| The Martial Arts, Zen, and Enlightenment! |
| Written by Al Case | |||
| Monday, 25 January 2010 08:40 | |||
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The martial arts have long been held up as a way to enlightenment. Indeed, this is the goal at the end of the road of The True Martial Art. This article is about why this is so, and to enable the reader to walk to the end of that road all the sooner.
The martial arts have long been held up as a way to enlightenment. Indeed, this is the goal at the end of the road of The True Martial Art. This article is about why this is so, and to enable the reader to walk to the end of that road all the sooner. Enlightenment is when light emanates from the individual. In that light the enlightened sees the world in a different light. His perceptions are different, and he has a superior viewpoint, an enlightened viewpoint. If enlightenment happened because of motion, then the fact of motion would result in enlightenment. Gymnastics, ballet, football, all would result in an enlightened individual, but they don't, so one must ask oneself, what is it about the Martial Arts that they result in enlightenment? What is different is that there is fighting, and when one understands the essence of fighting, one becomes enlightened. What is the essence of fighting? One could sum up the subject by saying that when one finally understands he is fighting himself, he becomes enlightened, and a study of the martial arts does result in this realization. The universe, you see, is a vast space filled with objects. Every object in the universe has a direction. It is only in the martial arts that one actually engages in the study of the directions of objects from the viewpoint of one who creates the direction. A fist flies through space at you, and you go through a range of emotions. Eventually, you give up emotions so that you can better analyze the flight of the fist. Thus, you rise above base reaction and become cause over the motion of the universe. A person threatens you, he holds a weapon and stalks you, and you must divine the direction before it manifests. You must look at the world as it is, and not through some fantasy, and thus you look at the world you created. Thus, you rise above being the flotsam and jetsam of a universe awash with random motion, and thus you take the reins of your own destiny. There is no motion in this universe, you see, that you have not created. That star shines for you, because of you, if it wasn't for you, there would be no purpose for that star to shine. And through the tempering of form, the steeling of will, the martial artist engages in combat, to give up combat and become what he truly is, an enlightened being free to enjoy the universe. Free Articles: Al Case has practiced martial arts for more than 40+ years. A writer for the magazines, he had his own column in Inside Karate. He is the founder of the church of the martial arts, and you can find out about the path to enlightenment by ordering his free ebook at Monster Martial Arts.
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