Saturday Early AM Training
Topic: Ving Tsun

http://www.meetup.com/Ving-Tsun-Kung-Fu/

Every Saturday at 9:00 am

Be there or be square...

-Sifu

fee schedule is changing
Topic: Ving Tsun

The fee for private instruction will be changed to a flat rate of $50.00 per hour, please contact Sifu Bryant with any questions you may have about this change.

Thank you.

Sifu B.

 

some things worth pondering...
Topic: Metaphysics

Selected Metaphysical Thoughts from Great Thinkers:

• "The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." -- William James

   

• "Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune." -- William James
  

   

• "Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." -- William James
  

   

• "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." -- Albert Einstein

   

• "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." -- Albert Einstein

   

• "There is only one great adventure and that is inwards towards the self." -- Henry Miller

   

• "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world." -- Buddha

   

• "What we think, we become." -- Buddha

   

• "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned." -- Buddha

   

• "As a man is, so he sees." -- William Blake

   

• "There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so." -- William Shakespeare

   

• "There is no reality except the one contained within us. That is why so many people live such an unreal life. They take the images outside of them for reality and never allow the world within to assert itself." -- Herman Hesse

   

• "The Way is near, but men seek it afar. It is in easy things, but men seek for it in difficult things." -- Mencius

   

• "To the mind that is still, the whole Universe surrenders." -- Taoist ideal

   

• "Yesterday's aches, pains and problems are not a burden here and now unless you brought them with you." -- Lao Tsu

   

• "There is no need to run outside for better seeing, nor to peer from a window. Rather abide at the center of your being; For the more you leave it, the less you learn." -- Lao Tsu

   

• "Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." -- Carl Gustav Jung

   

• "Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world. The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same. Every wonderful sight will vanish; every sweet word will fade, But do not be disheartened, The source they come from is eternal, growing, Branching out, giving new life and new joy. Why do you weep? The source is within you And this whole world is springing up from it." -- Rumi

   

• "All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force … We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent Mind. This Mind is the matrix of all matter." -- Max Planck

   

• "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters to what lies within us." -- R.W. Emerson

   

• "A man is what he thinks about all day long." -- R.W. Emerson

   

• "Be careful what you set your heart upon, for you will surely have it." -- R.W. Emerson

   

• "What we are looking for is what is looking." -- St. Francis of Assisi

   

• "See God in every person, place and thing, and all will be well in your world." -- Louise Hay

   

Truth isTruth...
Topic: Metaphysics
Summary of the Essential Principles of the Science of Consciousness

