"...power has much more to do with sensitivity than force."
I've decided to attempt to change the name of push hands for our school. Taking the cue from the late RW Smith, I've started to call Tui Shou "sensing hands." Though "push hands" is a more literal translation from the Chinese, it is less helpful in describing the spirit of the exercise.
Sensing Hands speaks to neutrality, the absence of force, listening rather than doing -- all of which are what Cheng Man-ching's Tui Shou is about. Robert Smith grasped that Professor's approach is perhaps what is most unique and outstanding about his Taichichuan. Though we do "push," even that action has more to do with sensing and following rather than attacking.
The tao of our Sensing Hands is to stick, listen and understand energy. The very power has much more to do with sensitivity than force. When we reach the point where we understand where the opponent is strong and where he is weak, and if we are able to stick to his energy, he will not be able to resist us. Because of our sensing ability.
--Wolfe