Yi: Intention

[Nataraya]

I found a lovely picture in the regional newspaper about an important meeting between two world champions darts; Phil Taylor - Raymond van Barneveld. Two beautiful shots which remind me of Sifu Shr from beitjing. In the dcumentary I saw from him he explained. My body is here, but my energy is over there.
Attached a snapshot which explains this beautiful.

Yi, focus, energy........



Warm regards,

Evert.

[TenTigers]

If I am not mistaken, in Kyudo,Zen Archery, the goal is to focus your intent as well. I have noticed when I focus on the target, rather than trying to aim, the arrow seems to 'seek' the target. In fighting, I try not to think of the opponent, rather I try to focus on his heart and the penetration thereof, not of strikes, blocks, but penetration of the person itself.

[Fatman]

Without intent, you have no power.

[Leon]

Two beautiful shots which remind me of Sifu Shr from beitjing. In the dcumentary I saw from him he explained. My body is here, but my energy is over there.
Attached a snapshot which explains this beautiful.

If I am not mistaken, in Kyudo,Zen Archery, the goal is to focus your intent as well. I have noticed when I focus on the target, rather than trying to aim, the arrow seems to 'seek' the target. In fighting, I try not to think of the opponent, rather I try to focus on his heart and the penetration thereof, not of strikes, blocks, but penetration of the person itself.

Is the Chinese concept of "YI" same as the Japanese concept of "ZEN"?

[Fatman]

I am not sure. Isn't Zen to do with emptying the mind and finding your centre? Yi is more to do with intent and will. In CMA the saying is that the qi follows the yi, so without yi you cannot use your qi.

[Suhana LIM]

Leon said:

Is the Chinese concept of "YI" same as the Japanese concept of "ZEN"?[/quote

Leon ni hao

YI is Chinese term for mind, intent, mindfulness, and awareness. We have the saying "yi dao, qi dao" or "where your intention goes, your energy goes."

CHAN(Chinese), is a Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism which asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation and intuition, rather than through study of scripture. Later when adopted by the Japanese, CHAN is called ZEN.

Cheers.

[Nataraya]

Greetings,

Much can be said about Yi. Fatman touched one of the Key concepts in his sentences. But maybe this needs some more clarification.

My idea was, using this theme, to start exploring the methodology as used in the several systems. I think it is more then clear that without proper Yi, your skill stays in the Flowery actions with a mainly Lik/ Li drive. Probably we will observe communication/ coordination problems between left/ right, high and low.

Actions are ‘directed’ by the Yi (mind/ awareness), this comes first. Then the qi will follow, finally creating a kind of elastic force that finally will be translated in a specific power quality. The attachment is a nice example of the above mentioned statement. The Yi is strongly focused on the ‘triple 20’. Then the extremity comes, and finally the explosion will be felt.

In your martial training you will explore several levels & techniques to explore this. Every stage of Yi will bring you higher on the ladder of awareness. The movements are gradually internalized, big circles become small, smaller, and no circles. It seems there are no ‘outer’ movements again, but this is false illusion. And therefore you will notice that ‘Internally’ it is very hard working. Believe me, there is a plenty amount of activity in your body, and therefore we speak about ‘internalized’.

There are several models that you can use. Some schools like to speak of images and use ‘nature’ to explain the process as happened in the body. In one of the threads I explained the model we use; Wind, Fire, Water. But there are many models.

Iron Wire Boxing is my specialty, and maybe I need to say main focus. For more then 20 years now I work to describe the processes in a book, but I will continue to translate it into nowadays modern language, without leaving the traditional path.

Wind is related with breathing patterns, but also with sounds. Sounds go hand in hand with tones, and the tones translate again the level of which the energy is drawn from. This in a nutshell. More important is that breathing is the binding between heaven & earth, and so between Mind & Bbody. In Iron Wire Boxing the coordination of this trinity is essential.

In our Iron Wire Boxing system there are several layers of development. In which you see that the beginning stages are focused on learning. This also means that there are basic Yi exercises, individual of character, focused on Standing Stake exercise. But there are specific Hei Kung / Qi gong exercises too, with a higher value of Yi activity. Personal I prefer to work mainly with Wuji, in which spontaneous action is the red line. But this exercise is one of the advanced forms, because the final stage of Tit Sin Kuen is spontaneous action. No planning just let it go. No rules.

Another (fourth level) is that of the Four Feelings. A long story, but in fact every emotion have an energy drive and specific breathing quality (sound), posture and so explosion. The Yi translates transfers itself as an emotion. For the reader here, not knew. Eric and I discussed already the skill of Kwan Kung strikes its beard. You can ask yourself why Kwan Kung has a red face?

Resume: The ‘secret’ of Tit Sin Kuen, is developing (or qualifying) difference between the initial impulse and final discharge. In this whole process the Yi play the leading role.

My question to the readers is; try to give us insight in the way the Yi (awareness, intent) is practiced in your style/ branch.

