Martial Entropy

 

This is the formula for Entropy.  Where S is Entropy, kb is the Boltzmann constant, 1n is the natural logarithm, and Omega is the number of microcosmic configurations or mutations involved in the mix.  Entropy is the natural decay in any system that progresses over a period of time.  In physics it is a bleeding of power or drop in mechanical productivity. In Biology it is the physical decay and deterioration of matter after the living processes are finished.  In Astronomy it is the slow death in the life cycle of a Planet, Star, or Galaxy in an ever folding Space.  In Psychology Entropy is the cognitive decline in the thinking processes of the human brain.  That slow dive into madness.

To a Martial Artist Entropy is the slow deterioration when the artist stops practicing and loses the technical skills and understanding of those skills over a long period of time.  Entropy is also the decline of certain skill and ability due to age, illness, and injury that the artist has succumbed to over a lifetime of practice. 

Entropy can also be considered the supreme challenge of the aging artist.  Fighting the forces of nature with every practice session, every moment of quietness, every time the artist engages the body/ mind connection and goes beyond those forces that quietly and coldly try to hold him/her down.  

The Master of physical awareness  be he/she a Yogi, Gymnast, or Martial Artist, after attaining that level of self awareness, spends a lifetime fighting this quiet foe, Entropy.  When other's notice in he/she that this battle is being won, that the Artist is excelling despite these obstacles, calls Him/Her Master and ask to be taught the Secrets learned over a lifetime of practice.  

The Master then waits, before answering, for signs of Humility...

Peace and Balance,

John

Kung Fu Master

 

Some of you may already know that I am a practitioner of Taiji Quan, (Tai Chi Chuan) and other Kung Fooey things.  After a little more that 50 years of practice I can comfortably say that I am fairly proficient.  Some might even say just a tad deadly, but I don't trust those guys.   

I have learned some important lessons about keeping the bod healthy and happy, and keeping the mind just as healthy and happy.  The first mistake is to over practice.  Physically over practicing causes excessive wear on the structure of the body.  By pushing your personal limits beyond the boundaries of your physical limitations there are three major areas that begin breaking down:

1. The muscle and tendon structure breaks down and you have sever muscle pulls and tendon tears that require extended time to heal, if at all. 

2. The joints break down.  When joints break down the knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles, neck, hips, and the hands and feet, all start to wear, and worse case scenario, eventually need to be replaced with some of our modern bionic technologies.  Remember the "Six Million Dollar Man?"  Pocket change. 

3. Finely, practicing beyond the physical boundaries of the body and ignoring certain warning signs are some of the main causes of internal damage for all athletes beyond a certain age.  This breakdown can lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure (the silent killer), the break down of other internal processes, and certain kinds of cancers.  

Then there are the psychological effects of over working your boundaries.  Martial Artists are especially prone to emotional and mental disorders when they forget that what they are practicing is intended to be a life long health or holistic health process, and that in today's world most of us aren't training to go to war and kill other people.  That is a whole different set of perimeters. Most of us will practice an entire lifetime without having to actually use the art we've so intently focused on for such a long period of time.  Many practitioners will believe anything that is said or taught to them to the point where myth becomes fact.  If not put in check, this can lead to psychosis needing  treatment from a Mental Health Practitioner.  

Of course there is the We being Human thing.  This puts us at odds with our own Ego's.  The battle of the Ego has become the stuff of Eastern Religions, and Western Psychology.  Without getting to much into a philosophical discussion over Ego, it's fairly simple.   There is the danger of believing you are better at something than you really are.  There is the danger in believing that you are the smartest person in the room.  This belief can get out of hand and leak out.  When it does you usually say the wrong things to the wrong people at the wrong time.  A good martial artist will first ignore your ignorance believing you are just going through a learning thing, a growth thing, but if you persist you are wandering into the dangerous area of being called out by someone much more competent than yourself who will be very willing to teach you the error of your ways.  Hospital bills are expensive, and can ruin a good martial career.  My advise, Never try to tell an individual with severe cauliflower ear, or obviously many time broken nose how to practice, teach, or perform his own art.  These gentlemen, and ladies should be respected if not feared.  

I've been practicing a long time.  I wake every morning reminded of some of the lessons I should have paid more attention to.  I am in constant struggle with the self.  Jacob wrestled Gabriel for the right of way along the road to Damascus and was given the gift of insight for his success and became know as Israel.  

Learn the lessons of those who've come before you, heed the warnings of those who have failed, and strive to be a better person.  If you can manage these three things, you may learn to master yourself.

Peace and Balance,

John