The Physical Path To Enlightenment

The true value in studying the Martial Arts lies not in the learning of the technique or system itself, but it is in the particular
internal qualities that are developed through the learning process. The physical exercises are the concrete examples of abstract
philosophical principles. Footwork systems teach the student about the qualities of energy flow, and both creative and
destructive potential. Handwork patterns teach the student about balance, dynamics and the intuition of natural spirit.
The actions of blocking, deflecting, striking, breaking and throwing all contain concepts that can be applied to the human spirit.
Then in combat, we unite these concepts and in the process discover our own nature which is forced to emerge under extreme
stress and pressure.
One is never rattled as much as when under attack. In this act, ones metal is tested and they emerge with a new view of
themselves and in many cases, a view of their true self. This is a first step to self realisation.

Confronting Death

mrxu ilKwie mMfl mih Awey ]

mrxu imtY jIvnu imlY ibnsih sgl klys ]
kbIr muih mrny kw cwau hY mrau q hir kY duAwr ] mq hir pUCY
kaunu hY prw hmwrY bwr ]61]
Perhaps the first and most important of these is the confrontation with death. Throughout life we are sporadically confronted
with death, be it through family, television or literature. In the modern world we are very familiar with death, but rarely if ever are
we confronted with the prospect of our personal demise. But when it does arrive it most likely will be a sudden, irrevocable and
inconvenient event from which we learn nothing. The martial artist does not ignore or wait for death, but walks right up to it.
In the Martial Arts, death is a constant presence. The whole activity revolves around it. Attack, defense and counter-attack are
all performed as if a true life-or-death situation were involved. With proficiency, the vigour of the actions increases and, if one is
using weapons, one may employ, for instance, a live (naked) sword instead of a bamboo or wooden sword all of which make
the situation genuinely dangerous. The practitioner confronts death and makes peace with it in the knowledge it is inevitable.
With this understanding, there exists no more fear, and the martial artist is now truly free.
All spiritual systems set up a confrontation with death, for confronting death is perhaps the most important element of
spirituality. The basic preparatory practices of Buddhism involve the recognition ones life is short and one may die tomorrow. In
the Chod rite of Tibet, practitioners visit a graveyard at night (where the corpses are left exposed to the elements and
scavengers) and invite the demons to come and take them. Christians and Muslims invite the Almighty to take their souls at any
time.
The fear of death is the greatest obstacle for the martial artist. This fear has a quality of rigidity, or paralysis, or of loss of
control; one may freeze with terror, or one may panic and react blindly and irrationally. Such reactions, intruding at the crucial
moment in combat, will spell death, even for the technically accomplished fighter.

Spirituality and the Warrior

The Way of Lohh. Sarbloh or iron has very important role in our life. Our soul is like sarbloh which will rust if neglected or kept
at place where it will get rusted, same like human soul, it will be lifeless if the soul is being neglected by the body and if it's with
the wrong company it will be affected too.
Iron also has a metaphysical property, like stones and crystals, it attracts energy from the earth and it is a very strong element
which can be used for meditation, which is why olden day warrior saints will use an iron rosary for meditation.

Jaswinderpal Singh Loha