Dragon Moon Martial Arts Association : Mystical Aspects of the Martial Arts

Mystical Aspects of the Martial Arts

by
Dr. Makia L. Pai

Ever since the introduction of the Asian martial arts to America, Americans have been fascinated and even obsessed with the mystical aspects of the martial arts. Many practitioners wish to gain a hidden or secret advantage over their opponent, whether that opponent be real or imagined. The process of studying the mystical aspects, however, usually reveals to the practitioner that his only enemy is himself. The old mystery schools had written above their entrances the phrase "Know Thyself" and this is what the practitioner interested in the mystical aspects of the martial arts should focus on first. Most every martial tradition has mystical aspects. The purpose of this article is to assist the reader in finding the mystical aspects that may be present in his or her own style of martial arts.

Meditation

Every martial art teaches some form of meditation. But what exactly is meditation? Some might say it is simple breathing practice. Others might say it is to calm your emotions and get centered. I will introduce a concept here that will be repeated often throughout this article, the concept of original intent. In order to understand the mystical aspects of your martial art, you must seek to uncover the original intent of the master who created it. What was the original intent of the founder of your style when he put meditation into your style's curriculum? Do not make the mistake of thinking that you 'know' something simply because you think you know it. Knowing is a deeply intuitive feeling that has nothing to do with the process of the rational mind. Meditation will make you aware of this. Among other things, meditation will increase your awareness of things outside of yourself. It will make you less self-centered. At the same time, it will give you a profound understanding of who you are, but only after you achieve the original intent of meditation. If you do not know what this is, do not read about, do not think about it - just go and practice meditation the way your teacher taught you. Only in this way will you approach an understanding of your arts' mystic secrets.

The Teacher

Most people will find that a qualified teacher is essential to understanding any aspects of the martial arts, including the mystical. If you do not have a teacher, find one that you believe in. If you do have a teacher, trust him completely as long as you feel he has your best interest at heart but do not judge him or form any opinions about his lifestyle or teaching methods. You are studying to learn his art, not to copy his lifestyle. The teacher is the guide for the student on the path. It is said that there is no such thing as a good or a bad teacher, only a good or bad student. The absence of judgments is essential in order to reach an understanding of the mystical.

The Student

In order to completely learn any martial art, you must first become a student. This is much, much more difficult than it sounds. If you think that by paying monthly dues at a martial arts training hall you have become a student, think again. You may simply be a customer. If you are not sure what you are, then you are a customer. If the teacher caters to your ego in any way, then you are most likely a customer. In order to be a student, you must put your teacher before yourself. If you are unable to put anything before yourself, go back to part I and practice meditation some more. A student will have more than a passing understanding of the concepts of giri and on.

The Forms

The forms of any martial art hold it's mysteries and secrets. If you understand the forms, you understand the art. You must constantly seek the original intent of the master who created that form. When you allow the form to be done by you as opposed to do the form, you will begin to gain the understanding and awareness of the form's creator. Magical traditions talk about invocation. You may find that many of your style's fighting forms are simply invocations that have been passed on throughout the generations of your style's existence. For example, if you have a 'tiger' form, do you pose through the form pretending to be a tiger or even worse, do you do the techniques of the form the same way you do the techniques in your crane form? Or do you invoke the spirit of the tiger and allow that tiger spirit to possess your body so that it may do the form for you? Take every form you know and attempt to uncover the original intent of the form's creator. What do you know about him? Was it the same person who founded your style? What is the history, tradition and belief surrounding each form? What is it's purpose? And after you think you know what it is, search to see what else it could be. You will soon see that this is a lifetime a study. As you empty your cup each time you approach each form, that form will teach you more and more about it's mysteries.

Energy

Most martial traditions have certain forms that are designed to teach their practitioners about chi, energy or life force. As you practice these forms, you not only become aware that you are a field of bio-electric energy, you also find that you are increasing the strength of this energy system. Ultimately you will realize that the entire universe is energy and you are a part of that energy. As such, your martial art evolves from a physical level into dealing with life on an energy level. It is at this point that one's interest in the mystical aspects of the martial arts will normally increase.

Mystical Realizations

There is no secret to receiving mystical revelations except to practice, train and study your chosen martial art until you understand it so completely that there is no difference between you and the art. Once you become one with your art, you will have achieved a mystical union with all practitioners of that art past, present and future. Remember that mysticism is simply the understanding that everything in the universe is interconnected. All martial artists do is use their particular martial art as a vehicle to come to this understanding. Look back at the original intent of the founder of your particular style and see if his original intent doesn't have something to do with achieving a mystical union with all things. Then, go practice.

Dr. Makia L. Pai is the Founder of Dragon Moon® Kung Fu and the Executive Director of Dragon Moon Martial Arts Association. He is a long time practitioner of the Pai Family martial, meditative, and metaphysical arts.

Dragon Moon Martial Arts Association

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