2014年9月5日星期五

陳靖:形意拳說道—步法與樁步


陳靖師傅於『武術賢聚會』主講【形意拳說道步法與樁步
內容﹕



講座流程
影片時段標記
1.
主講者介紹/歡迎辭
0:03—3:20
2.
形意拳歷史
3:28—14:00
3.
步的分門別類 / 傳統步法與派生步法
14:15—34:35
4.
步法與樁步煅煉的分別
34:40—1:13:59
5.
步法與樁步應用的分別
1:14:06—1:27:02
6.
答問環節
1:27:15—1:33:51
如何開啟字幕
如何利用字幕快速搜尋所需片段


2012年8月2日星期四

From the Bible to Tai Chi (12) The Cross


“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.
On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because
to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9

Is it against our natural instinct?  If I were being bullied or insulted, my spontaneous reaction was to resort to ‘an eye for an eye’.  To repay evil with blessing?  No way.

However, repaying evil with blessing is the exact quality of spiritual life which will not be contaminated by hatred.

When you are combating in a ring, seeing the fist of your opponent throwing to your eyes, can you relax and Song?  No, you will tense up and fight back normally.  At that time, you are using energy of Li.

However, according to Kung Fu of Qi, you are required to act against your natural response.  Instead of tensing up your muscles to fight, you should Song more to release stronger Qi energy.

To make this happen, a lot of hard work and perseverance are needed.  You must practice so hard that the Song requirement becomes your natural reaction in any combats.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

For Kung Fu adventurers, they must deny themselves in using energy of Li in their daily Kung Fu practice.  This is ‘their cross’.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (11) To Return


“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
 in quietness and trust is your strength,…”
Isaiah 30:15

In Biblical Hebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נחם nicham (to feel sorrow).

On the road to excellence in Kung Fu, the practitioners need to abandon using Li when he discovers the innate energy of Qi.  This is the process of ‘repentance’.

This process may be accomplished in either one of the following scenarios:

Scenario one is that the learner is practicing Kung Fu so hard that he runs out of all his ‘Li’ energy. Despite being extremely exhausted, he keeps practicing with strong will.  Having no more energy of Li left, he is forced to find a new kind of energy which he used to overlook, Qi.  And this is the point when he ‘returns’.

Another way may cause him to return is through direct contact with a Kung Fu teacher with Qi energy.  Through direct experience, the learner perceives teacher’s Qi and knows what it is.  This is the point when he is inspired and returns.

After this point of return, the learner will enter a new horizon.  He will deny his past habit and use less and less Li energy.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (10) Kung Fu Development


‘He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.’
Isaiah 53:2

Compared with King Saul and King David, it is surprising that Son of Man was not so attractive and charming in appearance.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

Let me show you two video clips on Youtube, which one do you prefer?


In Kung Fu world, not many people like to watch someone practicing Kung Fu of Qi.  The movements are so slow and boring that you would lose patience and interest quickly. 

Kung Fu of Li is much more impressive and spectacular in term of rhythm, flow and presentation.  It is easier to win burst of applause in performance or competitions.

Moreover, Kung Fu of Li is much easier to master.  No matter how difficult, challenging the postures is, the player can give a perfect performance after organized, well-planned training in a few months. 

On the other hand, Kung Fu of Qi needs to go through an ‘ugly duckling stage’ for years.  It is an embarrassing stage that your Kung Fu of Qi is not strong enough to defeat ordinary Kung Fu of Li. 

Kung Fu of Li, like many traditional arts such as music, has already developed a systematic, mature and institutionalized inheriting arrangement.  It has been introduced into the formal education system.  The curriculum is clear and continuous.  The assessment system is open and reliable.  Professional qualifications in this respect are recognized.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for Kung Fu of Qi. Its existence is questioned. The curriculum is hardly available. Let alone the assessment and recognition systems. Inheritance of this skill remains outside the formal education system. Without open and reliable assessment system, it is hard to differentiate between the authentic and the fake for outsiders.

In the past, traditional Kung Fu masters would strive for enhancing their Kung Fu level by changing their concern from tangible aspect to intangible aspect, from use of Li to use of Qi.  This is the small and narrow gate. Only a few find it. 

Nowadays, most of martial artists are striving for enhancing their skills by changing from easy, simple physical postures to more difficult, complicated physical challenges.  The level of Kung Fu refers to its level of difficulty and complexity, just like gymnastics.  This is the wide and broad road.  Many follow.

Can we call it advancement? 

I believe we can hardly call it advancement in technology when we use horses to replace donkeys to pull the cart, though the speed does increase.  But if we use electricity to replace mechanical force, that is a real breakthrough.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (9) Enjoy being Present


“When I run I feel His pleasure.”

To be perceptive is crucial to learn Kung Fu of Qi because feelings in direct contact are so elusive and erratic sometimes.  So, you need to keep practicing day by day to keep them fresh on your mind.

Don’t rely on your self-discipline.  It will be painful struggles for you because everyone is believed to have only a limited amount of self-discipline.  The more effective way is to make your practicing time ritualize. 

Make your practice as a new daily routine.  Set a timer or an alarm device when you practise.  Before the alarm rings, “you don’t know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don’t know who your friends are, you don’t know what you owe anybody, you don’t know anybody owes you.  This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be.  This is the place of creative incubation.”[1]

When you practice, your mind, your soul must be present.  Tai Chi can be seen as a kind of meditation in movements.  There is no room for anger, worries, anxiety and rush.   They are sources of your tension.  And the tension locks your Qi up. 

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?”  He who has clean hands and a pure heart may.

Yes, he who has a peace of mind may enjoy being present.  If you do, Qi will be present in your moves.  And you may enjoy peak experience in which eureka may come.  Insights on Tai Chi may dawn on you during practice.  And this will form a positive reinforcement circle that will help you keep this ritual easily. 

You are the active agent for change.  “Your strength will equal your days.”


