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Five Dragon Temple
Five Animals Qigong
Is there shortcut for achievement in Kung Fu?
Is there any difference between  Wu Shu and  Kung Fu ?
Immortal Lu Dong Bin
Q%2Å‚ngjìng J%2Å‚ng---- Qi Jing Jing
Is there shortcut for achievement in Kung Fu?
This is a question is the mind of a lot of beginners. Before discussing the issue, let us look at the
question itself. In Chinese language  shortcut for achievement is in 2 words (characters). One is
 shortcut ; the other is  achievement . Let us look at these 2 aspects.
 Shortcut simply means a way of shortening the training period.  Achievement means reaching certain
level in Kung Fu. If  achievement is defined, then the time period required in training could be
estimated.
What exactly is meant by  achievement in Kung Fu? Can a level in swiftness be  achievement ? No, it
is because some people were swift without any training. In that case, how do we differentiate
 achievement in Kung Fu? Actually, swiftness is only one of the effects in Kung Fu training. It is rather
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common that if one s body is very flexible, he or she would be considered as achieving high level in
Kung Fu. This is of course wrong. It is assuming  partial as  total .
So what is the standard for measuring  achievement in Kung Fu? For the established common
standard, we have to talk about the  soft and  hard in martial art. When we discuss  soft and  hard ,
we have to ascertain the  3 levels concept. For  high level ,  hard is achieved through cumulating of
 soft , neither  soft nor  hard , both  soft and  hard , interchanging between  soft and  hard . The
opponent was injured without any a clue. For  intermediate level , one basically followed one s master
but with some deviation. One is strong,  hard is more than  soft , unskilful in interchanging between
 soft and  hard . With proper guidance and training, one might be able to achieve  high level . However,
there would be no improvement if one concentrates in physical power without proper guidance. For  low
level , one only uses physical strength without any proper method. There are no set movements, no
synchronizein movement and breathing and no knowledge in  soft and  hard . Claiming to be an expert
but all he has is his courage and physical strength. This is  low level .
Martial art is not merely a matter of  soft and  hard . It includes, amongst others, experience in free
flight, combining oneself with heaven, combination of chiand power, and observation power etc. For
 high level , the internal power is strong but not noticeable, movements are swift, capabilities exceed
predetermined guidance, and movements are no longer limited to movements trained, any move is a
reflex driven by internal power. Skill and expertise have been developed with the development of the
heaven and Earth. Only experts would be able to notice those who had such achievements. < There are
not so many who can achieve this level. > For  intermediate level , those who spent long enough in
training would be swift be smooth. While they have developed good skills in martial art, they are still
bound by the method/guidance provided by their master. In combat, they might be able to manage, as
they are fluent in the learnt movements. Due to various limitations, they have not reached the  high
level . < With suitable guidance and hard training, they would be able to reach  high level . > For  low
level , they trained in physical strength, lack of experience in combat, know bits and pieces in method,
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and do not understand the relationship between breathing and power.
Therefore, we can classify achievements. For  low achievement , it is the basic achievement and
fundamental. They would need guidance from master before they can make use of the learnt skill. They
must be able to manage the basic concept and compatibilities in body movements. Due to insufficient
experience, not fluent skill and not entire understanding of concept, it would take 3 years for
achievement.
Let us take a look at the question of shortcut. Kung Fu cannot be achieved in several months. Normally,
it would take 3 years for achieving  low level . longer. > In other words, martial art itself requires 3 years hard work. A Chinese idiom is  3 years
martial art training is like wrestling in those days, one should not leave without 10 years in Tai Chi . This
is the summary of experience from previous experts. foundation. > Why is that? Let us try to analyse. When we learn a specific move, it has to be practice
over and over again. For the most basic moves, the practice is for the lifetime. With any style of martial
art, there must be 5 or 6 basic moves. To be familiar and fluent with the moves, each one would take at
least several months. Just to learn the moves would take more than a year. These basic moves are the
fundamental and there is no shortcut or easy way. It has to be learnt step by step. For example, when
we learn  Ba Gua Zhang , the basic move is to walk in trigram circle. Just this takes 3 years. Several
hundreds of circles were walked in each day. Only then, one would realize the essence and the wisdom.
One would be able to manage and synchronize one s hands, eyes, body, step, goodies, chi, shen and
power. Teaching is always move after move. The master would only teach another move when one
move has be practice long enough. Normally, the master would not teach more than one move at a time
to avoid possible confusion. Complicated concept have to be abided all the time such as  balance
between Yin and Yang ,  compatibility of inner and outer body ,  synchronizehand, eye, body and step ,
 upper part synchronize with lower part , & & , etc. During practice, one should also pay attention to
breathing, mind control, internal power, & ., etc. Not only all these are complicate, they are neither easily
understandable nor easy to visualize. They have to be felt by the learner. It might appear to be easy to
watch but not so to learn.
It is not an easy task as there are so many details one has to master and understand. Without proper
supervision from a good master, bad practice would creep in. This is why the practice could not be
speeded up. Without good basic fundamental skills, one would have difficulties in advancing. One may
even feel that one is getting worse let alone improvement. This is like row against a current. If the input
effort were not sufficient, one would be drawn back. Therefore, achievement in Kung Fu would not made
in a year. After all, there is no end and no boundary in Kung Fu.
Kung Fu would improve our physical strength; our health; self-defence and it can also train our mind and
character. In order to really get into Kung Fu, one must respect one s master. Chinese good behaviour. > One must be whole-heartedly devoted to training and practice, day after day,
year after year. In the daily life, one should pay attention to one s behaviour. Kung Fu should be
improved together with one s conduct.
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