Stop...Look...Listen...Enjoy...

The following is an excerpt from my Sifu's book, 'Wing Chun - Theory & Composition', by Sifu Ian Protheroe. I love this excerpt (actually it's one page), because it not only describes the life-long journey when training in martial arts, but is relevant to all worthwhile pursuits. Enjoy!

"Learning Kung Fu can be an exciting and yet daunting path. Often along this path you will meet obstacles and distractions which may effect your journey :- do not despair, persevere. Studying Wing Chun can be likened to climbing a tall tree. From the ground you are confronted with a huge trunk, as you look up all you see is the overhanging, impenetrable canopy. As you begin your climb up the trunk you should stop every few meters to have a look at the beautiful scenery which surrounds you. At each higher level a different vista appears, with a greater view into the distance.

Soon you reach the canopy, once within, the distant scenery is obstructed by branches and dense foliage. Do not discard this part of your climb to the top! Stop, look closer at that which surrounds you and you will see in greater detail the make up of the tree. Large and small branches, leaves, right down to the smallest new shoots and buds. A tree has great depth.

As you continue your climb, the density of the canopy starts to diminish and a view of the outside scenery once again presents itself, don't focus only on the scenery! Again stop, look, listen and feel - the view of near and far is here. As well as the tree there are other things around you, birds, the wind - all make up the new, the feel, the oneness of the world you have found yourself in. Stop - appreciate.

On reaching the top of the tree a wonderful view surrounds you - you think you can see everything from your lofty perch. Look back down, can you see inside the canopy now? Can you see the base of the trunk? Can you see the ground?

No - the ground is obscured by the canopy - and most of the tree's roots are buried far below the surface, can you see them?

Some people think their goal is to climb the tree as fast as possible, so they will miss all the glory of the slower path.

Climb slowly, stop, look, listen, enjoy - the path to the top is only the beginning - climb back to earth slowly, get to the ground, dig and feel, only then will you understand the tree."