[1] Joseph Cambell, see Youtube ‘Positive Psychology, Lesson 11’ at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDvS7WLuJnU

From the Bible to Tai Chi (8) To be is to Perceive


“To be is to be perceived” is the key statement in George Berkeley’s philosophy.  However, as a Kung Fu practitioner, to be is to perceive.

Since Qi is invisible and intangible, you can only learn it by your ability to perceive. 

The start point of acquiring intangible aspect of kung fu is to catch feelings you get from direct contact with your teacher.  These feelings make you know what ‘Qi’ is and how ‘Song’ is like.  You experience how to direct Qi back and forth with your spirit.  These feelings will be guiding you when you practice.  They become the lamp for your feet and the light on your path. 

In solo practice, you need to perceive if your Qi is present in your every movement. You need to perceive that your Qi fill the space around you, expands, falls in, and expands again.  Your Qi grows stronger through this process.

In real combating situation, you need to perceive and discern how your opponent’s Qi moves and then give the appropriate response.

In ancient times, some people could feel the subtle changes outside without any instruments, such as weather and climates.  They perceived the changes with Qi.  As for them, emptiness in space did not mean nothingness.  The empty space was filled with something invisible, like energy.  They used Qi to interact with the energy in space and cultivated stronger Qi.

Three factors are interrelated: amount of Qi energy, perceiving sensitivity and learning ability. The more sensitive perceiving ability you have, the faster you can learn, and stronger Qi you can get. With stronger Qi energy, your perceiving ability will be more acute and sensitive and you can learn faster.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (7) Visualization


‘… the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.’
Genesis 1:2

There's a saying in Tai Chi Classics: “Navigate Qi with the heart, move the body with Qi.”

This involves high level of mind-body coordination.  An effective strategy to accomplish this is through visualization.

For example, in performing the first movement of Tai Chi Chun,

imagine you were a piece of cloud, floating
and stretching leisurely, freely in the sky.
Fill the space created after stretching with Qi.
Song your shoulder and back, let your Qi flow down to your waist like water,
then Song your waist and let Qi flow down from your waist to your feet.
Then spread your Qi on the ground like ripples across the lake.
Song your feet, as if your were standing on two pieces of still floating wood.
Feel the floating power and let your Qi ascend naturally.

Your spirit commands Qi through visualization.  When you visualize your spirit sinking onto the ground, your Qi follows.  And in your perception, spirit and Qi seem to go hand in hand and co-exist.  There is your spirit, there is your Qi.  How magnificent it is to visualize ‘the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters’.

Through visualization, your spirit directs stream of Qi to flow forward, backward, to ascend, descend, expand or fall in.

There are no definite images suitable for visualization.  You should find your own.  It is personal.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (6) The Spirit: the commander of Qi


“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

There is a common interaction pattern among God and His people.  God shows the way. People follow. God is with them.  They enjoy the blessing.

Qi energy does not have direction itself.  The spirit or will shows it directions.  When you ‘Song’, Qi energy is free and expands.  The field of Qi is created around you.  This is a spherical field.  The spirit can lead the flow of Qi to anywhere within this field.  It can navigate Qi to attack any point within this field, just like the laser beam navigates the missile. 

Like Qi, the spirit is invisible.  Its navigation is expressed through your eyes.  The Qi energy will run into the target where your eyesight stays and focuses.  It can also express via your mind’s eye to direct Qi flow to somewhere behind your back.

For effective navigation, there is no room for doubts, hesitations or any analytical attempts.  If you intend to keep Qi staying there for your to appreciate or analysize, or if you disbelieve in yourself, lack confidence, have negative emotions, your spirit will lose ability to command at once.  Qi will seem to vanish right away. 

For effective navigation, the spirit should command with faith, confidence and determination.  Your body should perform as Song as possible at the same time. 

From the Bible to Tai Chi (5) Direct Experience: The Password to Unlock Secrets of Qi


Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you also should wash one another’s feet.”
John 13:14

How is God’s love like?  No one knows until you have experienced it.  Then you would exclaim “It is the Lord!”  Then your life is being transformed.

In traditional Kung Fu classics, there are several key concepts like ‘Song’, ‘Qi’, ‘Yi’ and so on.  They summarize direct experiences of masters throughout generations. 

Direct experience is unique and concrete.  However, it becomes abstract and general when it is put in words of concepts.  The language itself raises the level of abstraction and creates barrier for beginners to inherit traditional skills on their own. 

As a teacher, he is the one who should be able to transform abstract concepts into unique and concrete experience for students. 

“Teacher, how can we acquire ‘Qi’ in Kung Fu?”

“All of us have ‘Qi’ since we were born.  ‘Qi’ is innate.  We ‘forget’ its existence because we get used to using ‘Li’ energy in our daily activities.”

“Then how can we feel its existence?”

“Well, language seems to be powerless and useless at this point.  Come on, touch my palm.  Now I ‘Song’ my muscles and joints, lift up my spirit, Qi is released.  Can you feel it?  Grasp this feeling and save it in your memory.  Re-play it whenever you are performing ‘Song’.  Now is your turn to show me the ‘Qi’.”

This was my first lesson with teacher, Mr.Tan Jing.  “The value and significance of my role is that I can teach you not only with words, but also with my Kung Fu.” He said.

There are two dimensions involved in learning intangible aspect of Kung Fu—knowledge dimension and experience dimension.  And the experience one is more vital.

Let me elaborate with an analogy of software programme.

If you want to install a software programme in your computer, the first and most important file you need is ‘setup.exe’.  Without this file, the programme is totally useless. 

Direct experience from your Tai Chi teacher is the ‘setup.exe’ file in your process of learning Kung Fu of Qi.  Without this direct experience, you are still an outsider of this field, no matter how much knowledge you have in your head.

When you learn a new skill, sometimes you learn it by watching demonstration, sometimes you learn it by listening to the instructions.  As for Kung Fu of Qi, it is invisible and intangible.  You can only learn it by sense of touch.  And only teachers with this kind of Kung Fu can provide you the opportunities to feel it.  With this direct experience, the mysterious concepts concerned become bright and clear.  It ignites and activates learners’ previous and new knowledge just as the ‘setup.exe’ file initializes the software programme.  And the learning process thereafter is to catch feelings in each direct contact experiences and perform accordingly in your routine Kung Fu practice.

