There are times when my thought process in regards to learning takes a turn toward the Zen. On the one hand, I’m very interested in new learning techniques and processes—anything to help me learn more effectively—but now and then we need to go back to basics.
I started studying kung fu when I was 10 years old. A few years later, the physical discipline took on a mental, almost spiritual, aspect. Around that time I discovered a book called Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams. You don’t have to be a martial artist to appreciate the lessons in there. I’ve bought and “lent” copies of that book to at least a dozen people. I say “lent” because they inevitably become “gifts.” I never get those things back. I don’t have one now, in fact. I “lent” out my last copy a few months ago.
In one of the chapters—and I’m going to spoil this little bit for you here—Hyams talks about an afternoon he spent training with the great Bruce Lee. Hyams had come from a harder-edged style, and every time Master Lee would show him something, he’d resist the softer kung fu technique and say, “That’s not the way we did it in my old style.”
Master Lee suggested he try the new way and they’d proceed. A few minutes later, his student was again complaining, “That’s not the way we did it in my old style.” Finally, Lee stopped the lesson and asked the man to join him for a cup of tea.
Master Lee set a cup before his new student and began to pour. And pour. And he kept pouring. In fact, he kept pouring until the cup was running over and tea was all over the table.
“Stop!” Hyams cried.
“But why?” Master Lee said.
“Because the cup is full! It can’t hold anymore!”
“And until you empty your cup, how am I supposed to fill you with knowledge?” Lee asked.
* * *
You and I, gentle reader, we all come from different places. Some of you speak several languages fluently. Some of us are still struggling to get a good grip on English. Sometimes, the lessons you’ve learned before will help you get a better handle on Mandarin. But now and then, I encourage you to empty your cup and come at this endeavor with a mind uncluttered by past experiences.
I think you’ll be surprised what a difference it can make.
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Hi Frank,
Great post, I look forward to reading your blog everyday! Being raised by the makeup department at Macy’s sounds very chic to me, being from Canada and only have heard of Macy’s:) (not that I grew up in a barn or anything, we did have department stores:)
I have to admit, I just recorded the Saturday show and talked about your blog and said you were an author of the ‘for dummies’ series, but now in retrospect, I think you said ‘idiots guide’….sorry. False advertising. Guess I cracked under the pressure of being recorded!
Ive always wondered about when people study Kung-fu/yoga/etc. and say that its more than just the physical part, its mental, and I have never really understood how that happens. When I do yoga, I feel my body hurt but it doesnt really do anything for my mind. Does it come with time or are you just ‘born’ as someone who feels the ‘mental’ side of these things right away?
I’m going to be mentioned on a Saturday Show?! Are you kidding?!?! If I wasn’t so manly, I’d squee!
Whereabout in Canada are you from? I lived there for a short time, and I have a few friends who still do.
As for the mental aspect of it, I don’t know where that comes from. At some point, though, kung fu stops being something you do, and starts becoming something you are. I’m all kinds of out of shape now, but for more than a decade, it was a way of life for me.
I think that any martial art is more susceptible to this kind of thinking than any other exercise. I mean, you are literally preparing yourself for what may someday be a life and death struggle. You are not solely doing this for the betterment of self. On some level, you are (or should be) thinking: Someday, someone will be standing in front of me, trying to hurt me or someone I love. What will I do? Your thinking is predicated on the fact that there will always be someone else. You are at odds with someone. Winning that fight, if and when it happens, is as much mental as it is physical.
Anyone can beat anyone physically. Lucky punches happen. Maybe there’s a wet patch on the floor you didn’t notice. But somebody can only beat you mentally if you let them.
Thank you, as always, for commenting, my friend! I’m glad you’re finding the blog enjoyable!
It’s so true that when you want to start with a new language, you need to “forget” about the mother-tongue for a while, or you can never get yourself “in”…
Hi Frank, I’m learning Finnish at the moment from a tutor, and he said I always make mistakes that Americans usually do. (The ironic part is that I’m a native Chinese who has never been to US!)
By the way, I guess you meant “get” other than “getter” in the third sentence of last paragraph?
Hope you have a brilliant Friday!
kungfu at ten years old???
OH my! Cool!!!!!!!
I also think the kungfu spirit is more important than kungfu. And there are many new writers that have endevoured furthur into it than 金庸Jin Yong and 古龙Gu Long did.
Frances - Ah! Thanks for the catch on my typo there! This is why writers have editors. And Finnish, huh? What made you decide to double up like this? Mandarin and Finnish at the same time! I can’t even imagine!
正在看牡丹 - Yeah, 10 years old. I got a late start. :-\ And I wouldn’t say “more important,” but I agree that it is a vital part of it. My years in kung fu gave me a very different world view and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If I ever have kids of my own, I will enroll them in classes (or teach them myself) as soon as they can walk.
Hello again!
You got editors for free!
As far as Finnish studies, it was just an “accident”. My Finnish tutor wanted to learn Mandarin from me at first, but it turns out that I’m much more interested in Finnish and have been studying it from him! So that’s the whole story.
In my opinion, a language is the core of a nation, and also is a key to another culture. It helps me understand the world more and better, I must say, which is the most important thing in my life…
So, how is your Chinese going?
Hello Frances! It goes well, but it goes slowly. I’m just not learning this quite as quickly as I’d like.
I think I saw the story somewhere, or maybe some somewheres, before, but I still enjoyed it very much. It’s the kind of story you won’t get bored with, unlike those that set a specific goal for the reception of the “morals”, like a better love or family relationship, or a better career life, etc. etc.. It’s more about the process, and the way to live. I love it.
Kungfu experience of years? That’s so cooooooooool!
Thanks, Elizabeth! I can’t recommend that book enough. It really is great.