How deep is your style?

[markusan]

I'd like to add to kyle san's observation, that the vast majority of people might think martial arts are stupid and a waste of time, but that never stopped me either.

 

And, I'll say it again to anyone who's listening, meditation has nothing to do with religion. It is a tool. Religious people can use it maybe to deepen their spirituality, though I'm not quite sure what that means. Non religious people can use it to learn more about themselves, to think more clearly and perhaps see the world a bit more objectively.

[Chibi]

We do it every day

[Rotten Head Fok]

markusan, I agree with what you've said. Meditation is a tool and can be used by anyone for anything. As for people thinking that what I've chosen to do with my time here on earth is a waste of time, I can if I wanted say the same about others. Instead I choose to respect the right of others to do what they want to do; without my judgement as long as they are not violating anyone else in their life.

[RaidenTB]

We don't meditate.

 

When entering the gym - you bow, say "osu".

 

Basically you're saying that you're mentally prepared, focused and ready to practice. While sitting in seiza we take a couple of seconds to focus or to reflect (at the end), but that's it.

 

Meditation is a great "tool", our sensei recommended it to us, but the ones who are interested should do it on their own, on their time.

 

The point is that we should come prepared, so that we don't loose time during the practice.

[Kyle-san]

The point is that we should come prepared, so that we don't loose time during the practice.

 

And, yet, meditation can be a great way to focus on the class before you begin or it could be a good way to focus on what you've just learned at the end of class.

 

Either way, that's still a valuable part of practice. From a certain perspective, of course.

[RaidenTB]

It is yes.

 

If the concentration falls during the practice, our sensei usually stops us, tells us to stretch or just breathe and relax, but during that time he tries to explain what he'd like us to accomplish that certain day (or just try to accomplish)... We're also given some time in silence so everyone can think about it and get in the right mindset.

 

He understands that sometimes it is necessary to 'meditate', if we want to continue with practice.

[KF Dude]

We meditate at the begining of class during qi gong warm up & stance training. One class a week is devoted to sitting meditation. Breath control during the forms also creates a meditative state while moving. Focused intent in all movements is one of the training goals of my school.

[XVampireX]

Our whole system is based on Meditation - Zhan Zhuang and San Ti Shr. So i guess its very deep

[Zhong Gau]

we dont do much either....our form of internal enlightenment comes from years of repetition of grueling physical tasks, once the individual realizes the applications and inner means on their own is when they start growin in that aspect....

 

AH! the "Sudden Enlightenment" School of Buddism.

[Zhong Gau]

I think if you study an internal art then meditation would be more crucial. Not that external arts don't have internal aspects, but it's not nearly as important to develop internal "energy" especially early in the training.

 

I guess you are speaking from experience in a harder-side hard/soft system like Goju.

 

in Chinese systems, if you want to combine soft elements into your hard system its easier to do at the beginning than after having studied for several years trying to correct everything you've learned in a short period of time.