By David R. Hawkins, MD PhD

1. Consciousness is the formless, invisible field of energy of infinite dimension and potentiality, the substrate of all existence, independent of time, space, or location, of which it is independent yet all inclusive and all present.
2. Because the field of consciousness encompasses all existence beyond all limitation, dimension, or time, it registers all events, no matter how seemingly miniscule, such as even a fleeting thought.
3. Because the registration of all events occurs outside of time and place, they are timelessly accessible due to the unique qualities inherent to the energy field of consciousness itself.
4. Consciousness is the irreducible substrate of the human capacity to know or experience, to perceive or witness, and it is the essence of the capacity for awareness itself.
5. The field of consciousness exists independently of mankind yet is included within it.  It is the irreducible substrate, the Absolute, in comparison to which all that exists is relative.
6. Consciousness represents a field of infinite power and potential, out of which the manifest universe as Creation arises as a continuous, ongoing process.
7. The entire universe, both known and unknown, exists independently of human description and is essentially one unified, total field within which are variable levels of vibrational frequencies that appear as the observable universe.  As in the physical domain, the higher frequency of the vibrational energy, the greater the power.
8. The universal, all-encompassing vibrational field of energy is descriptively omnipresent and is therefore omniscient and all-powerful (omnipotent).  The presence of the field of consciousness is known by all sentient beings as the subjective awareness of existence itself.  Thus, the awareness of the presence of consciousness as the substrate of existence is the primordial subjective reality underlying all possible human experience.
9. The levels of consciousness are identifiable by use of a simple quality of consciousness itself, and the omniscience of consciousness recognizes and responds to that which has existence and is true by virtue of the fact of that existence.  Thus, consciousness, like a mirror, impersonally reflects actuality, which is unchanged and unaffected by that process.  Consciousness, therefore, does not “do” anything, but, similar to gravity, it provides the context out of which potentiality actualizes from formless to form, from nonexperienced to experienced.
10. Comparable to the laws of the conservation of energy or conservation of matter, the law of the conservation of life prevails.  Life itself is not capable of being destroyed buy can only change form by shifting to a different frequency range (in human experience, the “etheric,” the “spiritual,” and other energy realms described throughout time).
11. Because all that exists represents a level of energy vibration, a scale of consciousness can be constructed that is internally consistent and of pragmatic value.  A logarithmic scale of consciousness from 1 to 1,000, which starts at number “1” as the existence of life itself and continues to 1,000 (the highest level of consciousness ever reached by mankind), is sufficient to include all possible frequency ranges of human consciousness.  Such a scale can be demonstrated to be highly informative and of great practical as well as theoretical value in understanding mankind, the question of divinity, and the universe.
12. Consciousness research is the only science available to mankind at the present time that enables investigation of the relative energy levels of both linear and nonlinear paradigms, their domains, and the realities that are beyond time, location, or dimension and that exist as both identifiably objective as well as subjective.

Knowledge that empowers...
Topic: Metaphysics

Changeless Truth

Divine Science is based on the changeless truth that God constitutes the nature of all being and that God fills the invisible and visible realms of existence. This truth has never changed. All truth is as available to humanity now just as it was available to Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Nothing a person does or fails to do will ever separate him or her from the Source out of which we are created. Paul reminds us, "in God we live, and move and have our being." One of the founders of Divine Science writes that "true prayer is not begging for more wisdom, more supply, or more good. Infinite, all-embracing Being cannot give us more than Itself. In sharing Itself with us It has given us all that we can possibly need. Our part is to accept." Divine Science teaches that the fullness of Spirit is forever pouring Itself through the mind of man, limited only by the way a person thinks and feels about life in general and about certain conditions and situations in particular. Therefore, all change begins as an activity in mind and through the law of cause and effect mind manifests as a personal experience.

The physical evidence of any teaching lies not in the authority or history of an organization, but in the ability of an individual to prove the teaching. And so it is that Divine Science is recognized as a teaching which is rooted not in hierarchy but in the demonstration of the principles of Divine Science through a person's life and works.

www.divinescience.com

 

good news
Topic: Martial Arts

Every Sunday Starting Sunday June 21st  there will be outdoor training at Lindenwold park from 9:00am to 11:00am, we will cover Hock's PAC Curriculm and some Silat. I will be sharing the things I will learn on my upcoming trip to PAC Camp.

For those who dont know, here is a description of PAC

"Pacific Archipelago Combatives Consists of:

* Mano Mano/Silat/Kenpo/Jujitsu and more from the many Pacific Islands flowing systems of kicking,
hand striking, trapping, grappling/ground fighting. Hand versus hand, and empty hand vs. weapons.

* Single Cane combat. * Double Cane combat. * Cane and Knife combat. * Knife combat.

Forged in the Ring of Fire- The Pacific Archipelago systems are:

* The Arnis / Kali / Escrima of the Philippine Archipelago.
* The Silats of Indonesian and Filipino Archipelagos.
* The Karates, Jujitsu and Aiki-Jujitsu of Japanese Archipelagos.
* Kajukenbo and Hawaii's Conversions of Kenpo/Kempo to America.
* Cane and Knife Fighting from all of the Pacific Islands.
* Polynesian hand, cane and small club fighting

Archipelago means an expanse of water with many scattered islands. In this case, that body of water is the Pacific Ocean and the major martial islands are Japan, Indonesia, The Philippines and Hawaii. This 10 level hardcore Archipelago Combatives Course is dedicated to the most combative aspects of ALL the island systems of the Pacific. Zero esoteric.

