Realizing the “Suchness of Nature”
Day 4 - Final Talk | GM Sam F.S. Chin Annual Intensive | New York
The final morning session integrates the physical and mental training, emphasizing that true mastery is the ability to let nature reveal itself through the "Suchness Feel."
The Dialogue vs. The Monologue
Effective interaction requires a merging of contact. A practitioner must unify themselves first to establish a true dialogue with the opponent.
Avoid the "One-Man Show": Acting without receiving feedback is a monologue. True sticking requires a continuous cycle of "give and take."
Merging and Penetrating: Penetration is the expression of a deep link. When you penetrate, you aren't just touching the surface; you are connecting to the opponent’s internal cycle to receive maximum information.
The Path to Wisdom: Nature Speaks
The ultimate goal of Zhong Xin Dao is to reach the stage of Suchness—seeing the "Way Things Are" without the interference of the ego or past experience.
The Revelatory Process: When you link and stay still, the conditions of the moment reveal themselves. This is not something you "think" or "guess"; it is the nature of the situation speaking to you.
Wisdom vs. Knowledge: Falling back on past experience is using intellectual knowledge. Receiving what the moment reveals is Wisdom.
The Role of Effort: In the beginning, effort is required to maintain attention because our "rubbish" (distractions and ego) pulls us away. Effort serves as a reference point—if you lose it, you know you have strayed.
"Nature speaks itself; It’s the Way. The Way Things Are is the Wisdom."
Guarding the Sense Doors
A Point of Contact (POC) is established only when three factors are present: the Subject, the Object, and Consciousness.
The Sense Doors: We must "guard" our senses (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, body, mind). Awareness must be placed directly on these organs to know what information is entering.
Whacking the Ego: Progress often requires returning to the basics. When a student fails at Level 5 or 6, it is a signal to "whack the ego" and return to the Level 1 Unification of Self. Without solid self-unification, the POC cannot be maintained.
Introduction to Sanda (Striking & Grabbing)
The intensive concluded with a transition into the coordination of power for striking, applying the same principles used in sticky hands.
Releasing Power (Fajin): Power starts by feeling gravity and the floor. Energy must spiral and drill from the C7 through every joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist).
The Hollow Fist: The fist is held "hollow," creating a suction that maintains internal tension. Striking involves coiling the energy into the fingertips.
Rolling and Dropping: In Zhong Xin Dao, hands are never "pulled" back. They drop naturally through a cycle of condensing and expanding. Every strike is a continuation of the winding and rotation born from the C7 and shoulder joints.
Grabbing: Effective grabbing is an expansion of Yang energy. It is a rolling action, similar to applying brakes on a motorcycle or performing a deep-tissue massage, rather than a simple squeeze.
Looking Ahead: Meditation and Mindfulness
A special meditation intensive is announced for August, focusing on "Guarding the Sense Doors." This training is essential for learning how to use attention in the right way to receive the messages of nature.
