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 "Tao and
Martial Arts," often mentioned together but seldom connected, Tao is
an ancient Chinese philosophy [of life], seemingly remote from the subject
of martial arts which is about fighting, what do they have in common? Alas,
like many arts that rooted in Chinese culture, it also depicts the
development of Chinese martial arts, directly or indirectly.
In Chinese, martial arts-"Wu-Yi"(武藝)-as a Yin and
Yang, has two subjects: "Wu-Shu"(武術) is the various
forms or techniques; "Wu-Xue"(武學) is the
principles and theories behind the techniques. Wu-Shu is visible thus Yang.
Wu-Xue is invisible thus Yin. The balance of the Yin and Yang makes the
discipline an "Art." Practicing martial arts (Kung-Fu)
transcends the fighting techniques into an art of living. Thriving on the
principle "Harmonizing the aggression," the Tao of martial arts
shows a path of the least resistance. With less energy spent to deal with
the elements, each movement becomes more efficient. As the proficiency
grows, we start to enjoy our performance with a heightened awareness. At
the highest level, practicing martial arts leads us into a bizarre but
fascinating world of existence-the union of the mind and the body, where
mind and body are no longer two entities but one reality; as mind
perceives, body performs spontaneously, all is done without even mind's
intervention.  It is a state of existence which we call
"Unism"-the "Oneness" of mind and body. In the state of
oneness, life is perpetuated. Martial arts have served its purpose.
Practicing martial arts, coordinates our bodies and disciplines our minds,
weaves a space for perfection thus elevates us to a higher existence.
Tai-Chi Skiing, anyone? :)
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