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Kung Fu Legend

The Dragon in a Cave

By Oliver LaoshiPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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There is a legend of a dragon that lives in a cave—a fierce creature that is the root of all despair, hate, jealousy, and much more for all of the world. It is said that the dragon is undying, and yet, it can be beaten. It is also said that a hero who beats the dragon becomes free of its plague on the world.

The legend is real, but, of course, steeped in metaphor. The dragon is you. The cave? You. The hero... is also you. So let's break this down.

In Chinese philosophy, there is often reference to the "Earthly and Heavenly." Unlike our custom, these don't usually refer to planes of existence, but rather aspects of man and woman. The "earthly" refers to what is sometimes called our "animal." It is our own body and mind—the parts of us that requires sustenance, that has emotion, fear, and other chemical reactions. Most importantly, the part of us that begins and often remains in control. This is the dragon. The part that some try to fight but give up, and many more are too daunted even to try. It dwells in the cave, which is you, and your outward doings in the world.

The "heavenly" refers to your "spirit" or "soul." The voice inside of you that tells you what you should be doing instead. The parts that recognize when the body and mind aren't cooperating. An exercise to isolate this part: stop thinking and moving for one minute. The part of you that wills your animal to still, while your mind and/or body actively resist, is your spirit. It is the hero-to-be and, too often, it takes a back seat.

To fight the dragon is to strengthen the spirit and the will. It is to push yourself to the point where your mind makes excuses and compromises, and your body tries to quit, and you move on even still. At that moment, your soul is in control of your body. With enough of this, your Heavenly strengthens and your Earthly weakens. This is when you gain control of the Dragon.

There are other ways as well—many aspects to kung fu, and in fact, many different arts that Chinese culture considers to be "Kung fu," from Gymnastics, to calligraphy, to even gardening. Kung fu, derived from the Chinese 功夫 (gongfu), means a skill that has been worked to the point where it requires no thought. All of these arts, if worked with gongfu practice, require something of us—something that the dragon animal doesn't naturally lend, depending on the person.

For some it is the ability stop, think, and listen when the body wishes to move on to the next adventure. Such are the practices of calligraphy and archery. In the realest sense, one can quickly go from start to completion and say, "I'm done," though the end result leaves something to be desired. For others, it is the ability to go, to act without being directly told to do so. Tai chi and kung fu require routine practice. Progressing from a layman to mast requires endless techniques that must be drilled in their perfect form in the practitioner's memory, that they might move on to the next concept, the next form.

In truth the dragon that we all must face fights us using the thing that is most difficult. The part of ourselves that many of us forsake training, excusing it as being "too hard," or "just who I am." But we never really know who we are until we move past our excuses, rid ourselves of our flaws, and best our demons. In short, until we slay the dragon.

This is but one aspect of kung fu. It's not all about fighting.

self help
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About the Creator

Oliver Laoshi

20th generation Plum Blossom Fist, 6th Generation Shaolin Zen Gate. Titles of both Warrior and Zen Monk. Oliver spent 6 years living all over China exploring the secrets to Physical, Mental, and Spiritual development.

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