8) The Living Void Flashcards
What is the Living Void?
Just as water is in direct and immediate response and cocreation with its environment…
We should not have to assess whether it will be filled or not, or how to fill. It just moves into place naturally, immediately, and simply.
Talents can go beyond physical level. To what point can they reach?
They are able to be at the point of spiritual insight.
What is the highest technique you wish to achieve?
To have no technique.
Be fully aware in present and in flow. Let my skill come up by itself in alignment with the situation.
What are your thoughts on facing an opponent?
There is no opponent because the word ‘I’ does not exist.
We are all energy in the same field, with density of energy creating ‘solids’, which really are just clouds.
We are here to grow.
🎁 A good martial artist
A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come.
When the opponent expands, I contract. And when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself.
What is ‘no mindedness’?
How is it useful?
It is NOT being without emotion or feeling.
It is being one, where feeling is not sticky or blocked.
What is ‘psychic hindrances’?
Anything the blocks my flow and my immediate expression.
Remove these hindrances so I can stay in skilful, intuitive response. Respond, not react.
Dif b/w Response and React?
Respond = calm. A skilful expression and masterful choice. Present and aware; natural.
React = fight/flight. Unskilled expression. Unaware of state; primitive.
How can I continue to ceaselessly flow and move beyond limitations and distractions?
We don’t stop having distractions or feeling limited; we just decide not to let them control us.
Stay consciously aware in the ceaseless interplay of life. Remove mental blocks, obsessive thoughts, calculating mind, need to be better than, need to look good in front of.
Just be - unapologetic, sincerely, honestly, fully ourselves.
What is all of the practise for?
To be at a place of no technique, where we no longer have to pause to analyse everything, no longer have to remember and pretend anything.
To be able to float in emptiness comfortably, without obstruction. This is the ultimate personal power, freedom, and expression.
What are the 4 stages of cultivation to have the ultimate expression (floating in emptiness comfortably, without obstruction)?
- Partiality
- Fluidity
- Emptiness
- Jeet Kune Do
What is Stage 1 of Cultivation: Partiality?
An inexperienced, uncontrolled wildness to the skill. No technique.
Getting defensive and being unwilling to listen and consider another persons view is being in partiality - refusing to see the blocks within ourself.
What is Stage 2 of Cultivation: Fluidity?
When we acknowledge that we have to learn a lot.
We are open to mistakes, engaged in learning, bettering ourselves. We see that harnessing our potential is achievable, albeit exciting and terrifying.
Why does compassion start to extend when I work to change myself and truly understand myself?
As i grow and understand more about myself, I begin to recognise and perceive everyone else’s obstacles that they experience; hence feeling for them in a new, compassionate way.
What is Stage 3 of Cultivation: Emptiness?
The formless form: the height of technique is to have no technique.
The response just happens, skilful and spontaneous: It hits all by itself. No longer tactical reasoning, but rather total awareness with instantaneous expression.
What is the concept of bridging the gap?
Gap = space b/w me and opponent.
Whoever can bridge the gap most efficiently and effectively without getting caught in harm’s way = one with best skill level or Kung Fu.
What is needed to bridge the gap most effectively?
Great mobility
Quick footwork that’s able to move in any direction
Great sensitivity to read opponents movements by being fully present and responsive to the slightest changes
Great sense of timing, spotting the perfect pockets to slip into
Great spontaneity, moving at moments notice.
It should Be a seamless interplay or presence and movement.
🎁 Emptiness as form
What we are aiming for is there to be no dislocation in the movements. They are done with following continuity like the movement of a river that is forever flowing without a moment of cessation or standing still.
Stop overthinking so much and let naturalness be the norm.
Should I get bogged down in the approach before I practise or should I simply practise?
I won’t get it right all the tine no matter how skilled I may be. But let go of the notions of right and wrong for myself.
Mistakes are something to be grateful for because there’s no learning if I don’t get things ‘wrong’. And without learning, there is no expansion to the next level of being.
When I start flowing in the void, in being whole and one, some magical things happen…
1) My pace quickens
What is this?
People will be astonished by the immense amount of output. Being prolific by not getting stuck in gap.
Idea = action. Right away, no extra negative energy to bog me down. Creation is quick - not rushed, not stressful, just immediate.
What is being stuck in the gap?
Having an idea or feeling, then following it up by sabotaging thoughts (mind, fear ).
Instead, act immediately. Then decide how much effort to put in the full, long term execution of it.
When I start flowing in the void, in being whole and one, some magical things happen…
2) I feel powerful
What is this?
I begin to feel like the master of my destiny.
My insides match my outsides (thoughts and actions are in alignment)
I no longer wear a mask and am confident in mysteries.
🎁
There’s no right way or wrong way; there’s only taking responsibility or not. And taking responsibility is empowering.
When I start flowing in the void, in being whole and one, some magical things happen…
3) I am safe!
What is this?
Safe, meaning internally feeling that I can trust, take care, stand up for myself.
I can be okay no matter who I’m with or what’s happening. I can be myself without fear.
I know I have the tools and confidence to solve problems or to meet failure with grace.
