UNCOMMON

 by Yang Shuangxing

There is a saying that tells us, “Excellence is doing a common thing in an uncommon way.” For instance, in chado (the Way of tea ceremony), there's much more involved than simply brewing a cup of tea and drinking it. The same is true of other Ways such as calligraphy, sumi-e, ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), maintaining a “zen garden”, and so on. Of course, this would include the martial Ways as well.

There's much more to an overhead cut with a katana (Japanese sword) than meets the eye. Years of practice are required just to learn the proper grip! And the teacher's basic reverse punch or front kick looks and feels quite difference from those of a novice although the teacher seems to use less effort. His forms look and feel – even to the observer – much different from those of a novice.

And so it goes on the path to mastery. There are no shortcuts. The process cannot be hurried in any manner. The master appears to move in a very natural way, exerting very little effort. This might make the uninitiated think that he/she isn't really trying or that he/she is weak. Not so at all. I recall seeing Master Hidetaka Nishiyama (shotokan) deliver several reverse punches to the chest of my friend, Chris Smaby, as they demonstrated a particular timing drill. The punches were very sharp and crisp, but didn't seem to have any “oomph” - any strong power – in them at all. A bit later as we changed out of our uniforms to go out for lunch, the master's skill was revealed; every spot that Nishiyama sensei's fist had gently touched Chris...had caused blood vessels just under the skin the explode!

One who has mastered the Way reveals it in his every action. Every “common” thing that he does is seen (to those who have the eyes to see) to be very uncommon. Mastery of his art, regardless of which art it is, carries over to pretty much everything he does...from sitting down to standing up, picking up a cup, eating...everything. And so it is that I often laugh at those who proclaim themselves as “masters”; their level of “mastery” can be seen by the way they pick up a cup and take a drink...any one of ten thousand common things. This carryover isn't necessarily the result of conscious effort; it occurs naturally.

I remember watching a true taijiquan master as he walked into the spacious gym where we'd be practicing. It was clear to me that, although he appeared to be walking normally, he maintained complete control over his body at all times; he could easily stop on a dime or change directions easily, without losing his balance or control over any part of his body. There was no swaggering, “tough guy” machismo air about him at all.

This is why two genuine masters (emphasis on the term, “genuine”) can “read” each other's level of ability by simply sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea together. Or pretty much anything else. They have learned to do common things in very uncommon ways, depending upon their level of real skill. Life has become art. Without extra effort.