Why Shaolin Kung Fu?

Why Shaolin Kung Fu? True, Shaolin Kung Fu is the oldest of the martial arts, arguably dating back to 527 A.D. when an Indian Buddhist Prince came to China to preach in the Shao Lin Temple. But in this day and age, in the Western world, why are the marital arts important at all? Indeed, looking back at the bloody 20th century it's hard to think of any reasons why one should learn more techniques of combat. Aren't there better ways to learn focus, control, and build self-esteem than teaching students how to kill? And, really, is Shaolin Kung Fu effective for self-defense in a society overflowing with guns, knives, and other street weapons? To understand "Why Shaolin Kung fu?" we must look beyond the flailing arms and legs and the seemingly violent undertones if we are to discover the core concept that brings happiness, success, and peace into our lives right now. Are you ready to embrace the living stream of quiet, powerful energy that flows eternally through the ancient Shaolin Masters and into the 21st century? Are you willing to unlock that place within you that brings harmony, peace, and endless success in this filled-with-opportunities era we live in right now? A Peaceful Vision First, imagine a world where people deal fairly with each other, respect differences of opinion, and actively encourage those with limited resources to develop themselves and their communities in positive, life-affirming ways. This world cherishes its cultural diversity and uses it to elevate humanity to new and better ways of living. Of course this world, humbled by its awesome power harnesses clean, efficient energy that protects the planet and keeps its inhabitants vibrantly alive in all essential ways. A Civilization of Enmity Now, look toward the daily papers and evening news: Terrorism; the proliferation of aggressive, violent, and anti-social behavior in our schools; more and more teenagers discovering their efficacy at the end of a gun barrel ... technology advancing mainly for the purpose of developing evermore sophisticated weapons of war; corruption in high levels of government and business... Unfortunately, the Civilization of Enmity can pervade our consciousness and cloud our light with its gloomy omens. Contrary to popular belief, and the mainstream media, it does not have to be that way; many people on this planet have discovered their power and are living that Peaceful Vision. But how do we find and release in peaceful ways that awesome power dwelling within each-and-every-one-of-us? Shaolin Kung Fu? Embrace Ambiguity On its face, Shaolin Kung fu is aggression. The art teaches punches, kicks, self-defense, sparing, combat. ...It teaches combat! Doesn't that presuppose violence? Aren't we placing ourselves decisively into A Civilization of Enmity when we learn how to wipe out any opponent(s) with a series of well-timed and calculated strikes? There is something intriguing, almost mystical about kung fu, though. All students sense that its power reaches far beyond the immediate physical benefits. Used properly, Shaolin Kung Fu is the current that connects the mind-body-spirit to actualized goals, realized dreams, and fulfilled passions. Because of its depth and breadth, however, it can be difficult to grasp and utilize the incredible power offered. What is it about Shaolin Kung Fu that can harmonize us with the deeper flow of reality; a reality closer to our own unique spirits? To unlock that secret we must take a journey back into history. Universal Principles Shaolin Kung Fu principles developed from the ideas presented in the ancient Chinese book I Ching, The Book of Changes. What does a book that arguably traces its roots back to the 8th century BC have to do with success in the 21st century? We must look to the root concept, the axiom that underlies the I Ching and Shaolin Kung Fu for the answer. Most students do not even scratch the surface of the spirituality of Shaolin Kung Fu until much practice over many years. Why? People in this day and age are preoccupied with tomorrow. How often did we hear in school: "Do your homework and you will get good grades. Then you will be accepted to a good college or university. Get a good job, start a family, and then you will be happy..." To the untrained mind, the process of Shaolin Kung Fu seems to follow the same pattern. Teachers encourage students to strive for their black belt. Every belt earned is getting them one step closer, like each grade in school is getting the student one step closer to some happiness somewhere in the future. Now here's the difference. Ready? In Shaolin Kung Fu there is no future. And there is no past. Tomorrow and yesterday do not exist. In the true philosophy of Shaolin Kung Fu there are no levels. In fact the black belt was first used to designate rank just over a hundred years ago in Kodokan Judo. The colored belt hierarchy came about as a way to reward the student and encourage him or her to keep practicing. Now here's the underlying dynamic supporting thousands of years of martial arts: Shaolin Kung Fu's Secret We are human beings moving through the eternal moment of Now, not human beings moving through time. Time is a made-up human concept that has nothing to do with reality. True, time is an excellent mind tool that can help us organize and direct our lives. Too often, however, time is that elusive dynamic that we never have enough of. Shaolin Kung Fu, in every large and small movement, does not prepare us to live in some non-existent future; it thrusts us into this moment right here and now. Any student at sparring level knows that if her mind is disconnects from the present moment then she is likely to be wiped out by an opponent firmly anchored in the now. The Power of Now Meditation was initially the vehicle to enlightenment, i.e., being fully in the now. Bodhidharma has been credited with setting the groundwork for modern Shaolin Kung Fu as a tool of enlightenment. As the story goes, his mastery of meditation awed the residents of the Shaolin Temple. But when he arrived in China after his long trek from India in about 527 A.D he noticed that the monks lacked physical discipline. Also while in their meditations he could not tell if they were focused on the moment, tangled in chaotic out-of-moment thoughts, or simply sleeping. Bodhidharma trained the monks in exercises designed to strengthen the body for endurance and also as a guidepost for him to see if their minds were developing properly. Deviations in form meant the mind was not connected to the present moment. Like following the breath in a meditation, following movements in physical form was the tool to adjust the mind back to this moment Right Now. Monks practiced simple moves for years until they went on to the next move. The practice was an end in itself, not a goal of becoming a great fighter or an 11th degree black belt (although the practitioners did become great fighters). There were no belts, no competitions, no awards, nothing but using the body as a vehicle to train the mind to live in this moment Right Now. Of course this practice became a very useful form of self-defense against those that sought to destroy the temple. Flow A heightened state of awareness is the goal of countless hours of training, sparring, and grinding out the physical movements; not toward Mastery, but toward in-the-moment flow. When in-the-moment there is no hesitation, just proper action in response to any given situation. In a self-defense scenario a trained artist responds without anger, without judgment, through fear and with only the necessary force to end the attack because s/he has a deep appreciation and compassion for all life; even the attacker's life. Concentration, focus, discipline, determination, respect, confidence are skills inherent in the practice of Shaolin Kung Fu. A practitioner can expect to build a stronger mind and body but the real benefit of kung fu springs from capturing the all too elusive moment of now; then cherishing it as a gift. It's all we really have, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is an illusion. How many of us in this fast-paced society never slow down and allow those moments of Now to overpower our busy-ness? Our minds are always so preoccupied with school, work, relationships, money and we rarely stop to revel in this incredible wondrous world so full of fascination and beauty. We become cynical and, pointing to the Civilization of Enmity, we rationalize our mediocrity. Intuitively we sense then dismiss that unexpressed greatness within. Many of us rush to and from work, where we work long hours to get that promotion so we can buy a bigger house and live "the life" only to be caught up in the same struggle when we get there. We put off until tomorrow chasing our truest dreams, deepest desires, and most creative passions as we future-pace our lives toward the grave. Why Shaolin Kung Fu? Because your life is happening Right Now! Shaolin Kung Fu is the metaphorical wake-up call and the real-life slap in the face to the only moment you really have. It captures the moments of truth and beauty that continuously flow though and around us. Moments filled with wonderful people, places, and things that show us all how to live in that Peaceful Vision Right Now.