Meaningful

A wise master once said that training the secret arts is much like excavating an ancient ruin. In the ruin can be found a hidden city with jewels a treasures that are almost unimaginable. Once we return to the surface to proclaim our discoveries, we find that the world doesn't understand a word that we are saying. As if touching these treasures has somehow changed our ability to communicate with those who are unwilling to explore themselves.

My own metaphor carries the same meaning but differs slightly. The martial arts is like a magnificent lap top computer that can be used to solve any problem if you enter the right data. However people continually treat this lap top as a plate for food. Piling spaghetti and meatballs along the keys of their computer as they brag about how many meaningless fights they have won. In the end they have completely destroyed their art for something much less valuable in return.

Many masters would say that it is better that these arts are not found, that it protects them from being contaminated and destroyed much like what has happened to Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do and soon Jujitsu. The world we live in now is obsessed with a life of no meaning. We must have the best education, so we can have the best job, the most money, the most beautiful wife and on and on. These goals only cause us to deteriorate because even our education is contaminated to the deepest roots. A "well educated" man in many ways has been dragged the furthest away from the truth of many things. Most jobs that we can find are only designed to make a company rich that enforces modern day slavery. Money is the tool used to keep us from thinking about anything that actually matters. As long as we continue running around doing our best to find out how to fit into this circus, we have no chance of identifying what we would require in a spouse  because we have no way of identifying ourself.  To put it simply, we are lost and loving it.

It isn't that money, education or even belongings are negative. Yet to chase after anything without meaning can only lead to the dark. It causes us to crave for more of something that can never be satiated. These goals without meaning encourage us to be greedy and vain.

Who has time for kung fu when we are so busy with the chaos? Should I go the route of many masters and let go of the idea of passing these treasures to an ungrateful generation? I have always had a deep love for humans and our potential. But the potential is like a fruit that is embraced in a crown of thorns. The most important factor of anyone's potential is their awareness of it.

Maybe the world needs another test before they are able to see their true value. Unfortunately strife has always been the key factor to finding character. This storm has already been promised to come, and my opinion about it will not differ it from happening. There will come a time when people will be stripped of their distractions and forced to face their true self. For most, it will be unbearable and insanity will be their only way of coping. Before this time comes, I beg you to look at what you are doing. Ask yourself who you are doing it for. Make the most of every moment. One day you may look back at these times of "discomfort" and find that it was actually the best time of your life. Train to be useful, live your life to love and pray for direction.

Kung fu only means "time and effort." It doesn't matter what kind of kung fu you are training. What matters is that you are training for something meaningful.

Reality~

Reality for everyone is only a collection of ideas that are taught to us by others. Is anyone born knowing how to respond to anything significant? About 80 percent of our reality is learned through public media, making any original thought nearly impossible. To those who remain hypnotized by the frenzy of glittered politics there is no hope for betterment. Change has always been accompanied with fear, but it is the only indication of growth. For myself, my art and my family, I must embrace this change. You must first accept the reality given to you, and accept that it can be changed.

Bagua was developed from the Yi Qing which is one of the oldest written texts in the world. Their purpose was to understand the mysterious and energies of the universe. Each one of the eight trigrams represents and animal, organ, element, energy, philosophy and a relative. Just by continually reviewing the techniques of Bagua, my mind is expanding in every aspect of my life. My music, teaching, studying and language have all been influenced by these techniques that teach my subconscious new levels of understanding. You could say that my every thought is parallel with the concept of feng shui.

Still the day to day trials I am faced with pull me back to a more unpleasant reality. A place where people have chosen to believe and rely on the falsehoods that imprison them. A monk is able to draw his peace from isolating himself from the world. I feel that isolating myself from the problem is not how the problem should be resolved. On the contrary I must take the gifts and tools that God has given to me and dive into the areas that need the most healing. There are many that train themselves to become better in terms that are much greater than just of martial arts. But all training should be for a purpose, should it not?

"Boards don't hit back." Is a phrase coined by Bruce Lee indicating that your level of technique can not be measured by attack something with out life. How is this any different than fighting someone for the entertainment of others? Lifeless battles are the only ones that are aired on TV. Fight the battle that will free you from your situation. Be strong enough to let go of the things that are holding you down. It will not be an easy battle for us. Yet it is the only battle that is worth fighting. Do you even know what free thought feels like? Pray for preparation in these most unpredictable times.

Abstract Step Training

In bagua it is most important to understand how to use steps to manipulate your opponent. By stepping toward the attack we can jam it before it reaches its most powerful position. We can step back to let him waste energy by missing. We can also step in an angular trajectory allowing us to gain a favorable distance while the attack glances past us. This makes it so crucial for us to practice Kou and Bai bu which is almost like the steering wheel in a car.

