Zen, the Martial Arts, and the fact of Enlightenment!

by reosupapo

Article by Al Case

The martial arts have long been held up as a way to enlightenment. Indeed, this is the goal at the end of the road of The True Martial Art. This article is about why this is so, and to enable the reader to walk to the end of that road all the sooner.

Enlightenment is when light is emitted from an individual. With that light the enlightened being sees the world with different perception. His perceptions are heightened, and he has a viewpoint that rises above the norm.

If enlightenment happened because of the fact of motion, then movement would result in enlightenment. Hockey, ballet, football, all would result in an enlightened individual, but they don't, so one must ask oneself, what is it about the Martial Arts that they result in enlightenment of the human being?

What is different is that there is combat, and when one understands the essence of combat, one becomes enlightened. What is the essence of combat? One could sum up the subject by saying that when one finally understands he is opposing himself, he becomes enlightened, and a study of the martial arts does eventually result in this.

The universe, you see, is a playing field rich with moving objects. Every object in the universe has a direction to its mass. It is only in the martial arts that one actually engages in the study of the trajectory of flying objects as the one who creates the direction of those flying objects.

A fist flies at you, and you go through a range of emotions. Eventually, you give up emotions so that you can analyze. Thus, you rise above base reaction and become cause.

A person threatens you, he holds a knife and approaches you, and you must divine the direction before it manifests. You must look at the world the way it exists, and not through some fantasy, and thus you look at the world you created. Thus, you rise above being the flotsam and jetsam of a universe awash with random motion, and thus you take control of the motions of the universe.

There would be no motion in thi! s univer se, you see, were it not for the fact of you. That star shines because of you, if it wasn't for you, there would be no purpose for that star to emit even the faintest shred of light. And through the tempering of form, the steeling of will, the martial artist engages in fighting to give up fighting, and thus becomes an enlightened being free to roam the universe as he wishes.

About the Author

Al Case has analyzed martial arts for 4O++ years. A writer for the magazines, he had his own column in Inside Karate. He is the originator of the church of the martial arts, and you can find out about the path to enlightenment by ordering his free ebook at Monster Martial Arts.

Sadhguru's enlightenment... in his own words

www.innerengineering.com Sadhguru shares his experience of his own enlightenment. Growing up on European philosophy and the Beatles, spirituality was never something he pursued in his life. But one day, sitting atop a hill in his childhood town, he had an overwhelming experience which changed his life forever. This event marked the beginning of Isha Foundation and the spiritual process now being offered to millions across the world. Inner Engineering program is now online http

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