Experiences of Zen During Combat Training

[LeeWeiJoo]

Dear brothers and sisters of Shaolin Wahnam, and ladies and gentlemen of our forum

I would like to start a thread on having spiritual experiences during our combat training in our Wahnam school, whether it be solo sequence practise, combat sparring with a partner or practising our kung fu forms.

As hard as it may sound to some, we in our Wahnam school experience joy and happiness during our combat training, and that's not even the best part yet ! Some of us have experienced cosmic reality or a glimpse of our original face, while some have attained a one-pointed mind where everything flows smoothly and effortlessly.

From my own experience, after every sparring session with my Sidai Hwan King, I will experience a feeling of peace and happiness, feeling very refreshed and smiling from the heart. Sometimes while practising solo sequence training, I will find that the patterns and movements will become more and more effortless, as if the sequences were performing of its own volition. My mind would gradually become very calm and focused, and internally I feel powerful, more energized. I realize that I still have a long way to go in training my shen, as I am still clearing emotional and mental blockages, but I have realized just how far I have come from just 2 years ago.

How I arrived at my current level of practise? Practise, practise, practise There were perionds where my training went up and down, and sometimes I actually feel discouraged (Looking back on hindight, I was placing a mental blockage on myself to do things the right way, in a rigid sense). Now I just go with what feels right at the moment and train that way with an open heart. It also helps that I focused on my training, without expecting any results. This is not to say that one should not set any goals and objectives for your training. But one should not get caught up with the ends so much that one loses focus of and neglects the means. Oftentimes I find that if I just concentrate on my training itself without worrying too much about goals and expectations, the goals will solve itself. From time to time I review my performance against my goals and expectations and then from there chart out my next goal and objectives.

I sincerely hope that my Wahnam brothers and sisters will contribute their own experiences as well, for the benefit of our forum members and visitors.
I feel this thread will greatly contribute to our spritual training and focus.

With Shaolin Smile and Salute,
Lee Wei Joo

[joko]

Dear Lee Wei Joo,

Thank you for starting this thread, and for sharing your wonderful experience.

Yes, I agree, this thread will be beneficial to us.

For one thing, it helps me in fulfilling my promise that earlier I posted in another thread some time ago: http://wongkiewkit.com/forum/showpos...16&postcount=1

Thanks for joining me for this rather long post, I would post other things such as why sparring might help us in many ways of our lives, including the path to enlightenment, which I did not understand it, either, before the Intensive Taijiquan Course.

Regards,
Joko

[Jonny Say]

Dear All

I agree with my brothers that this is a wonderful opportunity for people to discuss their experiences of Zen during combat, I would be interested to hear from people.

For me the deepest states come when I am totally aware and mindful of my partners movements, especially in the state of "feeling" their motion and intent. In this state you and your partner often can't help but smile and laugh indicating the wonderful nature of these types of experiences.

It becomes like their is no opponent or adversary, just the flow of energy.

All the best

[Andrew R]

I'd like to try to reopen this thread, since the topic has barely been opened up yet. Does anyone have any more experiences to share?

While my Taijiquan training has not yet reached the level of developing deep spiritual experiences, such as a sattori, there have been times where I felt like I was growing close to the Tao. It's hard for me to completely let go due to mental blockages, but I have had sessions where I felt so peaceful in my practice, so flowing. There's something distinctly different between a chi kung chi flow and a Taijiquan chi flow. I kind of feel like in my Taijiquan it's much easier to come close to a one-pointed mind; does anyone else find this in their practice?

Toodles,
Drew

[Maxime]

Recently when semi-free sparring with one of my brother, his moves appeared in my mind before he moved in. He came with a Black tiger, and I saw/felt very clearly that the next one would be a Snake ... and it was.

I was quite surprised, and thought about a coincidence, but this experience occured several times afterwards, with different patterns.

At this point my mind was relaxed, focussed, and not anticipating anything. In other words, I was not thinking.

Those moments are really inspiring, unfortunately in my case they are the exception (for the time being ).

Kind regards,

[Martin Do]

Thanks Drew for restarting this thread. I have been practising Shaolin Kung Fu at Shaolin Wahnam now since last August and am very impressed with how much I have enjoyed practising this art and how much it has benefitted me. I can't believe that I seem to enjoy my practice more and more with each passing week. At the moment I just seem to enjoy any sort of practice whether it be combat sequence one, combat sequence sixteen, form, force, any sort of training. I enjoy going through the sequences in solo with good force and intent or just slowly. I enjoy the feeling of energy rushing down my arm or out of my fingers. I enjoy the freshness I feel after training and I enjoy smiling from the heart at the beginning and end of my training. I can't believe how enjoyable Shaolin Kung Fu as taught at Shaolin Wahnam can be . Its Awesome!

[Ronny]

My deepest chan-experience during combat training right now is when I do free-sparing with my imaginary opponent. Because his (her, its?) level is far above mine I must have a very one pointed mind, otherwise I get beated up! No joke!