The problem with learning to think with our feet is that initially it is unnatural. When we flinch, our hands come up and cover our face instinctively. Bagua means that you have to retrain mind so that we flinch with our feet instead. The next problem is that the step must be rooted and weight sunken in order to prevent stepping into a trap. If we are in mid step as the opponent attacks our weight must be lowered so that we are able to better roll off the projected energy. It is only arrogance to assume that we will always be ahead of our opponent and we must prepare to react and protect ourselves in more unexpected situations. There are countless ways to practice foot work from the 9 palaces, to the mud step. One recent discovery I have fallen in love with is step training on black ice.

Blue ice, white ice, snow and sleet all offer different advantages for stepping and balance. However nothing is quite as merciless as black ice. Only when your weight is properly placed in the back are you able to maintain a solid stance. Every movement will undoubtedly make you take a slip or an adjustment step. This slipping is good because the first part of this training is not only to maintain balance, but keeping focus of your attack while you are off balance. Learning to stay focused on the attack while you are about to fall will make all the difference when you get into a real live combat situation. It is the motion in between motions that will be the deciding factor while in a scrap.

In addition to understanding your balance you must also be aware of the subtle quickness necessary to avoid danger while practicing stepping. Once your legs are stopped, then all of your plans will go out the window. A good exercise for this is to have a partner (grappler) lay on his back while reaching for and sometimes holding on to your legs. Continue stepping through Kou and Bai bu, using the power in the hips to free yourself from his grasp. As you get loose it is crucial for your partner to continually grab for the other leg. This is great practice for both sides learning how to adapt to difficult circumstances. (This idea was developed by Hanzo, a great training partner.)

Sometimes a mistaken step can be recovered from, while other times the wrong step will end your fray. This is why I enjoy practicing thorn stepping. By creating barriers of loose thorns or just practicing in an area naturally covered in thorns, we force ourselves to become cautious of our every movement. Continue moving without stopping and always thinking about your hand attacks. If you make a mistake you will know immediately.

Another style of stepping training that is similar to thorns, is creek stepping. This is much more tranquil and by far the most relaxing of all of the stepping training. (If you don't fall in the creek) Stepping atop the rocks that occasionally move and sway in the water will force you to continually concentrate on your foot positioning. Try to think light thoughts and make sure that you are only focused on your hand techniques. After all if you must look at your feet to know your position, then you are no where near ready for combat. Stepping has to be just as natural as flinching.

Evasive stepping is illustrated in my video "Bagua vs the world 101 ways to train. You can find it on youtube. Yet a more effective way to train this exercise is to have someone continually stab at you with a staff or even spear. Binding the hands behind the back gets us used to not relying on our hands to free us from danger and makes it much easier for us to move when our hands our finally free.

Ok I think that is good for now. Train safely. Always start slowly until it is too easy. Then slowly add the heat of intent with every step.

Gao Bagua's Eight Sides

These are notes for my the spring semester class I'm teaching at WSU. Just some more information on our basic principles.

The eight sides of the Bagua in our lineage (Gao style Bagua or Soft Body Repeating Hands Bagua) are represented by 8 different energies: heaven, water, mountain, wind, thunder, fire, earth and lake.  Each of the sections contain eight movements with at least 6 variations. Each section also contains counter attacks, two person practice and a strengthening technique from the circle.  These strengthening techniques are often known as Preheaven. The 64 applications of the techniques are called Post heaven. Gao Bagua is unique because it contains Preheaven and Post heaven practice.

Here are a few bits of information about each section. In this semester you will learn the complete Heaven section. I will still write out the philosophies of each section in order to give you a sense of direction for your training.

Heaven-  The heaven section is the most honest and straight forward. It is the opposite of the Earth Section. It is also known as the way of striking. It teaches how to generate power and overthrow the opponent from all eight possible trajectories of danger. This section is the first section because in many ways it is the most important section. Before there was anything, there was heaven. One could spend their whole life only knowing these 8 motions and would easily be able to defeat their adversary.  These eight techniques also unlock the understanding of power of the following energies. The strengthening technique is the Creeping Snake.

Water- The water section indicates flowing motion and adaptation. It is the opposite of the fire section. It is also referred to as the way of the hands. This section is focused on de-fanging the opponent by disabling the limbs. Once the limbs are disabled, the opponent is then used as a shield against other possible attackers. By manipulating the hands we are able to punish our attacker many times before releasing him, much like a yo-yo effect. This section requires more dexterity of the hands and sensitivity than the heaven section in order to effectively utilize the grabs and takedowns. This strengthening technique is the Piercing Dragon.

