“The art of Wing Chun was designed as a vehicle to experience a specific idea, and more importantly, a universal truth. In terms of purpose and function, the idea for the creation of Wing Chun was to offer a means for its seekers to express themselves in combative form, and with all of one’s integrity intact, through the achievement of maximum efficiency. In order to accomplish this monumental idea in such a way as no other has devised before, many philosophical factors of human nature also became fundamental considerations in designing the art.
Combat, and the potential consequences that come with it, is a true test of one’s spiritual fortitude. The specific truth we all try to experience as genuine martial artists of the Way is to ultimately be in total harmony with our surrounding universe. Harmony was to be achieved via the idea of Maximum Efficiency. This is not to be taken as a fleeting moment in time; rather, it is to cultivate our total awareness in every moment of our human and spiritual experiences in life.
Wing Chun Kuen was ingeniously designed for both leader warriors and fighters of the Martial Path. In order for both classes to experience and use the art of Wing Chun Kuen, two approaches were crafted to facilitate their journeys. This was done out of necessity. One track was developed for wider spread use and to train skilled Wing Chun fighters in relatively quick fashion, which is called Siu Lien Tao (詠春拳小練頭, Little Drilling Beginning). The second track containing the combat training of its counterpart Siu Lien Tao has many more stipulations to abide by. This track is not compatible for wide spread exposure due to its complex nature. Wing Chun's core technical knowledge, with its original formulaic constructs, gives it rise governing all aspects of this training approach. These genetic components enable the art’s replication, and is called Siu Nim Tao (詠春拳小念頭, Little Idea Beginning).
The Drilling Method
Siu Lien Tao is a combat technique applications-oriented track, and carries the general signature of the fighting art along with a conceptual framework functionally sufficient for fighters. This method is a self containing (and fully) operational construct of Wing Chun. Furthermore, Siu Lien Tao is engineered to be very flexible. It could be tailored to meet the practitioner at his/her developmental stage provided the methods remain oriented upon achievable accelerated combative competency.
Siu Lien Tao is designed for leader warriors to train their fighters easily and quickly, without any great or extensive demand on a fighter’s restricted time to becoming efficient in combat. Fundamental concepts and theories concerning triangulated body structures and basic strategy and tactic were included so that each fighter would be combat knowledgeable enough to self-correct in action. Weapons training, individual and group training, routines and live combat, are all a part of the Siu Lien Tao. Much of a practitioner’s success is highly dependent upon his/hers experience and overall prowess. Yet, for its intended reality, this method is designed to be drilled inside and out then executed in battle.
The Conceptual Method
The composition of the Siu Nim Tao nucleus is based upon the synthesis of various multi-layered concepts that address the factors of Time Space and Energy. This track was never intended for average folks, as it requires an extensive intellectual capacity in addition to highly demanding and disciplined combat training. There are extensive requirements and elaborate combat progressions that come with this training. In contrast to the Siu Lien Tao method, Siu Nim Tao is intensely more demanding on one’s qualities and resources.
The core technical and philosophical information of Wing Chun is ultimately required to precisely replicate the art of achieving Maximum Efficiency. By the very nature of Maximum Efficiency there is nothing that can be added, subtracted, or altered. It was discovered as a principle within this reality, and just as all truths in the universe it exists in spite of anything else. It requires no “operator” to exist or function.
Yet, as this principle (Universal Truth) pertains to our physical form and our three dimensional reality plus the fourth dimension of Time, formulas and equations become paramount with respect to Maximum Efficiency. This is a part of the considerations for the Siu Nim Tao path of Wing Chun. It is an exceedingly scientific method of combat.
Philosophical Considerations
In order to manage one’s harmony with the universe one cannot deny the reality and relationship of balance and chaos. The natures of all forms of energy (internal and external) we experience are in a constant flux, and therein lay the challenge of our existence. How does one get to the embodiment of truth through a world of constant fluctuation? The path requires the most dedicated of persons due to the scientific nature of the journey and its profoundly philosophical underpinnings.
Wing Chun’s potentially existential achievement had to compliment the nature of the human experience as well, which we refer to as “seasons of growth” or Saam Mo Kiu (三摩橋, three connecting bridges). Saam Mo Kiu methodology addresses all the needs of our psychological, physical, and spiritual awareness. This means that all realities of combat must be given rise through the lens of Maximum Efficiency. Everything must be subject to the logic of causes, effects, and consequences. What is correct and incorrect based on the science? Wing Chun takes no exception in the extension of knowledge through the investigation of all things. These points are exemplary artifacts of the Confucian influence from the scholar and philosopher Chu Hsi (朱熹), who was a teacher of many things including Greater Learning (格物致知). In the course of our contemplations regarding our own inner nature, the principles of our reality, and our relationship to things, all have its place and time in what we do in life.”
Originally Posted by anerlich
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But if you tell them that this ancestral "technology" might improve their Wing Chun, that's different!