It is no exaggeration to say that its depth is unfathomable. We may examine its depth from various angles. One way is to consider each of its four dimensions. Its Kung Fu application is not just for combat but also to enrich our daily living. Shaolin philosophy opens up vistas of wisdom ranging from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the infinite galaxies.

Another way to examine its depth is from the perspective of personal development. Shaolin Kung Fu offers a comprehensive programme to develop a person in all his/her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.

At the physical level, Shaolin Kung Fu enables the exponent to have radiant health and vitality; at the spiritual level, it leads him to the greatest attainment anyone can ever achieve, i.e. spiritual fulfillment.

For someone used to only a partial knowledge of Shaolin Kung Fu, such as some Kung Fu patterns and sets, he or she may find it hard to believe its depth as mentioned above. A basic tenet of the Shaolin teaching, which is an echo of the Buddha's teaching, is as follows: do not accept any teaching based on faith alone, nor on the reputation of the master, but assess the teaching to the best of your understanding and experience.


The Four Dimensions of Kung Fu

There are four aspects or dimensions in Kung Fu, namely Form, Force, Application and Theory.

Form

This is the visible aspect; it refers to all the Kung Fu patterns and sets that a beginner normally learns when he starts practicing Kung Fu. Through the learning of Kung Fu for, the student is exposed to the techniques that he can use for combat. As Kung Fu techniques are vastly different from ordinary daily movements, he has to put in sufficient practice so that these previously unfamiliar stances and movements become familiar to him, so that when he has to use them in combat situations he can do so spontaneously and accurately. Your starting form will be basic patterns of hand attack and defence, stances and footwork.

Force

Before we can fight well we must develop the necessary force to fight. Force is an invisible aspect. Perhaps this is one significant reason why many students neglect force training. Kung Fu masters have always advised that "if you only practice Kung Fu form, but never develop force, your training will be futile even if you practice a life time".

Force is not just brutal strength, In fact, brutal strength is strongly discouraged in Kung Fu training. Force refers to how powerfully, accurately and fast you execute techniques in combat, and also in our daily work and play. "Zhang Zhong", which is stance training begins with 6 different stances to develop force.

Application

Though actual fighting is not common in our law-abiding society today, an ability to defend ourselves is certainly an invaluable asset. Perhaps more meaningfully is the feeling of courage and confidence that this self-defence ability provides, and which can be rewardingly manifested in our daily life.

Kung Fu application for combat has to be learnt and practiced. It is both unreasonable and unrealistic to expect students to be able to defend themselves just by performing Kung Fu form or even training Kung Fu force. You may have an Iron Palm, but if you can only use it to break bricks, then your specialised force is not very practical. Specific techniques against simple puches, kicks, holds on and throws from a standing position will be taught for beginning applications



Theory

This includes all the written and unwritten records of the histories, traditions, principles, methods, techniques and philosophy of Kung Fu. Some of this material is written or passed down in poetry.The histories and traditions of various Kung Fu schools and masters provide the student with much inspiration and moral guidance. By studying the vast amount of literature on Kung Fu principles, methods and techniques, we obtain access to and greatly enrich ourselves with the results and discoveries of past masters in their studies and experiments. We can benefit with the effort of a few days, what it took masters years to discover.

The philosophy of Kung Fu involves not just fighting and health. Some of the material is amazingly profound, and concerns man and the cosmos, sometimes preceding modern science in wisdom. Shaolin masters had profound knowledge of cosmic and vital energy long before modern physicists and medical scientists used similar concepts in their studies of the subatomic particle and the interrelationship of our body systems. The masters deliberated on various concepts of mind long before our modern psychologists realised that there are different levels of consciousness. An understanding of such philosophy not only enhances our Kung Fu, but also serves as a gateway to the profundity of eastern wisdom.

Yet, the best application of Kung Fu is not just to fight. The qualities of a good fighter that we develop in Kung Fu training are courage, calmness, sound judgement, fluidity of movements and mental freshness can all be applied to make life more rewarding and meaningful for ourselves and for other people.