Tao
06-29-2001, 04:46 PM
Greetings KF Brothers,
I have been studying the CMA since the age of nine, and I am still a student and always will be. For a wise man knows that the path to knowledge is infinite, but the path to wisdom and understanding is eternal. The road to martial arts is truly a never ending journey. This path is otherwise known as "Tao"
(the way). However, as one travels (experience) one realizes that there are many paths (lineages, systems,traditions and non-traditions) that all lead to the same desitination which is enlightenment.
For example, the humble Damo or Tamo (Buddha) came from India. He taught the monks at Sil Lum or
Shaolin (young forest temple) yogic therapeutic exercises for health and longevity. Yogi's, Swami's, Guru's all over the world alike respect the Chinese martial arts. For we are all brothers in this never ending journey of knowledge. Buddha
means enlightened one. Yogi's seek enlightenment by attaining Nirvana. This is done through asana
forms), pranayama (chi kung or qi gong), and meditation. Yoga has an energy system based on chakras.
CMA has the meridians and accupuncture points. It all leads to the same thing. The chakra system in
Africa is the mojo, Ancient Egypt; pyramid or tachyon energy which was based on the wand of Thoth or the Djed pillar of Osiris all being based on the 33 vertebraes of the spine. Greece received their energy system from Egypt they called it the kyballion of Hermes. The Hebrews call it the Kabbalah. The shamans of North America, the Aztecs of Mexico, the Incas of South America, the Arabs etc. I can go on and on. My point is... every culture has their own path to enlightenment. It is said that the greatest truth is this... everything is energy, and everything has a vibration, every vibration a sound, a color, a plane, a world, a universe, a universe within a universe, it goes on and on and then comes back to itself.
All paths lead to the same road in the end. Every one has the same energy but just express it in different ways, thoughts, ideas, lineages, systems. The ancients of CMA knew this powerful truth. This is why they hid this knowledge
in poems, caligraphy, symbols, forms, systems, and lineages. However, although keeping this knowledge
secret and passing this knowledge from father to son, from Sifu to closed door disciples served its
purpose (preserving the knowledge from the profane). This secrecy and esoteric privelege also breeded rivalry, conflict, etc. We can see this know to this day. An example is the lineage debates on this Forum as well as others. Over so many centuries man still hasnt learn from his mistakes. These same debates, rivalries, etc. are the same seeds that are sown in the hearts of men that reap the evil fruits of war, and destruction.
When I started learning the CMA. I started during the time when Sifus in the 1970's in NYC's Chinatown taught students in sweat shops and underneath illegal casinos, and even their home. Back then there was great respect for the art and ones point of view. Sometimes students never even knew the name of their Sifu or the system they were taught! But these Sifus were true martial masters. Rare now a day. The most important thing was not the lineage but the principle of what you were taught. Which existed from time immemorial. No one can claim this knowledge it is free for everyone. This is why Bruce Lee said be like water. He broke from tradition. He never downed tradition because he came from it (Yip Man).
However, he said dont get caught up in it. Like the lineage battles, etc. We are all trying to understand what this thing energy is. Scientists are realizing now that there are other invisible structures (Quantum Physics, Qi, Qi Gong, meridians, etc.) they were too closed minded to believe existed. We are at the brink of a golden age where Western Science and Eastern Science (CMA, TCM, Yoga, etc.) can merge and
make wonderful discoveries. So instead of bickering about lineages and inflating the ego of tradition (which is the opposite of eastern wisdom) let us learn from each other.
When I started learning chinese martial science (which I still am) I learned these moral codes which I find lacking in many students and schools these days:
Respect the ancestors of your art or any other art. (This is why after the Boxer Rebellion the Ching Mo Association was formed).
Respect your teacher or other teachers.
Respect your brother (or sister) in the art or
humanity in general.
Never speak ill or evil of your brother (or sister) of any lineage.
Respect one another's views. For ones view is an expression of ones Yi (idea). This comes from Qi and leads to Shen (Spiritual Enlightenment).
If someone speaks wrong, or ill of you wish him well. This is the road to self-mastery or mastering self. Controlling your emotions. Not reacting at the whim of someones words. This is true wisdom and understanding which leads one to peace and harmony with self and others. Some people dont know any better. So through silence you teach them.
Most of all Never! Ever! Forget the true
virtue of humility! Humility means to be humble.
If someone speaks wrong, or ill of you wish him well. Which means that if you disrespect another art or its existence, or down another art, or speak ill of it directly or indirectly you are breaking a major tenet of Sil Lum Martial arts and will receive your reward.
This is Tao. Tao is also the laws of Nature which is Justice. Justice is the reward or penalty for ones ways and actions. So if you do good your Qi as well the Qi of your ancestors, your art, system, mind, etc. will reward you in the form of new knowledge, wisdom, understanding, health, longevity, etc.. If you do evil (speak bad about other lineages, people, their views, etc.) penalty will be your reward (which will be confusion, insanity, bad luck, or even death). This is the way. Tao.
CMA, and JMA, or any other art for that matter. I wish you a wonderful journey in the Tao. If someone speaks ill of you. Respect him still. Be like water. This is the way. If you learn this you will be crysal clear like water....and like a prism...the light (truth) of the ancients will be made known to you.
