There is no boxing in the body, no boxing in the heart, and no boxing in the fist. That's true, but why is there no boxing in the body and no boxing in the heart? In fact, this is a very common phenomenon in biology-instinctive reaction. Taoist priest mentioned that "fighting depends on instinct" more than once in his theory of empty boxing. What is instinct? When the needle is pricked, the hand will naturally retract; When you are cold, you can't help shivering; When mosquitoes bite, their hands will naturally flap ... these are instinct. Instinct actually comes from a feeling that we humans have lived in the world for many years and a response to external stimuli. For example, why do our hands naturally contract when we are stabbed or scalded? You stopped because you knew it would hurt. Based on this idea, Master Tao put forward that "fighting should also pay attention to instinct". He said: "No matter what boxing you usually practice in fighting, you will only use the most instinctive actions, such as slapping a face and throwing a tortoise fist ..." This seems reasonable, but it is not.
Why do you say it's not like this? Because martial arts, or in fact, fighting, is not just instinct. Although we humans have evolved to this day, we have a certain defensive response to some external attacks, but that is limited after all, because human civilization, in other words, human survival is not just to "fight" with others, so what should we do if we want to fight at will, be able to defend and attack, and be as comfortable as a broken cow?
To quote Master Tao again: "Fighting depends on instinct". Since instinct is limited, it is necessary to "create instinct", that is, to practice boxing, and ultimately rely on it.
Human instinct can be cultivated. We can do an experiment: we first identify a thing, and when you see such a thing, you subconsciously do an action, such as squatting, shaking your head, and so on, and so on for three to five years. At this time, as long as you see this thing in your life, you will definitely subconsciously do what you usually do. For example, I now see a star forcing himself to smile, so it will be hard for me to stop smiling after three years, because this is already my instinct.
At this point, let's take a look at the phenomenon mentioned above. That three to five years is the time for you to cultivate this instinct. If this phenomenon is applied to practicing martial arts, it is tantamount to a process of practicing martial arts. Practicing boxing and martial arts is actually an instinctive reaction to combat. For example, we practice straight boxing, so besides doing some auxiliary strength training, there are several ways to practice straight boxing. Practice first, then pretend that the enemy will attack you in some way, and then you fight back with a straight fist; Or let the sparring partner attack you in some way, and you fight back with a straight fist. Then after several years of practice, you are attacked in the street, and you will instinctively fight back with a straight fist. This is the instinct of fighting. At that time, you didn't have to think about how to punch directly. You just grabbed it without thinking. This is the instinct of fighting, that is, Bruce Lee's "Doing the Impossible" did not think about action, but instinctively played out.
I remember that I had a discussion with Sanda athletes when I was practicing Taekwondo. As soon as I stepped over, my opponent's fist came up. No matter how the coach next to him corrects him, yells at him, even scolds him, and explains to him that this is a taekwondo competition, he can't hit himself on the head. He can't change the problem of punching, in fact, it's instinct, because he has practiced boxing to the point where it is difficult not to punch.
Master Tao's definition of the direction of empty boxing is correct. Fighting really depends on instinct. No matter how many moves you usually practice, when you actually use them, you will only use them a few times, which is your most skilled move at ordinary times. For example, boxers like to hit with their fists, taekwondo masters like to hit with their feet, and wrestlers will pick you up and throw you out when fighting ... But whatever their instinct is, they must undergo long-term, hard, tireless and real training. They are all "instincts" that are carefully cultivated at ordinary times. It's not an instinctive slap in the face Why, because strength and speed are not enough, at least explosive power needs to be practiced. This is what Wushu says: "If you don't practice boxing, you will accomplish nothing in the end." Maybe you still have some strength when you are young, but as you get older, all the functions of your body will age. When you are young, all your strength is gone, leaving only an empty shell. But if we keep practicing every day and what we are best at, it will still be your instinct when we get old. Although our strength will be less, most things are still there. For example, why don't we forget how to hold chopsticks when we are old, and why don't we forget how to walk with our feet when we are old (unless our hands or feet have problems), because we hold chopsticks every day and walk with our feet every day, which is virtually constantly strengthening and consolidating.
I think this may be the meaning of real boxing. Real boxing, real training, real consolidation, and the "instinct" finally cultivated after years of tempering. As for empty boxing, we should support a new sect, but it is obviously not feasible to rely on opportunistic methods without hard work. This is the same as "unlimited fighting" in Hangzhou. Thousands of times a day, three or five years later, when it is dangerous, I can't control my hands. It seems that any real kung fu should be practiced, and it is a "real fist". Otherwise, the weather is unpredictable, and people are doomed to misfortune. The "instinct" that has not been tested by a lot of wind and rain will no longer work, because everything will be solved in the end and everything will complement each other. Nothing is the most practical, nothing is the most powerful, and some are just constantly improved and truly honed.
Finally, I try to explain why martial arts skills, or any kind of fighting skills, are often not used. In fact, the reason is very simple, because you haven't practiced enough. Maybe some people are not convinced when I say this. I practice martial arts every day and kick my feet. Why is it not enough? That's because instinct comes from human's long-term exploration of nature and is a long-term forming process. The important thing is that there are many times. Some people think they often fight, but has he ever tried to practice a movement hundreds or thousands of times a day? If not, then this action cannot form your instinct, or it cannot become a part of your body. Although you can do it, maybe you can do it well, when the crisis comes, human beings will look for the simplest and most practical things, so the actions that you have not become a part of your body will naturally not be displayed.
Many people practice boxing, often punching at sandbags or a certain target, punching a few times straight, punching a few times, or adding two feet to one leg ... It seems that they work hard, but when they are really assigned to a single action, the number of times is obviously less. True practitioners are very patient. They often practice for days, months or even years with one punch, one foot or even one footwork. Therefore, anyone who practices martial arts must first practice patience. This is the truth that "before practicing martial arts, learn the mind method first". Mao Mao is impetuous and can't do anything well. Only a quiet person can understand the mystery.
Of course, there is no point in saying so much, because everyone understands the truth, but it is not easy to attach it to practice. Let me encourage martial arts lovers from all walks of life!