A while ago I received an e-mail from Shifu Painter suggesting that I go out and play with the sword under the full moon that night. I was a little intrigued and went out practicing what little I knew. I wrote back to Shifu Painter that I had enjoyed myself greatly (despite not really knowing what I was doing).
He wrote me back with explicit instructions on what to do with my sword the next time and asked me to let him know what I experienced.
That night I went out into my backyard. It was Fall and cold. The moon was bright despite the lights of the city. Clouds moved across the face of the moon covering and uncovering it, making the whole sky seem as if it was moving. I have to admit I did not feel very much despite watching the reflection of the moon on my sword as I raised and lowered it. My arms tired far too quickly, I thought. It barely registered that my hands did not get cold even though I was not wearing gloves. My hands get cold very quickly and I have a tendency to experience Raynaud’s phenomenon.
The next night I was up at our cottage north of the city. The sky was clear. The air was still. The moon glowed high above me. I began by raising my sword, tip pointed at the moon and slowly began lowering it, watching the reflected light travel from the tip to the hilt. On the 2nd or 3rd repetition, what I can only describe as a cool misty sensation traveled into my hands. At first I was not even sure that I was feeling something but with each repetition the sensation became more definite.
When I went inside I noticed my un-gloved hands were actually warm.
Since then I have repeated this practice whenever I can, usually without gloves, the moon and I dancing with my sword. It is an experience I cannot compare to any other and am extremely grateful for it.
Even if you have never held a sword in your life you will be amazed by what you can feel playing by the light of the moon. Please join us at this year’s Gathering if you wish to learn more.
Here is an article written by Bernie Jackson, a Jiulong student. He outlines his experience with a Tibetan practice involving trees and the much misunderstood concept of beginner’s mind. Of particular note is his scientific training (he holds a masters degree in electrical engineering). He talks about his experience with this practice as an scientist would by reporting the experience in as much detail as possible, without making unproven conclusions. One is left with a something of immense value…..a sense of wonder.
Jiulong instructor Bobb Maio from Nashua, NH has a great article on the Kungfu Magazine site about “Cross the Great River”. This foundational Jiulong concept is an important understanding of the term “double weighted” and is a must read for any serious internal arts practitioner. There are many ideas and terms that confuse and bewilder in the internal arts, so anytime something is made clearer is time to pay attention.
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