Goal Related to the real number 451.22 .

 

 

 

 

Wang Shu Jin's Hsing-I.

Excellent video demonstrating internal martial art Hsing-I.

100 Goals...No, Make It 30 Goals. (Title Of Blog)

My 100 Annotated Goals:

1. Be able to stand 2 continuous hours per day. Then seek Bruce Kumar Frantzis out and say these exact words: "I have been standing two continuous hours a day for the past 2 months. What's the next step in my martial arts education?"
(Note: It is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to learn to stand 2 continuous hours a day with the hands in the air. People do it, but they are called masters for a reason. That kind of endurance and control of one's body develops not just a nearly superhuman physique, but also a lot of energy. A computer geek has practically no chance of such a feat in this lifetime. So wish me luck on that one y'all.)

Update, as of 2:59pm on Saturday, August 23, 2008. This goal is unrealistic.
Update, as of 11:24am on Monday, September 28, 2009. I've worked up to standing 2 hours per day, but it is quite difficult to maintain this kind of practice. I literally find myself wasting away (whether physically or internally--as in lack of strength) and eventually give up. I think the goal of meditation and standing chi gung go together. When I made the deliberate effort to sit prior to a sparring contest, I found that I could stand longer without noticeably lacking in vigor. First time sparring yesterday, on 2009/09/27. It was fun! I "sparred" (aka, was dominated) by a 220 pound BK Frantzis student. I found that with one of the three opponents, my hands were heavier and maybe stronger and and when our hands would meet, his would yield. I also found I could move him about the mat, and a couple of times when he would kick, I'd catch his leg and gently bring him down (no need for force). I was relax and my punches had penetrating force, which I attribute to standing practice (and using a longer-than-height stick to practice power generation). Kumar's student would move my arms upon contact, and so I couldn't effectively block, especially from the outside. He would use his massive body to move me (or else, what, I'd get punched or pushed). I did find that I could get a couple hits in (one for one: if he hit me, I'd make sure to get him back, speaking intellectually). But unless I had the heart to do it, I would be at a major disadvantage. I grappled with another fellow and did fairly well (even dropping him on his back by sidestepping from the traditional front-facing pose and picking up his left leg with my right arm; one regret: I didn't slam him one bit, I even supported his weight with my arm to make the descent gentle...he was young and in shape and probably would have appreciated a little more spice to the throw, which I know I could have provided, but subconsciously or otherwise decided against--it was a controlled throw). He got me down to my knees and play-kneed me twice; a real wake-up call (think: oh no, my life is about to end, I'm hopeless).

Before the next sparring session (incidentally, this one had boxing gloves), I plan to focus on power generation through standing practice (San Ti 2 or more hours per day). If I am successful, I will relate my schedule in the corresponding part of this blog (probably below).

2. Be able to sit more than one continuous hour in meditatation.
(Note: Aaah, good old meditation. You sit and focus and energy flows and flows. You breathe and breathe. Then you reach a state where everything seems to come down. All the noise of life quiets down and what remains is stillness.

3. Contribute to society. Whatever that means. Intellectual accomplishments all fall in this category. Working hard, reading books, keeping in touch with old friends and making new ones. Leading a clean life. Being a good example. Whatever I choose to do in life, professionally or otherwise, should be done thoughtfully. People are suffering all around, so it's up to each and every one of us to do one's best in life. Cut that smirk off your face and stop being so worried. This goal may be the hardest to execute. Compile and run.

4. Take the CSET. I am a math major and so my "backup" plan, if not being a Java or C++ programmer (or rather, being in the tech industry), is to be a math teacher. The CSET exam stands for "California Subject Examinations for Teachers". There is a math subject test, and that's probably the one I'll focus on (though I believe one can take up to three CSET exams per testing session).