Warm regards,

Evert.

[Nataraya]

Okay, a different look at Yi, now from a medical point.

My healing profession (rehabilitation center) I treat patients with chronic pain syndromes, most of them after a traumatic event in their life. 95% are female, and the sources varies from incest, to verbal & physical violence, etc……

The symptoms that these patient shows are from paralysis up to anorexia, dysfunction extremities, auto mutilation, etceteras.

The role of the “stagnated” mind/ awareness, is very significant in this. Most of the time the traumatic event is hidden, and patients are not aware of this. After a formal meeting the first step is creating confidence.

Observation is the first step. Look into the eyes, but the patient doesn’t know that you look closely to the eyes, flexibility of the neck, body posture, scares on the hands/ arms/ feet. And surely the excursions of the thorax (rib cage, and the sound they make. This gives me a lot of information about the communication between Mind and Body.

Breathing and Sound (wind) is the link between body and mind. How do they breath. Does the thorax move, or is there any abdominal excursion? What about the tone they produce, is the energy high or low. Which again tells me a lot about the depth the Yi can sinks. What about the body posture. Open, close, long, short, evaded, attacking position. No, I am not talking about martial arts, still about healing.

Indeed I can use every tool I use in healing, as that I use in coaching a student. Then the exercises begins, and I will try to bring the energy down and out. Try to pass the Shoulder neck barrier, which is a VERY important one in life. Then the journey starts throughout the body, and finally out of the body like the ‘darts picture’ shows you.

This is a very long process, with loads of emotions and tears. I can write a book full of happenings in this process. What about using knives and hot cigarettes to check if there is still live in your arm/ leg. I spent 6 months in bringing the energy down at the level of diaphragm, with an incest patient. I will not tell you what happens then. I can tell you that “Yi” play a very central role in healing processes, and that finally I am pleased to say that an acceptable amount of patients were able to extend their awareness/ intent, and made there ‘stressor’ clear. Open – Close, Long – short, relaxation - tension, peace & violence all were faced during treatments. Then you realize suddenly that harming & healing are like brother and sister. That the link between fighting and healing is so d**n close.

The powerfull instruments we are working with [body, mind, breath) can have a huge impact on your life. Working with Yi can have a positive influence. It has the power of: “Changing your character”. But for that, you need a coach/ teacher that are able to show you the path in how to develop yourself properly. It is very easy to mention 'advanced' practitioners, not able to 'change'. I can easily mention a few, and I am sure you can do the same. These men are products of a wrong/ sick environment, had bad teachers and their goals in life is not about the 'arts' of the ancients. That path is clear, that is, for anyone who are willing to open their eyes.

Thank you for your attention,

Evert.

[Suhana LIM]

Nataraya said:

Okay, a different look at Yi, now from a medical point.

I can tell you that “Yi” play a very central role in healing processes, and that finally I am pleased to say that an acceptable amount of patients were able to extend their awareness/ intent, and made there ‘stressor’ clear. Open – Close, Long – short, relaxation - tension, peace & violence all were faced during treatments. Then you realize suddenly that harming & healing are like brother and sister. That the link between fighting and healing is so d**n close.



Working with Yi can have a positive influence. It has the power of: “Changing your character”. But for that, you need a coach/ teacher that are able to show you the path in how to develop yourself properly. It is very easy to mention 'advanced' practitioners, not able to 'change'. I can easily mention a few, and I am sure you can do the same. These men are products of a wrong/ sick environment, had bad teachers and their goals in life is not about the 'arts' of the ancients. That path is clear, that is, for anyone who are willing to open their eyes.

Thank you for your attention,

Evert.

Evert ni hao

In regards of Yi's role of healing process, is it like in the case where a patient is diagnosed to have cancer and only has several months to live. But because of his strong determination to stay alive, he can still alive for more than two years later?

Can you explain more about "changing your character" part? TIA.


Cheers.

[Nataraya]

Source:

Claude Larre, S.J. & Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee, "Rooted in Spirit, The Heart of Chinese Medicine". Station Hill Press. 1993. New York.

(Note: Sinological interpretation of Huangdi Neijing Lingshu).




**************

Suhana, interesting question you asked……..

Training with specific [martial] exercises stimulates and refine your awareness/ intent, and creates development.

The whole concept of martial arts back in a few aspects; learning (Hok), drilling (Lien), adaptation (Fa) and finally specialization (Jyun). A rather common model, which encompass the whole process in – for me - an acceptable model. To speak in terms of Herbology, it is a matter of ‘aging’ , that a practitioner develops themselves, leading mostly to more awareness and understanding of what they are ‘actually’ heading for.

For myself, I can say that the changes are obvious. I was enormous lucky that most of my teachers had a positive impact on me and where able to coach me towards a ‘positive’ direction. But this was not all, I was able to met really good martial artist willing to share and communicate. They did not have any 'status and ego' problems, but explored the art in the deepest sense of that word. Then you realize how lucky you are. I like to add that years of ‘experience’ doesn’t matter at all.

