Habits and Practice

I am often asked by my students what to do in those situations in life where we find ourselves overwhelmed with pressure, fatigue and yet much work to be done. How to balance it all? I recall a conversation I had with a student recently, who brought up an interesting image of Zen meditation that connects with this question. This image speaks of the mind during meditation and compares it to the sky, which has a range of different clouds. It is insignificant what exactly those clouds are, as they do not change the nature of the sky, the essence.
I believe we can continue to perform efficiently and happily even under the clouds of stress and fatigue, not ignoring or repressing them, but rather receiving them, letting them be, without focusing on them or identifying with them too much. Of course it is very important to remember also to respect our needs, both physical and emotional, to consider and allow them if it is right to do so – everything accomplished with balance.
This balance can be achieved from a place of a "meditative" consciousness in everyday life, a consciousness that allows alertness and regulation, depending on your situation - regulating the intensity of your action, whether it should more or less. Balance in our lives is not something static but dynamic, balance is constantly changing, like everything in life. Balance lives just as we live and we should live with proper listening to ourselves and to what is happening around us. It is better to live when we are present in the moment at every given moment, our essence in the present.
This balance is made possible through another thought embodied in the Zen philosophy which came up in that conversation - that there is no difference or a disconnection between the sitting meditation and our day to day life - our lives, the seemingly mundane, they are the meditation. When I thought of this approach a phrase from my previous blog came to mind, where I said "When the martial art touches the art of life", as it is the very intention of it.
Learning our art, be it kung fu, tai chi or qi gong, as in this phrase, we seek to implement in reality what we learn. What actually are we doing? Why do we practice and practice? I wrote so much about this on the previous blog but it is important for me to explain - we are building habits through practice. Habits that enable us to operate in life in general, in our environment, in everyday life and not just a specific place or situation. From that specific place of practice, we take it to any place which we choose in our lives.

Yours truly,

Yaron Benyamini

When the Martial Art Touches the Art of Life

Even though sometimes slogans can lack real content, it is not the case with "When the Martial Art Touches the Art of Life". For me, it is truly the essence of our work at YaLon College and the very heartbeat that gives life to the teachings. 

The martial art for me is purification of the soul, understanding and accepting oneself.  Martial art for me is not merely with supplying a sense of physical safety (an important issue in and of itself) but the mental gifts I receive – becoming more decisive in face of dilemmas, more powerful while encountering difficulties and generally getting to know myself better in order to break free of old habits pulling me back and changing what must be changed in order to advance. 

This is for me the essence of when the martial art touches the art of life - to contain more, hurt less, become more sensitive and yet with less ego and stubbornness. This is the essence of the warrior coming to improve his power in all dimensions - mental, spiritual, energetically and of course - physical. This is how one can become more efficient in practical fighting on a physical level, but more importantly in fighting or dealing on the mental-spiritual level. 

Combat training for me is not just angle of intercept and a stronger blow. It is a practice that creates energy which connects us to our environment in peaceful control. It is the kind of attunement that allows us to find our most inner core, and thus enable the use of our senses in a coordinated manner which creates an "inner fire" that brings an inner sunrise.

Martial art to me is the journey into the depths of our souls to overcome ourselves and create in us a supportive energy field. I have recently seen a film about a group of Zen drummers who also trained in martial arts as part of their training. The main character phrased it beautifully by saying that we do not practice martial arts in order to fight or overcome another, but to overcome ourselves - hesitancy, fear, pride, etc. ... 

With this feeling surrounding me, with friends, family, students or colleagues, I feel better in soul and body. The physical tool allows us to reach places worth making an effort for. So why settle for just another defense technique against a knife? Look for a little more. I know I did it and it was worth every minute and still is! 

Spring Meditation

The coming of spring represents rejuvenation of nature, blossom and the creation of life. It is a good time for us to rejuvenate ourselves as well, and create interesting and exciting events which contribute to a dynamic and successful life.

One of the best tools for this, I think, is meditation. For me, this is a tool that affects the soul through the spiritual and energetic change created in the process of meditating. It is a powerful tool for those who know how to use it, allowing the development of real power due to rejuvenation of our feelings and thoughts.

Real power is driven by an internal change and energy flow, a change in habits and adaptation to the unfamiliar. Out of mental and energetic flow a "behavioral flow" (changing behavior) is created. It allows us to create new experiences, for self-fulfillment. Flow is a cause for health according to Chinese philosophy, while the stiffness and harshness stop the Chi, the life force, which in turn causes illness and suffering. Therefore we must learn to release the stiffness that is still in us, and "undo" the complexity of our lives, as much as we can. Meditation, as a holistic experience, allows us to "touch" beyond mere thought, offering us not only to understand but to know the real meaning of release, which allows flow and rejuvenation.