So, the crucial factor for you to acquire intangible aspect of Kung Fu is not secrets you read in Kung Fu manuals, but your opportunity to meet a teacher with Kung Fu proficiency in this respect.

“Only those Kung Fu teachers with Neijing can make learners inherit this kind of Kung Fu.” Sifu Tan Jing said.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (4) ‘Song’(鬆): The Key to Activate and Cultivate Your Energy of Qi

 “Let no debt remain outstanding,
except the continuing debt to love one another…”
Romans 13:8
How to activate your energy of Qi within?

The key is ‘Song’[1].

‘Song’ does not have exact English equivalent.  Most writers in English on Tai Chi translate the term literally—to relax, loosen.  But this is only partly correct.

Qi is stored in our cells.  When you tighten up your muscles to generate your strength, Qi is locked and blocked inside.  You cannot feel it.  If you want to perceive Qi, you have to set it free first.

So, you should get rid of tension in your body, postures and movements by using force of Li as little as possible.  This is why your Tai Chi coach keeps reminding you to relax.

However, getting rid of negative element does not guarantee the positive factor arises. De-tension alone does not guarantee the release of Qi energy. 

Relaxation can be in either positive sense or negative sense.

Relaxation in negative sense is passive in nature.  Imagine that you are exhausted after office, sink yourself onto a sofa.  You are relaxed, but slack, sleepy and passive.  This is another way to lock up Qi energy like that of the state when you tighten up your muscles.

Positive relaxation is what you need.  Physically, you loosen your body, muscles, joints and remain tensionless.  Meanwhile, you raise your spirit and keep wakeful, mindful and being present.  Then, you can experience a sense of expansion in your consciousness.  That means Qi is free and radiating from within.  If I touch you at this moment, I can perceive this sense of expansion too.  This is what ‘Song’ means.  Only under this state, Qi is ready to receive the command from your spirit.  Your spirit can direct stream of Qi to flow forward, backward, to ascend, descend, expand or fall in.  The higher level of ‘Song’ you can achieve, the stronger and quicker the stream of Qi can flow under your spirit’s command.  The ultimate objective of Kung Fu practice is to achieve optimal level of Song.

The benchmark of the learning outcome of ‘Song’ is that you succeed to release your Qi energy.

‘Song’ is also the key touchstone that differentiates between the genuine and the fake Kung Fu of Qi.  If someone shows his Kung Fu with stiff muscles and full of tensions, you will be 100% certain that this is not Kung Fu of Qi.

As your Kung Fu progress, you will grow deeper understanding of Song.

For Christians, there is no limit in developing virtue of love.  “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another,…”

For Kung Fu practitioners, there is no limit in developing Song.  There is always a higher level out there.

“Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”  [2]

Qi can flow, crash too, more powerful than water, only when you can ‘Song’.


[1] In Chinese, the part of speech of a word is context dependent. ‘Song’ can be a verb or an adjective.
[2] See Bruce Lee’s interview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl3Y8T_HBHs

From the Bible to Tai Chi (3) The Nature of Tai Chi Chun


“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
 John 3:6

The verse shows two kinds of life—life of flesh and life of spirit.  They are totally different in nature.  Life of flesh never becomes life of spirit by means of improvement or modifications.

In traditional Chinese Kung Fu, there are two fundamentally different kinds of forces. The mechanical force is called Li () which derives from joined efforts of muscles, bones and tendons.  Li is commonly observed at elementary level of Kung Fu. This is what we are familiar with and called ‘strength’.

In contrast, non-mechanical force is ‘energy of Qi’ or called ‘Neijing (內勁)’ which derives from joined efforts of spirit and Qi.  It is the source of power employed in advanced Kung Fu.

Just like life of flesh and life of spirit, these two forces are completely different in nature.  Li can never become Neijing by increasing its amount or by enhancing its skill level.

Proficiency in martial arts is not determined by the level of difficulty or complexity of forms per se, but by the nature of the force employed.

Although both Li and Neijing co-exist in our body, they are mutual exclusive in use.  They cannot be applied at the same time.  The more Li energy is being used, the less Neijing can be being released, and vice versa. 

This is because the ways they generate and use follow different, or even contradict laws, just like life of flesh and life of spirit.

The amount of Li force you can be employed in Kung Fu depends on several variables such as resilience of muscles, strength of bones, speed and timing of attack and so on. An effective way to enhance the Li force is to exercise your muscles and bones by applying increasing pressure on them (weight training, gym exercises, etc.).  

On the other hand, the amount of the Neijing force depends on the degree you can ‘Song’ relax in positive, active sense.

The Li force is observable when it is employed. At the point of attack, you must tighten up your muscles to unite your strength and create an explosive power. In this process, the state of your muscles changes from soft and loose to tight and tense. The effectiveness of Li follows the principle of leverage. In combat, the point of contact is the point of attack. The combatant who can make better use of this pivot point has a greater chance to defeat his or her opponent.  The muscles, your fists and legs, are weapons themselves.

Unlike the Li force, Neijing is invisible and hence unobservable when employed. The pivot point is not necessary. At the point of attack, you must ‘Song’ yourself to release all Qi energy and direct it towards the target.  The contact point only represents the gateway to conduct Neijing to the target.  Your muscles are channels of Qi only. 

The Kung Fu component of Li force is limited by your physical condition. When you pass your prime age, your Kung Fu ability will pass the optimum level, too. The degree of Kung Fu will decline when muscles and bones are not as strong as they used to be. On the other hand, the Kung Fu of Qi continues to grow as long as one lives. Qi energy becomes stronger despite the aging process.

Tai Chi Chun is the kind of Kung Fu with energy of Qi. 

Tai Chi Chun was first made known not due to its values and functions to keep fit or stay healthy, but its powerful effect as Kung Fu.  With Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Lu Chan defeated all competitors and became the Chief Kung Fu Coach of royal guides and personal coach of the royal family of the Ching Dynasty hundreds years ago.  He got a name of ‘Invincible Yang’. 

