Southern Praying Mantis
What are the attributes of Southern Mantis ?
The techniques are deadly efficient. The movements are
continuous and circular, soft and hard,
except in attack, where the middle knuckle
(phoenix eye) of the index finger is used like a needle
to pierce the internal
organs or nerve points (Dim Mak).
Practitioners emulate the mantis fighting
posture by extending their hands forward, with the elbows slightly bent and
tucked in close to protect the centerline -- like a mantis.
A single movement may contain several of these actions. Tactical operations of the hand include:
- Grappling, Catching, Holding, Capturing.
- Clasping of the forearms
- Slicing strikes with knuckles
- Pressing with the elbows
- Sudden quick pushes with both hands
- Spearing with extended fingers
- Exploding fingers from the fists
- Jerking the opponents arm
- Slicing and chopping with the edge of the palm
- Hooking and deflecting hands
- Elbow strikes
- Claw-like racking action
POWERS ...
Original focus of consciousness is attention.
Continuing awareness there is concentration.
When that shines light alone in its own form empty,
it is meditation.
These three working as one are inner control.
By that conquering comes the light of wisdom.
Its application is to the levels.
These three are more internal than the preceding.
Even these are external to the seedless.
Control of destructive instincts and impressions
disappears and appears
in the highest control of joined consciousness,
as control evolves.
Its flow becomes calm by habit.
Multiplicity dissolving as oneness arises,
the consciousness of meditation evolves.
From there again past and present are similar
in the awareness of the consciousness,
as oneness evolves.
By this the elements of the senses in their evolution
of principles, characteristics, and states are explained.
Past, present, or future,
the principle closely follows the substance.
Another order causes the other to evolve.
By inner control of the triple evolution
comes knowledge of the past and future.
Sound, meaning, and response
coinciding with one another are confused;
their analysis by inner control
brings knowledge of the sounds of all beings.
By witnessing the causes of impressions
previous lives are known.
By awareness others' consciousness is known;
but that does not support the contents,
because that is not identified with living.
By inner control of the form of the body
the power of receiving that is blocked,
the eyes not being in contact with the light;
this is the internal value.
By this the sound of internal value is explained.
Action has quick effects and slow effects;
by that inner control comes knowledge of death,
also by portents.
From friendship comes strength.
From strength comes the strength of an elephant.
By directing radiant light
the subtle, hidden, and remote become known.
Cosmic knowledge comes by inner control on the sun,
on the moon, stellar knowledge;
on the pole-star, knowledge of their motions;
on the navel center, knowledge of the body's system;
on the hollow of the throat,
renunciation of hunger and thirst;
on the center of gravity, steadiness;
on the light in the head, the power of direct perception;
on intuition, comes all;
on the heart, knowledge of consciousness.
The spirit of goodness is absolutely uncommingled;
experience is qualified by false identification,
existing for another;
by inner control of its own purpose
comes knowledge of Spirit.
From that, intuitive hearing, touching, seeing,
tasting, and smelling are produced.
They are obstacles to meditation, the worldly powers.
By releasing the causes of bondage
and by knowledge of penetration,
consciousness can enter into others' bodies.
By conquering psychic energy,
water, mud, thorns, and the rest do not contact,
and death is overcome.
By conquering vitality comes light.
By inner control on the ear and space comes divine hearing.
By inner control on the relationship of the body and space
comes the lightness of cotton
and the ability to levitate in space.
The external modifications become real
in the great bodiless state;
by that the light's covering is destroyed.
Inner control on matter,
its form, subtlety, compounds, and purpose
overcomes the elements.
From that manifests minuteness and the rest,
perfection of the body
and the principle of their non-resistance.
Form, grace, strength, and thunderbolt hardness
are the body's perfection.
Inner control on sensation,
its form, analysis, decision, and purpose
overcomes the senses.
From that mental quickness and feeling without senses
nature is overcome.
Only the knowledge of discriminating
between goodness and Spirit
brings omnipotence and omniscience.
By detachment from even that,
the seed of bondage is destroyed in freedom.
On the attainment of high position
attachment to the pride of performance
again may cause the loss of position.
By inner control on moments and their succession
comes discriminating knowledge.
From this comes discernment of two similar events,
which cannot be distinguished by
class, characteristic, or position.
Understanding all objects
and every aspect of objects simultaneously
is discriminating knowledge.
When goodness and Spirit are of equal purity it is freedom.