It's gone viral in China: Taichi vs MMA

There's a video of a traditional Tai Chi master fighting an MMA fighter that has recently gone viral online. A lot of people have asked me if I'm happy about that video because the MMA fighter won. 

I'm not. 

To me, that video represents so many wrong things about martial arts. 

That video is divisive, misleading, and egotistical. Unfortunately, today we are surrounded by horrible acts of violence, shootings, terrorist activity - all based on some form of division. To divide, label, misrepresent, and exert some form of dominance over others. 

I believe in the power of martial arts to make this world a better place. 

I love martial arts for its ability to be completely blind to all of society's "labels". When you study, grow, and compete as a martial artist it doesn't matter what your race, religion, skin colour or education is. Your master and your fellow students appreciate you as an individual for who you are and welcome you as a part of the martial arts family. 

When you come to a ONE event anywhere in the world, you see the power and beauty of martial arts happening literally all around you. And under one roof, 20,000 people get together to share in their mutual passion of martial arts. We come together to celebrate the values of honor, respect, humility, dedication, and loyalty - they are the values that unite us as a martial arts community. 

The magic comes in celebrating what unite us, not glorifying what divides us as people. 

That video isn't about martial arts. It's about ego. 

“When love and hate are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the slightest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind.”

― Hsin Hsin Ming