"Infinity renders impossible any solution to the problem of meaning. It gives me demonic pleasure to think that the world lacks meaning because of infinity. What's the use of "meaning," after all? Can't we live without it? Universal meaninglessness gives way to ecstatic inebriation, an orgy of irrationality.
Since the world has no meaning, let us live! Without definite aims or accessible ideals, let us throw ourselves into the roaring whirlwind of infinity, follow its tortuous path in space, burn in its flames, love its cosmic madness and total anarchy!
One must bear within oneself the germs of this cosmic anarchy in order to grasp its meaning. To live infinity, as well as to meditate a long time upon it, is the most terrifying lesson in anarchy and revolt one can ever learn. Infinity shakes you to the roots of your being, disorganizes you, but it also makes you forget the petty, the contingent, and the insignificant."
Excerpt from "The Cult of Infinity" by E.M. Cioran (my favourite philosopher)
Thursday 28 February 2008
Friday 22 February 2008
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Voodoo Dummy
Everything is dependent on intention and focus. To accomplish something you need WILL.
What you do often will change you a lot. Change your movements - change your world.
The Wooden Dummy - A great chunk of wood, carved out according to Wing Tsun practice. Not unlike those alleged center poles used in ritual practice since time immemorial. The Center Pole represented the center of the universe. The World Tree, the Pole Star, the Cross, the Axis Mundi are some of many other names given to this representation.
It is at these symbolic points that all worlds, spiritual and physical, are aligned and attuned. Within this “sacred space” a portal through the dimensions was accessible, allowing glimpses of the mysteries of existence, and the spiritual world. Through this center axis, all worlds could be experienced. The fortunate individuals who found these portals were called Rishis, Gurus, Prophets, Buddhas, Sages and Shamans. And Sifus?
I think of my Wooden Dummy practice. I move around this center pole, also seeking out mysteries. And maybe, what I do with my hands will change my world.
This is my ritual now, this is my cult. Wooden Dummy. Voodoo Dummy.
My arms reach out to touch the wood, to communicate with this dead yet living substance... like I sometimes lose myself in chi-sao, so the mind goes blank, and I become all body, blood and flesh. And when I return from this timeless sphere of existence, something is changed in my body forever.
(This photograph by Louis C. Faron nicely illustrates the ascent, the World Tree, drumming, and out of body or supernatural experience. Joan Halifax writes of this picture: "A female machi (shaman) has ascended her rewe or notched pole. The pole has steps, and the machi climbs to the seventh level to complete her skyward journey. She plays a frame drum that assists her in her climb up the World Tree. ")
What you do often will change you a lot. Change your movements - change your world.
The Wooden Dummy - A great chunk of wood, carved out according to Wing Tsun practice. Not unlike those alleged center poles used in ritual practice since time immemorial. The Center Pole represented the center of the universe. The World Tree, the Pole Star, the Cross, the Axis Mundi are some of many other names given to this representation.
It is at these symbolic points that all worlds, spiritual and physical, are aligned and attuned. Within this “sacred space” a portal through the dimensions was accessible, allowing glimpses of the mysteries of existence, and the spiritual world. Through this center axis, all worlds could be experienced. The fortunate individuals who found these portals were called Rishis, Gurus, Prophets, Buddhas, Sages and Shamans. And Sifus?
I think of my Wooden Dummy practice. I move around this center pole, also seeking out mysteries. And maybe, what I do with my hands will change my world.
This is my ritual now, this is my cult. Wooden Dummy. Voodoo Dummy.
My arms reach out to touch the wood, to communicate with this dead yet living substance... like I sometimes lose myself in chi-sao, so the mind goes blank, and I become all body, blood and flesh. And when I return from this timeless sphere of existence, something is changed in my body forever.
What I do with my body will change my world.
(This photograph by Louis C. Faron nicely illustrates the ascent, the World Tree, drumming, and out of body or supernatural experience. Joan Halifax writes of this picture: "A female machi (shaman) has ascended her rewe or notched pole. The pole has steps, and the machi climbs to the seventh level to complete her skyward journey. She plays a frame drum that assists her in her climb up the World Tree. ")Sunday 17 February 2008
Siu Nim Tao
17 februari it was Siu Nim Tao seminar with Dai Sifu, where he gave an in-depth guide trough this first form of Wing Tsun.It was very rewarding to attend, I had many little revelations. Amazing how many times you actually can have done a form, and still you lose important facets. Because sometimes revelation comes not only from practicing a lot, but also from having a great teacher that can give you correct instruction.
I must admit I feel a little bit like I have been sleepwalking trough the Siu Nim Tao before this seminar. I wonder how I will feel after the Chum Kiu seminar that is coming soon...
The journey continues.
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Master of Nothing
Got focus?
Kung Fu has taught me many things about life. I think about it now as I sit and try to finish an exam in anthropology. This thing with discipline, this thing with focus....
I had a teacher once that used to tell me to stay focused. He encouraged me to stay so very focused, that I would forget about whether I was "good" or "bad" in what i did.
I have remembered my lessons well, I hope.
Nothing wrong with having a lot of intrests, but if you really want to master something you need to focus on it and dedicate yourself to it. You need to DO, you need to practice. You need to stop asking if you are good or bad.
With my intense intrests in anthropology, renaissance painting, occultism, literature and Kung Fu I often need to focus on having focus, else I, for example, end up having read 5 pages in 10 different books instead of 50 pages in one. When I end up like this, having done a little in many different things, I just feel like I've done nothing and accomplished nothing.
The same goes with training, I think. Nothing wrong with wanting to learn many different martial arts, but you might end up as Master of none.
I have too many intrests to train more than one Kung Fu style. I want to become a master of something. I dedicate myself to Wing Tsun.
Stay focused.
Kung Fu has taught me many things about life. I think about it now as I sit and try to finish an exam in anthropology. This thing with discipline, this thing with focus....
I had a teacher once that used to tell me to stay focused. He encouraged me to stay so very focused, that I would forget about whether I was "good" or "bad" in what i did.
I have remembered my lessons well, I hope.
Nothing wrong with having a lot of intrests, but if you really want to master something you need to focus on it and dedicate yourself to it. You need to DO, you need to practice. You need to stop asking if you are good or bad.
With my intense intrests in anthropology, renaissance painting, occultism, literature and Kung Fu I often need to focus on having focus, else I, for example, end up having read 5 pages in 10 different books instead of 50 pages in one. When I end up like this, having done a little in many different things, I just feel like I've done nothing and accomplished nothing.
The same goes with training, I think. Nothing wrong with wanting to learn many different martial arts, but you might end up as Master of none.
I have too many intrests to train more than one Kung Fu style. I want to become a master of something. I dedicate myself to Wing Tsun.
Stay focused.
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