Shaolin Kung Fu

[Rising_Suns]

Hello brothers and sisters,
Recently I have gained an interest in some of the styles of Shaolin Gung Fu, and I was wondering if there is any members out there who have been trained in a certain style. I am looking for a more internal style than an external one, and I am very much looking into more fluid styles that require use of ch'i flow. I want to use Kung Fu to enhance my spiritual life with God, so I will mainly be pursuing this to help put my body, mind, and spirit in closer connection with one another. I am Christian but I don't see any implication this has with learning Kung Fu, even though it started with the buddhist monks. In any case, I just wanted to toss this out there to see if there is anyone out there who may be more than just a novice at this (disciple? master?). If so, you are welcomed to contact me. The only classes being taught by a Shaolin master around here are for Eagle Claw, which I am not too familar with and am not so sure it is right for me, but from what I know its just a focussed and selective extension of Dragon.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

www.shaolin.com

 

[Ryoko Ozaki]

Sorry, I'm into Kempo and Ju Jitsu but Kung Fu isn't "my bag" as Austin Powers would say. lol

 

[Alessandro]

I've done a martial arts mix, but all what I could say to you is keep your main focus on God.

 

[jbarcher]

Hi,

Know very clearly that the internal energy flow is VERY REAL. It can be disrupted as well as enhanced. Good thing that many, many peple do not have the maturity or skill to control their flow. And also know the practical side--is the place you're going to a money grab, where the "master" isn't teaching you anything? Talk to other people who have studied it--compare their experiences to yours. It has been said many times by various M artists that no real master keeps secrets. Yes, a wise teacher will hold back certain street fighting techniques to a student or bunch of students, but that is because they are immature and would use it for ill gain.

I have studied Wing Chun--which can be described as a mix of White Crane and Snake. But WC is not the issue at hand.

I will also gravely warn you about meditation. Yes, I am 16. But in my past I have reached certain levels of meditation that put my very soul at risk. Note that this is before I started studying WC. Just remember: if you reach some sort of plane or some sort of being contacts you, 1) get out of meditating immediately, 2) pray. (I'm not giving you some fear-of-the-unknown-driven words, but from experience.)

If you have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable--say bowing and chanting in front of a statue, or lighting incense so that you can meditate--you don't have to do it.

 

[Alessandro]

It comes to the point where it not only comes into contact but also where you have to beat/subdue it if that makes sense.

 

[jbarcher]

In my experience I could do nothing, neither move, breathe, or speak. But the physical part of me was useless--bodies have no gain in that plane. It's your soul.

Jesus protects; this much I know. The only thing that would reach out to you in meditation is not something that is interested in Jesus. This is my warning to you.

 

[Alessandro]

Thats what I was referring to

That is why I always put Jesus first, and that is my only advise.

 

[openeyes]

sweetsoulsong
May I ask what type of meditation you were using?
I have meditated, deeply, for years and never had that sort of expirience.
I have used meditation as a tool, to clear my mind of rampant thoughts, as there is an almost constant buzz of thoughts and ideas, and to get a better grip on the enviroment around me.
Sorry for the interuption in the topic at hand.

 

[Rising_Suns]

I will also gravely warn you about meditation. Yes, I am 16. But in my past I have reached certain levels of meditation that put my very soul at risk. Note that this is before I started studying WC. Just remember: if you reach some sort of plane or some sort of being contacts you, 1) get out of meditating immediately, 2) pray. (I'm not giving you some fear-of-the-unknown-driven words, but from experience.)

sweetsoulsong,
If I ever did meditation, my focus would be on Jesus because the only revlation I desire is one from Jesus, so for me meditiation would simply be a form of deep prayer. Durring your meditations in the past, did you pray before hand and ask Jesus to be with you while you meditate? Also, how did you meditate? What did you focus your mind on?

Also, how is wing chung? I am somewhat familar with it. Have you taken classes with a master?

 

[jbarcher]

sweetsoulsong
May I ask what type of meditation you were using?
I have meditated, deeply, for years and never had that sort of expirience.
I have used meditation as a tool, to clear my mind of rampant thoughts, as there is an almost constant buzz of thoughts and ideas, and to get a better grip on the enviroment around me.
Sorry for the interuption in the topic at hand.

Feel free to help me out with mainstream terminology, but I describe it as pulling into my self to escape what's going on around me. With escape as perhaps my only goal. I too, used meditation as a tool, clearing my mind. No drugs or anything else used. But escape was my only goal, then I began to ask questions. The questions about life that I can't answer. Why does something exist rather than nothing? Perhaps I should send you something that I wrote about this subject.

sweetsoulsong,
If I ever did meditation, my focus would be on Jesus because the only revlation I desire is one from Jesus, so for me meditiation would simply be a form of deep prayer. Durring your meditations in the past, did you pray before hand and ask Jesus to be with you while you meditate? Also, how did you meditate? What did you focus your mind on?

Also, how is wing chung? I am somewhat familar with it. Have you taken classes with a master?

Deep prayer = good. My meditations in the past were without Jesus. I've been a Christian for 6 months, since mid-March of this year. Ever since I was challenged to consider the claims of Jesus 11 months ago, meditation has not been something I've done often. Meditation was running off to somewhere private and where no one could know I was there, and pulling into myself hoping for an escape of some sort. And its very stupid; I did not even know what escape I was looking for.

