The Mightiest Adversary

There can be only One. We show the respect, may seem to own similar powers and, when it comes to it, even treat each other in a friendly manner. Nevertheless, there’s no way of being equal. As long as it’s a question of the master besting the apprentice there may be no peace, merely a truce. StarBuck and myself simultaneously walking the Earth is basically a state impossible, which will inevitably lead to an explosion – a calm between two storms. And there can be only One.

Many years ago, in the beginning of it all, he chose to become the father figure. I was pulled in, fate in one hand and destiny in the other. After a long process of upbringing – and I’m not just talking about the actual training that took place but a life of walking the path among others who made the decision - unto me came ultimately the duty of murdering that father; the very pattern that keeps the myth going. And it’s the world of myth we live in, not just the two of us but all those who chose and were chosen.

Apart from the cosmic scale there is the personal level. If people were different styles of combat arts, StarBuck would most likely be heavyweight boxing whereas I’d be represented by something like Tai Chi Chuan. We are climbing the same mountain, on opposite sides of it though, yet there’s been no chance of avoiding the clashes we’ve come to as individuals.

I, as a practitioner of the principle of Tao, understand very well that there’s not much point in fighting only for the fight itself, trying to hammer a square piece through a round hole. There’s a reason for everything, and in most cases of disagreement it’s been that I do not want to let go of the way he brought me up, how I was shaped – although it might not always seem like the smartest thing to do. Determination and acting stubborn are two different things; it’s just that I know where I’m going. We both do.

Success in the eyes of others means nothing as it is my part to overcome StarBuck in areas most spectators are not even aware of: to be a superior athlete, a tougher man, a better human being. This has nothing to do with disrespect. Settling for anything less would be spitting right in his face – he set the standard, the rest is just a test of seeing whether I am worthy or not.

A hundred years from now it will all be over, there will be very little left of what’s been accomplished in Finnish pro wrestling in our time. So what value will any fame, any title, any victory or amount of admiration have then? My goal is simply to be remembered – by those who’ve been involved – as the one who would not kneel. One day I will die too. My life’s been looking up to StarBuck; that day I want to to be the day he finally looks up to me.

To strike at the serpent

Sunzi said: ”If you attack its head, its tail strikes; if you attack its tail, its head strikes; if you attack its middle, both its head and tail strike.”

One peculiar feature in catch-as-catch-can is that when observed in a superficial manner it appears as an art most “external” so to speak; a battle of superior power rather than a quest for sophisticated skill and sensitivity. On the other hand, once we begin to truly understand the techniques and the tactics we come to realize how “internal” it is indeed. We use the spiral movement as they do in Baquazhang, we use grabbing the opponent’s fingers for leverage as they do in Aikido, we use attacks on the nerve pressure points and so on. That combined with the strength and speed essential for athletic prowess makes catch-as-catch-can-wrestling a weapon of destruction whereas many a rival style can merely be regarded as another method with certain emphasis.

In catch-wrestling one must constantly think in terms of turning every part of the body into an instrument of making the opponent suffer: the sharp part of the radius driven across tissues, the shin that’ll work as a cutting tool, the tip of the chin for creating extreme pressure, the crest of the skull in one’s forehead, just to mention a few of the possibilities. On the ground of course such floating upon the target is relatively easy, for gravity will not be your enemy but an ally instead. After this has been learned, go seek applying the principle to striking, in other words fighting while standing in an upright position. Always remember as a student of martial arts that there is a reason for everything. Find the challenge, then become the shuai-ran snake of Mount Chang spoken of in The Art of War.

Watch the clip of Professor Huang Kang-Hui performing a series of Tai Chi moves. To many people it may at first seem like a pile of formal nonsense, but having trained with this man as my instructor I can guarantee he’d be able to crush human bones in an instant with what he does. More so, the flow taken to that extent the opponent will never know what comes next.

On the path of correction

In the previous text I suggested that vortexes may have come into being due to lack of space as the raw material of the universe, infinite that would be, kept bursting out from the explosion of the one point. I’ve since learnt that the diameter of the primordial cosmos mere ten minutes after the Big Bang was already several thousands of light years despite of the fact that nothing in reality is supposed to travel faster than the speed of light. Can it be then that this “vacuum” of existence caused the imbalance which lead to the uneven spread of energy and therefore to the birth of the universe as we know it?

In martial arts we use the spiral; that is to avoid relying on force and also to take away the opponent’s force by causing any direction he might rely on disappear so to speak. The spiral movement always stays one step ahead of the strength of the muscles trying to fight it. So as there is no struggle between two separate parties in contrast with each other but rather a drowning effect emerged from this abandoning, we could as well assume that it was a similar suction – the one described – that created the spiral in the first place: an anti-clash?

The wisdom to allow one to start learning is this: truth can never be altered. Once we let go of the list of demands handed to the universe in a manner most haughty, we’re enabled to step unto the path which inevitably takes us to the source of the primordial light, the universe being the very teacher instead. On the rays we may spread our wings and fly free, infinite.

