The Path of Zhong Xin Dao:

Origin and Philosophy

Zhong Xin Dao (中心道) represents the culmination of a lifelong journey into the cultivation of awareness. Formulated by Grandmaster Sam F.S. Chin, this approach defines the specific mental and physical process that drives the martial understanding of I Liq Chuan. While rooted in martial tradition, Zhong Xin Dao is a universal viewpoint that transcends combat, focusing on the cultivation of the neutral mind and the neutral path.

The Evolution of a System

During ten years of residency and teaching at the Chuang Yen Monastery, the philosophy and viewpoint of the art underwent a significant transformation. This period was marked by a deep investigation into the heart of human process—specifically the nature of neutral touch and the neutral mind.

While the early years of I Liq Chuan focused on the traditional approach of knowing oneself and one’s opponent, the insights gained at the monastery shifted the focus toward the conditions of knowing. This advancement led to the fundamental questions that now guide the training:

  • What is knowing?

  • How can one know?

  • Knowing from what reference?

Only by addressing these questions can a practitioner establish the correct process for understanding the relationship between cause and effect.

From Martial Art to Mastery

The inherent nature of martial arts provides immediate feedback for training readiness and alertness. At the center of this feedback is a dialogue between the mind and the body, as well as between the practitioner and their partner. This dialogue is where deeper cultivation begins.

Zhong Xin Dao serves as the bridge between self-defense and the broader cultivation of discipline and health. Mastery is recognized as a product of understanding the essence of things—a skill that applies to martial arts and throughout life.

Standardizing the "Heart of Knowledge" (Xin Fa)

Traditionally, the highest skills of martial arts—often referred to as Xin Fa (心法)—were guarded and passed only to a chosen few through years of personal, one-on-one guidance. This made it difficult to transmit the deepest essence of an art to a larger community without dilution.

To resolve this, Grandmaster Sam Chin spent nearly twenty years devising a methodology for transmitting the deepest kinds of knowing. The Chin Family I Liq Chuan Curriculum was designed with high clarity to ensure that the essence remains accessible to all students, regardless of their direct proximity to the Grandmaster. This system is based on the "nature of nature," making the path to mastery transparent and objective.

Conclusion

Zhong Xin Dao is the "Neutral Way." It is a refinement of understanding that dissolves the complexities of martial movement into a singular, unified principle. All who follow the I Liq Chuan curriculum and grading process are engaged in the path of Zhong Xin Dao, working toward the realization of the neutral point in every action.

FAQs

What is the difference between I Liq Chuan and Zhong Xin Dao?

1

I Liq Chuan is the name of the martial art system. It refers to the specific curriculum, forms, and techniques passed down through the Chin Family. Zhong Xin Dao is the name of the philosophy and the "way" of training. It is the mental process and the neutral viewpoint used to study the art. While I Liq Chuan is the "body" of the art, Zhong Xin Dao is its "heart" and logic.

Why was the name Zhong Xin Dao introduced?

2

The name was introduced to clearly define the cultivation process that Grandmaster Sam Chin evolved during his time at the Chuang Yen Monastery. It distinguishes the path of "neutrality" as a universal principle that can be applied not only to I Liq Chuan but to any martial art or life activity.

Do I have to choose between learning I Liq Chuan or Zhong Xin Dao?

3

No. The two are inseparable in our school. When you practice the I Liq Chuan curriculum and follow the grading system, you are naturally practicing the path of Zhong Xin Dao. The grading system is designed to lead you through the philosophical realizations of Zhong Xin Dao using the physical movements of I Liq Chuan.

What does "Zhong Xin Dao" actually mean?

4

  • Zhong (中): Center or Middle.

  • Xin (心): Heart or Mind.

  • Dao (道): The Way or Path. Literally, it translates to the "Middle Heart Path" or "The Way of the Neutral Mind."