Nowadays, millions of people in the world practice Tai Chi.  But persons who know its Kung Fu function are rarer than pandas.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (2) The Existence of Qi Energy


 ‘Then the Lord God formed a man
from the dust of the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
and the man became a living being.’
Genesis 2:7

In traditional Chinese medical system, it is believed that Qi energy flows and circulates along the channels and meridians within the body.  This perspective is quite commonly shared among authors on Tai Chi inside and outside China.

However, my teacher Tan Jing proves with his Kung Fu that he can direct his Qi energy out of the body to attack the opponent.  He believes that Chinese Kung Fu theory on Qi actually goes beyond Chinese medical theory. 

Within the framework of Chinese Kung Fu, Qi is inborn. Every person is believed to possess this innate energy.  Martial artists can cultivate the force of Qi to the extent that it is strong enough to be applied in combats.  It is non-mechanical, invisible and intangible.  When it is being directed by one’s will, it is called Neijing(內勁).

Unlike the Emperor's New Clothes, Qi can be perceived through sense of touch.  Although we have different level of sensibility toward Qi, all of us have inborn ability to sense it. 

Qi is stored in our cells.  It is like the treasure “in jars of clay”.  This is the force that still remains unexplored for natural scientists.  I have a dream.  Scientists can provide its scientific specifications some day.

Playing Tai Chi without Qi is like leading Christian life without Holy Spirit.

From the Bible to Tai Chi (1) An Introduction to the Intangible Aspect of Kung Fu


Nowadays, books about Tai Chi are many.  Most of them focus on its tangible aspects like standards and requirements on postures and movements. 

Most writers on Tai Chi have either maintained an embarrassing silence concerning energy of Qi, the intangible aspect of Kung Fu, or just put it in a marginal place and leave it un-elaborated. 

However, the greatness of Tai Chi lies in its intangible aspect. “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” [1] This is the diamond on the top of the crown of Kung Fu.  What a shame if we present the crown to the world and find that the diamond has gone.

Energy of Qi is not unique in Tai Chi Quan.  Many Kung Fu varieties aim at it at their advanced level.

Terms and jargons in traditional Kung Fu theories are usually loan words from traditional religion or philosophy classics.   The cultural content density creates high barrier for westerners to understand. 

In the following articles, I try to summarize what I have learned from Mr. Tan Jing, my Kung Fu teacher.  In these articles, I try to present a general introduction to intangible aspect of Kung Fu with least of those traditional Chinese terms and jargons.

Here I need a scaffolding framework that westerners are familiar with.  I choose Bible.

However, the verses quoted in the articles may not be equivalent to their original message because they are used as analogy for scaffolding purpose.  Therefore, Bible verses in this context are like bridges that facilitate western Tai Chi learners to cross from known to unknown.

2012年2月1日星期三

華嶽心意六合八法拳賦

華嶽心意六合八法拳賦
陳靖
偉哉,心意六合八法。
系千年自華山希夷,坐八向而無所不及。
推五行而背反相生,分陰陽而運算九籌。
合天地歸於一塊,統宇宙惟是交感。
滙百川而成汪洋,歷萬古唯我獨尊。
立於中原,至東夷西戎,南蠻北狄,
四大洋,五大洲,蓋夫英雄之所據倚。
訝脫盡窠臼,聿不相遮拾。
夫獨辟畦徑,是永垂之金光,無物不遜色。
是皎皎之明亮,乃笑傲歲月。
宛小蟲之咬,雕琢於勢勢之間。
猶漁舟一葉,出沒於波瀾之虛。
似翔雲而無定勢,似流水而無常形。
奪天地造化之法,鬼神莫測之術。
守規矩而脫規矩,脫規矩而合規矩。
俗咸集而有不可相對而論;
凡概括所有豈能并提相比。
雖達摩之能,不能測其深淺;
三豐之材,焉能辨其咫尺。
下士視之大笑,上士觀之感慨。
蓋渺乎蒼茫,浩乎無際。

2010年7月25日星期日

第十一章:神之道與拳之道(二)

「不以惡報惡,以辱罵還辱罵,倒要祝福;因你們是為此蒙召,好叫你們承受福氣。」
【聖經‧彼得前書 3:9】

這不是違反我們的本能反應嗎?如果遇到惡意對待,被辱罵攻擊,一般人的反應一定是以眼還眼,以牙還牙,哪會反而去祝福得罪我們的仇敵?「從靈生的就是靈」,這就是一種新生命的展現。一種不會被仇恨污染的生命,才會在有仇恨的地方播種仁愛,在有殘害的地方播種寬恕。

在搏擊時,對手的拳腳已攻到眼前,一般人的反應一定是全身一緊,拼力相抗。即使你懂內家功夫,如果經驗不足,練習不夠,此時此刻,也會身不由己地由鬆繃緊,以力抗力。

然而,拳道的要求偏偏與我們這種本能反應相反。大敵當前,拳腳相接時,無論壓力有多大,身體不是變緊,而是由鬆變得更加鬆。只有更加鬆才能發出更強的內勁;只有鬆才不會成為挨打的架子。

這道理明白了還是不夠,需要確信;確信了還不夠,需要苦練,直到這拳道成了你的本能反應。

老師曾感嘆道:「這種功夫得之不易啊,我是歷盡艱辛!」

這就是武俠小說和現實的分別。

2010年4月3日星期六

第十章:神之道與拳之道

「當我跑,我感受到祂的喜悅。」
--埃里克‧亨利‧利德爾
電影《烈火戰車》

《烈火戰車》(Chariots of Fire)轉眼已經是廿九年前的電影。然而有一幕畫面,依然歷歷在目。兩位奧運選手在跑道上奔馳。其中一位是埃里克‧亨利‧利德爾(Eric Liddell)。他在奧運會之後成為傳教士,到中國華北當一位中學體育教師。日本侵華時,被日軍關進集中營。1945年在集中營病逝。在奔跑時,他全神貫注之中,帶有一份樂在其中的怡然。反觀他的對手,對成敗念念不忘,患得患失。幾次緊張地轉頭看他的競爭者。

