About I Liq Chuan
I Liq Chuan (literally translated as Mental-Physical Martial Art) is an art of cultivating consciousness based on Tai Chi and Chan (Zen) principles of non-assertion, non-resistance, harmony of yin and yang, oneness and the present moment.
Students are taught the art through philosophy and a series of exercises in order to learn to recognize and discipline the inner energy flow (Chi). Developing this art benefits the whole nervous and intrinsic systems and brings control, harmony and awareness to the mind and body. By understanding the harmony (yin and yang) of the body, recognizing the limits of the structure, the movement in each of the three dimensional planes of cycles, the student transforms this internal energy into internal power, accumulating Chi which propels the appropriate natural body movements.
As a system of Kung Fu, I Liq Chuan emphasizes the development of internal power through mental attitude and awareness. The training develops sticking and merging abilities, circular spiral energy, Chin Na, F’a Jing, Chi Kung (qigong), and most importantly, integration of the mind’s complete awareness in the present moment. I Liq Chuan makes you aware of your strength, its limits, and the best use of your strength for self-defense. Practitioners of I Liq Chuan integrate this art into their daily lives to maintain their awareness by not hurting themselves or others.
Right mindfulness is the mental state of being neutral, formless, and in the present. It is a state (Wu Chi) of being emotionless and unattached to but being aware of the physical world. The “inner feel” is cultivated first, and then the appropriate external movement is merely an expression of the developed “inner feel”. The awareness developed reveals the nature of everything. Thus, the student understands cause and effect in life and has the ability to maintain the “right understanding” in all situations.
Zhong Xin Dao is the foundational essence of Chin Family I Liq Chuan designed by GM Sam F.S. Chin. It is not an actual step by step process but the physical-mental reference of this path; following this path is critical to embodying this art.
The philosophy and concepts are the way to uphold the approach to understand things. The method of knowing; the way to know. How to attain the neutral. You must change with change to know the truth, reality. In order to change you must be neutral. Neutral is, present, is formless, is emptiness, and is the balance point.
With the mental concept of nothing to learn, and nothing to add or take away, one accepts the fact that in the moment they need only to realize and to recognize. Therefore, it is not a technique or form that we are training. It is the principles that we aim to recognize to see what it is.