MENTAL CLARITY AND MENTAL STRENGTH
One-Finger Shooting Zen
Question
Sifu, you can see things very clearly in kungfu as well as in life? Can you please tell us how you develop this wonderful ability? Can we develop this ability too?
-- Sifu Eugene Siterman, USA
Answer
Thank you for your compliments. This is because of my mental clarity and mental strength.
Mental clarity and mental strength are closely related, but not the same. One who has mental strength usually has mental clarity too, and vice versa.
But this may not always be the case. It is also possible that one has mental clarity but not mental strength, like he may see things clearly but he becomes mentally tired easily. It is also possible that one has mental strength but not mental clarity, like he may be able to perform mental work for a long time but does not see things clearly.
My mental clarity and mental strength that enable me to see things clearly and to work intellectually for a long time without mental fatigue is due to my Shaolin, Taijiquan and chi kung training.
Whenever I practice Shaolin Kungfu, Taijiquan and chi kung, I clear my mind of all thoughts, i.e. my mind is clear. This is training for mental clarity.
A lot of Shaolin, Taijiquan and chi kung exercises strengthen the mind. For example, when I practice One-Finger Shooting Zen, I focus my mind on my index finger, thereby developing a one-pointed mind which makes the mind strong. When I practice Cosmic Shower, I let cosmic energy nourish my mind and strengthen it.
Of course you can develop this wonderful ability. I teach what I practice, and practice what I teach. By practicing what I teach, you will have mental strength and mental clarity. Indeed, having mental strength and mental clarity is a noticeable benefits all our Shaolin Wahnam students have. This is readily evident when one reads our Discussion Forum.
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