“ The scholar and warrior go into battle together, they fight side by side, they fight back to back, they return in great victory...”
Kenpo salute
At the time of writing (2021) I've been teaching Tai Chi Chuan for eighteen years and during that time I've occasionally come across the odd student who has trouble reconciling Tai Chi's dualistic nature. Either they're a very spiritual person and cannot seem to get their head around the fact that Tai Chi Chuan is a martial art, or they're a true blue martial artist and don't understand the existence of its spiritual side. If such is the case then it is my hope that this article will bring you some clarification.
ORIGINS
All traditional martial arts without fail have a strong spiritual dimension to their training. Which to some can seem a little strange, pairing up philosophy and spirituality with combat training, but this partnership is absolutely necessary and any fighting system which does not embrace some form of spirituality is not a martial art.
Martial arts – arts that pertain to warfare were a way of life for soldiers and warriors. Warriors were created solely to protect a society or country from attack. However people found out early on (e.g. the Epic of Gilgamesh) that uncontrolled warriors could get out of hand and would wind up becoming the enemy within, transgressing against a society they were sworn to protect, killing rulers and priests or committing assaults on women, children and other non – combatants. So to stop this lapse into thuggery the martial arts expanded its training into the realm of the spiritual, developing a core set of moral and ethical codes. So as well as being taught the rudiments of warfare warriors were also schooled in the accomplishments proper to a gentleman.
In the ancient Shaolin Bronze Man Book for instance it advises emphasis should be placed on metaphysical study – and I quote: “This advice holds an extra special importance for the education of young men who study the fighting traditions. Young men are often known to fly off the handle without reason. A lack of confidence and ego related distractions are the source of unwarranted aggression. Like animals, they often run in packs making trouble. Misusing their Chuan Fa skills, they develop reputations worthy of criminals and the outcasts of society. “
Currently in the west there is a modern tendency to strip the oriental disciplines of their meaning. Divorcing the arts from their traditional meaning can actually make studying these disciplines more harmful than beneficial.
Recent studies have shown that traditional martial arts are effective in reducing juvenile delinquency, but ‘modernised’ forms of martial arts (i.e. schools that teach only fighting techniques) greatly increase aggressive tendencies and actually enhanced negative personality traits. Where as those who were taught traditional philosophy and psychology of martial arts as well as the physical aspects showed less aggressiveness, lower anxiety, more self esteem and increased awareness of social values even a year after training.
Prior to 57 BC in ancient Silla there was a philosophical and intellectual group called the Won Hwa, whose membership was comprised solely of women. This group laid down the philosophical codes and moral guidelines for martial artists to conduct themselves properly as human beings. Among these guidelines were nine virtues that a warrior was expected to develop. They are as follows –
1/ HUMANITY
2/ HONOUR
3/ COURTESY
4/ KNOWLEDGE
5/ TRUST AND FRIENDSHIP
6/ KINDNESS
7/ WISDOM
8/ LOYALTY
9/ COURAGE
These virtues have been nurtured over thousands of years, they have stood the test of time and continue to do so even in a world where good conduct and ethical behaviour are fast becoming the exception rather than the rule.
PERSONAL GROWTH (For the warrior)
“However seriously systems and measures may be discussed
They cannot be put into practice unless there is the right man to do it.
There is no deed without a dooer,
To have the right man is the greatest blessing
One must aim at being that man.”
Saigo Takamori (1827 – 1877)
In 500 BC the Roman Legion knew that out of every one hundred men who go into battle ten should not even be there, eighty are targets who may or may not fight, nine are fighters and only one is a true warrior who will win the fight and bring everyone else back safely.
What is it about these individuals that sets them apart? It is of course their proper mind-set and this is born of scholastic and spiritual endeavours. These can take many forms e.g. poetry, calligraphy, art even flower arranging. The warrior learns that there are other things you can do beside fighting, you can create. These mediums allow the warrior to grow inside and discover who they really are, finding the definition of themselves. Thus is born the gentleman warrior. A renaissance warrior who is both educated and physically deadly, the complete warrior who respects skill with words as much as skill at arms. They are an even balance of physical conditioning and metaphysical study to foster both vitality and virtue.
They have chosen not to be a thug, but rather a gentleman... albeit a deadly and dangerous one but a gentleman nevertheless. Such people speak, conduct and comport themselves with care and grace (which doesn't waver even under pressure), they are calm but sprung for action. Greats from history such as Burton and Fairbairn were refined, learned individuals - but they were deadly as well as educated.
In Castiglione’s ‘The Book of the Courtier' 1528 AD he even expressed the sentiment that the scholar and warrior were one and the same and that a courtiers training should be conducted from both a physical and mental perspective.
Here in the west literary traditions have helped warriors mentally prepare for battle and discover themselves for thousands of years. Stories, poems, songs and chants from the Epic of Gilgamesh through to the Greek Classics and on to Beowulf and the Tain Bo Cuailnge (ask me in class if you want the correct pronunciation) have enabled warriors to fortify themselves mentally for combat.
