In many forms of Martial Art, there are patterns, of forms--each with a different designation according to the style. Anyway, these patterns are used to chain together certain movements and techniques that a practitioner could use together. Likewise, constant practice of these forms can teach better control and technique.
There are different ways of approaching these patterns depending on what one seeks to cultivate. For instance, if one wants to cultivate explosive power, one might practice the patterns slowly, intentionally, and with muscles and tendons engaged. This allows each movement to become precise, while strengthening one's body. As muscle memory increases, each technique becomes more powerful and precise.
If one were trying to cultivate speed with technique, one would begin practicing the patterns slowly, with less force. Over time, the same pattern would be repeated with increasing speed, until the techniques move effortlessly--but still with precision and skill.
There are still other ways of approaching forms that help one to cultivate a well-rounded approach to Martial Art, but these are just a couple of approaches. While these approaches obviously have somewhat different ends, they both maintain similarities. Both require continuous, intentional practice of the pattern. Both rely upon the development of strong muscle memory to create a familiarity with the techniques.
Whether referring to Western forms of Martial Art like Boxing or Fencing, or considering Eastern forms of Martial Art like Gung Fu or Kendo; teachers seem to share the same philosophy that focus upon the fundamentals of a discipline will never be a waste of one's time. In fact, there are plenty of examples of situations where reliance upon fundamentals have proven to be key in victory--especially in unequal situations.
I think about these things all the time. Frankly, I'm a bit obsessed with Martial Arts--but that is to say the Martial Arts are what brought me to faith in the first place. What's more, Martial Arts are so deeply part of who I am that it is difficult to extricate my sense of spiritual life from my pursuit of the Martial Way.
However, I started thinking about this particularly at the close of this week, following Ash Wednesday. Reading through the quotes from St. Antony, Amma Theodora, Abba Hierax, and Amma Syncletica, I recognize the idea that the cultivation of spiritual life requires far more than ascetic practice. Instead, there is a way of perseverance through the things which life will naturally throw at us. Whether it is waiting through the choking smoke to get the divine fire lighted, as Amma Syncletica mentions--or it is remaining in our daily lives, resisting the urge to speak evil of others, as Abba Hierax suggests; there seems to me a reliance upon some fundamentals.
For those of us who are working to cultivate our faith, we have some practices and patterns which should be done in a disciplined way. For example, private and communal prayer, as well as corporate worship are important things. In fact, all of those fundamentals which we rehearse at every baptism (see the Baptismal Covenant) become ways in which we can learn new patterns and new spiritual "muscle memory."
Lent is our time for cultivation. This is our time for rigorous practice of the fundamentals of our faith. We have the opportunity to work through those things which are foundational to our faith, and we can practice them in intentional ways which help us to better respond to the challenges and struggles of life. We can develop our spiritual "muscle memory" so that we can both endure the challenges of life, as well as respond to the problems of the world in a way that create positive change.
Bruce Lee famously said "Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." Likewise, he taught “A punch is just a punch.” Except this time, it’s something you have
broken down, practiced, understood, and integrated, such that you no
longer have to think about it, it’s automatic yet skilled." My sense is that, if we hope to live fully committed to the way of Jesus, we will recognize the spiritual wisdom in these words.
