SELECTION OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
JULY 2024 PART 3

Sun Wukong

Sun Wukong, taken from https://fictspedia.fandom.com/wiki/Monkey_King.

Question 1

I am sure you and your wonderful family are in excellent health and high spirits!

— Steffen, Germany

Answer

I have a wonderful time with my family in excellent health and high spirits.

You should focus on the "Art of Flexibility". I did that for more than two years when I was with my third sifu, Sifu Ho Fatt Nam.

Your tension on the inside of your hips will be released, and you can open your legs till you can touch the ground. You should also loosen your legs; any suitable exercise will do.

Question 2

Sigung, I have been pondering your words and advice since last month.

Sifu James Lawrence, Shaolin Wahnam England

Answer

London is a very big city. You should have more students.

"Lifting the Sky" is very important. It should be performed first before other exercises.

Increasing your fee from 320 pounds to 360 pounds is good. I wonder how much does Tim charge?

Students should enjoy learning. Your teaching procedure is good.

George and Ada are happily married

George and Ada are happily married

Question 3

I told you that it was clear to me the ape gong movements mirrored and complemented the moves of the Leopard, Tiger, Panther, and Water Dragon in such a deeply parallel way that I was sure they had the same root.

— Dr Dawn Prince, USA

Answer

Sun Wukong is my patron god. When I was training with my third sifu, Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, we used to have a clean ping-pong ball, and when Sun Wukong came we would hear a sound "ping". We would stop everything and pay homage to Sun Wukong.

Other people may not believe it, but my third sifu, the grandmaster of the southern Shaolin Monastery at Quanzhou chosen by my "sigung" (or grandmaster), was a disciple of Sun Wukong in his dreams.

The story of Sun Wukong, the white tiger and the water dragon were interesting. The cat and the water dragon styles are so graceful on top of ape gong. The crossing of the Bering Strait is lovely.

Question 4

I, too, will now listen for Sun Wukong and pay him homage.

Answer

Sun Wukong is a wonderful god.

Lifting the Sky

"Lifting the Sky"

Question 5

Currently I am 45 years old. I have set a time-table of reaching my aim, to be able to call myself a master at the age of 50.

For these next 4-5 years, I plan to train all the arts I've learned throughout the years -- kungfu and chi kung arts, armed and unarmed sets, as well as the philosophy and scope of these arts.

Sifu Markus Kahila, Shaolin Wahnam Finland

Answer

I am serious when I mention that a typical student can take one month what I took one year when I was a student. I was an excellent student and my teachers were famous.

You are not a typical student; you are one of my very proud instructors.

You should understand the philosophy and the scope of the arts, and train your unarmed and armed sets very well.

You don't need 4 or 5 years. About a year is what you need.

Question 6

Last autumn I trained exclusively the Crossroads at Four Gates Set, and the 8 Pieces of Brocade Set. Now I'm training the Shaolin Triple Stretch Set. Next, I will move on to the Shaolin Eighteen-Lohan Fist Set and the Ho Family Flowing Water Staff Set.

Answer

"Crossroads at Four Gates" is a very important set, especially the patterns at squatting down. "Shaolin Triple Stretch" is Uncle Righteousness' speciality. He used the patterns of the set quite often.

"Shaolin Eighteen-Lohan Fist" is my composition. I spent a lot of time composing the set from my four sifus.

"Ho Family Flowing Water Staff" was my third sifu's, Sifu Ho Fatt Nam's, specialty. He must have used it to defeat other masters.

Lohan Asks the Way

"Lohan Asks the Way"

Question 7

I also plan to train certain arts consistently throughout the entire program, such as stance training, Art of Flexible Legs, and One Finger Zen.

Answer

Stance training is very important. It trains emotion balance, peak performance and spiritual joys.

Many people don't practice "Art of Flexible Legs", or they do them only off and on. To be flexible is very important. I practiced them every night for more than 2 years.

"One Finger Zen" is for "One-Finger Shooting Zen". When I was learning from Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, I practiced it every day or night.

Question 8

It is also my aim to complete the 30 opponent program during this time. I would be grateful to hear your views and advice regarding my training.

Answer

The 30 opponent program is a must. When I was learning from Uncle Righteousness, I looked for opponents I could spar with.

When I was learning from Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, I was quite satisfied with my sparring; so I stopped.

But other masters and professional fighters came to look for me.

You will become a real master.

LINKS

Selected Reading

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