Life

I have written about the experience that a visitor should expect when visiting the Kung-Fu school.  Now, I would like to talk about the Kung-Fu school that visitors do not see, unless they are especially perceptive.

The Kung-Fu school is a place teaming with Life and the energy that it produces.  This energy permeates the school and is foundational to its existence as the institution it is.  One will see this life evidenced as one approaches the rear entrance.  There, one will see various plants and trees growing robustly along sparce ground of the parking lot divider and fence.  These were planted by students a decade ago or more and grow; either producing fruits and vegetables for those who wish, shade and shelter for animals who visit or sustenance for the bees, wasps and others who occasionally come for the flowers or to drink from the fountain.  The fountain is shaped like the design of a multi layered Asian temple and is replete with grooves that line all the levels. The grooves fill with passing water and sometimes the bees and others come and drink from them, sitting safely on the raised edges of the grooves.

Along the parking lot divider one can find pears, peaches, mulberry fruit and sometimes watermelon.  There also, though now, in May it is fading for the season, one can find asparagus which grows in such abundance that we give bags of it away each year.  The back wall at the entrance of the school is largely covered in grape vines. These are replete with grapes, which we hope to make wine with this year. The vegetables and trees grown here are tended by those so led to do so at the school.  Some are not students; they simply love the life they help sustain. 

On the second floor, on the roof of the school, there is another garden for vegetables, various herbs and flowers.  There too is another fountain and a bird feeder.  The birds do like to visit the fruit trees and cherry tomatoes.  The degree of discouragement given is left to the cats who doze on the first and second floor.  We have a feral community that has been in place for nearly 15 years.  Generations of cats are neutered,  given vaccinations, and fed behind the school.  The city of Fort Worth does not pick them up as they are marked as being cared for by the school.  Sometimes one will become seriously ill. When possible, they are taken into the second story area to live out their remaining lives in comfort.

For those concerned, a bird is only very rarely caught by a cat.  The birds have lived among the cats there for generations and know them well.  Additionally, humans in the area assist in the thwarting of the cat’s designs.

Occasionally, other animals join the cats for the daily feedings.  Raccoons and opossums occasionally come to feast on cat food.  The cats simply give room to these visitors.  “Go ahead”, one can hear then say, “That food is old, it has been here for hours.  When you eat that he will bring more”.

It is in this place, teaming with life, being expressed in many levels that people come to study the art, science and philosophy of Kung-Fu.

Spring and Summer is, of course, the period of greatest activity for the school’s plant and animal community. Autumn and Winter come and with it comes another phase in the living community of the Kung-Fu school and other lessons.  Autumn is, of course, the time of less activity and quieting of the life energy.  Winter is the time of rest.  These lessons would seem to be self-evident in the life of the school.  But they are not.

I recall when I was accepted into an old martial society in China.  There I was taught rare styles and techniques of Kung-Fu and Qigong, (life energy work).  The first thing they said to me was, “Your techniques are good, but your practice is all wrong”.  I was taken aback and asked, “How is my practice wrong”?  They said, “You practice the same way all year round.  You do not feel the seasons and their impact on you.  Each of the four seasons should be observed in your practice and in your attitude.  You know that even simply the hour of the day affects your body and which acupuncture points are in ascendence, right”?  I nodded.  “Well then”, he said, “how much more the phase of the moon or the season we are experiencing.  The Kung-Fu practitioner should be in harmony with all these things, not training in a manner resisting them”.

So it is that the life surrounding the school reminds those within of their own life rhythms and our connection to them.  In the school, especially in the advanced classes, these rhythms are observed and in fact celebrated.

It is within this energy and rhythm of life that Kung-Fu is learned and practiced.  Everyone is at different levels of growth but it becomes obvious as one watches students and instructors interact.  There is respect, of course, but there is also care, each of us for the other and their journey.  Everyone at the school wants to see their fellows progress and grow and are encouraging of each other’s journey.

It is within this energy of Life that the school exists and teaches “life lessons” along with the Kung-Fu we so enjoy learning and practicing.