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Shaolin Flower Set and Asking Bridges course discussion
"Then how could chi kung overcome diseases where the cause is unknown or when there is no cure? The question is actually incorrect. The expressions "the cause is unknown" and "there is no cure" are applicable only in the Western medical paradigm. The expressions no longer hold true in the chi kung paradigm. In the chi kung paradigm the cause is known, and there is a cure."
"Then how could chi kung overcome diseases where the cause is unknown or when there is no cure? The question is actually incorrect. The expressions "the cause is unknown" and "there is no cure" are applicable only in the Western medical paradigm. The expressions no longer hold true in the chi kung paradigm. In the chi kung paradigm the cause is known, and there is a cure."
Blossoming like plum flowers in full gear,
Swift wind rain storm clouds flowing here.
Here is some interesting information about the poetic couplet:
The poetic formula can be applied to the whole set, combat sequences of the set, or to individual patterns. Referring to the whole set, “thick like plum flowers” (“blossoming like plum flowers”) suggests that it is complete, not “empty” like some sets or katas in Karate and Taekwondo. The Flower Set is complete will all the important training material for health, combat as well as spiritual cultivation.
Most Karate and Taekwondo sets and some kungfu sets are useful only for combat, and are “empty” of material for health and spiritual cultivation. Even for combat, these sets are limited to certain categories of combat, like only striking or kicking, and there is no material for force training.
The Flower Set is complete. In combat, not only it covers all the four categories of striking, kicking, felling and chin-na, it also manifests good tactics and strategies, as well as provides methods to develop internal force.
Besides combat it also provides methods for health and spiritual cultivation, two invaluable facilities many other martial arts do not have. In fact in some martial arts, the more a practitioner practices the more he becomes unhealthy and spiritually degraded. Practitioners of many other martial arts sustain internal injuries, which is unhealthy, and become aggressive and angry, which is spiritually degrading.
By practicing the Flower Set a practitioner can have good health, vitality and longevity. He derives these benefits without having to borrow from outside sources. His chi flow as a result of his practice gives him these benefits.
By practicing the Flower Set a practitioner becomes relaxed, joyful and peaceful, again without the need to borrow from outside sources. He derives these benefits from the flowing Zen and standing Zen of his Flower Set practice. At higher levels, he may attain a satori or even enlightenment.
Like a flower, all these benefits are derived from practice that is graceful and beautiful. It is never rough or brutal as in some other martial arts.
“In full gear” (“every flower opening”) suggests that every pattern in the Flower Set can give these wonderful benefits! Every pattern or movement in the Flower Set can blossom into good health, vitality, longevity, combat efficiency, internal force, mental clarity and spiritual joys! Isn’t this amazing?
While some patterns are more cost-effective for certain benefits (and this is an advantage), it is mind-blowing that just any one of the various patterns in the Flower Set can be employed to attain all these wonderful benefits. Of course we need to have the essence as well as understanding the philosophy and possess the required skills. This is where spreading brings a lot of benefits.
The above explanation sums up the meaning of the first line, “Thick like plum flowers in full gear”, or word-by-word in Chinese, “Thick like plum flowers, every flower opening”. The meaning is general or holistic.
Last edited by Mark Blohm; 24 February 2011, 12:57 AM.
"Then how could chi kung overcome diseases where the cause is unknown or when there is no cure? The question is actually incorrect. The expressions "the cause is unknown" and "there is no cure" are applicable only in the Western medical paradigm. The expressions no longer hold true in the chi kung paradigm. In the chi kung paradigm the cause is known, and there is a cure."
Wow, I don't even know what to say.
As soon as you start explaining the poem, everything seems so obvious, so clear and logical=).
It makes me see just how much I need to improve my mental clarity. But I am looking forward to and even already enjoying the journey very much =D!
But yes, it is really funny that you mention the flower set being "complete", because after a sparring-session, I talked to one of my Sihengs about almost exactly that.
He asked me: "Why do you like the flower-set so much more than the praying mantis?"
First of all, I didn't know that I was so obvious, since I still hold an ENORMOUS amount of love and respect for the PM-set, but I told Siheng nonetheless:
"If I practice the flower-set, so many things come together. It makes me feel strong, beautiful, relaxed, overflowing with joy and even more confident than I usually am. It's amazing. I feel in my entire being that there's nothing you can't counter with this set. Instead of this fact making me feel like "overpowering" people, it makes me feel like holding back. Holding back and sharing the newfound, strong compassion with as many people as possible." (the results of sharing the these feelings have been Unbelievable. Yes, with a capital "u" indeed!)
Siheng told me: "I believe that many sets or patterns can counter everything, if your level's high enough. And hey, good for you!"
That is of course true. But if the flower-set makes one feel these things even at MY beginners-level...there are no words, only gratitude and a feeling of this set being "larger than life".
