The martial arts have long been held up as a means to achieve enlightenment. Indeed, this is the goal at the end of the road for every True Martial Artist. This article is about why this is so, and to enable the reader to reach the end of that road this lifetime.
Enlightenment is when light shines forth from the individual. With that light the enlightened being views the world differently. His perceptions are heightened, and he has a superior viewpoint.
If enlightenment happened because of the fact of motion, then movement would result in enlightenment. Hockey, ballet, football, all would result in an enlightened individual, but they don't, so one must ask oneself, what is it about the Martial Arts that they result in enlightenment of the human being?
What is different is that there is combat, and when one understands the essence of combat, one becomes enlightened. What is the essence of combat? One could sum up the subject by saying that when one finally understands he is opposing himself, he becomes enlightened, and a study of the martial arts does eventually result in this.
The universe, you see, is a space filled with moving objects. Every object in the universe has a direction that it is going in. It is only in the martial arts that one actually engages in the study of the directions of objects as the one who creates the direction.
A fist flies through space at you, and this causes you to go through a range of emotions. Eventually, you give up emotions so that you can better analyze the trajectory of the incoming fist. Thus, you rise above the fact of emotional reaction and become cause over the motion of the universe.
A person threatens you, he holds a weapon and stalks you, and you must divine the direction before it manifests. You must look at the world as it is, and not through some fantasy, and thus you look at the world you created. Thus, you rise above being the flotsam and jetsam of a universe awash with random motion, and thus you take the reins of your own destiny.
There would be no motion in this universe, you see, were it not for the fact of you. That star shines because of you, if it wasn't for you, there would be no purpose for that star to emit even the faintest shred of light. And through the tempering of form, the steeling of will, the martial artist engages in fighting to give up fighting, and thus becomes an enlightened being free to roam the universe as he wishes.
Enlightenment is when light shines forth from the individual. With that light the enlightened being views the world differently. His perceptions are heightened, and he has a superior viewpoint.
If enlightenment happened because of the fact of motion, then movement would result in enlightenment. Hockey, ballet, football, all would result in an enlightened individual, but they don't, so one must ask oneself, what is it about the Martial Arts that they result in enlightenment of the human being?
What is different is that there is combat, and when one understands the essence of combat, one becomes enlightened. What is the essence of combat? One could sum up the subject by saying that when one finally understands he is opposing himself, he becomes enlightened, and a study of the martial arts does eventually result in this.
The universe, you see, is a space filled with moving objects. Every object in the universe has a direction that it is going in. It is only in the martial arts that one actually engages in the study of the directions of objects as the one who creates the direction.
A fist flies through space at you, and this causes you to go through a range of emotions. Eventually, you give up emotions so that you can better analyze the trajectory of the incoming fist. Thus, you rise above the fact of emotional reaction and become cause over the motion of the universe.
A person threatens you, he holds a weapon and stalks you, and you must divine the direction before it manifests. You must look at the world as it is, and not through some fantasy, and thus you look at the world you created. Thus, you rise above being the flotsam and jetsam of a universe awash with random motion, and thus you take the reins of your own destiny.
There would be no motion in this universe, you see, were it not for the fact of you. That star shines because of you, if it wasn't for you, there would be no purpose for that star to emit even the faintest shred of light. And through the tempering of form, the steeling of will, the martial artist engages in fighting to give up fighting, and thus becomes an enlightened being free to roam the universe as he wishes.
About the Author:
Al Case has practiced martial arts for over 40 years. A writer for the magazines, he had his own column in Inside Karate. He is the originator of the church of the martial arts, and you can find out about the path to enlightenment by ordering his free ebook at Monster Martial Arts.
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