11. Maintain a relaxed body and mind…

Maintain a relaxed body and mind, and meet and greet with a smile. Relaxation enhances physical and mental health, and a smiling face promotes friendship.
Master Sheng Yen

10. For those who can take things on…

For those who can take things on and let them go in peace, every year is an auspicious year. For those who can sow with wisdom the seeds of blessings, every day is a good day.
Master Sheng Yen

9. Know yourself and others

Know yourself and others, and the ways of the world, so as to have a peaceful body and mind. Recognize, cherish, and nurture your blessings, and seize every chance to be of service.

Master Sheng Yen

8. To take on anything

To take on anything, one must first be able to let go. One is truly free who can take on and let go of anything in peace.
Master Sheng Yen

7. A big heart

Cultivate a big heart – but a small ego.

Master Sheng Yen.

The Beijing Milun School

Speaking of Zhang Sheng Li and the Beijing Milun school, here’s a clip on youtube featuring one of the school’s ‘Milun Masters’ events. Also appearing, the senior student – Will ‘I never answer email’ Yorke

6: Those who give…

Those who give selflessly are blessed; those who do good deeds are happy.

Master Sheng Yen

Martial arts training of the Chinese police

Zhang Sheng Li, the founder of the Milun School where I first studied baguazhang, is a qin na instructor at the police academy in Beijing. I mentioned this in a post back in August 2005, and recalled how back in the UK I’d read an article somewhere about the martial arts training given to the Chinese police. I’m not sure if it’s the same one (if not, it’s pretty similar), but I recently found an article on Kung Fu magazine’s web site: To Protect and To Serve. It’s interesting beyond the martial arts aspect, as it discusses among many other things the problem of setting up a police force for a totally brand new city – Shenzhen, which was just a fishing village not so long ago. Another issue is the eternal problem of Chinese law enforcement: a population where martial arts skills are common and of a high standard:

Another problem with Chinese law enforcement is that more people practice the martial arts. Since cops go hand-to-hand more often, this is a very serious issue. There have been recent efforts to control the teaching of kung fu to the public. Chen remembers when some forms of kung fu were banned in certain areas. Styles like Wing Chun were targeted, since close-combat methods present the most trouble for an arresting officer. However, China has tried to ban martial arts since imperial times with little success. Kung fu always prevails. Unfortunately, it’s as much a weapon for criminals as a tool for police, so Chinese cops must always be prepared.

5. The busy…

The busy make the most of time; the diligent enjoy the best of health.

Master Sheng Yen

Beginning with a single step

I’ve mused before on circle walking and mud stepping, and investigating through practice what the underlying principles are.

I’ve started re-reading Li Zi Ming’s Liang Zhen Pu Eight Diagram Palm, which really is one the best books in English on bagua. I’ve had it for a couple of years, and have read it a couple of times. I’ve taken it to China and back, but never got round to studying it as a companion to my bagua lessons. I really, really should. It’s got a lot of the traditional bagua songs which, if I want to consider myself a serious student of baguazhang, I should learn by heart. Some of the lessons are fairly clear even to people like myself, who have only worked on the basic forms. Others are really profound, and will require a deep knowledge of Chinese thought in order to penetrate their meaning.

So, a reminder of how much work lies ahead of me. Lao Zi said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In my case, it’s a dragon step…

Circle walking relies upon yin and yang,
five elements and six harmonies.
Seven stars and eight steps form nine palaces,
One distinguishes firmness and gentleness internally and externally into the three levels of the body.

…
…

Boxing skills of senior masters are passed down today,
but very seldom can common people grasp the truth.
Don’t blame the conservative ideas of ancestors,
Just regret that we have not practiced our martial arts enough.