an adequate exercise for people who are beginners for doing meditation. Besides, because Tai Chi Chuan is able to cultivate mindfulness of practitioners, it hence can be regarded as a sort of meditation. Those people who are uninterested in doing meditation are also able to be trained mindfulness by practicing Tai Chi Chuan and then become undistracted. Purpose: To reveal that Tai Chi Chuan is a meditating exercise. In the course of practicing Tai Chi Chuan, beginners of doing meditation will receive the benefit of the physical tenderness and Tai Chi Chuan practitioners will obtained the outcome of mindfulness. Methods: Methods used in this research are that the characteristics of meditation in Tai Chi Chua are interpreted and analyzed in the light of Buddhist meditation as well as the early and contemporary literature of Tai Chi Chua. Results: To be a mind oriented exercise or meditating exercise, Tai Chi Chuan not only undisturb the mind but also help people to become mindfulness. Conclusion: Tai Chi Chuan has a positive aspect of the improvement and elevation of the state of mind.