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            Skills

Why are the skills of today so far below the skill level of the past? One Theory is it was never like that to begin with. This is the theory I’ll  address .

In the past education was rare, most kungfu masters were illiterate, but undefeatable. Why? These people did not study the classics like the more modern and less skillful masters of recent times. Today more emphasis on the study of the I-Ching, Tao Tah Ching and such are killing the blossoming of this thing we call the Internal as a martial art. However, that’s another topic altogether.

Today most have some form of formal education. However, they don’t touch the levels of then. Skills that have you jumping 20ft into the air or making a hole in a brick with a few twist of your finger. The closest thing we have to seeing a brick at the bottom of a stack being broken was in Van Damms movie Blood Sport. Why? Chen Man Ching, one of the Yang Inheritors, when asked why none of his students reached his level of skill? The answer, No faith. This answer is far deeper than most think. Faith in what? Is the question?

Today, intellectualism is above perception.

Faith in the past was totality of being; today it is put in a compartment. Training in the past was with total commitment. 150yrs ago, mans faith was complete. It did not matter weather pagan or not. To them the Gods were responsible for every and anything that happened. So, to do things only the chosen of “God” could do, naturally lead them to believe what the man said unquestioned. So to bring a natural talent to it’s full potential under these circumstances is not beyond rea lity. Look at the strength of a mentally imbalanced person, normally 2-3x that of the average man. Why? The psychological limitation in the average man does not exist for these people. The word can’t is not in their vocabulary. Another example:

The woman who picked the car up off her child. She died after the feat only because her body was not prepared to issue that kind of energy in a flash. Therefore, in simple terms she burned out. The point is the word “can’t” Left her psyche.

Normally the average person cannot lift a car because they know they “can’t . GET IT?

If the example I have just given are facts, than why can’t modern martial artist accept at lest some of the so-called legends? In my opinion, people just do not train as the masters of old did. That’s one.

Two, is they do not train with the correct mindset.

Another aspect of this is the fact that today’s practitioners are not pre-disposed to their teachers. Why haven’t you increased in skill? Because your not being taught. Not at the fault of the teachers but your selves.

Every Teacher wants a student They can put their knowledge in. even an all right student .

If your not even half ass, why would you think he would even give you anything beyond the basics or simply what you can do?

Simply putting your money down on the table signing a contrite or anything you say will make a teacher, teach you the real meat of his art unless he feels your worth it.

Even the master that really doesn’t want to teach will be moved to give you advise and pointers. if he/she thinks your worth it.

Teachers notice the person who stands out as far as training is concerned. Weather in his presence or not. He can tell who trains and who does not. Who will gain a high level of skill or not.

Those who are a waste will only learn the surface of the system. Those with desire will only be limited by their imagination. Those with talent will be lead to the path by their sifu. Those with both desire and talent can achieve the summit.

Practice, Practice, Practice

(Sun Lu tang)

Peace

B.C. Hill Bey