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| Mind power | ||
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Blind
TV, politics, gossip,
newspapers, fashion, advertising and the internet fill
our minds with ceaseless trivia.
Instead of accomplishing fruitful,
clear tasks, the brain
is hijacked.
Most people cannot think properly.
Their minds are noisy, muddled and lost in
confusion.
Deaf
A chaotic state of mind has a profound effect upon how people
live.
They do not listen to their own bodies.
Worries, anxieties, opinions,
memories, second-guessing, over-analysing,
vanities and pride are commonplace.
The overtaxed mind struggles to exert
control over outside events.
Dullness, stress, distraction and poor
attention prevail. Instead of being aware of what is taking place right
in front of them, such people are
consumed by the orchestra of their own thoughts.
Dumb
The brain uses 20% of the body's intake of energy.
Thoughts use up energy.
Rather than possessing a clean, sharp tool that can
be employed at will to perform surgical tasks, most people allow their mind
free reign.
Much energy is wasted on matters that have no
significance or import.
Consequently, when the time comes to express
power skilfully and decisively, the mind flounders because it is
tired and only
partially conscious.
It is no measure of health
to be well adjusted
to a profoundly sick society.
(Krishnamurti)
Proof?
It is easy to prove every statement made on this page.
Sifu Waller learned every tai chi form, drill and exercise within 12 months
of commencing training.
Although not common, such focus neatly illustrates what a
calm, clear mind is capable of.
Real human
Taoism encourages the student to
shed their opinions, bias, worries and fears.
Pay attention completely to 'being'.
Right here and right now.
When nothing else intrudes, you can deal with what
is actually taking place.
Directions
In Alexander Technique a process takes place where verbal
instructions are spoken within the mind.
Commands are given: "lengthen" "widen" - usually with regard to a
specific part of the body.
No physical action is taken.
To accomplish this it is necessary to be
aware of what is taking place in
your mind and with your body.
Thought-controlled
Tai chi uses a similar but different method which is
thousands of years old.
Rather than speaking words in your mind, non-verbal
commands are given.
Verbal thoughts are considered to
be a kind of tension. Sensitivity,
4 ounces, stickiness,
jing and groundpath require
the student to provide clear, concise commands to the body.
We are checking our smartphones on
average 221 times a day. Recent research found that 80 percent of
millennials look at their phones upon waking; this addiction is a strong
one. As a result, our cognitive processing has become shallower and we have
become so distracted that we play directly into the hands of the autopilot.
Digital devices are the modern day equivalent of tranquillisers. They instil
a trance-like state almost immediately as they are anchors for our
subconscious to take over.
(Chris Barez-Brown)
Conscious
At first, a student must consciously think an action, feel
the effect upon the other person and then adjust
relative to the degree of resistance encountered.
This involves acute biofeedback skills.
You cannot 'space out' or get lost in your own thoughts. A great deal of concentration is necessary.
Unconscious
Years of practice enable the student to direct
their body using neither words nor conscious non-verbal commands.
The whole thing happens unconsciously.
This is no different to driving a car with
skill.
Often the mind/body synthesis is so fast, complete and skilful that it occurs
before you become fully aware of the need.
Speed of thought
A skilled tai chi person has lightning fast
reflexes, incredible body
skills and a very sharp mind.
This is no accident.
The art is an effective,
powerful training method providing it is taught
authentically and the student
commits to the necessary training regime.
Semi-conscious
A lot of people live most of their
lives in a semi-conscious state.
They worry about dementia, all the while taking the fast-track route to
rapid mental deterioration.
Instead of investing in daily
meditation, constructive rest, tai chi
practice, qigong, brain work and productive
reading, they squander
time.
All movements are motivated by mind, not external form.
(Chang San-feng)
Most powerful weapon
Imagine actually applying tai chi historically (in
combat)?
What skills would you need mentally?
•
Presence
•
Composure
•
Clarity
•
Perception
•
Attention
•
Awareness
•
Perspective
Every second counts in combat
You need the ability to evaluate and decide in a split second.
Pre-consciously.
Switching from one attacker to another without
hesitation or doubt.
Handling one person whilst aware of the rest. Spatial awareness, proximity,
exposure,
vulnerability. Angles of weakness and strength.
Work your mind
See why Sifu Waller wants students to read, meditate and develop the
mind?
Other martial artists don't even work on
the mind.
But the mind is the source of skill.
Sifu Waller took postgraduate professional
teaching skills and
worked on his own mind. This is
what he is offering his students.
Every gesture is important.
How we eat, how we put on our clothes, how we wash ourselves, how we go to the
toilet, how we put things away, how we act with other people, family, wife, how
we work - how we are: totally, in every single gesture. You must do not dream
your life away. You must be, completely, in whatever you do.
(Taisen Deshimaru)
Page
created 21 May 1994
Last updated
16 June 2023
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