Beyond the Closed Door: Chinese Culture and the Creation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan [Paperback]

Arieh Lev Breslow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 1995

Beyond the Closed Door explains in clear layman's terms the evolution of Chinese Culture and how it has profoundly influenced the character of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. It does so by framing Chinese ideas in the context of Western thought, pointing out the differences as well as the similarities. Beyond the Closed Door is not a how-to book for someone wishing to learn T'ai Chi. Rather it is a study of T'ai Chi's cultural heritage that, at the same time, requires an explanation of the principles of this soft martial art. If you want to know why the Chinese developed their unique system of martial arts, why the Chinese meditate and we in the West pray, then this book is for you.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Beyond the Closed Door succeeds in introducing the mysteries of Chinese thought and culture, drawing together a vast array of sources and piecing together the Chinese world view that is intelligible to Westerners...Those trying to enter the gates of taijiquan would do well to open this portal on the East. -- The Journal of Asian Martial Arts

It can be read and re-read on many levels; a well-written introduction to Chinese history and philosophy, a handbook of preliminary techiques in meditation, a guide to one of the oldest and most successful martial arts. -- The Jerusalem Post Book Reviews

This is no ordinary book on tai chi...Enjoy a dynamic consideration of the growth of Chinese Buddhism and the evolution of a movement transcending martial arts. -- Bookwatch, selected as Reviewer's Choice

About the Author

Arieh Lev Breslow has taught T'ai chi Ch'uan for over twenty years in Israel, Europe and the United States. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin where he earned an MA in history. He is also the author of When Less is More: Using the Mind to Exercise the Body as well as numerous articles on health and exercise. He now lives in Jerusalem with his wife Anne and their three daughters, Leah, Amira and Merav.

Product Details

• Paperback: 399 pages
• Publisher: Almond Blossom Press (June 12, 1995)
• ISBN-10: 096447302X
• ISBN-13: 978-0964473027
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #645,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great history of the development of T'ai Chi, December 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond the Closed Door: Chinese Culture and the Creation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Mass Market Paperback)

Arieh Lev Breslow has been teaching T'ai Chi for over 20 years, the last 14 at the Jerusalem School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, which he founded in Israel. In Beyond The Closed Door he provides us a well documented and fascinating journey through 4500 years of Chinese culture leading to the creation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. The amazing part is that he does it in less than 400 pages, using clear layman's terms, keeping you interested with every chapter.

Beyond The Closed Door is not a "how to do T'ai Chi" text. The book is divided into four main sections. Breslow begins with an overview of Chinese Culture showing the importance of the development of the concept of Yin and Yang. We are introduced to the familiar characters of Confucius, Lao Tzu and Chang Tzu and their ideas and influences. Breslow show us that many of the concepts of today's forms have roots deep within ancient Chinese culture.

From there we begin to understand the development of Chinese Religion and Philosophical thought. Influences of Confucianism and Buddhism along with the rise and fall of many political regimes all contribute to and draw upon Taoism - resulting in all three becoming the supporting legs of Chinese culture well into the 20th century.

The history of China is indeed a colorful one, full of traditions, science, religion, mystics and philosophy. But it is also one filled with violence, warfare, political strife and the rise and destruction of many empires. Breslow shows us in a clear and logical manner that thousands of years of this ebb and flow (dare I say Yin and Yang) of conflict gave rise to many well-developed concepts, past on master to student in the grandest of oral traditions. All of this history evolving finally, into the creation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

T'ai Chi is much more than the forms many practice. Beyond The Closed Door opens up the world behind the forms. "To understand the origins and practice of T'ai Chi is to gain a profound insight into the culture from which it came." I found the book a captivating, fascinating, and accessible exploration of the wonderful view of the universe we know as T'ai Chi. I think you will enjoy it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bridge between the Classics and the West, August 27, 2000

By 

Corey H. Wiscomb (Orcas Island, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond the Closed Door: Chinese Culture and the Creation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Paperback)

Arieh Lev Breslow presents a very academic study of Tai Chi Chuan and its cultural and historical roots. He is quite thourough in his detective work into the understanding of religious belief that influenced Tai Chi (in an information based manner), but so thourough that at a couple points it becomes a dry read (Hence the three stars instead of five). Stick with it though! After suffering through a couple sections of footnote after footnote Breslow brings it all back together in a manner that will excite the mind and reach the spirit. He does well to explain quotes of the Tai Chi Classics in modes that westerners will understand.

His observations of how to perform Tai Chi Chuan in the second half of the book serve to demonstrate the expert understanding that he has for this art form. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who really has interest in Chinese culture and an essential history for those who practice Tai Chi and are looking to go deeper.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth your time, March 10, 2003

By 

E. Jensen (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond the Closed Door: Chinese Culture and the Creation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Paperback)

This book is a good read if you are interested in the historical and cultural foundations of T'ai Chi. It suffers a little bit from bad editing (possibly done by a computer spellchecker?). The author shares his knowledge of T'ai Chi by way of explaining how deeply-held Chinese beliefs almost inevitably resulted in the art of playing T'ai Chi. I did not find it tedious at all. Most of the black and white figures were very helpful and well done, although one or two sequences (e.g. those showing a woman practicing "T'ai Chi Walking") were not as well explained as they might have been. This book would probably be less enjoyable for a reader who had no prior knowledge of T'ai Chi but regular Players will find it an interesting addition.