By
Co-Authored by Richard Loewenhagen
Current
times discussions and written treatises on martial arts training often
treat the terms "Style" and "System" as interchangeable, yet they are not
at all synonymous. A style is a form that is distinctive and identifiable
as an artistic expression with characteristics particular to the artist.
In contrast, a system is a combination of intricately related elements
organized into a complex whole that produces results far greater than the
mathematical sum of its individual parts. A style could also be a system,
but most are not. They reflect some of the attributes of a system, but are
not complete.
A complete system is one
that at all times adheres to a consistent philosophy yielding practical
combat applications, practical training methodologies, and a complete
science with principles, concepts, strategies, and tactics that do not
allow the outcome of an engagement to be determined by luck. Every aspect
of a complete system must be consistent with every other part. A system's
philosophy is what drives that consistency. Most martial arts studied
today lack an overriding philosophy that guarantees consistency throughout
training and application. They are best classified as styles rather than
as systems.
Even modern day Wing
Chun, which prides itself on its systematic attributes, may require closer
scrutiny. As you are training it today, are you guided by an overriding
philosophy that is consistent with every aspect of your training? Are your
training methodologies completely consistent with your combat
applications? For example, many "looping" exercises are employed to train
muscle memory, but this looping would never be attempted or allowed in
actual combat application. A consistent philosophy would dictate
methodologies aligned directly with combat application, negating the need
for deprogramming the looping from the practitioner's instinctive
reactions before sending him off to battle. Does your training involve
looping exercises? Are there so-called "transitional" movements in your
forms that are not directly tied to combat applications? If so, your
forms, philosophy, methodologies, and applications are not consistent with
one another.
Shaolin Temple Wing Chun,
as trained by today's Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun practitioners, is an example of
a complete martial arts system. It has an overriding philosophy that keeps
applications, methodologies, and employment of science consistent
throughout training. Hung Fa Yi practitioner's train every move at every
level in exactly the same manner as they would use them on the
battlefield. As a science, Wing Chun's logic flow is crucial to
maintaining its integrity. The sequence of learning must follow this logic
flow closely. The philosophy that guides this sequence is called "Saam
Mouh Kiu" and it is deeply rooted in Shaolin tradition.
Within the Southern
Shaolin Wing Chun Tong was a place used to train called the Saam Mouh Dei
meaning "Three Connecting Grounds". There is a direct connection between
this name and the three levels of reality practiced in Zen philosophy
called Saam Mouh Kiu. These same three levels of Zen reality gave rise to
Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun's way of viewing combat in the framework of three
connecting bridges, also called Saam Mouh Kiu. The key to unlocking Hung
Fa Yi Wing Chun as a combat system is the Wing Chun Formula, and the key
to understanding the formula is the concept of time and space. The key to
properly approaching the concept of time and space is embracing the
philosophy of Saam Mouh Kiu.
When a Wing Chun fighter
is in combat he goes through a progression of Ng Jahn Chiuh Mihn Jeui Ying
(5 Stages of combat). Within every stage of combat the fighter must
recognize Saam Mouh Kiu at that particular moment in time. Saam Mouh Kiu
as used in Wing Chun refers to three specific time frames. Sam Mouh Kiu is
employed by a properly trained Wing Chun fighter to identify his
opponent's knowledge of time and space, and from that determine which
strategies and tactics to employ to ensure the enemy's self-destruction.
Saam Mouh Kiu is used in conjunction with the Wing Chun Formula and is
supported by scientific principles and concepts. Together, they enable the
Wing Chun fighter to completely understand both his and his opponent's
strengths and weaknesses within the space and time of the confrontation.
Saam Mouh Kiu as a Wing Chun concept posits that there are only three
types of bridges, employing "time-frame" as the guide to which bridge is
in play. This allows the Wing Chun practitioner to determine the time
frame used in combat and to understand the true nature of that combat.
Once the Wing Chun practitioner reaches a level of understanding Nature
itself, this concept is no longer concerned with just techniques. It
extends to his total interaction with the world around him. The Three
connecting bridges of Saam Mouh Kiu are as follows:
1. Fao Kiu - "Floating
Bridge".. Another frequently used expression of this same concept is "Hoi
Fao" meaning "Illusion, cloudy, or unclear". Philosophically, the Fao Kiu
stage is the stage of "Wandering". The level of one's existence is
primarily at the basic subsistence level of Maslow's famous Hierarchy of
Needs. There is no time for higher-level development or life. In terms of
combat, Fao Kiu represents "Lucky Strike" time. At this stage the
practitioner is violating the Wing Chun time frame. He possesses no
realized comprehension of space or time. In a physical confrontation it
would be the same as standing right in front of the guy and trading blows
with him. This means the practitioner and his opponent can hit or kick
each other as chance dictates. Fate will select the winner.
Philosophically, they represent a stage where both combatants are unclear
of their path or reason for existence. They exist in an illusion. As
martial artists, they are unaware of the basics of time and space and have
failed to recognize any higher level of knowledge.
2. San Kiu - "Separate
Bridge". This is also referred to as the "Awareness Stage". This stage
represents partial nature and/or understanding of the "True Time Frame",
but they have no concrete ability to identify and deal with the
intricacies of the interactions between time and space. They cannot
express both together in harmony. At any moment, they may be able express
one or the other in their kung fu, but not both simultaneously.
Philosophically, at this level practitioners are beyond the basic level of
subsistence. They have the capacity and the time to engage in incomplete
considerations of religion, and philosophy.
3. Wing Kiu -
"Everlasting Bridge". It is important to note the character for "Wing" is
the exact same character employed in the original name of the Wing Chun
System. It represents the everlasting nature of the real science upon
which it is based. Wing Kiu is also referred to as the "Focus Stage".
Another phrase used on the journey to this stage is "Hoi Gong" meaning
"open light" or enlightenment. It is used in the Siu Nim Tau level of
training to represent that the practitioner has been exposed to this idea
(Nim) - he is aware of Saam Mouh Kiu, space and time, and the Wing Chun
Formula and the relationships between each of them. Philosophically, the
Wing Kiu stage reflects the practitioner's comprehension of the true
reason for his own existence. He is approaching real enlightenment in
terms of the universe surrounding him. His perceptions of his universe are
in harmony with reality. In a physical confrontation, the practitioner's
every motion is in harmony with space and time with no distortion of
either. This is the highest level of combat skill. Harmony with reality
replaces struggle. The opponent's own distortions defeat him while the
practitioner maintains harmony with the realities of space and time.
As a martial artist are
you training a "Style" or a "System"? Which bridge are you at now and
where are you headed? Is your system complete enough to get you where you
want to go? You will need to do some serious philosophical investigation
to answer these questions. Hung Fay Yi's "Saam Mouh Kiu" gives you one
framework for beginning that investigation.