Larger than life as in: I sometimes really and almost physically feel like the set itself takes me by the hand and guides me, calms me down and shows me that everything will be alright.
That I am doing fine in the things I love and that I am beautiful.
People who are close to me know just how much an issue these subject always were to me and sometimes still are. It means a LOT.
And no, I don't practice the set every day. Not nearly, and often only a few sequences. Just to show what Sisook said about every single pattern bringing the wonderful benefits.
THAT's what I find so terrific and mindblowing. And, to be honest, sometimes even a tiiiny bit terrifying.
Ah, so sorry for getting carried away!
I enjoy writing about my experiences far too much^^!
Good night to all of you and to Sisook: thank you so much for your continued efforts and enlightening posts! They are very enjoyable=)!
Blossoming like plum flowers in full gear, Swift wind rain storm clouds flowing here.
The second line, “Swift wind rain storm turn clouds here” is more thematic or specific. But the meaning can be applicable to the whole set, certain sequences or individual patterns.
“Swift wind” refers to energy flow. At the beginning, one may perform the Flower Set movements slowly and gracefully so as to learn the correct mechanics and forms. But when he has attained correctness of mechanics and forms, he should speed up his movements. The increase in speed should not be effected by muscles, but by chi flow.
“Rain storm” suggests that the movements must be power, and can cause much damage to opponents. The movements should also be overwhelming, not coming individually. For example, when a Flower Set practitioner executes a strike, it is not just an individual strike, followed by other individual strikes. The strikes should be continuous and overwhelming his opponents.
“Turn clouds here” suggests that while a Flower Set exponent is overwhelming in his attack, at the same time he is adequately covered. For example, if an opponent, ignoring his own safety, counter-strikes the exponent at the same time the exponent executes a strike, the exponent would turn his attack into a defence move to neutralize the opponent’s counter, and continue with his flowing strikes. Or sometimes his initial attack deflects the opponent’s counter in its attacking process.
Let us take the first combat sequence as an illustration to see how this second line of the poetic formula works. As your opponent attacks you, you counter attack with a left dragon-form, deflecting his attack in the process. You use flowing chi, not muscular strength, in your movement. This is “swift wind”. If he does not initiate an attack, you can initiate one using this movement.
If he attempts to block or deflect your dragon-form attack, you deflect his blocking or deflecting movement with a second dragon-form, continuing without break to strike him. You repeat with a third dragon-form, regardless of whether he is hit or manages to defend your attacks. This is also “swift wind”.
You continue with your right horn punch to strike him, causing him more damage, manifesting “rain storm”. Suppose your opponent ignores his own safety. He strikes you as your horn punch is approaching. Following the momentum of your attack, you change your horn punch into a cloud-hand movement (still holding your fist) to deflect his attack, and instantly continue with your left horn punch. This is “turn cloud here”, followed by “swift wind”. If your left horn punch hits him, without any break you continue with your leopard fist to hit him again, manifesting “rain storm”.
If you understand the underlying philosophy and are skilful, you can use the same sequence irrespective of what types of defence or counters your opponent may use, like what we learnt at the Flower Set Course. If he kicks at you, you shift your stance back to avoid his kick, and continue with your sequence. If he grips your hand, you release it with a circular movement, and continue with your sequence. If he tries to fell you, you adjust your footwork to neutralize his leverage-advantage, and continue attacking him using your intended sequence. Your overwhelming attacks are “swift winds” and “rain storms”, while your adjustments to his defence or counter-attacks are “turning clouds”.
Last edited by Mark Blohm; 4 March 2011, 04:56 AM.
"Then how could chi kung overcome diseases where the cause is unknown or when there is no cure? The question is actually incorrect. The expressions "the cause is unknown" and "there is no cure" are applicable only in the Western medical paradigm. The expressions no longer hold true in the chi kung paradigm. In the chi kung paradigm the cause is known, and there is a cure."
I've been practising the Flower Set since the course. I try to do at least a part of it every day, and its always very enjoyable. Its so true that it is a flower that Sifu gave us that slowly opens each day.
I came back to this thread this evening and read through the poem and the interpretations. Some thoughts came to my mind:
- the poem itself is very harmonious. Its like a verbal form of the yin yang symbol. The first line is static and gentle with a touch of strength (yin field with small yang dot) and the second line is dynamic and strong, balanced with a hint of tranquility (yang field with small yin dot). I think this captures the essence of the set and is the key to its depth.
the flower and the storm, the two faces of nature, innocent beauty combined with unpredictable overwhelming power;
only the pure hearted can master it, slowly, patiently the blossom opens... those who seek to take by force are destroyed with violence
Thats my two-cents..
Omar
Last edited by foxinsocks74; 11 June 2011, 11:35 PM.
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