At TanDao we explore the full spectrum of the martial journey to mastery. We aspire to be the awakening master to discover the dimensions of the art that transcends fighting and the martial artist’s popular notion of what the art is.
Along the martial path to mastery, the very meaning of martial arts changes at different stages of our development. Just like the same oak tree appears differently during the four seasons – green buds in spring, lush foliage in summer, colored leaves in autumn, barren branches in winter – our values, what is truly important to us as individuals, changes as we grow and mature. Not just our punches change to animal moves and then to internal palm strikes but our thinking changes.
The young warrior trains the body striving for six pack abs and kick ass prowess. Of course, this is the popular Bruce Lee image of martial art, becoming a total fighter in all fighting ranges: kicking, punching, trapping and grappling. The macho art phase.
But there is more. Chinese Shaolin and Daoist kung fu is mental. The martial scholar delves into the intellectual aspects of fighting history, philosophy and science behind the physical techniques. A this stage, the martial scholar explores theories like yin/yang, five elements, the principle of Dao as well as bio-mechanics, leverage, anatomy that underlies a well executed hip throw techniques and strategy. As the martial warrior strengthens the body, the martial scholar is simultaneously strengthening the intellect.
Yet the rarefied realms of the martial way is that of the martial monk, who seeks the spiritual liberation as Bodhidharma taught. The meaning expands beyond the ring, mat or street to life itself. At this stage, the goal of martial arts is a transformative process for liberation of the self. But it is terrifying to confront our inner demons, few enter this part of the path.
The challenge of Evolving Martial Artists (warrior/scholar/monk) is to bravely shatter through their existing understanding of martial arts and become inner warriors of the mind and spirit. Keep going.
The Dragon is a symbol of the ultimate power of nature. In kung fu, it symbolizes high level martial arts. The TanDao Dragon is coming!
Lawrence Tan
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Tags: daoist, kung fu, lawrence tan, Martial Arts, master lawrence tan, mastery, shaolin, tandao
Hi M.Tan–I can confirm that it is sometimes terrifying to confront one’s “inner demons.” But as one enters deeply into the meditative side of the martial way they tend to dissipate. Not disappear, at least not yet for me. Maybe someday. But they do become manageable in the process.
The ego–one also becomes sometimes painfully aware of the machinations of one’s ego–and of the egos of those in his or her orbit. Life can become a divine comedy!