Prior to the industrial age poetry was a metaphor of life for the English. It captured the unseen, unspoken essence of the universe and then placed it in front of a man for him to examine. Poetry was the kata of words and it allowed man to understand the world and those who lived in it, not in fragmented ideas but instead in a continuous process where all events intersected and influenced one another. The mechanistic philosophy of the modern world compartmentalises each and everything into independent entities that never cross paths. Nothing could be further from the truth, look at such great writers as Archilochus the 6th century BC mercenary, spear fighter and poet – he invented Iambic verse 🐝, Socrates and Plato were warriors as were Mallory, Sidney, Chaucer, Raleigh, Marlowe and Byron. All cracking examples of ‘pen and sword in accord' where the pen and sword can be substituted for one another – literally in China as calligraphy directly influenced sword techniques and vice versa.
With these arts you don't just acquire skill, but also responsibility, maturity and wisdom. Our ancestors knew that a strong foundation in philosophical understanding is necessary to be a truly effective fighter. A warrior without philosophical conviction may be unsure of their spontaneous actions and become a victim of their own uncertainty suffering from guilt trips, battle madness (PTSD), self destructive and autotelic violence (violence committed for its own sake, without any higher purpose) – morality comes before and after a fight never during.
Without first finding inner peace and harmony one can never truly master the fighting traditions and hence never master their own lives. As has been said ‘It is the weak who are cruel, gentleness can only be expected from the strong'.
The Japanese have a concept called Shibumi – understated elegance (or elegant simplicity), where there is much more to see than first meets the eye. The same can be said of the warrior. They have no arrogance or ostentation in manner or dress. The closer you look and the harder you press the more intrinsic character is revealed. Courtesy, humility, courage and capability that is what is strived for here. Shibumi people exalt excellence via taking time to learn, watch, read, understand, develop, think and eventually merge into understatement and silence concerning oneself. This is known as Shibusai ‘Sanctuary of Silence’ a state of non dualism, the resolution of opposites. Its foundation is intuition coupled with faith and beauty revealing phases of truth and the worship and reverence of life.
This allows one to become a Katsujin – Ken or ‘Life Rending Sword'. A mental process where the weapon becomes life giving, which demands the total destruction of the ego. Such people will go easy on an opponent , allowing them to withdraw gracefully. Whereas a Satsujin – Ken or ‘Death Rending Sword’ defeats without mercy, they become a weapon solely for taking human life.
There are actually many levels at play here but an example most martial artists should relate to is that of training partners who have greater skill and more experience than themselves.
A ‘Life Rending Sword’ will help to lead someone along to their level, they have nothing to prove to themselves and are happiest when furthering others on the martial path.
A ‘Death Rending Sword’ will just use beginners for practice to further themselves. We've all encountered these self serving, puerile malcontents at sometime, you know the ones who use full force when only semi contact is required, who lead throws to hurt outside of combat or push locks too far, and yes they even show up in push hands practice! Negative miasmic types who are best avoided if possible (to be honest anyone who still behaves in this manner by their twenties is pretty much set for life, they don't want to change and generally have mental issues – which is a reason NOT an excuse, there are no excuses for such behaviour).
TOUGHENING UP (For the scholar)
“Be systematically ascetic or heroic in little unnecessary points, do every day something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it, so that when the hour of dire need draws nigh, it may find you not unnerved and untrained to stand the test".
William James
The scholar benefits from martial training by gaining toughness, both mental and physical, to withstand the vigour’s of life, and gaining the ability to protect themselves and others by facing violence and fear. Lets start with the physical side.
Martial training will toughen you up. Back in the day the Romans were concerned that society would make them soft. That exposure to hot baths and comfortable beds would take the edge off their ability to destroy their enemies in battle. The Greeks also were concerned over the polluting aspect of luxury and made reference to Habros – people who were soft, effeminate, weak, fearful and over the top, preferring to define themselves as austere, masculine, restrained and egalitarian.
This may seem harsh by modern standards but people raised on fear tend to be fear aggressive. Hardship changes a person's world view. Toughness is something one builds and develops, not something you are given at birth and toughness will grant a person emotional maturity that allows them to control their emotions giving them a stronger breaking point (thugs have little emotional control which is why they flap about at the slightest provocation).
Toughness means that if there is need the scholar can rise to fight, but they are much more than a mere fighter, they are a whole, balanced and rounded individual. The scholar needs to develop the internal self image of a predator. We are a product of what we decide to become – lamb or lion it really is a simple choice (generally when it all kicks off lions tend to do better). With a little toughness in them a persons choice to act is now based on tactical analysis rather than emotion or fear. Martial discipline makes individuals remarkable and grants them greater freedom to be themselves.
I'll give you a personal example. Anyone who knows me will tell you I've always had a thing for poetry – once a discipline for warriors, nowadays considered unmanly (!) which does put off a lot of boys due to peer (and even parental) pressure, not me though. When you're ten years old and learning to kick, punch and blood choke people bigger and stronger than you in the dojo you develop the confidence to walk your own path irrespective of the views of others (if anyone had a problem with it, they were welcome to bring it to me). Now I'm not Bruce Lee but the brutal side of the training gave me the inner strength to be me, and its important to be true to yourself, it's something that seems sadly lacking in this day and age and why many men seem incapable of growing up inside, remaining immature little boys in grown ups bodies.
