Wudang Gongfu Of New Orleans

I came across this phrase in one of ZMC’s books. He was obviously coming from the point of view of a chinese doctor, yet it struck me a totally different way. The concepts aren’t entirely foreign to western thought. Boxers especially, talk a great deal about ‘heart’ and ‘having heart’. The connotation is one of bravery and resilience. Being able to face daunting tasks and/or rebound from setbacks is an essential component of perserverance. The spine, in the west, is often called ‘back bone’ or ‘nerve’. While, also, having a connotation similar to bravery, it is generally used more in the context of ‘doing the right thing’ or ‘standing up’ or, to get biblical, ‘walking upright’. To me these represent all of these meanings and more. To maintain a proper ‘stance/posture’ while still being free to move according to the dictates of the ‘unconscious’ mind is ideal, IMHO. Note: I don’t like the term ‘unconscious mind’. What I’m talking about is most definitely ‘aware’, just can’t think of a better term.

Conversely, I’ve met several people with ‘heart’ who were passionate people, quick to anger, quick to forgive, and generally ‘flighty’. I’ve also met people with a well-defined, rigid sense of right and proper, and yet lacked the ‘will’ to act on that knowledge. Again we find a need for balance. Becoming emotionally engaged without an anchor puts us at risk of ‘losing ourselves’. Whereas, knowing what to do and not doing it seems a very serious sin indeed.

Just a reminder, but I am not well versed in TCM. I would be interested in hearing more from that point of view. I won’t be suprised to find out how badly I’ve butchered the original idea. I also wouldn’t be suprised if my understanding is merely a gross simplification. Oh well. Live and learn.