WC, I will tell you firstly, trains sensitivity all over the whole body. You can ask my brother, who can take very hard shots and smile, but when say a girl lightly touches his side he jumps a bit. It really is funny. Most of the WC styles I've seen and read about focus on what's called chi sao. Sticky hands. WC people will be able to stick to someone and influence their movement, we learn folding (which is pretty key). Also I have learned sticky feet, which in very close combat can be used, but if up against a boxer of sorts, is not so useful. Yes, my whole WC experience was with a master. His sensitivity and stickiness is quite good. WC focuses on simple, direct movements. It is a women's boxing style, actually. WC = springtime, or something along the lines of that.

 

[Ryoko Ozaki]

The reason meditation feels dangerous to you sweetsoulsong, is because it shows that God is a part of your mind and nothing more. It has shown me that many times, and if some "being" starts talking to you that's only yourself and it's because your mind's untrained.

 

[Rising_Suns]

I've been a Christian for 6 months, since mid-March of this year. Ever since I was challenged to consider the claims of Jesus 11 months ago, meditation has not been something I've done often. Meditation was running off to somewhere private and where no one could know I was there, and pulling into myself hoping for an escape of some sort. And its very stupid; I did not even know what escape I was looking for.

Bless you brother. Praise God that another soul has chosen God's path.

Maybe I should fill you in on my overall plans here to give you a better idea of where I'm going with this. Not only have I been looking into Kung Fu, but also been studying buddhism a little to apply mediation techniques to my prayer. Next weeked, I will be backpacking the applilation trail, and hiking up blood mountain and tray mountain. This 3-day excursion is just a way to take myself out of society, so I can be with God and focus on Him. Aside from hiking, most of my time will be dedicated to prayer through meditative techniques. I will be bringing my rosary as a form to focus on, as well as my cross. I will be exploring both analytical and concentrative meditation, with my focus on God and His son Jesus Christ, in hopes to come to new revelations of myself and my place in this world. I have found that society can be so distracting from what is real and true in this life, and sometimes we just need to take ourselves out of it so we can simply be alone with God and truly listen to the holy spirit within us. It seems what you were doing before you gave your life to God, was as you said, trying to escape reality in a way. But now since your heart has changed, your escape would not be from reality, but it would be an escape to God, which is amazing. I wish there were more Christians who weren't so close minded as to shun anything that does not relate directly to Christianity. I believe there are some great techniques to be learned in buddhism that can be applied to our personal life with God through His son Jesus Christ.

 

[Rising_Suns]

WC, I will tell you firstly, trains sensitivity all over the whole body. You can ask my brother, who can take very hard shots and smile, but when say a girl lightly touches his side he jumps a bit. It really is funny. Most of the WC styles I've seen and read about focus on what's called chi sao. Sticky hands. WC people will be able to stick to someone and influence their movement, we learn folding (which is pretty key). Also I have learned sticky feet, which in very close combat can be used, but if up against a boxer of sorts, is not so useful. Yes, my whole WC experience was with a master. His sensitivity and stickiness is quite good. WC focuses on simple, direct movements. It is a women's boxing style, actually. WC = springtime, or something along the lines of that

I suppose I can start taking classes as a beginner with the Shaolin Eagle Claw master. I don't think easgle claw is right for me, but from what I heard, all beginners in Shaolin Kung Fu, no matter what the style, learn the same basic punches, stances, kicks, etc. I am really looking for a high level style, one that is less adapted from animal behaviors and more on the spiritual or internal; use of ch'i. So maybe something like Dragon, or white crane? Anyway, thanks again for the help brother. May God bless you in all that you do.

 

[openeyes]

Feel free to help me out with mainstream terminology, but I describe it as pulling into my self to escape what's going on around me. With escape as perhaps my only goal. I too, used meditation as a tool, clearing my mind. No drugs or anything else used. But escape was my only goal, then I began to ask questions. The questions about life that I can't answer. Why does something exist rather than nothing? Perhaps I should send you something that I wrote about this subject.


Yes feel free to I think my email is availible.

 

[Ryoko Ozaki]

If anyone wants help in conditioning for martial arts just ask me. I can type up an organized work out that will get you in shape for it. This is probably the last thing I'm going to add to this thread, because anything else might lead to a debate.

Just PM me if you want a list.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Just for the record, if you guys want to put anything you wrote regarding Kung Fu and meditaiton in this thread, it is welcomed.

 

[revolutio]

I did Aikido and I have to say that that came closer to convincing me of the existence of supernatural things than anything else. I saw things happen which I couldn't give a reasonable explanation for if my life depended on it.

Meditation is not so supernatural though in my opinion. It just involves mastering the inherently random thought processes of your mind. As well as controling bodily functions which are normally automatic. I have experimented some but the only things I have really succeeded at are some basic calming and pain suppression exercises.

I must admit I don't know much about Kung Fu however I did see Shaolin monks perform once and was extremely impressed. Slicing vegetables while using your own stomach as a cutting board and not leaving a scratch on you; now that takes skill.

 

[Ryoko Ozaki]

BTW, martial arts is not meant to prove any kind of supernatural being to you. Just so you all know.

 

[Bushido216]

If this topic is still about Martial Arts, I'll try to help. I've been practicing eight years so I might be able to help out.

If you want fluid, stay AWAY from Korea, Vietnam, and Okinawa. Their styles are practical and developed in a time of need when they had to stop whichever army was advancing.

Tae Jitsu (it can be spelled a few different ways) is very good for that sort of thing. Wing Chun is too hard. Kung Fu should be okay. It's not horribly fluid from what I've seen but you seem into it.

Just stick with the Chinese / Japanese styles and you should be more or less alright. Just watch out, lots of hard styles running about.

 

[revolutio]

If you want an extremely utilitarian martial art with no flowery stuff, Jeet Kun Do is where its at.