So, I thought it was about time I updated this blog. It has been a long time since I wrote anything. Since then I have changed clubs and travelled Asia for 5 months, to China, Hong Kong, Tibet, Nepal & India. I will write about my experiences regarding martial arts in a later post. Without sounding like Im having a bash at my old club I think I should explain the reason I left. After getting my black sash and beginning to attend seminars of other Sifus I began to question my art. My Sifu had always talked about validating things, so I wanted to validate what I was doing for myself. Now in the class it is very easy to say ok, so this guy is throwing 2 punches and I can do these techniques and Im in a good position. However, when you do this same technique against someone who isnt just standing there to take it, the result is not as successful. I also began to question the reason why we always do drills. So now I had learnt the whole system and I thought "what next?"
People always say, once you reach black you start learning, but I felt like I wasnt doing anything anymore. In short I was teaching and doing warm ups, while the Sifu was in the back room drinking tea. I thought to myself, "am I really developing?" So I had got to a stage where I had become totally stagnant, and on top of that I had a closed minded attitude towards other styles. I was always fault finding when I looked at other stuff, instead of thinking, well why do they do this. Now I realise that you cant criticise one element of a different system without understanding the whole.
So anyway, I decided to go along to the Foshan Wing Chun class and to do some private tuition with the Sifu. He was able to answer my questions and restore my faith in the fact that Wing Chun was an alive, conceptual art. Suddenly, things fell into place that had previously felt scattered and awkward.
Following that I had to take a break for 5 months, while I travelled around Asia. During my time in China & Hong Kong I met a couple of Sifus there from various styles and I also had a lot of time to think through my Kung Fu. I think this time to reflect helped me find the cause of my ignorance. Basically I had been looking for someone to come along and be a master and show me the way. So I accepted the first who came along and developed a close relationship with him. I began to believe everything he said and became like a robot, I wasnt myself.
Now I have come to the realisation that I am my own master, and that in this life people will come and go, and they will show me which way to turn next and then I must decide for myself and then move on. There is no humble monk who will come along and tell me the meaning of life or whatever, I must take it into my own hands.
So now I feel that everything fits into place, whereas before things were clashing. For example I was led to believe that Wing Chun is Wing Chun and we do what our Sifu says and anything else will hinder our progress. However I now see that all things fit into it, not go against it. I now understand when Bruce Lee says about the man who goes to a Zen master and asks him questions. The master decides to serve tea and overflows it so it spills everywhere. The man says "what are you doing, the cup is full, it cant hold any more tea!"
So the master replies "see, likethis cup you are so full of your own opinions and ideas, whatever I teach you ,there is no room to take it in."
So I guess what Im saying is that in this life we should be open minded. Dont get sucked in to other peoples bullshit, and if you have a doubt in your mind, dont keep quiet. Speak up, find an answer to your doubt, however that may be. Most people become stagnant because they develop a comfort zone. They dont want to affect the status quo or whatever. Its when you step into the danger zone, and are on the edge, that you really develop. So, if you have a doubt, dont just ignore it, whats the worst that can happen, your questions are answered? What Im saying applies to life, not just martial arts. Dont allow your mind to be someone elses prisoner, conquer it, its yours after all!!
Maybe people will read this and say "oh, what disrespect to his old Sifu" or that i am talking crap. Well I dont care, coz I dont want my learning to be held back by blind respect. I think I have a little insight into Bruce Lees thinking now.
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2 comments:
This post to your blog, I suspect will be relevant to many others in the martial art world. You have given this entry much deep thought and I agree with your thoughts and sense the deep feelings this process arouses.
You cant be too upset at your Sifus.
Its exactly how they were trained.
When you reach a certain level, you help teach. Teaching actually causes you to Think much more deeply and get much more aware of important details. It also can prepare you for being a Sifu, in the future.
Its also I respect thing. They have given you a great gift of knowledge and attention. Money you give them, usually isnt squat compared to what they have invested. If you taught a single student for $75 a month, you wouldnt even make minimum wage.
Anyways, I learned a Lot by unofficially teaching on the side.
Also, when I was in classes.. I never trusted anything the teachers taught. After a while of getting it down... Id go out and test the stuff in hard contact sparring matches, against non-wing chun styles. Most often, Id choose to spar the most experienced fighters, whom were up to and over 2x my mass and strength.
I of course, was bowled over and defeated a lot. I could have blamed the system... but Id come to realized that it was me. Certain things I was doing wrong, caused most of the failures. However, I have found flaws in many Sifus teachings. Misinterpretations, and flat out false and bad information. To which I was able to figure out the best ways, via testing alternate branch teachings, teachings found in similar arts, ...as well as my own ideas.
When you become a Sifu, its harder to keep from being stuck. If you spar someone and lose, your students may leave... and reputation could get too tarnished to recover from. That becomes a big problem with a lot of these guys.
Other problem, is that a lot of Sifu bought their way into that position.. and didnt really earn it properly. As such, they barely know what they are doing as it stands. Most of their WC wouldnt work for real, as they have such poor foundations, bad technique, misunderstandings, and no real experience.
As for respect... I always tried to keep an open mind, and when I disagreed with certain teachers... I kept it to myself Unless they were being downright disrespectful and arrogant.
Your best asking questions after or before classes. As well as testing things outside of class.
Finally, as much as I Love Bruce Lee for his accomplishments.. Lee was a hot headed, impatient, and disrespectful baby, in the arts.
Lee didnt even make it past level 1 in Wing Chun, and though that training is what got him the skills to blow through most Ops... he tried to denounce it later in his career... without more than tiny bit of understanding of what WC was all about.
Lee had many admirable traits. His work ethic was unmatched by most. Unless you go back to the Ancient days in China, where the arts were a daily way of life.
But even Lees understanding of SLT, was so poor, that
he pretty much used speed and power, rather than correct soft fluid and actively live Wing Chun. That worked against the weaker and low quality artists... but not the good high level guys.
Anyways, keep respecful, but challenge yourself to keep learning and growing. Nearly everything has certain value in it. Much of it is based off the
same materials from other arts.
Also, do learn about other arts. If you cant punch like a boxer, or kick like a TKD guy... your ability to defend against these will be very limited at best.
Remember, the arts are about life and death. Do not put your life on the line by someone elses words. Test, practice, and test again. Master everything, rather than being so-so at a lot of stuff.
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