Posts
One of the less spectacular feats in the martial arts, and yet one of the most important, is how to put out a candle. Interestingly, with just a little bit of practice almost anyone can put out a candle, it is that simple. Unfortunately, most people reach the point where they can do it, then stop, but that is where they should begin their study, for doors are about to be opened.
The basic principle of putting out a candle is to stop your fist an inch from the candle and let the woosh of air drain oxygen from the flame. This simple trick, if pursued, can lead to much higher ability. With a little practice one put out a candle from across the room.
When you stop the fist you are using muscles, and thus what you are doing is primarily on a physical level. To attain higher ability through this trick you must not concentrate on stopping the muscles, but on letting the mind go. This is how you unloose your intention, and that is the key to real higher ability.
Try focusing your punch a few inches from the candle. The flame is not bothered because there is too much distance involved. Now, relax and intend the flame to go out, this is the intention that you must build.
Actually, it is better to start this second stage of training at about a foot, but you may have to experiment to find the distance that is best for developing your intention, even up to a dozen feet or more. You must watch the candle when you flick the fist. Don't concentrate hard and fierce, just work on increasing your relaxation. The key to making this trick work is relaxation.
The flesh envelope you are wearing is not your real body, your real body is the bubble of world that you perceive. Thus, you must concentrate on the desire to alter the things that you perceive outside your body. And perceptions work best through space.
Through nothingness, space, a vacuum, emptiness. Not air, nor wood, nor even brick, nor other things which are merely ideas held in place to support the idea of your real body.
To most people what I have said here is usually an alien concept, and it even frightens some, for it strikes to the heart of the matter of our existence in the cosmos. Our existence in the cosmos aside, that nothingness in which we place the universe is the most important thing...behind the structure of the universe. So still the mind until it is as peaceful as a coal mine at midnight, and practice launching your certain and relaxed intention, and a few dozen hours practice will enable you to see what I am talking about.
The basic principle of putting out a candle is to stop your fist an inch from the candle and let the woosh of air drain oxygen from the flame. This simple trick, if pursued, can lead to much higher ability. With a little practice one put out a candle from across the room.
When you stop the fist you are using muscles, and thus what you are doing is primarily on a physical level. To attain higher ability through this trick you must not concentrate on stopping the muscles, but on letting the mind go. This is how you unloose your intention, and that is the key to real higher ability.
Try focusing your punch a few inches from the candle. The flame is not bothered because there is too much distance involved. Now, relax and intend the flame to go out, this is the intention that you must build.
Actually, it is better to start this second stage of training at about a foot, but you may have to experiment to find the distance that is best for developing your intention, even up to a dozen feet or more. You must watch the candle when you flick the fist. Don't concentrate hard and fierce, just work on increasing your relaxation. The key to making this trick work is relaxation.
The flesh envelope you are wearing is not your real body, your real body is the bubble of world that you perceive. Thus, you must concentrate on the desire to alter the things that you perceive outside your body. And perceptions work best through space.
Through nothingness, space, a vacuum, emptiness. Not air, nor wood, nor even brick, nor other things which are merely ideas held in place to support the idea of your real body.
To most people what I have said here is usually an alien concept, and it even frightens some, for it strikes to the heart of the matter of our existence in the cosmos. Our existence in the cosmos aside, that nothingness in which we place the universe is the most important thing...behind the structure of the universe. So still the mind until it is as peaceful as a coal mine at midnight, and practice launching your certain and relaxed intention, and a few dozen hours practice will enable you to see what I am talking about.
About the Author:
Al Case has analyzed the martial arts for forty years. You can get his Free Book at Monster Martial Arts.
No comments:
Post a Comment