100 levels to being a beginner

Because of the subtly, depth and length of history of the internal arts, it is like there are a 100 levels of being a beginner.
No matter what your progress there is always more to understand, a wider context to comprehend or greater depth to experience.
This helps to keep pride in check. Its better to try to be a better beginner rather than striving to be a master.

A Superior Practice

The Shennong Bencao Jing is probably the oldest written manual on herbalism. Written approximately 2000 years ago in the Han Dynasty, the text divides medicinals into three general classes; lower, middle, and superior.
Interestingly, in the inferior class are quick acting herbs that address a narrow range of symptoms, while the superior class of herbs have slow, broad acting effects. Quite the opposite of the conventional Western mindset towards medicines.
The slow acting herbs are seen as superior because they can benefit just about everyone without side effects. While the inferior herbs must be used judiciously and for only a short period of time.
If we tale this same idea of classes and apply it to the broader range of health practices then self-treatment (such as diet and exercise) would certainly rank higher than treatments such as surgeries, medications or even acupuncture or herbs. Higher still would be qigong and meditation practices. Amongst the superior class, would be those internal arts that are gradual and safe.
I don't think that all internal practices are inherently safe for everyone. And it is possible to do harm with incorrect practice. But the essential guideline of the superior class is the same: a gradual cultivation of a broad range of benefits. This is the charactistic of a superior practice.

Superman versus Iron Man

Of the "Four Tigers" that represent the 19th generation of Chen Taiji, the two most well known are Chen Xiaowang and Chen Zhenglei. Both come from Chen village, both learnt from Chen Zhaopi and Chen Zhaokui and only three year separate their age. But their Taiji is noticeably different. Chen Xiaowang has an explosive style marked with frequent fajin and impressive jumps. In contrast, Chen Zhenglei's form is more relaxed and fluid. This difference is easy to see in the new frame erlu.





In seeing the difference it is tempting to judge the two against each other, like speculating which of two comic book heros would win a fight. I would suggest that this would easily miss the point that these are two highly skilled masters.
Having never trained under or seen Chen Xiaowang in person, I cannot go beyond the above observations. But having attended several seminars with Chen Zhenglei, I have come to greatly appreciate his flowing style. Before fajin can be properly done, you must have the body relaxed and co-ordinated. Chen Zhenglei's presentations underscore this fact. Seen in person, even at sixty, he is surprisingly solid in build and supple in movements. In demonstrating movements, it is clear that fajin is possible with every movement. But he asks his students to look more broadly at the full requirements of Taiji. Explosive power is possible when Taiji is properly trained, but it is not the point to training.

One Idea

There are hundreds of English language books and videos now available on qigong and the internal martial arts. On the Internet even more information can be found. The temptation is to collect more and more of this information, as if possessing information is the way to improve.
I can guarantee that all this information is incomplete. Without practice and experience the internal arts do not exist. And no book or video can replace this.
Take one lesson from one book. Until you understand how this relates to your practice, no further information is required