Good Thoughts Words and Deeds: The Shaolin Arts and Daily Life
Part 3 of 6
In this article I will discuss one of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit’
's most profound teachings on daily life, to have Good Thoughts, Words and Deeds. The article goes on to discuss other aspects of Shaolin Wahnam philosophy and their application in daily life.
Driving With the Brakes On
This is an analogy to describe when part of one's lifestyle impedes the positive results of one's training.
The words of Grandmaster Wong:
A healthy lifestyle is important. If his lifestyle is bad, such as drinking and gambling excessively and constantly harbouring evil thoughts, even practicing high-level chi kung daily will not make him healthy, happy and peaceful.
The above examples are of extreme cases that will seriously impede the results of one's practice. Some examples of less extreme cases of "driving with the brakes on" are:
If one feels stuck in a career which is leaving one feeling unfulfilled. We are fortunate that in these cases our training in the Shaolin Arts will give us the mental clarity to decide what we want to do and the courage and confidence to make the necessary steps to do so.
If ones diet and lifestyle is particuarly poor. Of course we are lucky in training the Shaolin Arts we can enjoy the choice treats and delicacies which others fear not to for health reasons. But if our diet is generally full of good quality, healthy and delicious foods then our chi will not be wasted on cleansing detrimental aspects of our diet and will go into our vitality. Similarly if we over indulge in excessive Alcohol then our energy will go into recovery from these impacts rather than for example building internal force. Of course we may still enjoy fine wine or good beer.
If we harbour negative thoughts, speak negative words or perform negative deeds then these will negate the benefits of our practice. This can manifest through negative relationships, therefore we must ensure that our friendships are built around open hearts.
It is useful to examine all aspects of our lives to ensure they are manifesting the Spirit of Shaolin. By doing so we can increase the benefits of our practice greatly.
There are subtle layers to be aware of with the concept of "driving with the brakes on". These principles are not excuses to run away from the responsibilities of ones life. To clarify this Grandmaster Wong tells us:
Moreover, we aim for a “vertical shift” rather than a “horizontal shift”. In other words, by improving your skills you can be relaxed and healthy in London or any places in the whole world. You don’t have to change your working habits or place of residence. Your shift to relaxation and health is by moving upward in living skills, and not by moving horizontally away from your daily work and play.
In many cases as we deepen our skills in the Shaolin Arts, elements of our lifestyles which used to seem like problems no longer bother us. As our hearts open and our spirits expand we can find understanding where there may have been anger and joy where there may have been depression.
Living Everyday to Open Your Heart
Grandmaster Wong tells us a wonderful anecdote in "Chi Kung for Health and Vitality" describing this principle:
During the first century the prince of chu had a peculiar illness. He could not sleep, had an irrational fear of meeting people, and was even frightened of people's voices. His court physicians were puzzled. At last they consulted Wu Rong Jie. After detailed diagnosis, the physician told the prince that he suffered from 'the sickness of fear', which could not be treated by oral medication nor acupuncture, but could be cured by long discussion over time.
The physician advised the prince, 'Your Highness could start by listening to harmonius music, because music can clear the chi of our heart and lungs. You must also take delicious food which is fragrant and well decorated, and which will also delight your invited guests. Once in a while you should ride a good horse far out into the wilderness and enjoy the unlimited expanse of open sky and pure, fresh air. You may also bring along a bow and arrows and hunt some wild animals. The fun of eating barbecued meat hunted by you cannot be described in words.' Soon the prince changed his lifestyle and 'opened' his heart. Without his being aware of it, his phobia gradually disappeared.
A major part of our training, arguably the most important part, is to open our hearts.
We can design the day-to-day living of our lives so that every action promotes this practice, thus avoid 'driving with the brakes on' bringing love and compassion to all around us.
The above story is very inspiring for the day-to-day practice of opening ones heart. By adopting some of the recommended practices (or their modern equivalents, as we may not all wish to go riding and hunting!) along with daily Kung Fu or Chi Kung practice we can achieve wondrous results in opening our hearts and expanding our spirits.
- Listen to beautiful and harmonious music, enjoy reading the classics, enjoy painting, poetry or any other art which captivates us.
- Ensure that we eat delicious and fragrant food, which we treat as an art form in terms of preparation and enjoyment.
- Enjoy the company of 'invited guests', or enjoy spending time with friends and family. Here the practice of Good Thoughts, Words and Deeds is essential part of nourishing these relationships.
- Spend regular time in nature, to enjoy the expanse, peace and tranquillity which is always available.
If we plan our days/weeks so that we can enjoy all the above practices we can live every day to open our hearts.
Until we are Master level, when we may flow through life spontaneously, a daily or weekly structure is very useful. It is useful so we can fulfil our duties and it is useful so we can live our lives to open our hearts.
Grandmaster Wong has written illuminating words on the significance and importance of living everyday to open your heart:
Irrespective of whether you will be very successful or lead a normal life, if you are righteous and kind in your dealings with others, and find simple joys in whatever you do, your life here will have been very meaningful. In this way you will soon find your depression disappear.
Depression is result of imprisoning your spirit. The causes of this imprisonment are many and varied, but you need not have to know them in order to be free from depression. What you need to do is to free your spirit.
There are numerous ways to free your spirit. Practicing chi kung, such as “Lifting the Sky” or “Carrying the Moon” is one excellent way. Another excellent way is what I have described to you, which is taking in the strength and guidance of God or your divine being, leading a righteous life, being kind to others and finding simple joys in whatever you do.
The gentle flow of divine strength and guidance through you will open the blockage that has imprisoned your spirit, your sense of righteousness and kindness will ensure and nurture this divine flow, and finding joys in simple things will let your spirit expand.
To be righteous and kind with your dealings with others is deeply connected to having Good Thoughts, Words and Deeds.
Finding joys in simple things is how to live everyday to open your heart. By cultivating this practice we can greatly increase the opening of our hearts and the expanding of our spirits. It is a life practice and one which we can deepen and improve as we progress in our practice.
If we deepen our feeling of joy in our Kung Fu/Chi Kung practice and also deepen our sense of joy in our daily lives we will attain wondrous results.
Part 3 of this article will be available 21st November 2007
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