Companions on the Martial Way,
In those quiet moments between training to perfect your strikes, kicks and throws, here is a tale to reflect on:
Buddha was once threatened with death by a bandit called Angulimal.
“Then be good enough to fulfill my dying wish,” said Buddha.” “Cut off the branch of the tree.”
One slash of the sword, and it was done. “What now?” asked the bandit.
“Put it back again,”said Buddha.
The bandit laughed,”You must be crazy to think that anyone can do that.”
“On the contrary, it is you who are crazy to think that you are mighty because you can wound and destroy. That is the task of children. The mighty know how to create and heal.”
– Anthony De Mello
In the Heart of the Enlightened
Evolving Martial Artists, who transcend fighting, awake to the healing side of their power.
Lawrence Tan
Tags: anthony de mello, buddha, evovling martial artist, lawrence tan, tandao
Odd how when one is young, fueled by testosterone and the desire to prove oneself, that it is so easy to never back down; one becomes infused with the “honor” of the martial arts, of one’s style, one’s teacher, and so on. Later as one gracefully ages (at least in my case) you realize that a lot of insecurity was really the combustable element.
Older and wiser, no longer insecure, one can just laugh it off. What is the point?
Amen!
The art of “fighting without fighting?” I have mastered it. But as backup I have created my own style; it’s called “Falling Down Kung Fu.” Shaky knees and hips were the impetus. Here’s how it works: when accosted I simply fall down on an attacker and lay on him like a big bag of cement. The best part? I don’t have to practice. It flows effortlessly.