No katas, anyos or forms. No redundant drills paying homage to endless lists of Grandmasters where you are only repeating the same techniques over again under different names. No art for art's sake. Nor do we will use outdated and exotic stances, ideas or weapons. This is a combat course, not a history course. Train with Hock in seminars and/or in semi-private and private lessons, all in organized progressions. Plus-train with certified instructors in your region. Rank promotions, instructorships and recognitions are available, or just train for knowledge to augment your skills to support and enhance your system! We are here to inspire, not confine."

Pacific Archipelago Combatives (PAC) is a course created by Hock and it carries with it the subtitle "The Essence of Pacific Island Combat." An Archipelago is a vast body of water containing many islands, and in the case of Hock's new martial course, that body of water is the Pacific Ocean, and the islands are Japan, Indonesia, The Philippines, Hawaii and smaller locales like Okinawa and Samoa.

Over three decades ago, Hock began amassing the most combative aspects of fighting systems, attaining several black belts and certifications, strengthening it all with his military and police training and experience for a reality check. He has spent the last 21 years dedicated to finding the common threads, correcting and omitting sport aspects, artsy extravagances and isolating the very essence of combat. Hock reports he has never really felt comfortable forced to teach only one. He blended all these systems with his prior years in other martial arts like karate, kenpo and jujitsu and added his 23 years experience in policing and military training. His years of teaching culminated into this hardcore PAC format.

Taught in standing, walking, running and kneeling and ground fighting applications, the overall PAC course covers 5 main areas of study, empty hand combat, single cane combat, double cane combat, knife combat, knife and cane combat is structured this common sense learning progression:

1) Solo command and mastery- every practical movement scientifically collected is here and worked solo and on objects for power development.

2) Skill developing synergistic, flow drills.

3) Hardcore combat drills.

4) Sparring in all areas- In stick fighting, Hock emphasizes the head shot, or the "Kill shot" which conceptually works to kill-shot or diminish the fighter, working for a knock-out, disablement, or allowing for the follow-up disarm and takedown possibilities. He believes that bashing away with sticks and ignoring helmet shots teaches students to virtually "commit suicide!" "If too many of your stick fights are ending in submission tap outs or chokes on the ground? Something ain't right with your stick fighting. In Kill shot, there is a coach with each fight to call the fight as it would really happen. Helmets must be worn, but they cannot be ignored."

5) Disarms and Counters to Disarms/Weapon Retention.

6) Joint cranks or "locking" and counters.

7) Takedowns and throws.

8) Crisis rehearsing combat scenarios"

Taken from www.hockscqc.com

The training location may change to Cooper River Park in Pennsauken or Washington Square park in Center City

Cost will be $10.00 per class

I will post any updates and or changes.

-Sifu

Kill or Be Killed
Topic: Close Quarter Combat
Kill or be Killed
By Snake Blocker
Article published in MUAY THAIMES magazine – FALL 2008 VOL. II NO. 3

Muay Thaimes editorial note:  In his capacity as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, specializing in Military Close Quarters Combat or MCQC, Snake Blocker is in fact one of the very few “professional” knife fighters.  We all know that Muay Thai traces its origins to ancient battlefields.  While Muay Thai has become a popular sport throughout the world, because of its effectiveness in close quarters combat, the original military application is intact, especially in our own Armed Forces.  Where the battle is for life and death, edged weapons come with the territory, not just on the battlefield but also on the street.  Snake shares with us here some thoughts on Close Quarters Combat with reference to actual experience.


