concept of void

[pstarr]

Sun-Lutang is the one who came up with the idea of attributing the "five elements" to the fundamental postures of Xingyiquan. He also developed the two-person training exercises wherein one particular posture (element) is used to defeat the posture (element) executed by one's partner.

A contemporary of Sun's thought this was a terrible waste of time and railed against it because in combat, such thinking will turn you into a wet spot on the pavement.

Later in his life, Sun admitted that he had used the "five element" concept (in Xingyiquan) to confuse people so that only the select few could learn the real art.

 

[Shaolinwind]

Damn!! it is just not my day.

The concept I am talking about comes from the Tao Te Ching not the I-ching

The Nature of Usefulness ...
Thirty spokes will converge
In the hub of a wheel;
But the use of the cart
Will depend on the part
Of the hub that is void.
With a wall all around
A clay bowl is molded;
But the use of the bowl
Will depend on the part
Of the bowl that is void.

Cut out windows and doors
In the house as you build;
But the use of the house
Will depend on the space
In the walls that is void.

So advantage is had
From whatever is there;
But usefulness rises
From whatever is not.

What do we learn from this?

 

[CuongNhuka]

Those are mostly taught in internal schools of Chineese Martial Arts. Espically Hsing-I. I believe that style teaches the five elements, and a few animals. Then some schools add a customized from. And as for void, I believe it is normaly called either spirit or no-thing. Not nothing though, for nothing is still something.

John