The Way of Martial Arts

Lesson 47

M O N T H L Y I N T E R A C T I V E L E S S O N S T O H E L P I M P R O V E Y O U R D A I L Y L I F E

B Y M A S T E R E R I C S B A R G E

At 50 years old, Ch’an (Zen) master Sheng Yen was a homeless monk,wandering the streets of New York searching for scraps of food and duckinginto McDonalds for a few moments of shelter and warmth.

When he died near the age of 80 in 2008, he had built one of the largestCh’an Buddhist temples and universities in Taiwan (Dharma DrumMountain), ran several temples and retreat centers aroundthe United States, and had hundreds of thousands of fol-lowers around the world mourning him. He was declaredby the Taiwan government to be “one of the 50 most influ-ential people in Taiwan of the last 400 years” and was eulo-gized by dignitaries from the Dalai Lama to Taiwan’s presi-dent.

He was a special monk – a scholar, an inspirer, a teacher,a practitioner, and perhaps a late bloomer. But he is most special to usbecause he is your Great Grandmaster for meditation and Ch’an study.

On my most recent trip to Taiwan I had a chance to visit the beautifulDharma Drum Mountain, and a large photo of

Grandmaster and a few other Americans being led inmeditation by Master Sheng Yen permanently graces

the historical exhibits hall for all to see. With Ch’ang Dung Sheng at the top of our kung fu lineage

and Sheng Yen at the top of our Ch’an lineage, we should really beappreciative of Grandmaster’s selectivity in choosing his teachers.

He chose, and was accepted as a student by, the best in the world.You and I will only be as good as our own training and efforts allow us

Footprints in the Snow

-2-

to be, but we never have to doubt the authenticity and credibility of ourcurriculum and what’s been passed down to us.

Since our progress is dependent on our efforts, we should make everyeffort to utilize the teachings of Master Sheng Yen that have been transmit-ted to us and that are available in the 100+ books that Master Sheng Yenhas published (nearly two dozen of which are in English).

If you say that you are mainly interested in kung fu and tai chi practice,and not Ch’an (Zen), all I can say is that they are in many ways one and thesame. Overlook Ch’an and you overlook much of the real benefit of yourtraining.

H O W S H O U L D O N E A P P R O A C H D A I L Y M E D I T A T I O NP R A C T I C E ?

A martial artist can be defined as someone who practiced martial artstoday – the implication being you must practice daily. By that definition,we could say a meditator is someone who meditated today. But further, Iwould say that meditation is part of traditional martial arts – whether sit-ting, standing, doing your tai chi form, doing a Shaolin form, or engaged inany other aspect of our training that cultivates mindfulness and heightenedawareness.

With that in mind, I’d like to share an excerpt from Master Sheng Yenentitled, “Approaches to Daily Meditation.”

I often wonder how many people are stuck in their daily prac-tice simply because they truly do not know how to approach it. It isimportant to have the correct conception of daily practice, becausethis is what we do most – on our own, away from centers, and with-out the guidance of teachers.

First, have a proper mental attitude. Second, know how to usea methods correctly. Third, relax your mind before and while you useyour method. This is easy to say, but many people do not know howto relax. Some try too hard to relax and become more tense. Othersrelax so much that they fall asleep or drift into wandering reveries.Both extremes are wrong. That is why a proper mental attitudetoward practice is important.

What is the proper attitude? Tell yourself that the time youspend every day in practice is the most enjoyable, comfortable, andpleasant of times. Since we do not spend that much time each daysitting, the time we do set aside for practice is precious. If you havethis attitude, you will not feel tense or sleepy while meditating.

Do you see meditating as an obligation or a duty, or do youfind it enjoyable? If you do not enjoy mediating, it will be hard tosustain a steady, long-term practice. If enjoyment does not comenaturally to you, try to cultivate an attitude of enjoyment. First,before you sit, remind yourself to feel happy about what you areabout to do. When I was a student, I would get up early and eatbreakfast. There were six hours between breakfast and lunch. Byeleven o’clock I was starving. My last class was from eleven totwelve, and when the bell rang, I was so happy knowing that it waslunchtime. My body and mind were merged in this happiness.This is the kind of attitude you should cultivate for meditation.

When you sit, think of it as a time without worries. Everyother time there are difficulties and responsibilities to think about.Meditation is a time to lift burdens off your body and mind. Itshould be a relief. One has the opportunity to let everything else gowhile meditating…

Do not think you have to sit because you owe somebody some-thing.”

Since this is lesson number 47, it means you have been training withme for at least four years. I sincerely hope you have integrated meditationinto your daily practice routine, but if not, why not start now? You havenothing to lose, and nothing to gain, which is a hard concept to reallyunderstand and benefit from unless you meditate and observe the deepernature of your own mind and thoughts. See for yourself why your mostimportant and intimate thoughts are both real and fleeting, like footprintsin the snow.

E X E R C I S E

Remember all this month to pause before any practice – whether medi-

-3-

tation, kung fu forms, sparring, or other practice you do including musiclessons, cooking classes, etc. – and reflect on Master Sheng Yen’s aboveguidelines for “proper attitude.” I think you’ll find his advice carriesbeyond just meditation practice. If you do this for a month, it will becomea routine habit.

A S S I G N M E N T

Starting today, and for the next seven days, meditate for a few minutesdaily. If you’re not already in the habit of doing so, tell me what you feelafter seven days. If you already meditate regularly, try to truly have the“proper attitude” and let me know how that impacts your practice afterseven days. Send your thoughts to me at lessons@thepeacefuldragon.com.Please put “Lesson 47” in the subject line.

R E C O M M E N D E D R E A D I N G

Footprints in the SnowBy Ch’an Master Sheng Yen

Master Sheng Yen’s autobiography was completed just before his death in2008. This book is extremely readable and informative on its own, but it iseven more meaningful for us since Sheng Yen was our Ch’an meditationGrandmaster.

SSSSEvery month a book or article will be suggested by Master Sbarge.

Reading about topics related to the arts you are training in will help you getthe most out of your practice. Just remember that reading can never replaceyour practice! Each month’s recommended reading is purely optional,though Master Sbarge may on rare occasion ask that you do read a particu-lar book.

For additional reading suggestions by Master Sbarge, go tohttp://www.thepeacefuldragon.com/books.shtml.

Note: All Peaceful Dragon students are urged to complete monthly

-4-

assignments because they are important for you to fully benefit fromyour training. Master Sbarge reads every single student's lesson respons-es every month, and will periodically respond or comment on them.