Zhang San Feng… is accredited by many as the founder of Tai-Chi. As such, many stories and tales are attributed to him. No doubt some are true, or at least have a kernel of truth about them. Some, likely are more apocryphal in nature. Nonetheless… a good story is a good story….
There was a certain student of old Zhang San Feng who was getting pretty good in his Tai-Chi. At one point Zhang San Feng told the student “You must leave me and study on your own. Do this for three years and come back to see me and I will check your progress” Although he was reluctant to leave his teacher he did as he was bid. He dutifully went away and practiced diligently.
Three years later he returned, but he said to his old teacher: “I feel that I have lost some of what you taught me, and that some of my forms are different”. “Show me” replied Master Zhang. He nodded and said: “This won’t do, it’s no good. Go away, and work harder. Practice for another three years, then return”
The student again complied with his masters wishes. He worked harder than ever, but upon his return in three years, he was more distraught than before. “The more I practice, the worse it becomes. I feel that I have lost over half of what you had taught me”. Upon reviewing the students form, Master Zhang concurred, and shaking his head he once again commanded the man to go away for three years to practice and and give it one final chance.
This time however, the student applied himself for all he was worth. Day and night he relentlessly poured all of his energies into practicing the forms his master had taught him. When he finally returned he found himself in total despair. He couldn’t look Master Zhang in the eye. He blurted out that he was a failure, and that he had let both himself and Zhang down because he had completely lost everything he was taught.
Master Zhang stood and watched patiently whilst the student performed before him. A great beaming smile broke out across his old face, and he chuckled heartily. He said: “This is marvelous, you have done very well. Now, the forms you have learned have become your own and are not mine anymore “