Cleansing ritual/ purification practice at the beginning and end of the day puts one in a proper mindset.
There exist a belief that metaphorical “deities” reside within our minds, bodies, and external environment. The key to dispelling these “deities” lies in ritually clearing and cleansing distractions, dirt, and debris from our minds, bodies, and environment before they intoxicate us. By doing so, we create a point of departure to begin and end our days.
The question remains: how can we metaphorically cleanse the “deities” from our minds, bodies, and environment? The answer lies in simple, consistent practices such as bathing our bodies, meditating for our minds, and cleaning our external spaces through sweeping, washing, and organizing.
New beginnings often bring about a sense of fear, frustration, excitement, and possibility. They can also, but not always, mean the end of something else. However, leaving behind what no longer serves us can provide a better opportunity to create a new path that aligns with our unique values and aspirations.
New beginnings provide opportunities for new outcomes, and we can plan a new way to grow our development. We can cultivate optimism and renew our faith in our ability to create the future we want and feel we deserve. It is important to recognize that a new beginning represents an auspicious moment, one we can use to recommit to our life path, purpose, and positive outlook, despite facing negativity and chaos. We must mindfully control our moment-to-moment choices to make the most of our new beginning, creating a commitment to agency, self-realization, self-actualization, and self-cultivation.
Importantly, we must remember that any choice implies a commitment to action. Even though we may feel naive and vulnerable because we may have to act alone, we can carve a path as we travel. Then, our journey will transform us into instruments of inspiration, even as we experience pain and disappointment on our way to our destination. But as we remain open, present, and occasionally still, listening, observing, and sensing, auspicious signs will likely appear and confirm our choices in our journey.
…Leaving behind what no longer serves us can provide a better opportunity to create a new path that aligns with our unique values and aspirations.
The Tao teaches us that even the earth, sky, trees, and mountains along our path will “reverberate” and respond to the energy of our actions and purpose. In the end, the journey of new beginnings becomes a transformative experience that can make us feel empowered and inspired, a chance to become the best version of ourselves and to create the quality moments we genuinely desire. Remember that every choice we make moves us forward toward our dreams.
Kung fu means and represents the accumulation of skills resulting from difficult but disciplined and efficient work. It also embodies the principles of efficiency as a consequence of proper timing, proper technique, proper leverage, and proper position, all fundamental building blocks for developing our skills to the highest level we have the individual capacity for cultivating.
As martial artists, whether just starting out or aspiring to greater heights, we can all benefit from the lesson of working efficiently with the seasons in whatever work we do. Take for example the Woodcutter. When winter comes, he must draw upon his store of wood, or cut more, so that he and his family can stay warm. If he has worked partially or ineffectively, then he will not have enough wood stored for his or his family’s survival. On the other hand, if he has wisely worked according to the seasons, he will not only have an accumulation prior to winter, but also have the privilege of leisurely cutting kindling because of his disciplined diligence in the prior season. Moreover, his efficient practice of cutting with the grain requires even less energy than the wasted effort of careless cutting against the grain.
My Sifu taught me that, Kung fu means and represents the accumulation of skills resulting from difficult but disciplined and efficient work. It also embodies the principles of efficiency as a consequence of proper timing, proper technique, proper leverage, and proper position, all fundamental building blocks for developing our skills to the highest level we have the individual capacity for cultivating. We must return to these foundational principles often even as we master more complex forms and methods. You will notice that simple forms feel different because you have accumulated the work to notice the powerful nuances in the simple building blocks. Ultimately, true progress in any work requires consistent repetition, knowing when to act, and knowing when to leverage and allow natural forces to assist and amplify our strength and effectiveness to accomplish our task.
Musings on Martial Arts, Taoist Philosophy & All Things Wellness Related. 