Where the thought ends and meditation begins, a direct connection to the cosmos is created. This relationship allows us to change the nature of our heart, to release old traumas, enslaving lusts, unbalanced, weighing heavily on the race of life. Thus we can just continue to flow with life out of joy, serenity and rejuvenation. To flow elsewhere, to new dimensions, that we wish for ourselves.

Please imagine a drop of fresh dew, dripping down a lotus leaf. It trickles down, without any attempt to hold on to the leaf - this is the desired release.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy spring, calm and full of meditating experiences which will take you to exciting innovations and pleasant surprises in your life. So do not be afraid to meditate, to change and grow.

Living in Abundance

Who among us wouldn't like to live in abundance? After all, we all wish ourselves abundance of a sort – spiritual, material or perhaps both. So how do we create this around us? Where do we start? Well, first of all – faith. It is our direct link to a universal wisdom. Also, a factor as important, is the ability and will to share our feelings and ourselves with others, in order to allow abundance to engulf us with perfection.

One of the oldest symbols of the Far East which symbolizes purity, wisdom and realization of human potential is the Lotus. This wondrous plant blossoms perfectly out of the murky water and mud of the swamp and symbolizes the possibilities opening in a man's life with plenty of seeds which may strike root wherever they drop. This dance of potential life, spread out with a complete celebration of life and love are a symbol to a constructive and expanding relationship with the environment through opening up to it.

In the water supporting the lotus flower and providing it with life, one can see the "water of emotions" that swirl beneath the flowers and teaches us we must live in abundance which is "washed" in endless flow. If we wish to experience real abundance we must train ourselves to touch others with our lives, to share our feelings, our experiences with those who are near us with power, pleasure, friendliness and a positive approach. The happiness and blesses of each of us do not have to stay contained within us like a seed, but should open like a lotus flower and spread their fragrance to everyone. Not just to our friends but even to complete strangers. If we share our enlightenment, the good and the positive with the other, then we will develop a supportive environment which will create the abundance around and inside us.

The Warrior of light knows that one of the hardest things in training is to bring yourself to remove your defenses, to reveal the soul, and create a solid bridge, even in battle, with your enemy. Only in this way it is possible to create a real connection that allows us to find the optimal response options that lead to the desired results.

While most of us want, in those moments of pressure and coping, to close ourselves up and build walls in order to protect ourselves, but actually this is a sure way to isolate ourselves from each other, the other's desires and what he was going to do. If we do not share the action, we cannot predict the outcome or even what is to come.

Therefore, in conclusion, the ability to share, bridge and maintain high morale and a positive, open mind - this is actually the real power that a person can develop in order to thrive.

Yaron 

Self Integration

This month I would like to continue the idea from my previous blog, but from a different perspective – that of self integration.

Let's face it - we do not always feel like coming to training. Especially in winter when it's cold and all we want is to wrap ourselves in a blanket with a cup of hot tea or coffee and relax. But it is important for me to say to those who are still undecided that it is worth the effort, big time, because beyond all the obvious things practice benefits us (and I wrote of that in my previous blog), there is one important factor I did not mention, which influences our lives a great deal and we should know about - developing our true nature.

"Inner strength" training (that which teaches us to use our inner strength - to develop the mind, mental energy and not only muscle and body-based) allow us to uncover and discover our true nature. Thus, it allows us to believe in ourselves and develop in us the ability to love ourselves despite the funny conditions and opinions of society. It can be difficult to go "up the stream" and sometimes not worth it, but the Tao teaches us that those who do not believe in themselves, it would be difficult for others to believe in them. It teaches that self-image becomes fate (freely rephrased): He who goes the way of Tao - virtue will greet him ... And he who sticks to the bad - it will happily open its door to him.

The enlightened person, constructed by tireless training, is like a sprouting seed which begins at this point to eat the fruit inside the shell. This is an internal process in which energy is saved in what populates it. The energy, earned through inner training, allows the formation of deep internal processes and thoughts. As long as the seed does not depend on an external environment, it is able to show much independence. On the surface everything seems very quiet but beneath the surface the person develops, grows, changes and concepts are shifting and forming.

In this way we can build ourselves as powerful characters, with a sense of authority on the one hand and sensitivity on the other. Such a character knows itself and knows the light of its own truth, which has been gained by considerable effort. Whether we are poor or rich, the enlightened is truly an emperor, because he broke the chains of conventions that limited him. Not because he was struggling with something but because he found the strength to hold his own, take responsibility for who he really is and live his truth while contributing to the society in which he lives.