Back to the predator for some clarification. Deep within each of us is a cold and deadly primal power known as the killer instinct. This is a vicious combat mentality that surges to our consciousness and turns us into fierce fighters who are free of fear, anger and apprehension. The scholar must cultivate and utilise this mentality and refine it into elan – which is the capacity to engage personal honour and moral strength under fire (in other words gallantry and valour). If you are lacking in elan then all your training and intentions will be for nothing, you will lose the battle.
As the Spartan king Leonidas once said :
“ When the screaming starts and blood flows freely in the night, it is elan that will see the dawn.”
This itself ties into a person's responsibility to and for themselves. Along with this responsibility comes an understanding of things most people never know exist. Violence is a powerful learning tool for self discovery and self confrontation and even though unpleasant it's a great way to acquire resolve and inner strength, which enables a scholar to be the best they can be.
The physical training exercises are the concrete examples of abstract philosophical principles. The footwork and handwork teach the qualities of energy, ebb and flow and both creative and destructive potential, balance, dynamics and intuition of natural spirit. Even breath work and meditation are great for learning self control.
But the scholar has to keep all this up. A depth of soul and understanding, fullness of compassion and weight of character are the qualities that root people to their path.
It all boils down to personal initiative. No one can be coerced onto following the training. But those that do acquire an inner growth which allows them to make a direct contribution to the harmony of the world and also influence others to change by example.
ALL TOGETHER NOW
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.“
G.K. Chesterson
Lying behind all traditional martial arts is an esoteric spiritual component for achieving spiritual growth. The true value in studying a martial art lies not in the learning of the techniques or system but in the acquisition of particular internal qualities that are developed through the learning process ( on an energetic level the development of the shen or ‘spirit’).
A faith system is an important aspect of both the warriors and scholars mind-set. It allows people to keep their fear in check, react quickly and rationally rather than panic. Combat requires strong will and an individual who performs religious rituals that make them psychologically stronger (more confident) will become more formidable fighters (if you feel strong, you will go in strong), it doesn't matter if this is a full on blessing, a simple prayer or just tapping your heels to raise shen it'll all provide a boost when needed.
Throughout all this death is a constant presence, the whole activity revolves around it. The martially scholastic practitioner confronts death and makes peace with it. With this there is no more fear and you are truly free ( freedom from incapacity) and be able to discover great power. The mental triumph over death is the martial artists greatest power, after all death smiles upon us all – all we can do is smile back 🙂.
Perhaps a good example of all this is the archetypal figure of the warrior monk. Such spiritual warriors/advisors can be found from east to west, from the Zen Sohei monks of Japan to the Buddhist Shaolin monks of China to the Christian Knights Templar/Hospitaller of Europe. These themselves may still exist in the various ‘Priests Styles’ of Kung Fu and Silat. These are purposefully non – deadly but of course require great skill and experience to make them work effectively. They literally weaponise mudras (even the universal prayer position) for defence of the self and others. Everyday objects are pushed into service as serviceable weapons be it a thick walking staff, a vajra used as a pocket stick, a heavy temple key on a cord used like a manrikigusari (a big favourite of Tibetan fighting monks for fending off bandits) or the Japanese Tetsuniyoi club originally a Buddhist monks sceptre found to be useful for discouraging wild animal attacks.
One need not even follow just one path (they're all heading for the same place). In places of hardship people often take solace and empowerment from a multitude of systems, Christian, Pagan, Taoist, Buddhist ect. Over the years I've met vicars who study Karate, priests who study Tai Chi and by the same token some Samurai were Christians, some Shaolin monks are also ordained ministers – Karate’s Mitose Sensei was a Buddhist priest, an ordained Presbyterian minister and a Reiki master!
It doesn't matter if you find greater solace and knowledge in the writings of St Augustine where he discusses the real evils of war being cruelty, greed and a lust for rule that so often accompanies it or the sagely advice of the Zen influenced ‘The Life Giving Sword' by Yagyu Munenori, just find what works for you.
These days it is a rare individual who has both the ability and desire to combine the strengths of both the fierce warrior and the benevolent scholar in one personality. Those who manage it are truly lethal people but they are also courteous, intelligent, witty, humble and often great story tellers. They have the motivation to be violent but not by hate but by honour, duty and love.
I'll leave you with a famous Samurai tale :
Once a youthful Samurai who was big and arrogant walked up to a monk. He bellowed to him.
“Teach me about Heaven and Hell.”
The frail old monk replied
“Teach you about Heaven and Hell? I couldn't teach you anything, you're dumb, dirty a disgrace, an embarrassment to the Samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can't stand you.”
The Samurai was enraged and speechless. He pulled his sword out to take the monks head. The monk calmly looked at the Samurai and said
“That is Hell.”
The Samurai was awestruck and froze. He now had respect for this frail old man who risked his life to teach him a valuable lesson. He put his sword back in its sheath with deep gratitude. The monk then said
“And that is Heaven.”
Qapla
Mathew
Comments