奧林匹克,表面上比拼的是筋骨肌肉,內裏也是比拼精神意志。

中華拳道橫跨陰陽兩大領域。動作招式是看得見的,屬於「陽」的範疇;內氣運用是看不見的,屬於「陰」的範疇。是「內五行」的學問。

有宗教信仰的人,比較容易明白和接受拳道中屬於「陰」的範疇。因為在他們的信仰裏面,本來也有豐富的,看不見的精神世界。「原來我們不是顧念所見的,乃是顧念所不見的;因為所見的是暫時的,所不見的是永遠的。」(【聖經】哥林多後書 4:18)

形而下學者,只重視看得見的物質世界。對拳道中「陰」的範疇,則比較傾向懷疑和抗拒。他們對內功是否存在,半信半疑。對看不見的世界,他們採取「不信、不迷」的態度。這種意識形態,主導了大陸一代的知識份子。只有少數例外。例如老一輩的作家楊絳女士,在《走到人生邊上 : 自問自答》中,她清楚肯定了靈魂和神明的存在。這不是科學層面的肯定。而是從中外人文傳統傳承上給予的肯定。只有這種肯定,人才會對自然、對生命有所敬畏。對真、善、美、公義等價值,才有繼續追求下去的勇氣。

每天,能帶著感恩的心情,謙卑地來到造物主前,靜靜的練拳,是一件很幸福的美事。正如一首詩歌所言:「上帝阿,祢創造生命,賞賜萬物生命和氣息。我的動作,我的呼吸,天天述說這個奇蹟。」

在掤、履、擠、按中,我感受到祂的喜悅。

2010年4月2日星期五

第九章:拳道的傳承

「道尊然後民知敬學。」
禮記‧學記第十八

電影【功夫】講的雖然是虛擬的武俠世界,但有一點卻很寫實。武學大師不是在大學殿堂裏,而是在尋常市井中。他們全是限量版的人物。沒一個就少一個。因為產生他們的獨特人文歷史環境及技藝傳承條件已不復存在 (參看《逝去的武林 : 一代形意拳大師口述歷史》)。

很多傳統藝術,已經有一套制度化的傳承安排。也有一套成熟的,制度化的學習階梯。例如,傳統音樂、舞蹈、繪畫等等,每一級都有淸晰的課程內容和技術要求。更有公開而具公信的考核制度。一個有志求學的人,他的學藝之路是淸晰的,連貫的。

然而,中華武學,特別是拳道高等學,仍没有制度化的學習階梯。例如,普及的太極拳,是不包括內功勁法的。大多只粗略分為初級班、進階班。如要追求太極拳高級技藝,像內功方面的功夫,就要等緣份。換言之,一個有志追求拳道的人,他的求藝之路是斷層的,模糊的。

拳道高等學,是用「勁」的功夫。這精緻技藝的傳承制度,必須從現在傳統的師徒傳授,向學院制轉型。正如我們一提起學音樂或美術,就會想起一些著名的學府。盼望有一天,我們一提起學習內功勁法,也會想起一些著名的學府。那裡有各派令人心儀的大師級導師。只要有能力,就可以申請報讀,無需空等緣份。

可惜,傳承制度向學院制轉型的條件,至今仍未成熟。因為目前並没有一套公開而具公信的內功考核制度。國內現有的武術段位考核制度,並沒有內功勁法的考核標準。只着重形勢,在動作招式的難易和標準上分高下。在內功勁法方面,主事當局自己交了白卷。

我認識有兩師徒一起報考武術段位試。論內功的修為,如果他們一個是中學程度,另一個則是大學教授。考試結果,兩人的成績竟是一樣,得同一個中上的段位。我是中等身高。如果我和籃球明星姚明一起照鏡子,反映出來是我倆一樣高。我不會因此沾沾自喜,姚明更不會因此而自卑。

没有可信的考核制度,對外行人而言,真假難分。假作真時真亦假。用人就沒有制度化的標準。

一套考核制度,能反映出主事者的拳學視野。主事者本身不一定要懂內功,只要知道辨識內功真偽的標準,就能任用能者為其效勞。

如何辨識內功真偽?明顯的準則有二:其一是鬆的原則。內勁要在鬆的狀態下才能釋放出來。人體一緊,內勁就消失得無影無踪。其二是支點。內勁不是機械動能,運用時不需支點,甚至要刻意避開支點,取得更強的攻擊效果。

在這真假難分的世代,另一個分出高下的原始方法,就是不看文憑、不看名氣、不看師承,讓功夫直接說話。

2010年3月31日星期三

第八章:簡單的要認真對待

你有過這種經驗嗎?

有時候好像突然對拳理明白了很多,但一到練拳時,又好像一無所得似的。

有時候明明拼命要做「鬆」,身體卻越來越緊。想解開,身體卻像被鎖住,僵在那裡。

其中一個可能原因,是練的速度與身體鬆的程度不配合。身體有多鬆,練拳才可以有多慢。而不是越慢越好。

西方有句俗語說,魔鬼就在細節中。上述的情形,也可能反映了,有一些細節,你忽略了。而那些細節,往往是我們以為很簡單的東西。

陳靖先生曾經撰文,列出了一般人中了「差不多」先生的流毒,經常不以為意的項目。例如,三盤之中,有部分緊了。在要求鬆背時,却作成鬆胸。在要求鬆腰時,却作成鬆腹。沉肩墜肘,往往肘不墜,却用肘尖去頂等等。(詳見本博客「中華拳道學的探究」一文)

又提出,「要使拳架靈活,凡一舉動,九節必定是要活動。一舉手投足並非手動腳動;而是諸關節都動,也就是動諸關節。」如有關節未能配合,就會產生「動中之滯」(詳見本博客「心意六合八法拳的鍛鍊和修養」一文)