    Hector Santos came to appreciate the lethality of a knife in MCQC training.  Before his deployment to the “Sand Box,” Mr. Santos pulled duty on Gate Watch at the entrance of a military compound.  He was assigned a firearm, strapped to his side during the watch.  Appreciating and respecting the blade, Hector also carried a personal knife.  As he was checking in visitors, one day, a man lunged at his firearm.  Mr. Santos instinctively secured the firearm with one hand.  Grasping the knife with his free-hand, he stuck it into the assailant.  The man slumped to the ground.  He was DOA.  Hector’s knife stopped not only the assault but also the assailant’s heart.  No charges were lodged against Mr. Santos.  What happened came within the rules of engagement.  Self-defense must be a reflex.  Imminent peril does not afford the luxury of even a hesitation to think it through.  It took one flick of a blade to get hector and those nearby out of harm’s way.  MCQC training with an edged weapon made it possible for Mr. Santos to act instantaneously, as duty and reality required.  The universal lesson for anyone who might be in harm’s way is to always bring a knife to a gun fight.

     Tactics have to coincide with experience.  It is said, “Those who can, do---those who can’t teach.”  I’d put it differently.  “Those who can’t aren’t qualified to teach.”  Hector’s brush with fate illustrates one of several bogus beliefs out there that don’t square with reality.  Here are some myths that, in my own experience, fail the test of reality.

1. “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” – WRONG
Study, after study confirms that an assailant can close the gap and do harm from 20 – 30 feet away, before most victims can make effective use of firearms.  The few who are able to draw, aim, and shoot before they are stuck by a knife rarely put lead where it will neutralize the threat.

2. “Knife Fights don’t work in close quarters.” – WRONG
Attending a knife seminar by one of the most popular instructors at Black Belt magazine, I heard him say, “I don’t teach close-quarters knife fights, because they don’t work.  If someone has a knife, you need to run.”  That might be sound advice, if running is an option.  In reality, there is no option for many victims of edged weapons to escape.  Attacks come without warning, at a time and place of the assailant’s choice…Even if you could personally get away, what about your friends and/or family?  Would you abandon them to save your own skin?
     There are ample reports in the news of stabbing victims surviving their wounds.  Some of the outcomes that have been documented are:  defeating assailants; disarming them; getting possession of their edged weapons and using it against them; withstanding injuries that miss vital organs.  There are stories all the time of people surviving armed violence.  My partner at Global Knife Fighting, Mica Amelin, got into a taxi cab in the Philippines.  Upon taking her seat, a bad guy forced his way into the cab.  He sat down, grabbed her and pulled out a knife.  The taxi driver hit the gas.  This is a common criminal tactic.  Mica whipped out her own knife and stabbed the attacker, who gave it up.  She then slit the taxi-driver’s throat, managed to stop the cab and got out.  Mica’s reaction was reflexive.  An edged weapon made it possible for her to be the first to skewer and slice.  There was neither an option for her to escape nor to skip a heartbeat.  Her only choice was to do unto others before they could do unto her.   

3.“I carry a gun with me, so I don’t need a knife.” – WRONG
Petty Officer Elkin Pavajeau is known to his buddies as “Papa Joe.”  He trained with me in Kuwait.  “Papa Joe” was heckled by another sailor about our knife training.  The heckler told him that a knife would never work against an M-16.  Petty Officer Pavajeau said, “Okay.  Clear the barrel and magazine clip from your rifle.  Then we’ll see who’s faster.”  The sailor cleared his barrel and clip.  Throwing a training knife at the skeptic with one hand, “Papa Joe” whipped out a real blade on the charge.  Confused by the airborne knife, our false prophet took evasive action, which kept him from locking and loading.  Before the rifleman could recover, Petty Officer Pavajeau had his blade against the guy’s throat.  The M-16 never got into the action.  Experience made our “wise guy” a believer.  His whole worldview changed in 3 seconds.  One of ours, he learned without bloodshed that tactics have to coincide with experience.

