According to Liao ("Chi: Discovering Your Life Energy", [2009]), a common problem of "Chi imbalance" is often caused by the interaction of our "Chi" with a negative energy signal. These negative signals (which can even be ideas) which lead to feelings i.e.- anger, fear, overwhelming desire, insecurity, loss of confidence, etc; negatively impact on our life energy (Chi) & hence, health. Confucius told his disciples not to see, hear, or speak bad things as it would hurt and imbalance their "Chi". The implications for us in our modern world, I guess, is to be constantly vigilant and mindfully aware of what we are thinking & allowing into our minds.
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Sometimes we get too caught up in trying to gain more knowledge & understanding of Tai Chi by reading more and more, often times it's more important to just practice. Both in balance are good but to be in the present moment and feel it in your body is better than to understand the abstract idea in your head.
I went to a talk about Sahaja Yoga Meditation today and was pleasantly surprised by the similarities between that system and the Tai Chi system. From my crude and initial impressions it appears that both systems acknowledge a type of subtle energy as "Life Force" that permeates the universe & is within us; both systems work towards freeing blockages and let the energies flow more freely within our bodies; both use the mind to facilitate this process; both aim to calm the mind; both focus on the importance of the spine & nervous systems, sacrum and top of the head (although they focus more on the fontanel and we on the crown of the head), both use the palms to feel the the energy flow. Both try and develop the link between our energies and the universes' by purifying (and strengthening?) the internal energies to harmonize with the universal energies. I don't know enough to make a comprehensive comparison and naturally there were many differences in details, processes, about various things/perspectives but I feel that (for me) to get the subtle energy feeling (warmth, tingling etc) in ones palms, the Tai Chi standing or stationary Tai Chi exercises, are much more efficient. The visualizations they use whilst in the sitting meditative postures are good and much more personal than listening to the body in Tai Chi, but I find that moving meditation suits someone like me much better than sitting still. All in all, I think there's a lot both systems can offer each other.
Once you start to enjoy Taiji practice it can be an excellent replacement for any negative habits that may drag you physically or emotionally down . Engrossing, absorbing, stimulating, healthy, enjoyable and boosting your self-worth, it can help you get over those feelings of craving for unhealthy addictions... and you don't have to spend any money or go anywhere or depend on anything else.
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These are my thoughts about various aspects of Tai Chi. They may or may not be original and I try to give credit where credit is due. 
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