在拳道修煉中,「懂了」並不代表「會了」。中間還有一個煉的過程。在這過程中,最難對付的,就是自己以為微不足道的習慣。這些習慣,往往是最頑固的跘腳石。明明老師一再提醒,卻總是錯了又錯。有的甚至是你的盲點,老師提醒後,仍不知道錯在那裡。

老師監察糾正的角色就顯得不可或缺。

在訓練過程中,老師就坐在五六尺以外觀察。他有一種至今令我稱奇的本事,就是當我練拳時,他能憑觀察,細微指出我身體內外有哪部位不鬆。我曾問他怎麼能有如此敏銳的觀察力,他淡淡地說,那是一種感受。

對老師而言,這種觀察、糾正的過程,是教學中最辛苦的步驟。因為練這種把內氣鬆出來的太極拳,比普及的拳架要慢四五倍,且要做到慢而不僵,而老師的專注力,始終貫注於學生一個又一個緩慢的動作上,隨時指出學生僵硬的身體部位。「這是很傷神的」。

所以,這種需要手把手教出來的太極拳,是不可能「大量生產」的。老師每批只能教二、三個學生。超出五人以上的教學,而聲稱能教出內功者,你有理由抱懷疑的態度。

2010年3月28日星期日

第七章:「意」之內涵初探

「凡此皆是意,不在外面。」
《太極拳經》

如果我突如其來問你,「什麼是『意』」?你腦中的第一個答案是什麼?

意念?意志?意向?留意?注意?…

原來在日常的語言中,「意」竟有那麼多不同的用法。在古籍中,「意」的本義又是什麼呢?

《說文解字》的說法是:「意,志也」。可能是白話文中「意志」一詞的由來,和英文中的 ‘will’ 意思相近。《春秋繁露‧循天之道》的解釋是:「心之所謂意」。可能是白話文中「意向」一詞的由來,和英文中的 ‘intention’ 意思相近。

熟悉太極拳經典的讀者一定發現,在《太極拳經》、《十三勢行功歌訣》和《十三勢行功心解》中,「意」這一字竟重覆了十一次。可見此字的重要性。如果用現代漢語,這十一次出現的「意」字,該作怎樣解釋呢?

這麼重要的一個字,在近代有關太極拳的書籍中,我仍未能找到滿意的答案。令我有所領悟的,是老師給的一句話:「動起來的氣就是意。」

在拳道論述中,「意」與「氣」是密切相關的。身體在「鬆」的狀態下,釋放出來的內氣流動性強,受精神意志指揮。指揮必定有所趨向。而受精神意志指揮,動起來的氣稱為意。所謂「以心行氣」,「心為令,氣為旗」。說的就是這種情況。身體在「鬆」的狀態下,「心」去到那裡,氣在可及的埸勢範圍內,會跟到那裡。氣有多大,能霸佔的埸勢就有多大。

「心」之所向,往往表現在眼神中。眼神把氣聚焦地導向攻擊的目標,「發勁須沉着鬆淨,專主一方。」

惟有動起來的氣,才能「上下前後左右皆然」,「有上即有下,有前則有後,有左則有右」,才能「無使有缺陷處,無使有凹凸處,無使有斷續處」。這裡講的是氣的勢。

老師喜歡借用《封神演義》中的詩句來表達拳學體會:「心似白雲常自在,意如流水任東西。」

其中的「心」與「意」,你能體會嗎?

2010年3月24日星期三

第六章:意象之運用

「起初,神創造天地。
地是空虛混沌,淵面黑暗;神的靈運行在水面上。」
【聖經】創世記 1:1-2


萬事開頭難。練拳時,對我而言,最難的是練太極起式,或稱為無極式。如果只是筋骨肌肉的活動,何難之有?但如果目的是培養壯大內氣,就要「以心行氣,以氣運身」。要做到這點,身體必須漸漸進入鬆的狀態。太極,「鬆」極而生。

問題是,如何才能把「鬆」做好?方法之一,是適當地運用意象。

在初學階段,我曾經利用意象,幫助自己練習「鬆沉」,也即是練習引導內氣由上而下運行。練太極起式時,腦海中,自己全身的肌肉筋骨,是一片閒雲,悠悠地散開,散出來的空間由內氣填滿,內氣緩緩地由肩背沉到腰,經兩跨流下涌泉,如漣漪散開,兩腳放輕,放鬆,像踏着雲彩。等內氣自然慢慢向上回升。「形動如浴水,若履雲霧霽」(六合八法的五字訣)。

內氣受精神指揮,「心為令,氣為旗」,精神感覺到地上,內氣就沉到地上。「神的靈運行在水面上」。這意象的氣勢是何等浩大啊!

意象也可以由聽覺引發的。在練習內氣向四方八面鬆散開時,莊嚴的宗教聖樂,特別是多聲部合唱曲對我幫助最大。腦海中,隨着歌聲由小到大由弱到強,慢慢彌漫整個殿堂空間,氣象宏大,內氣慢慢湧動,如漣漪鬆出體外,縈繞在我的周圍,形成場勢。

電影「戰火浮生」(The Mission)的主題音樂及劇終的合唱曲,就是其中一首我經常用的聽覺意象。

意象是很個人的,你要尋找適合你的意象。

第五章:「鬆」的內涵

「要鬆,要鬆,要鬆凈。要全身鬆開。」
「不鬆,不鬆,不鬆就是挨打的架子。」
-- 楊澄甫


學生從老師手把手的教授中,對拳學的一些重要概念取得第一身的具體體會。例如感受何為「內氣」,何為「鬆」。這種體會,就成為平時盤拳時腳前的燈,路上的光。

入門的首要目標,就是透過拳架盤練,將與生俱來的內氣培養壯大。具體的要求,是在拳架盤練過程的每一刻,盡最大的努力,把「鬆」做好。所謂「一分鬆,一分功」。

但鬆的內涵是什麼?