My lineage presents five generations of healers, and rooftop teachers. I can shameless say that their knowledge and understanding are/ were broad and deep. To stand in their shadow is very hard and it might take a lifetime to understand. Yes, I am just grateful to belong to such a tradition/ lineage.

My last teacher practiced Vipassana meditation, and motivated me to do the same, as I did. His advises were important to me, and the lessons I got from those new experiences, changed my life. I will do my best to play the same kind of role and so continue the path they all seems to walk.

As you could have read, my personal opinion of martial arts practice is that it leads to spiritual development. For outsiders this might sound very romantic, I have no problems which such a conclusion. Speaking from my Heart I can say loudly that I developed ‘awareness’ by walking this martial path. And indeed, it did change my character quite a bit…. Looking around me, I cana see and say that many others seems to follow that path.

Note: Suhana, can you tell us the impact your martial arts training had on you?

Thank you,

Evert.

[Suhana LIM]

Evert ni hao

The martial training impact on me? I think I've explained a few months back. In the section, "The reason you learn martial art" thread. I've copy and pasted them below:


The first reason that I trained in martial arts was simple. Because nearly all my best mates trained. One trained in Kao Kun (Monkey Fist), others trained in TKD,Karate, Judo. At that time, it was something "cool" to trained in martial arts. Thanks to Bruce Lee Siau Lung ! Of course the wish to be able to defended myself also part of the reasons. After enggaged in the arts, I trained so hard so I could reach advance level and helped my sifu to teach, to open a bukoan of my own.

But up until today, I still can remember clearly when my sifu told me something that affacted and influenced my perspective of the art completely. He told me that THE GOAL OF A MARTIAL ARTIST'S LEARNING WAS NOT FIGHTING. IT IS NEITHER FOR SHOWING OFF NOR PROVING YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DEFEATING OTHER PEOPLE. My sifu said that THE FINAL GOAL OF LEARNING IS TO DISCOVER THE MEANING OF LIFE. Of course I could not accept and understand that concept then. However, now I am much older, I can start to understand what my sifu meant at that time. That's why I am still "learning" the arts.
Cheers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posts: 982
Re: What is the reason you learn martial arts?
« Reply #28 on: 11/06/2004 at 22:55:35 » <br>

Da jia ni men hao

At first my intention to embraced the art was to train my muscles, to defend myself, and other (related to strength, macho, etc) reasons. But as time passed, my reason to keep on practicing the art has changed.
It is neither for showing off nor proving that I am capable of conquering other people. The end goal is to discover the meaning of life.

I know for some (especially friends from different culture background) this idea sounds strange. To train in martial art to discover the meaning of life. What a wierd or maybe stupid reason! Why would you wasting your time and energy and money if at the end you just want to "conquer" yourself and understand the meaning of life?

Well, my explanation is like this:
Through training martial arts, you learn how to use your wisdom mind to conquer or control your emotional mind. This is one of the most effective ways of reaching a high level of spiritual understanding of life.
Everything we have experienced before is just one learning process in reaching the spirit of our life. Once this learning is completed, the process of learning is no longer necessary and ceases to exist. It is just like the Buddhists who believe that our physical body is only used to cultivate our spirit; once you have reached a high level of spirit, the physical body is no longer important.
Training martial arts is the same. You are using the way of learning martial arts to understand the meaning of your life. The higher you have reached, the better you experience the spirit which is beyond other martial practitioners.
One day, you will longer be able to train or perform martial arts. But, your understanding and spirit will remain there; and you will retain your knowledge and spirit.
Cheers.



I guess, as the product of old school, I consider my self very fortunate. I found a qualified, very open and honest sifu, who passed on everything. Not only the arts but he also contributed mould my character as well.
What I admire most from my sifu is his humility. With his profound arts and skill, he never boasts. That is why it always iritate me to encounter someone with big ego and mouth

His favourite story is about a turtle and chicken. A chicken always shouting everywhere after lays an egg. But a turtle, after lays hundred of eggs, just keep quiet. In real life, A PERSON WITH LIMITED/LITTLE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL ALWAYS BOAST, WHILE A PERSON WITH VAST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL TENDS TO BE QUIETER.

Humility, honesty, discipline, and bravery to name some of the influences that I get.

Cheers.

[PaulH]

To my best understanding, my Sifu prefers to let the students discover for themselves what is Yi and how to use it in their own WC training and watching practical demos of it (of which I have often, at a considerable risk of my intelligence and good sense, volunteered foolishly to be his human dummy for such sheer joy of knowledge! =D). I see Yi training everywhere whenever we touch hands or train with apparatuses like the Wooden Dummy, heavy Dragon Pole, and those explosive and terminating butcher knives. The main key is to let go. What say you? =)

Regards,

PaulH