Focus is a key component of mastery. In the beginner stages of kung fu I emphasis the value of narrowing focus. Unlike medicine, you can sometimes cure a problem in your kung fu by treating the symptoms. Narrowing your focus on symptoms like shallow stances and poor skeletal alignment will lead to progress on mastering the six harmonies - your ultimate goal.
The biggest obstacle in attaining mastery is perspective. Perspective is continually evolving and it is affected by everything, especially ego. If you ever have doubt about how much your ego influences your decisions and actions, think about the last time you lost your temper. Did your subsequent words and actions serve you or did they just reinforce and escalate the situation? I find that ego becomes a bigger problem for my students as they progress through the ranks. Their training becomes more competitive where they judge their own progress by comparing themselves to others. They become so focused on the symptoms that they ultimately lose sight of the big picture and remained focused on only bettering themselves physically and for the wrong reasons. They forget what their training is really all about.
The value of our training is not found in our kicking, punching, or sparring. The value is found in the self realization we achieve through our craft. Our craft is a physical manifestation of our practice. Our practice, if it is to truly serve us, must transcend the mindless physical and enlighten us into becoming more engaged and cognizant human beings. Then and only then will it become something that will serve us and our loved ones for the rest of our lives.
“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” - Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)
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