LEARNING TO FORGET

 by Phillip Starr

*Partially excerpted from the book, MARTIAL MANEUVERS, by the author

If you tell an untrained person to defend himself and then commence to attack him, he’ll respond with no thought of techniques and principles; his only consideration is staying in ne piece and either fighting back or running away. But once he takes up the study of martial arts, his mind become obstructed by many other things…

          THE STAGE OF TECHNIQUE

Beginners concern themselves with the various aspects of technique; how the technique is performed, how to stand, how to move, how to fix the eyes, how to execute the forms, and so on. All practitioners must go through this phase but sadly, most never pass beyond it. There’s so much material that must be committed to memory and training must be regular and vigorous lest they forget it all when the chips are down.

The fact is that a great many instructors themselves have never progressed beyond this stage and as such, they’re incapable of taking anyone beyond it. Their minds are focused on what their bodies must do. All physical activities must start this way but it’s important to move beyond it. Like driving a car- when you first tried to use the brake, you probably almost put yourself and your instructor through the windshield, right? You were focused on exactly where to put your foot, how much pressure to apply and how fast to apply it…but now, you do it without even being consciously aware of it!

In actual combat, you must not allow your mind to become attached to the technique or any aspect of it. It must be practiced until you can do it without having to think about or even be aware, of it.

THE STAGE OF PRINCIPLE

It is only after the most fundamental techniques have been practiced many, many times that this stage can be reached. Only a handful of students will make it this far. The various techniques, stances, and movements have become a natural part of them and they no longer have to think about them; they are naturally correct. Technique has become “no-technique.” Some students, after getting to this stage, believe that there is really”no technique.” But there is a difference between “no technique” and “no-technique.” In the case of the former, there is really no technique at all. One has tossed away one’s training (probably because of a lack of thorough training in the previous stage). In the case of the latter, one has transcended technique and come to understand the underlying body movement principles. Correct technique appears as needed without conscious effort or even awareness.

          THE STAGE OF “NO-MIND”

Reaching this stage happens naturally and cannot be forced. In fact, it usually occurs when you have given up aspiring to reach it. This is why so few achieve it; if you TRY to get it, it will slip away and you end up with nothing. It’s like trying to grasp the moon you see reflected on the water. Your hand gets wet, but that’s all you have.

This stage has less to do with technique as it does with how you regard your opponent. If your previous training has been correct and thorough, you actions will not run contrary to it…so you can focus on your opponent rather than on yourself. You must not be swayed by thoughts of winning or losing, living or dying, or even effectively defending yourself. Otherwise, your mind cannot move freely and spontaneously because it is fixed (at least partially) on something!

Although many so-called “masters” like to think they’ve reached this stage, very few ever do. It is beyond technique and beyond principle. It is the stage of engaging the opponent without any thoughts about what you will or will not do. It is the stage of “no-mind.” The mind is without physical form and expresses itself through the body. If you have advanced knowledge of a general’s strategy (mind), you can easily defeat his troops (body), but only if you keep your intentions secret until the last moment.

THE STAGE OF EMPTINESS

This stage (emptiness) allows your mind to be free of thoughts about an enemy and simply act like a mirror. You no longer concern yourself with the fact that there even IS an aggressor. When he approaches, you become one with him.

When you practice, your mind is more involved than your body. Your body will naturally move correctly, so you need not be concerned about it. Mind and body have become one and when your mind orders it, the body is already there. Most martial art practitioners don’t even know this stage exists. Mind, body, and energy have all become one – they are no longer separate. Everything is effortless and when an assailant tries to strike you, it is as if he is trying to hit his own shadow.

THE BEGINNER’S MIND

This final stage is also known as “original” or “ordinary” mind. Technique has been forgotten and the mind returns to its original condition, before you began training. It sees and acts clearly. Everything is achieved naturally – without conscious effort. Knowing these stages is the first step toward mastery. You have to know where you’re going if you’re ever going to get there.