Hawk King

Of the kaishaku teachings

In the beginning there was the singularity, all in one point, the density being infinite and dimensions not existing. This of course could be described as an impossible situation, which led to what we know as the Big Bang, the ultimate cosmic explosion. The substance of the universe sprung outwards from the primal seika no itten so the very first conception was that of directions, forming time and space. The latter just having started expanding could not yet contain enough room for the stuff of everything constantly bursting out, so towards the outer limits the composition was packed into a wall of existence blocking the flow from the core, and what became of that was another impossible situation: an explosion within an explosion. The energy seeking route began to spiral and these vortexes seem to have created matter; the same whirling is still found in atoms, galaxies etc. Origin lies in the unbearable heat of the furnace.

It is said that Truth does not burn in fire, indicating that whatever is authentic by its nature cannot be destroyed even under conditions most extreme. It remains unchangeable instead like the invincible Fudo Myoo standing amidst the flames. I on the other hand would suggest that Truth itself “burns the fire,” meaning its essence holds this quality like a purifying blaze. As such it inevitably is also an affliction to the one experiencing it; on many occasions there is an implication that when a person has to “face the truth” the moment is in some way unbearable.

Based on what we do know of physics we understand that there is a counterpart for each phenomenon taking place, in other words there are two sides in every issue. The same goes with the nine dimensions of space-time continuum. The idea of cosmic “wormholes” is sometimes demonstrated by bending a sheet of paper in a manner that opposite parts of it come to be in contact with one other and the area is then pierced. The hole emerged is thus situated in two different locations at the same time. Keeping Einstein’s model in mind we can think of the dimensions as “side A” of the sheet and the counterdimensions as “side B” of it. In addition to that the conditions inside the opening are equivalent to what surrounds the paper undepicted, the state of untangibility lying beyond space-time that is.

The universe in its duality functions as a curtain hiding the Absolute behind relativity’s veil. A glimpse of the other realm, if anything, is the ultimate trial we must go through when seeking the adjudication of facing reality. From this unbearable situation we are ultimately set free by Truth. Noda Kizaemon: “At such a time first wait a bit and by some means gather your strength. Then if you cut by standing firm and not missing the chance, you will do well.”

Yukio Mishima: "There isn't any fear in existence itself, or any uncertainty, but living creates it."

Frequencies and beyond

There are vibrations in nature, and likewise there is vibrating in the human body. Taking example from the spectrum of light we can observe these different levels or layers and the qualities they incorporate.

The red colour is the “lowest” one, so we start from the centre of the pelvis. It should be the very basis, like the foundation of a pyramid on which everything else is built. As it is fundamental it is also primal; when there is primitive reaction it is often said that one “sees red,” the molten rock of the core that is.

In the stomach we have the orange colour for it is the furnace which turns nutrition into energy. There lies all hunger and that we cannot bypass; when refined though, hunger may be fuel for the will, taking us to the heights we couldn’t reach by only using the wits we have. That is where we also bear the scar from the birth, connecting us to the origin.

The solar plexus is really the centre of how we’ve learnt to work with our bodies, shining yellow as the sun of the system of our physicality. The same way planets orbit stars we use our legs for moving around and our hands to execute all sorts of tasks; between the horizontal lines of the shoulders and the hips there is the plexus. Understanding this is very important in martial arts, especially because we use the muscle to control our breathing, thus moving as well.

The colour of the heart is not pink but green. The heart is to be like the growing of the plants in nature for we want to increase what we have inside. We also hope that the seeds are sown for the spreading of the growth. Circulation is similar to the circle of life, expanding from one point to the extremes by becoming branches and twigs so to speak. And when the movement of blood stops, it turns brown like the plants do when autumn comes. We must remember that the samurai spoke of “the flower of the heart” referring to the natural response.

Between the shoulders we have a point which is similar to the one we have inside the pelvis. This has a lot to do with moving the arms, executing techniques such as blocking and striking, and the lungs are there as well. The area widens and shrinks with the breath. When we breathe in we want the air to be bright and clean, full of oxygen to be taken to the muscles and every organ. While exhaling the air comes out through the larynx and that we use when we speak; the sound of one’s voice can be a very powerful weapon indeed. The colours we’re talking about are blue and indigo.

Then comes the third eye located in the brain; some speak of violet flame. To avoid stepping unto the zone of mysticism I would say that we’re simply talking about perception: immense sight in unseen situations. You can know things in your heart, you can reason in a debate, but what we’re dealing with now is the vision that’s both inner and external. “Strength without perception is spiritually useless and therefore of no true value,” said Ryuken in Hokuto no Ken. We also see the bending of the circle here as the spectrum starts going back to where it began; violet colour is but a combination of red and blue.

Yet there are wavelengths we’re unable to see, we only know of the areas of infrared and ultraviolet. So it is certain that on the outer limits we do meet with the invisible, and as described, that is where the opposites are united. In the same manner one’s body is constantly kept in balance and each part of the physique is led to operate according to one single strategy. All the colours or the qualities together form white light, so we should think of ourselves shining that brightly, without limitations but with acceptance. It does remind me a lot of the Taoist concept of nothingness, for in what way can harmony be described if not by picturing a state in which no shadow is cast?

