The idea that Shaolin monks would seek enlightenment and then go off to war is a Wuxia invention, a Hong Kong Movie Industry Myth.
Now that we have begun exploring along the lines of the Subtle Body we mustn’t wander off {mentally} and think that it is something that it is not, namely MINDFULNESS.
There is nothing wrong with mindfulness or using Kung Fu shapes to practice mindfulness.
Although it should be obvious that when you are using Kung Fu shapes to practice mindfulness you are practising mindfulness and not Kung Fu.
Working with the IDEA of the Subtle Body is very much a part of physical training for physical Kung Fu, albeit psychophysical/psychoneural/psychomotor, perhaps just plain PSYCHO!
Mindfulness practice has no place in fighting and cannot aid with the physical aspects of training.
What we in the west refer to as mindfulness came about due to a Medical Professor named Jon Kabat-Zinn, who created an 8-week course for terminally ill cancer patients to relieve pain, anxiety and stress, he called it Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Mindfulness is a powerful tool when used as intended
The 9 Attitudes of Mindfulness according to Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Non-judging.
- Acceptance.
- Patience.
- Beginner’s mind.
- Trust.
- Non-Striving.
- Letting Go.
- Gratitude.
I think it is quite clear that none of the above attitudes is of any use in physical training and even less use in a violent situation.
Mindfulness should be an aspect of our holistic training and I will cover that in a later post.
The idea that Shaolin monks would seek enlightenment and then go off to war is a Wuxia invention, a Hong Kong Movie Industry Myth.
Do not fall for it!
The work we are heading towards is influenced by some of the giants of neuroscience the late Prof. Karl H. Pribram, the late Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais and the very alive Dr. V.S. Ramachandran.
Look them up and get a head start on training.
Stay tuned, stay in touch, there is much more to come and as I get a better handle on explaining things it may even begin to make sense.
IN A STREET FIGHT STYLE AND TECHNIQUE ACHIEVE VERY LITTLE AND MEAN NOTHING.
IT IS AGGRESSION AND DETERMINATION THAT MEAN EVERYTHING
Wing Chun Sydney, Australia 