Perspective

Perspective is such a fickle thing. It colours everything you experience. In my experience, the main thing preventing a person from achieving success is their own limiting attitude. Attitude determines perspective and perspective is sometimes the only difference between the yin and the yang.

The value of mindfulness cannot be denied. Staying in the present moment keeps perspective clear and accurate. Neither the negativity of the past nor the anxiety of the future affect perspective when you are truly present in a moment.

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is perspective, not the truth.” - Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180)

Appreciation and Respect

One of my most vivid memories of Grand Master Margie Hilbig was of an incident that happened over twenty years ago while I was training at Margie’s school at the Edmonton City Police Headquarters. A group of us black belts were off training on our own to one side of the gymnasium while Margie was teaching her group of queue belts on the other side of the gym. Class was going fine until I heard Margie screaming “I DON’T NEED YOU! YOU NEED ME!” With that, she stormed out of the gymnasium. You could have heard a pin drop when the door shut behind Margie. We were all speechless. Those who recovered first from the shock began looking for a backup exit. No one wanted to face Margie’s wrath.

I have no idea what transgression had taken place to warrant such a response from Margie. For decades I could not imagine being able to think, let alone say, what Margie screamed to her queue belts that day. This week that all changed.

Margie is gone. The knowledge that was lost with her is still unfathomable to me. I now understand where Margie was coming from that day. Art cannot be passed down through books or videos. It can only be passed from person to person. With Margie’s passing, I can no longer look to her for knowledge. I feel the burden of responsibility is on me that more intensely - I need to get more of my knowledge passed down to my own students. That task is almost impossible without appreciation and respect.

“The greatest humiliation in life is to work hard on something from which you expect great appreciation, and then fail to get it.” E.W. Howe (1853 - 1937)

Who We Are

Yes, kung fu is more than just kicking and punching. Everyone begins their journey for different reasons. Self-defence, confidence, discipline, fitness - these are obvious benefits that many expect from kung fu training. Everyone wants the benefits but very few fully comprehend what goes into producing the results that turn someone into a Black Belt. And to be clear, I am talking about a real Black Belt when I use that term, not just someone who can kick butt and take names. I’m talking about a Black Belt who is committed to personal excellence but whose training is not just a narcissistic exercise catering to ego. A Black Belt who recognizes the value of community service, who understands the importance of empathy and compassion. A Black Belt who is a well rounded, cognizant human being.

It was a little disheartening when, at our annual banquet, so many people were not able to fully hear the presentations given by the charities that Silent River Kung Fu students raised funds for at last year’s Panadamonium. It is no wonder that to so many raising money for charity is only that - raising money. Every charity that we support has been carefully vetted and chosen for the value they bring to our intelligent curriculum. If people do not take the time to learn about the charities we support, the real value in the exercise of raising money is lost along with its connection to kung fu, the Black Belt, and real self defence.

“Empathy is a tool for building people into groups, for allowing us to function as more than self-obsessed individuals.” - Neil Gaiman (b. 1960)

When Did It Disappear?

It’s been so long, I am not even sure if it was ever there. Teaching the concept of intent, as it applies to the six harmonies, can be an exercise in frustrating abstraction. Talking to my black belts after class last week, I was posed with a question concerning the difficulty in maintaining a pure technique based upon intent while reacting to a fist coming toward your face. As I answered that I never perceive the fist, at least not specifically, I started to wonder at what point in my training did the fist disappear? Have I always been this way or did something change along the way?

I do know that intent, at least my intent, is independent of the fist. In order for me to apply the six harmonies, my reactions must be tempered with intent. If I am absorbed in intent, my body responds rather than reacts. Intent is the difference between responding and reacting and the difference between power and energy.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu (604 - 531 BC)