4. “Most Fights end up on the ground, so I just need to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” – WRONG
Many fights do not end up on the ground.  Most fights start standing up and end with the loser down.  The myth that “most Fights end up on the ground” is a marketing slogan.  It was given currency by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) community from what they see in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) shows.  I happen to be a big fan of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I’m avid about the sport—both training and teaching it—but not for the street defense nor for self-preservation.  Remember, you are prohibited from doing the most effective wrestling counters in MMA competitions.  You can’t poke out someone’s eyes; you can’t mouth “fish hook;” you can’t bite; you can’t rip out the private area; you can’t stick your fingers or thumb into another’s eardrums; and you can’t spit in his eyes.  In combat and street fighting, you do whatever works.  BJJ only works for sports tournaments, law-enforcement and Military Police.  BJJ is hazardous in street defense—especially against multiple assailants—guerilla-warfare, special ops, or any kind of armed combat.  Only a fool would wrestle someone with a knife... one with a death wish. 
     My friend, Duane Addison was at a park in Farmington, New Mexico.  Mr. Addison is former Army and has wrestling pedigree.  He was sitting on the tailgate of his truck, waiting for a friend to show up.  A stranger approached, asking for money.  When Duane refused, the stranger trash talked him.  Words were exchanged.  The stranger crept a hand around, towards his own rear.  Sensing danger, Duane put a foot in the guy in the chest.  It blew him on his back.  As Mr. Addison unsheathed a knife, his friend arrived on the scene.  Getting right into it, the reinforcement aimed a pistol at the stranger.  Their search produced a lethal Bowie knife concealed inside the back of his pants.  Had Duane gone BJJ, he would have been in mortal peril of the stranger’s blade.  Mr. Addison only had a few dollars on him at the time.  He asked the stranger, “Were you going to stab me for a few dollars?”  The reply was “Yes!”
     We do sports for fun and entertainment.  No matter how extreme sports push the safety envelope, like any other game, there are rules.  They apply in the practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, as in Mixed Martial Arts.  There is a scene in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.”  He’s in a Middle Eastern bazaar.  An assailant comes out of the crowd, revealing a scimitar.  There is some fancy sword work, meant to establish the assailant’s prowess with his weapon of choice.  Indiana Jones is nonchalant.  He pulls out a pistol and blows the guy away.  The message is that rules don’t apply in reality.  The only rule is “don’t lose.”  Kill or be killed!

                                                               -Snake Blocker

something to think about
Topic: Metaphysics

5th year celebration
Topic: Moy Yat Ving Tsun Event

Any of my students who want to go to Chinatown

on Saturday May 9th , please meet me at Ashland station

at 11:00 am on Saturday morning, see you then.

-Sifu

Words of wisdom from Donnie Yen star of "Ip Man"
Topic: Martial Arts

Donnie Yen’s Five Rules of Martial Arts Mastery

1. Turn your basic movements - regardless of style - into perfect jewels. If you accomplish this, you’ll have a good chance of becoming an advanced practitioner sooner than you may expect. Like good WuShu or even western boxing, extreme basic training is the only real secret for excellence.

2. Train your body athletically. Probably the most lacking aspect of modern practitioners, your overall physical condition, regardless of style - internal or external - is crucial to sustain long periods of often painful training.

3. Emphasize "fa jing" in your techniques. Top Western boxers exhibit fa jing as much as top Asian martial artists. Start with traditional Chinese styles to learn this crucial use of energy.

4. Strive for versatility and a wide exposure to different disciplines. After some years developing a specialty, force yourself to obtain at least intermediate skill in a few other styles completely different from yours.

5. Train for both combat and beauty of movement. Contrary to popular belief, a serious practitioner can achieve excellent fighting ability while looking fantastic. Always remember that top western boxers are as engaging to watch as contemporary WuShu athletes. Don’t be scared of one or the other.