We have mooted what exists, and beyond that there is blackness. It is something that the human mind cannot comprehend, the very essence manifested by the light. The black abides around and within the circle of colours, eternal, the All-Mother. Any time it is said that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, “whose soul?” one should ask. When you look in the mirror it’s seldom someone else you see, so the reflection actually tells of who and what you really are, through reactions. This is why retreat is chosen. So there lies the truth of why Adder never turns away from looking into someone’s eyes: he focuses not on the colour of the iris, but gazes to the very centre and through, knowing he will only see himself there, in the blackest of the black.

Terracotta army of Helsinki

Inside the circle of awareness

Christopher Matthews demonstrating the straight-forward strategy of Bushi Kempo

Become one with the surroundings and make circumstances your allies. This is the basis of the strategy of the Ninja, referring to times of war not simply confronting adversaries.

To take a look at the modern day scene let us examine submission wrestling for example. A fine art, in which one is to go for having control over the opponent in order to put him in a submission hold at some point. This on the other hand makes it a form of sport rather than combat; what I mean is the tendecy to prefer a certain kind of layout. In catch-as-catch-can the idea is to place the opponent under a non-stop attack, in other words use every single situation to bring trouble. In sports it is always a competition between two athletes or teams, whereas when waging war one cannot afford competing in the first place. Just “catch a hold” as you can.

Sharpening one’s awareness should be practised everywhere and all the time. By simply having your eyes, ears and mind open the four-dimensional perception eventually becomes an automatic process of calculation: the person will start envisaging the possibilities at hand. Let us say you are trapped within a triangle of three opponents; you decide to make the first move and take the one behind you off balance to gain a couple of extra seconds. The guy on the left sees an opportunity there and throws a punch – you could block it, but realize that by doing so you would make yourself most vulnerable to the third guy’s attack. So you choose to move away from the punch and simultaneously knock down the guy on the right. Then you go on with the flow, rearrange if need be and do what you must. The training of such situations is to make one’s movements an ever-flowing lemniscate-like pattern in which some parts of the body are always ready for defence and others just as ready for counter-attacking.

The more there is tension, the easier the target. Struggling in this context would mean that you submit yourself to a contest of who’s better, stronger, faster and so on, which you may just as well lose. Fighting (efficiently) is nothing but reacting with so little effort that the opponent won’t know what hit him - never give the enemy a chance and you might have one yourself.

The manners of warfare and business can be compared in the sense that both are tightly bound to the phenomena around, you make your moves and get results depending on all else that takes place. This could be described as "slavery of action," yet art - such as poetry, painting etc. - is fundamentally different as it has the power to change the world instead, thus it bears no chain. To succeed in pursuing one’s ambitions is certainly worth respecting, then again artistic essence is a story completely distinct. Therefore it is the very art of war we seek.

By explaining matters from this point of view I am not saying that anyone should alter the teachings of their original discipline, I am encouraging them to dig deep. Embrace every technique, find the aspects and utilize them. Perception itself does not change reality, but it does work as a guidebook. People commonly see the world as a picture they try to fit themselves in; insight helps them understand that it is really a puzzle. Among the pieces you may go as you will.

Simon Latimer lecturing on the razor-like philosophy of his Daishin Ryu

Circle of awareness

On February 7th, at Talvisota (”Winter War”) wrestling show I am to have a match against Joey Impact and H.C. Andersen, two newcomers that are bound to hunger for victory over someone such as myself. My job is to make sure they’ll lose, and due to my martial arts background plus the fact that I train pro wrestling as a martial art my chances of fulfilling the commitment are way better than average.

In sports combat usually takes place in a way strictly controlled. There is one opponent, there are rules that say what must and must not happen, so you know what to expect. In a 3-way bout it’s a different deal: you put a guy in a hold and the other one strikes you in the back, he takes you down only to be attacked by the third party and so on. It does get chaotic, so that is when the higher aspect of wrestler is called to the arena.

Martial arts, especially when studied as military skills, are for one to be schooled in the zanshin state of mind which techniques will follow. In a real life situation there may be multiple attackers, countless of factors, anything can and will happen. Say you’re hit in the back of the head – the more you’re afraid the more tension there will be blocking the movement of your body and making the blow more devastating. Then again, once you let things happen as they come and just go with the flow you start creating influence that actually softens the world around you. The universe is not built of matter but dual directions through which energy moves. When somebody grabs you, do not seek strength to struggle but relaxation; you’ll take away the opponent’s game plan for a split second during which time you make the move to end the fight.

The 360 degree defence is like a circle of troops guarding every route to the capitol. This is not to be thought of as a clock-like plane but rather a shining sphere of awareness. Even in cases when the enemy is not stopped, information will travel. With the addition of “rhyme and reason,” the perception of continuity, you will dive into the magic ocean of 4D. Take the teachings of your art but never forget to apply. Keep in mind that training is not meant for the gym and it is not done for the sake of any contest. “Everything is Kung Fu,” yet I would simplify this by saying that everything is everything. The ring of Talvisota belongs to me, so does the ring of life.

Liu Fengcai