A depth training is one in which you investigate yourself through it. It is where you can experience and know something new about your inner self. Through it we can feel confident and strong enough to love ourselves in full recognition and acceptance of our limits and weaknesses. When we strengthen ourselves enough to operate without being restricted by other opinions, but also without rejecting or ignoring them, when we can get better and still respect the others' needs - then we are truly free.

This "halo", which may develop by long training, allows freedom in action on the one hand, and responsibility, consideration, toward people on the other. Its' charisma, that acquirable magnetism, may remove those who wish for it from the "traditional prison" of "common belief" and thus make the people who are not enslaved to their fate the creators of their own fate. And if that is not worth the effort then what is?

Relaxing into the Empty Space

A year has come to its end and I have grown tired merely of thinking about all the things I have done and been through this year. Perhaps you have, too? Immediately after this thought my guilt joined in, reprimanding me for my wish for a relaxing vacation, slowing down and taking a break out of everyday life. Indeed, it was the essence of an old mentality which never lets one rest, after all, hard, intense work is the only way to succeed. Or is it?

So just before we all jump into a new year of many activities perhaps it would be best to create a little space in our lives, breathe a little, relax and (god forbid) allow ourselves a little bit of enjoyable time-off. Just as spacing in a sentence has its significant role and at times it is even the thing that defines the deeper meaning, so meditation has its role of healing in our lives. I don't mean the actual practice of meditation of any kind but more the balance of thought and action in our lives in general, spreading out to all walks of life. It is a time to release expectations of ourselves and others, relax without summoning energy to complete our tasks and aspirations. Just being relaxed with yourself, like after you have had a long walk and you sit in the shade, opening to the fresh breeze.

When we reach that state where peace can expand in us and take its deserving place, then we are able to accept ourselves as we are in the moment. This is what provides us with the necessary power to carry on with greater force. Sometimes it may seem to us that it's a shame to put on hold our desires, hopes and dreams in order to take that relaxing slower pace, but in fact, it is the disappearance of all these that opens new doors and the opportunity to welcome in new developments.

Going about in a relaxed manner, at times allowing ourselves to freshen up, allow better alertness and readiness along the way. The essence of "being at ease" (from peace) even in talk or action allows us to fulfill ourselves in bright, concentrated quality.

Even in the ancient book of Tao you can find reference to the importance of the "emptiness", suggesting that it has, in fact, an essential role, as with a clay vessel whose main use comes from its hollow part or a home which is basically squares of air. So, please, take your time-off, enjoy it and most important, know how to take time-off in the actual happenings of life. Remember to treasure the quality of slowing down and reaching relaxation while going about our tasks in life.

I believe that when we are rested we create a solid foundation with a clear sense of home. With such a strong base and supportive feeling of home, how can we not advance further?

May this be a relaxed and peaceful new year with much blessed, affluent and focused progress to us all!

Martial Arts & Violence

At times, and especially after the release of kung fu films, I see a trend at my college – mostly young men and adolescents come, excited and affected by a movie, want to learn how to hit and fight like Jet Lee, Jackie Chan etc… The reasons for coming to learn have always been variable, which is entirely acceptable – each person wishes to receive something different and that is OK, but this specific reason usually has its roots in violence, a matter I do not support in itself.

I, personally, regard the martial arts as an art of life, a way of life. I believe there are many others like me who see it this way, and I ask, if one wishes to learn kung fu for the ability to hit and kick only, should I, as a teacher, accept students who wish only this? What if they apply the knowledge I pass to them in violent situations? I myself see in my art as a means to minimize violence, not increasing it

Fortunately, over the years I have had the opportunity to take an active role in discovering the answer, at least partially, through academic research with criminology professor, Israel Kim. Together we researched the influence of learning the martial art I teach on violence in disconnected youth and discovered significant improvement in their ability to handle situations in a more sophisticated manner, concentration, perseverance, self control, discipline, self confidence and behavioral norms. We saw that our training method put the adolescent at the center and allowed him to grow, while demanding a certain code of behavior.

Thus, I have at least some studied answer to this problem. Also, from my experience, I find that people of all ages who arrive to my college, whatever their original goal may be, often realize rather quickly that the martial arts have much more to offer their lives than they ever imagined (self empowerment, health, stress management techniques, negotiation skills to name a few), and as I focus on the internal art, those who only wish to learn how to fight naturally leave.

So, if a student came to my college due to a movie, but stayed due to discovering the secrets hidden in the kung fu training which helped him in his life, than I am happy he had an initial trigger. I believe the art teaches more than physical principles but also moral principles, a way of life, and hopefully – one that makes us better people who enjoy life more.