Mountain- The mountain section resembles both silence and unmovable power. It is the opposite of the Thunder Section. It is also called the way of diverting energy. These 8 movements are specialized counters that focus on trapping or binding the opponent. A trap is a movement that your opponent must be lured into and not “forced”. By relaxing and reacting to movements while in a strong base, you can tie your opponent into knots. This strengthening technique is the Striking Tiger.

Thunder- The thunder section refers to untraceable loud noise. Hence it is the opposite of the Mountain Section. This section is also known as the way of the body. This section teaches how to use the entire body as an evasive weapon. It is important to have agile and assertive steps in order to master these 8 techniques. This section is also very effective for fighting crowds while using the crescent moon swords for it shows us how to both chase and retreat while attacking. This strengthening movement is the Turning Sparrow.

Wind- The wind section refers to invisible  danger which can not be contained. Hence it is the opposite of the Lake Section. It is also known as the way of the elbow. The elbow is used for striking, blocking and wrapping opponents.  Because the elbow transitions so easily from many attacks, it can be used to resolved any situation with the proper timing. The elbow requires excellent footwork because of its limited range. This strengthening technique is the Spinning Back Palm.

Fire- The fire section refers to unrelenting power. This section is also known as the way of the legs. Hence it is the opposite of the Water section. These kicking and tripping techniques snap the vulnerable parts of the body. It is essential that while using hand attacks the legs continually burn away at the opponents defense and balance. With the right footwork practice, kicking attacks can be especially effective with multiple opponents. This strengthening technique is called The Twisting Searching Horse.

Earth- The earth section refers to complexity and craft. Hence it is the opposite of the Heaven section. This section is also known as the way of entry. Every movement takes precise hand movements and key timing in order to peel open the opponents defense.  Any attempt to block these techniques only opens our opponent's defenses more rapidly.  This section takes mastery of Footwork, Body work and Hand work in order to be effective. This strengthening technique is the turning piercing palm.

Lake- The lake section represents flowing motion that is in a contained area. It is the opposite of the Wind section. It is also called the way of footwork. Every one of these techniques requires footwork mastery in order to manipulate the balance of the opponent. In a sense your attacks should drown the opponent in the depth of these 8 movements.

*By practicing the sections that are opposite to each other we are able to maximize different energies and find hidden movements. After a movement is done 10,0000 times it will change in its nature. Choose one move and practice it until it changes 10,000 times and you shall become a master.

   

Bagua Count

 This is not really a post, but a list of numbers that can me accessed by students curious of our Xin Zhu Bagua Association. Keep in mind that I have only written out the movements that I have learned. I know there is still much more Bagua gooey goodness to learn.

Pre Heaven ( Circle) 10

Second Circle 10

9 Palaces 1

Post heaven 64

Post heaven Counters 64

Post heaven two person practice 64

Unlimited (Formless) Fist 28

Seven Stars 42 

Seven Stars (Set 2) 33

Footwork Steps 25

Qing Ping Sword 60

Qin Ping Sword (Set 2) 60

Baji 68

6 Connecting Kicks 27

Guan Dao 40

Tai Chi 96

Strange Spear 26

Bagua Staff 128

Bagua Spear 126

Stealth Tiger Saber 40

6 Harmony Saber 40

Push Hands 9

Wudang Fist 56

Hooks 12

Three Principle Fist 30

12 Steps of Power 12

Five Elements (5)  (12) 

Sometimes you have to lay it all out so you can see it. 

 Thank you Master Wu Guo Zheng for 10 lifetimes of kung fu. 

The Art of Knowing without Knowing

Winter training is never as enjoyable as the spring or even scorching hot summer time, but it offers many advantages. As I bundle myself into extra layers of clothing, I add weight to every movement. There is also additional weight in my mind as I look out into my now frosted natural dojo of trees. Daily I spend hours with the same trees and watch as they change clothing for the increasingly brisk winter days. In the night time they appear to be a rustic, metallic color. Yet in the morning the fog passes through its bark that shines like smooth glass.

My art also changes as I move between the trees, never daring to slow down for fear that the cold will catch up to me. I can feel my movements ever so gradually improving as I attempt to see beyond the white of my breath. After a few hours pass, my Qi reaches its limits and my fingers and toes are fully aware of the brutal cold. I sit in a lotus position on top of the sleeping grass and the earth greets me with a sharp chill.

The chill immediately activates a part of my brain that is usually dormant, and it comes with a message that I am unable to interpret. I open my eyes feeling disappointed that I had lost what seemed to be a very important signal.

