Movement, A Way Of Life
It is important to view movement as a way of life, rather than just imitating your teachers. In Chinese Buddhism, there is a saying that encourages people to "look at the things that don't exist, listen to the sounds that don't exist, understand the things that cannot be defined." This means that when you practice your movements, you should not just go through the motions, but instead study and understand the essence of each movement. In Chinese martial arts, it is believed that once you grasp the essence of a movement, you will never deviate from its origin.
Sometimes, students question why a particular movement looks different or if there are changes to the form. As a master, I never perform a movement without its essence. However, the way I present the movement may change depending on my emotions. It is important for students to understand that copying your teacher's movements is just the beginning, and it is important to try your best to make it look and feel like the essence of the movement. But, you won't always be a beginner, and arguing about what it should be won't help you improve in the end.
One of my favorite sayings is something that my grandfather used to tell me. He said that while coaches or teachers can teach you how to move your body in a certain way, a true master is someone who can teach you something much deeper - they can guide you to connect with your spirit. Essentially, a coach can teach you the mechanics of a movement, but a master can help you understand the essence of the movement. They can show you how to connect your physical body with your mental and emotional state, so that you can perform the movement with grace, intention, and purpose.
This saying has always stayed with me because it reminds me that there is more to learning than just the surface-level mechanics. When we seek out true mastery in any area of life, we are really seeking to connect with the deeper aspects of ourselves. And when we find a master who can guide us in that process, we are truly lucky.
-Weifo Jung
