Want a life enriching experience?
Learn to meditate. There are various forms of meditation practiced by people worldwide but the fundamental principle on which meditation is based is to teach our busy mind to be quiet, and reflect and contemplate in a calm way.
“Kung” means energy and “Fu” means time. Kung Fu is an ancient Chinese martial art form whose recorded history dates back to 525 AD.
Breathing and meditation form a vital part of Kung Fu training. According to Chuang Tzu “Breathing control brings man Strength, Vitality, Inspiration and Magic powers. “ Although breathing is automatic, our lifestyle often compromises the way we breathe. We tend to breathe less deeply and more quickly, thereby using only a small percentage of our lung capacity. And when we don’t breathe correctly, our body receives less amounts of Oxygen leading to sluggishness, lethargy and tiredness.
- The first purpose of Kung Fu meditation is to develop a strong mind;
- The purpose of that strong mind is to develop concentration;
- The purpose of concentration is to control;
- The purpose of control is to develop discipline;
- The end result being is that the purpose of discipline is self discipline or mastery and knowledge of the self or inner being.
As Bruce Lee says, “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, – like water. Now you put water into the cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into the bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put water into the teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Kung Fu meditation can be used to develop focus and mental clarity. Kung Fu training has two components which is to train both the Internal and the External. External training includes the hands, eyes, the body and stances. Internal training includes the heart, the spirit, the mind, breathing and strength.
Many of us are familiar with Chi / Qi energy, which is the natural energy of the Universe which permeates everything. It is the source of life. It is the source of everything that exists. Now Kung Fu meditation is done to concentrate the mind for the purpose of:
- Moving the Chi for circulation to direct strength to any part of the body;
- Moving the Chi through any diseased organ to recover from illness;
- Concentrating the mind to reach spiritual enlightenment.
The centre of being – The Dan Tian – is a point three fingers below the navel, and a couple of inches back inside the body, this is where deep breathing is directed. There are 3 dan tian areas – Upper, Middle and Lower. The upper is also called the 3rd eye – a point in the centre of the forehead, above the eyebrows and below the hairline. The 3rd eye relates to the consciousness or intent, spirit and brain. The Middle is the center of the torso, near the middle of the sternum, deals with respiration and the health of the internal organs, and the lower, located below the navel.
Qigong or Chi Kung, Energy Work These are exercises designed to co-ordinate / develop and / or increase Chi. Many Kung Fu styles have their own unique form of Qigong.
In Kung Fu, through both breathing and meditation, you are able to control and connect both body & mind. The essence of Kung Fu meditation is that “the mind is the master of the body. If we train and discipline our minds, the body will follow. Once the body and mind become focused and in tune, you will see your whole life flowing smoothly and good things just seem to happen.”
