Sunshine Hebert
Shifu says that “Shaolin spirit is to cultivate ourselves daily without being informed, control ourselves daily without being alerted, respect ourselves without being obliged, enlighten and educate ourselves daily without being taught. We are leaders in our community for healthy bodies and healthy minds so as to reach the harmonious humanity in our society.” Practicing and living by Shaolin teachings will eventually allow us to do these things subconsciously, like performing Kungfu naturally as if it has always been a part of us.
When we first think of learning kung fu, we think of learning to defend ourselves, of learning more about Shaolin philosophy and its fascinating history. Once we begin classes, we realize it’s more than that. We truly want to improve our lives. Then we realize we want to help our loved ones to improve theirs as well. And then… we develop true caring for everyone in the community.
Nothing can be quickly learned. We must become education and enlightened. We must be patient and take time to explore Chan as a way of life before we can make a quantum leap forward to grasp all aspects of the arts. With hard work, dedication, and determination, we can reach all goals we set as leaders in kung fu at this school and in our personal lives. These goals are attainable if we open our minds and bodies, allowing the right vision seep in, which will in turn guide us with the right actions. By devoting ourselves to training, we can become better people and that is what will enable us to help others to better themselves.
This path isn’t meant to be taken alone. Our ultimate goals cannot be achieved without help and understanding from others. Shifu points out that “we must build a community that can support harmonious Qi, peaceful Qi, and happy Qi.” Think of how much more quickly this message will spread with each new person who receives it. Each person we encounter is a new opportunity to share our vision while listening to what they also have to say. We should appreciate their opinions and beliefs, however, just as we’d wish them to do for us. By listening to others and opening honest communication, we can build a mutual respect. When you have someone’s attention and respect, they will be more receptive to what is being said, especially if it’s said with sincerity, poise, and wisdom and this can bring about the shifting of views of others (Paradigm shift).
By using focus and discipline, we can achieve greatness and influence others. We can expand our knowledge and improve our character. A society filled with harmony, peace, and inner freedom starts with us, and then through our positive leadership and active roles, it will spread to others, eventually making its way to the community. In closing, I want to mention our school’s mission statement. It’s something that has always stuck with me since the first time I saw it posted on the Mobile school’s wall.
Our mission is to enlighten and empower everyone we encounter to find in his/her self-nature the greatness within so as to be totally free. To do so we must cultivate ourselves to have healthy bodies and healthy minds with character, integrity, high level of discipline and indomitable Shaolin spirit.
