Intensity

The term intensity, when applied to kung fu, can be a difficult concept for a student to grasp. Intensity is a physical state that is induced by your mental state. Many people are mentally intense but cannot channel that mental intensity so that they benefit physically from it. There are many facets to intensity but they all come down to right mind. Right mind can be defined as right thought, right emotion. Right thought has many components behind it but the biggest factor contributing to right thought and right emotion is wisdom. The more experience we have, the easier it becomes to control our emotions and by extension, our thoughts and the focus of our actions.

Wude, or 'martial morality' describes kung fu's code or system of ethics. The term consists of two aspects — morality of deed and morality of mind. Right thought and right action are achieved by harmonizing our emotional mind and our wisdom mind. It is all about control.

Wuji, or 'no extremity', is the ultimate goal of a kung fu stylist. This is a state where emotions and wisdom are in perfect harmony. The right mind required to maintain this harmony is in constant flux from environmental factors. I teach my students to disrupt their opponent's mental state before concentrating on defeating them physically. Pushing your opponent out of a balanced mental state (wuji) diminishes their effectiveness.

The six harmonies teach us to harmonize our spirit with our intent, our intent with our chi, and our chi with our strength. When I talk about intensity I am referring specifically to the first internal harmony — your spirit with your intent. If you have not achieved wuji, this harmony will elude you.

"Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind." - Zen Proverb