吳圖南先生曾為鬆立下定義:「鬆者,蓬鬆也;寛而不緊也;輕鬆也;放開也;輕鬆暢快也;不堅凝也。含有小孔以容其他物質之特性也」。

陳靖先生在《拳道中等學 : 太極拳鍊與悟》一書中,總結了前人在「鬆」這課題方面的見解。具體內容包括骨骼鬆、肌肉鬆、臟腑鬆、氣鬆和精神鬆的「五鬆談」,以及「先梢後根」的法則。也就是「先手腕,腳脖鬆開,靈活自如。再繼續鍛鍊膝和肘的放鬆。而後至肩、胯等等的放鬆」。

在我的體會中,鬆的內涵起碼有三層意義,缺一不可。

鬆的第一層意義是「不用力」。當你用力緊握雙拳,突然不用力,你就會得到鬆的感覺。現實中,「零用力」是不可能的。但在盤拳時候,就是要向「零用力」的方向努力。因為一用力就會「緊」,身體哪個部位緊了,勁就在那個地方斷。因為緊張的肌肉就像淤塞的水管阻礙水的流通。用力越多,肌肉就越緊張,產生的內勁就越少。

鬆的第二層意義是鬆綁。緊張的身體,把內氣捆綁在細胞裏面。只有鬆開身體,內氣才會釋放出來。四肢百骸,有膨脹擴張的感覺。

練拳時,人體下盤支撐着身體重量,很難「不用力」。第一、二層鬆的意義似乎不大可能在下盤體現。而且,「不用力」並不一定就是拳道所要的那種「鬆」。當你勞累了一天,回家攤坐在沙發椅上,感到非常放鬆。這種鬆是鬆懈,在拳道上,是另一種形式的「緊」。是不能令氣機啟動、內氣鼓盪的消極的「鬆」。

積極的「鬆」,也就是鬆的第三層意義--提起精神,令意氣放大。精神要提得起,則無遲重之虞。內氣的運用是採用開合的方式。開與合都是意氣放大。開是意氣鬆放的開,開向空闊。合是意氣回攏的合,合回深淵。因此,開也不盡為開,合也不盡為合。(參見本博客陳靖先生的「心意六合八法拳的鍛鍊和修養」一文)。

2010年3月20日星期六

第四章:老師的角色(二):論言傳身授—信心的確立

「懂內勁的老師,才能教出懂內勁的學生。」
--陳靖

在拳道的傳承中,老師的角色,是最關鍵的。他為學生提供正確的拳學知識及具體經驗 。當學生在尋道路上感到迷茫時,他不斷地用示範堅固學生的信心。

在講解內功「鬆」的法則和要求時,他不只要學生明白,更要學生堅信。「越不用力,越鬆,釋放出的勁就越大」。這道理在理智認知上比較容易明白,但在搏鬥剎那間,要一般人不用力鬆開,無疑是叫他放棄武裝,任人魚肉。這需要何等大的信心才能由用力轉向用勁!

老師的方法,就是用自身的功夫,一次又一次地在學生身上留下感覺的印記。

「站好。現在我推你,你要拼全力頂住。甚至可以反攻推我。現在我用的是力,推你的時候你感覺到的是這樣。」

我比老師年輕近二十嵗,自然穩如泰山。

「現在我全身鬆開,用的是勁,你用盡全力站好頂住。」

結果,我往往身不由己向後蹦跳六尺多才站定下來。

「站穩,別跳行不行?再來一次。」

結果,仍是一樣。

以前,我對「以柔制剛」的理解是用巧妙的方法,把對手來力化解於無形,並作出反撃,借力打力。就如武俠小說『天龍八部』中的慕容世家的「以彼之道,還施彼身」的功夫一樣。陳靖老師卻演示了以全身鬆開的「柔」,硬撼我出盡全身之力的「剛」。

拳學理論,並不難懂。也不是秘密。像「鬆」的原則。難的地方,是無論是在學習訓練,還是搏鬥應用,你對這些原則始終如一,堅信不移。對於初學者,老師並不是高談闊論用拳學理論折服我,而是讓他的功夫向我說話。讓我自己去感受,體悟,從迷茫中重拾信心。

第三章:老師的角色(一):論言傳身授—化抽象為具體

「我的作用和價值在於,我不但會講,而且能做到。」
--陳靖

「老師,人要怎樣修煉,才能得拳道中的『氣』?」

「『氣』是與生俱來的。自從我們有生命的那一天,我們便都有『氣』。只是後來我們都習慣用力。而忘記了『氣』的存在。」

「那麼『氣』給人的具體感覺是怎樣的呢?」

「到這地步,語言就顯得無能為力了。來!我們接手。你自己聽聽,感受一下吧。好,現在我鬆開關節、鬆開肌肉、提起精神,『氣』就出來了。你感覺到了嗎?好,現在輪到你做給我『聽』。」

以上是老師教學的片段。拳道學有知識的層面,也有經驗的層面。在拳道傳承中,經驗的層面尤為關鍵而珍貴。

拳道學中的概念,例如,「鬆」、「氣」、「意」等,是前人用以概括本身直接的經驗。直接的經驗,是獨一無二的。然而,一旦化為語言文字,成為概念,便抽象起來。老師在教學中,要把抽象還原為具體,就必須要有能力給學生提供、製造直接的經驗。這經驗,像火藥引、 像點睛、使學生的眼界一下子寛闊起來,知識活起來。這也是令學生在拳道追求路上,得以登堂入室的最寶貴本錢:第一桶金。

我們學習新的技藝,有時靠眼睛觀看示範,有時耳聽指示講解。而內功的「氣」是無形無象,看不見,摸不着。非要靠身體接觸的觸覺來感受不可。所以,即使你有功夫秘笈,没有老師的言傳身授,你依然不得其門而入。也只有真功夫的老師,才能教出真功夫的學生。

《莊子》外篇‧卷五中《天道》有則寓言:

