Double Weight (雙重) from Tai Chi Chuan Teaching Notes (太極拳講義)

雙重

雙重者，無虛實之謂也。雙重之病，有單方，與雙方及兩手兩足之分。經云，偏沉則隨，雙重則滯。又云，有數年純功而不能運用者，率為人制，雙重之病未悟耳。故雙重之病，最難自悟自覺。非知虛實之理，不易避免。能解此病，則聽勁、感覺、虛實、問答，皆能融會貫通焉。

吳公藻

"Double weight means there is no discrimination of substantial and insubstantial. The problem of double weighting can be distinguished as single side or double sides and the differentiation of the two hands and two feet. The classic says: “When the opponent presses sideward or downward, then follow. When there is double weighting, then there is stagnation.” It also says: ‘There are those that train seriously for several years and cannot put to (Tai Chi) use and is controlled by the opponent. They do not have yet a proper understanding of the problem of double weighting.” Therefore the problem of double weighting is the most difficult problem for someone to become aware and comprehend. Without knowing the theory of insubstantial and substantial, it is not easy to avoid this problem. Being able to solve this problem one will be able to develop the Listening Jin, touch and feel, insubstantial and substantial, question and answer thoroughly."

腳踏車之所以能行動彎轉自如者，均力學也。人坐於車上，手拂之，足踏之，目視之，身隨之，其重心在腰，而司顧盼，以手輔助之，其輪盤置於車之中心，兩足踏於腳蹬之上，一踏一提，則輪齒鉸鏈而帶動前進矣。若使兩足同時用力踏之，則車即行停止前進。此蓋雙重之病耳。

"The reason why a bicycle can move and turn freely is mechanics. A person sits on a bicycle, the hands are on the handles and the feet are stepping on the pedals, the eyes are looking, and the body is following, the center of gravity is on the waist, which allows to take care of the surroundings and to use the hands to assist. The stepping wheel is located at the center of the bicycle and the two feet are stepping on the pedals, one presses and one lifts, then the wheel turns the chain to provide impulse to move the wheels. If both feet presse the pedals at the same time, then the bicycle will stop going forward. This is because of the problem of the double weighting."

夫推手亦然。對方用力推我，吾若仍以力相抵抗之，因而相持，則謂之滯。此即雙方之雙重也。若我或彼，各順其勢，不以力抵抗，而順對方來力之方向撤回，引之前進，然須不丟不頂，則必有一方之力落空。此即偏沉所致。

"It is the same in pushing hands. If the opponent uses force to push me and I also use force to resist, then both are locked in a stalemate. This is called stagnation. This is called double weighting of both sides. If I follow the coming force, do not resist with force, and retreat by following the arriving force and lead it farther by withdrawing, with the skills of no losing and not resisting, then there must be one side’s force lost into emptiness. This is accomplished because of following and leading it sideward or downward."

如我擬攻對方之側面，使其倒也，若以兩手直接推之，而對方氣力強大，不可挫其鋒，須以虛實之法，雙手撫其肩，我左手由彼之右肩下捋，同時我右手擊其左肩，此時我之兩手作交叉之勢，同主一方，而發勁成一圓形，則彼可側斜而倒。因彼同時不能上下相顧，而失利也。此即吾發勁偏沉所致也。學者悟一而知十，所謂由著熟，而漸悟懂勁也。

"If I wish to attach the opponent’s side and make him fall, If I use both hands to push directly and the opponent’s power is strong, I would not be able to defeat him. I must use the method of insubstantial and substantial. Use both of my hands to touch his shoulder lightlys, my left hand rolling smoothly downward his right shoulder while my right hand attacks his left shoulder. At this moment, my hands are in the posture of mutual support and are together in the same direction to send Jin into a circle. In this case, the opponent’s body will tilt and fall. This is because the opponent cannot take care both on the top and the bottom simultaneously and has lost his advantageous position. This is also caused by my Jin’s emitting sideward and downward. Once the practicioner comprehends he will know ten, this is called maturing on one’s own way and gradually comprehending the Understanding Jin."

By Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).