When I get home my wife can see from my expression that my workout has been one that has brought more questions than answers. Before I am able to explain to her my frustration, she answers the question in my mind.

"If you believe it was a bad workout, then it was."

Her answer plants a rapidly growing seed, that quickly develops branches and then fruit into my every thought. The ultimate level of kung fu is knowing. By knowing that everything that awaits you is good, we create the most desired outcome for ourselves. But when we feel that bad things  will happen or have happened, we create the possibility of much darker outcomes. You must continually think on all of the great things that await you every second in order to block out the possibility of doubt. Your doubt in God, yourself and in your peers will eventually lead you in to a cavern of impossibilities. You must know how great you are at all times. You must also know that each day will only get better from here. Your every dream is just waiting for you to contemplate it into existence.

Of course we live in a world designed by nightmares. If you sit and watch the news long enough you will actually start to be affected by things that have nothing to do with your life. Yes they use convincing arguments to explain why it is important for you to be afraid of a billion things this year. Maybe if they make enough people believe the world will end, it will. After all we are made in the image of the creator and his thoughts brought us life. Will your thoughts bring you death?

I know this year is going to be the best year we have ever had. A time that we will each as individuals evolve into something more meaningful. A world that will no longer be distracted by games and obsessed with meaningless values. I know that our efforts create the paradise that we all deserve. But what I have come to know and understand in my training will mean nothing to you. Now it's time for you to answer the question,

"What do you know is waiting for you?"

Circus of Gladiators

For a martial artist  a martial arts demonstration is a place to learn and evaluate movements and ideas. Seeing the power of other styles can lead to gateways of how to unlock more potential power within our own art. There is nothing quite as fulfilling as feeling connected with such a long historic brotherhood.

Because the arts were designed out of war the demonstrations and friendly competitions are a great way to appreciate other martial artists without having to kill each other. These arts were developed in a severe time that most societies to date have completely forgotten about. Martial arts masters  had a status as respected as a doctor or police. Many of them were very wealthy because they often protected those who wanted to protect their money.

With the introduction of new technology martial artists were forgotten to the world. As my father often says, "They threw the baby out with the bath water." Leaving martial artists today in a world that teeters between gladiators and the circus.

Martial artists in a ring beating on other martial artists for the entertainment of a world that doesn't even want to understand them. Or worse the martial artists that have taken all of the nutrients out of their art in order to make it entertaining to the untrained eye. Ring fighting, no matter how good you are, will leave you eventually broken and empty. A martial artist who uses the art to dazzle people will never be quite as impressive as a true circus acrobat. Both are pathways that will leave both the practitioner as well as the art without meaning.

I'm not saying that demonstrations or competitions are bad. In fact they can be stepping stones that can help us find our direction. Still we have to look at what society sees us as, as a whole. Think about what kind of demonstration that Bruce Lee would do. He would do his best to share with an audience that doesn't understand, the power of martial arts. He would never show you a bunch of fancy meaningless moves because he cares for the art too much.

If you ask a doctor to perform for you, what do you think he would say? Of course doctors have demonstrations for other doctors to further and pass along knowledge just as true martial arts demonstrations. Yet a doctor performing for someone who doesn't understand medicine, is a waste of everyone's time. So should the medical industry suddenly try to find a way to make themselves more entertaining to the public? Should they put fireworks inside of arteries so they may gain a greater reaction from the crowd. A doctor cares about his duties and responsibilities. It should be the same for martial artist. The question is, "Do you know the purpose of your art?"

Some would say, "If you don't try to entertain people, then no one is going to want to see your art." I have two answers for this person. The first one is that someone who only seeks to be entertained would never become a martial artist anyway. They want to find something to fill the void in their own bored life. If I entertain a crowd of thousands, I may pull in ten or twenty good students. Students that came because they felt something within.

Secondly if I change my art for the purpose of entertainment then I will become an entertainer instead of a martial artist. Fighting people for the approval of others exposes the weakness within myself. Am I not confident enough to do my art for me?

That being said, it's time for us as martial artists to show the world our true strength. We are more powerful than your guns and fancy cars. Our life may not be as shiny as the lifestyles on MTV cribs, but we have purpose. Purpose is something that many actors and TV stars act out in a movie. But when they go home and face themselves in the mirror they know that they are not truly heroes. They feel as empty as anyone who has yet to do something meaningful. We who choose to better ourselves, strengthen our lives, educate our peers and protect our loved ones, are the true heroes. Martial arts is just a tool to be used to dig out the most from your life. Don't get used by the ignorance of the masses.