A mi to fu!
I have been studying the CMA since the age of nine, and I am still a student and always will be. For a wise man knows that the path to knowledge is infinite, but the path to wisdom and understanding is eternal. The road to martial arts is truly a never ending journey. This path is otherwise known as "Tao"
(the way). However, as one travels (experience) one realizes that there are many paths (lineages, systems,traditions and non-traditions) that all lead to the same desitination which is enlightenment.
For example, the humble Damo or Tamo (Buddha) came from India. He taught the monks at Sil Lum or
Shaolin (young forest temple) yogic therapeutic exercises for health and longevity. Yogi's, Swami's, Guru's all over the world alike respect the Chinese martial arts. For we are all brothers in this never ending journey of knowledge. Buddha
means enlightened one. Yogi's seek enlightenment by attaining Nirvana. This is done through asana
forms), pranayama (chi kung or qi gong), and meditation. Yoga has an energy system based on chakras.
CMA has the meridians and accupuncture points. It all leads to the same thing. The chakra system in
Africa is the mojo, Ancient Egypt; pyramid or tachyon energy which was based on the wand of Thoth or the Djed pillar of Osiris all being based on the 33 vertebraes of the spine. Greece received their energy system from Egypt they called it the kyballion of Hermes. The Hebrews call it the Kabbalah. The shamans of North America, the Aztecs of Mexico, the Incas of South America, the Arabs etc. I can go on and on. My point is... every culture has their own path to enlightenment. It is said that the greatest truth is this... everything is energy, and everything has a vibration, every vibration a sound, a color, a plane, a world, a universe, a universe within a universe, it goes on and on and then comes back to itself.
All paths lead to the same road in the end. Every one has the same energy but just express it in different ways, thoughts, ideas, lineages, systems. The ancients of CMA knew this powerful truth. This is why they hid this knowledge
in poems, caligraphy, symbols, forms, systems, and lineages. However, although keeping this knowledge
secret and passing this knowledge from father to son, from Sifu to closed door disciples served its
purpose (preserving the knowledge from the profane). This secrecy and esoteric privelege also breeded rivalry, conflict, etc. We can see this know to this day. An example is the lineage debates on this Forum as well as others. Over so many centuries man still hasnt learn from his mistakes. These same debates, rivalries, etc. are the same seeds that are sown in the hearts of men that reap the evil fruits of war, and destruction.
When I started learning the CMA. I started during the time when Sifus in the 1970's in NYC's Chinatown taught students in sweat shops and underneath illegal casinos, and even their home. Back then there was great respect for the art and ones point of view. Sometimes students never even knew the name of their Sifu or the system they were taught! But these Sifus were true martial masters. Rare now a day. The most important thing was not the lineage but the principle of what you were taught. Which existed from time immemorial. No one can claim this knowledge it is free for everyone. This is why Bruce Lee said be like water. He broke from tradition. He never downed tradition because he came from it (Yip Man).
However, he said dont get caught up in it. Like the lineage battles, etc. We are all trying to understand what this thing energy is. Scientists are realizing now that there are other invisible structures (Quantum Physics, Qi, Qi Gong, meridians, etc.) they were too closed minded to believe existed. We are at the brink of a golden age where Western Science and Eastern Science (CMA, TCM, Yoga, etc.) can merge and
make wonderful discoveries. So instead of bickering about lineages and inflating the ego of tradition (which is the opposite of eastern wisdom) let us learn from each other.
When I started learning chinese martial science (which I still am) I learned these moral codes which I find lacking in many students and schools these days:
Respect the ancestors of your art or any other art. (This is why after the Boxer Rebellion the Ching Mo Association was formed).
Respect your teacher or other teachers.
Respect your brother (or sister) in the art or
humanity in general.
Never speak ill or evil of your brother (or sister) of any lineage.
Respect one another's views. For ones view is an expression of ones Yi (idea). This comes from Qi and leads to Shen (Spiritual Enlightenment).
If someone speaks wrong, or ill of you wish him well. This is the road to self-mastery or mastering self. Controlling your emotions. Not reacting at the whim of someones words. This is true wisdom and understanding which leads one to peace and harmony with self and others. Some people dont know any better. So through silence you teach them.
Most of all Never! Ever! Forget the true
virtue of humility! Humility means to be humble.
If someone speaks wrong, or ill of you wish him well. Which means that if you disrespect another art or its existence, or down another art, or speak ill of it directly or indirectly you are breaking a major tenet of Sil Lum Martial arts and will receive your reward.
This is Tao. Tao is also the laws of Nature which is Justice. Justice is the reward or penalty for ones ways and actions. So if you do good your Qi as well the Qi of your ancestors, your art, system, mind, etc. will reward you in the form of new knowledge, wisdom, understanding, health, longevity, etc.. If you do evil (speak bad about other lineages, people, their views, etc.) penalty will be your reward (which will be confusion, insanity, bad luck, or even death). This is the way. Tao.
CMA, and JMA, or any other art for that matter. I wish you a wonderful journey in the Tao. If someone speaks ill of you. Respect him still. Be like water. This is the way. If you learn this you will be crysal clear like water....and like a prism...the light (truth) of the ancients will be made known to you.
A mi to fu!