Martial Arts has changed a great deal in the last few years. Some of the changes are welcome and it can be said that certain aspects of martial arts training now are superior to some of the ways of ancient times. I am not saying that the new ways are better and the old ways are inferior. Indeed, that is not the case, in my opinion, but that the times are different and society is different and everything today moves at a much faster pace and people generally will not take the time to train the way it was done in the past.

There are aspects of sports kinesiology and medicine that now are supplanting the old ways and this is a good thing. It is not that the old ways are bad; it is that with the advancement of technology and advanced learning, there needs to be a modification of certain ideas to bring them in line with modern science.

There is however some aspect of the old training that is being set aside that does harm to the practitioner if it is omitted. For instance, the idea of mind and spirit which play a key role in the development of traditional martial arts is not emphasized much, which has led to a general coarsening of martial arts, and a separation of reality based combat and the cultivation of the individual's mind and spirit. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I am of the opinion that it is both, and further that it is more bad than good.

It is good in that elements of supersition based on unscientific theory or flawed viewpoint has less weight, but we must be careful to avoid replacing one flawed notion with another flawed notion albeit newer. New does not mean better. It only means newer.

The old ways put far more emphasis on the philosophy or spiritual aspect and the study of mind and spirit and how this relates to discipline and mortal combat. Traditional Martial Arts philosophy was conducive to a very sane and rational life and cultivation of virtue and courage. At USA Wujido, we understand this to be of utmost importance which can be the difference between someone who merely knows martial arts and someone who IS a superior martial artist.

As a method, we feel it is not so good to have a narrow point of view, and so it is important to improve ourselves by study of the way from many sides. To be nonsectarian is of great advantage and to see things broadly as we study and discipline ourselves makes our path both profound and of great benefit to others as well. Neither should we reject knowledge due to a narrow point of view or love of ignorance, nor should we embrace ideas due to dogmatic attachment. Such an approach is unlikely to produce a good result.

Realize that if we train ourselves to see things as they really are by the means and the control of how we filter our realities, our ability to see reality will sharpen. When we become competent at this our viewpoints begin to harmonize with reality as it is, and finally fall away entirely, to leave only the "truth of reality." However, this is not the end, but the beginning of real knowledge.

The following is a fundamental list of 24 Essentials from the "reality" school of Taoism. The purpose of the list is not to promote a sectarian idea or to promote Taoism, although we are sure it may stimulate interest in the Taoist viewpoint. Our view is not that Taoism is or is not the way (Tao actually means "way" in Chinese), but that the list is useful information for cultivation purposes. That means that for Taoist cultivation according to the sect that uses this list, these are a list of fundamental principles of personal cultivation that promote the end which they seek, i.e., longevity, enlightenment, and certanily peace and the perfection of the human being according to the Taist philosophy.

Priciple #1

See through the things of the world. If you cannot see through the things of the world, you will sink into an ocean of suffering. How can you get out? All Samsara (the world of the senses, form, ideas, society, and so forth) will control you, since you will only be able to react to the outer world and have no real control of yourself.

The student of the Tao should write down the principles and exert himself vigorously in the attainment of the principles therein. It should be noted that the concepts are wide and deep and that merely memorizing or reciting them does not constitute mastery. For the most part, the ideas and concepts of personal transformation require a process of change and development that yields changes in the personality and psyche of the individual...

Priciple #2

Cut off entanglements. If you cannot cut off entanglements, the vicious cycles of compulsive habit and behavior are inevitable.

I think that for some, the most frightening thing about spritual discipline is the element of fear and the unknown. The solitutde and silence we most covet is so compelling, but at the same time frightening. In this media dominated age, distractions are everywhere, and sometimes test our ability to cope. It is easy to become entangled.

These words that were written hundreds of years ago, go to the heart of the process of societal dehumanization. What does it mean "entanglements"? Are we saying that we should reject relationships? Probably not. But what does it mean and has the meaning changed over the years? Every person has to decide for him or herself what it means, ultimately, and in that process get the result.

Attachment can be a powerful impediment to change. Habits can also be good as well as bad. There are subtleties involved in the principle and it is important to investigate principle and meaning thoroughly. The question can be stated also in a very simple way. Will we uncompromisingly follow the principle according to our understanding or not?

To be continued in future installments