Eating Bitter [Addendum] - Just Desserts

This is a brief extension of our blog post titled ‘Eating Bitter’.

We recently came across a video by a White Crane instructor where he made a really cool analogy between physical postures and sigils, explaining that the adopting of a move or posture in esoteric martial training is not to be taken literally (hence one of the misunderstandings about the practicality of forms) but is a trigger for a particular type of energy. When you reach a good level of skill you don’t need to be so strict about posture because you can trigger the energy with intent alone. This is really useful and we will definitely be borrowing this analogy.

He then went on to recycle the usual kung fu trope that the practice of the postures or moves should be an arduous and repetitive grind. There are of course some physical pursuits, or levels of a specific physical pursuit that do need this, so if that’s you then knock yourself (or someone else) out. However it is also a barrier to a whole cohort of people that could enjoy and benefit from training an internal power system. If you are bored or in an inappropriate amount of discomfort in your practice i.e. the pain outweighs the pleasure, then you might want to think twice about where you are and the journey you are on.

Caveat; you do need to improve connective tissue strength to run large amounts of energy safely but that can come in a more slow and enjoyable way. In fact, like trying to lose a bit of weight, slower is often more sustainable. That is not to necessarily disparage an extreme approach to any endeavour.

This evening we are going bouldering. It’s unlikely that there, despite the impressive physicality on display, anybody is going to be enduring an arduous grind. It’s good vibes only, playing with different problems and moves, having fun whilst making gains. Pretty sweet!