桓公讀書於堂上。輪扁斲輪於堂下,釋椎鑿而上,問桓公曰:「敢問,公之所讀者何言邪?」公曰:「聖人之言也。」曰:「聖人在乎?」公曰:「已死矣。」曰:「然則君之所讀者,古人之糟魄已夫!」桓公曰:「寡人讀書,輪人安得議乎!有說則可,無說則死。」輪扁曰:「臣也以臣之事觀之。斲輪,徐則甘而不固,疾則苦而不入。不徐不疾,得之於手而應於心,口不能言,有數存焉於其間。臣不能以喻臣之子,臣之子亦不能受之於臣,是以行年七十而老斲輪。古之人與其不可傳也死矣,然則君之所讀者,古人之糟魄已夫!」

在拳道傳承中,没有老師的言傳身授,即使搜集的拳經拳譜多麽完備,也只是古人之糟魄而已。

第二章:太極拳的性質

「從肉身生的就是肉身;從靈生的就是靈。」
--【聖經】約翰福音 3:6

聖經中這句話展現出兩種截然不同的生命。屬靈的生命和屬肉體的生命。後者並非由前者加以改善、修補而成。因為兩者的性質完全不同。兩者遵循着不同的法則。

拳道的境界,有用「力」的功夫,也有用「勁」的功夫。這是兩種截然不同的功夫。從筋、骨、肉生的就是「力」;從神、意、氣生的就是「勁」。「勁」並非由「力」越練越大而成的。兩者是完全不同性質的能量。「力」是機械動能;「勁」是非機械動能。兩者的鍛練和運用,有不同的法則。有時甚至是互相矛盾,互相排斥的法則。

在鍛練方面,「力」是從「緊」、從「有」去練。這是大家都明白的常識。舉重、舉啞鈴等,便是常見的訓練手段。

「勁」是從「鬆」、從「無」去練,真正明白而又確信此法則的,就少之又少。

其中一種練勁的方法,是首先把「力」消耗盡,再堅持練下去,自然無「力」可用,就在這不用力的狀態下,反而生出了勁。力盡而勁生。如拳經所說:「然非用力之久,不能豁然貫通焉。」

另一種練勁的方法,需要由明師手把手傳授。老師首先以自己的功夫,讓學生透過觸覺,親身體驗內功之氣為何物,再以自己的功夫,使學生確信「一分鬆,一分功」和「身體越不用力,勁就越大」法則 。學生就憑著從體驗得來的感覺,在盤拳過程中,不斷去體悟如何去鬆,如何「不用力」。

在運用方面,用「力」的功夫,需要支點。在攻擊的一刹那,全身一緊,達到「整」的效果,發出撞擊力。力的大小,則視乎筋的柔韌、骨的堅硬、肌肉鬆緊,配合速度、距離、時間等因素的配合。

用「勁」的功夫,不需要支點。只要與對手有一接觸點,對手全身任何一點均在內勁的攻擊範圍之內。在攻擊的一刹那,全身一鬆,達到「整」的效果,發出比「力」更強的能量。

「力」作用於點、線、面;「勁」於技擊中,講的是立體空間的場勢。

太極拳是用「勁」的功夫。當初,太極拳聞名於世,令人驚嘆的,不是現在我們所知的醫療、養生功效,而是技擊上的威力。就是那如雷似電而又變幻莫測的內勁。這種由神、意、氣化合而產生的能量,是現代科學尚未研究過的東西。「以心行氣,以氣運身」。没有內勁的太極拳,只是空架子。就如現代的自動步槍没有子彈一樣,雖然也可以用來拼刺刀,但郤没有它原本最強的威力。

目前,學習太極拳的人數以億計,但懂得內勁的行家比熊貓更稀少。從這角度來看,太極拳並没有真正普及過。

2010年3月17日星期三

第一章:從中國武術進入奧運會談起

「真正重要的東西,是用肉眼看不見的。」
-【小王子】

「世上仍然有內功這回事嗎?」

看武俠小說成長的一代,相信內心有這疑問的,不是少數。在互聯網上觀看汪永泉李延璽馬岳樑等前輩用內功演示太極揉手發勁,就有不少的觀眾質疑造假。

二零零八年北京奧運會,中國武術不能成為正式比賽項目,而是比賽之後進行的一個特設項目。

奧運會前,中央電視台第四頻道《走遍中國》播出《武林傳奇》武術系列。介紹了十六個拳種。並由各拳種的掌門人或出色的傳人親自演練。可惜,觀其步法、身形、手勢,全是「力」的功夫,「力」的表現。即使是號稱內家的拳種,也没有內家之實。

武術套路,無論動作招式有多大的難度,只要經過有計劃、有步驟的訓練,運動員短時間內就能掌握,做出近乎完美的表演。這是看得見的,有形有象的學問。

內功,是肉眼看不見的,無形無象的領域。傳統古典的拳經、拳論,都有關於這概念的論述。例如「太極拳論」及「十三勢行功心解」之中所提及的「勁」、「以心行氣,以氣運身」等。是中華拳道的重要樞紐概念。故有「識得內功休再問,貫徹拳經千萬篇」之說。 (參見維基百科【內勁】條目) 這才是中華武學的瑰寶和驕傲。是皇冠上最珍貴的寶石。

然而,當我們向世界展現這項冠冕時,寶石卻杳無踪影。

在對外武術推廣中,我們從没有聽說過有「對外內功」這學問。我們不難看到老外表演武術套路,而且非常出色。但從没有聽說過有老外懂得內功。而在我國正規的教育系統中,內功好像是久已失傳的文化遺產。不知道有哪所院校能提供「內功學」這課程?一般人甚至以為,「內功」只是武俠小說裏的名詞,現實中根本不存在。

然而,只有內功,才是中華民族對世界文明獨特的貢獻。它使人類重新認識自己所擁有的能量。

內功是在中華獨特人文環境孕育出的精緻技藝。古人往往用宗教哲學中的概念,成為其理論的框架。

然而,對外內功教學,是否是一項不可能的工作?如果不用或少用中國古典宗教哲學的術語,是否就不可能進行內功教學?

在我看來,答案是否定的。內功,是人類精神活動的產物。凡重視人文精神世界的文明,都可以在它們的文化經典中,找到表達的詞彙。