Physical training began with the basics

The first week of the BABU course is complete. The first 2 days were spent both acclimatizing to our new environment, and learning basic theory from Shifu about what we would be practicing over the duration of the course. I believe that allowing some time to accustom to this space is extremely important. When living in an urban environment, one is almost constantly surrounded by explosions of sensual stimuli, huge in volume and yet superficial in nature. These concrete jungles have been created specifically to indulge the egoistic desires of man for distraction, and perpetual gratification. Yet consequently, they also serve to de-sensitize a great majority from the inner reality that lies within; the roots of experience. This temple reverses this process very quickly. It is not just the isolation, immersion in nature and simple lifestyle that enact this change, but something less tangible or immediately noticeable. There is a strange and powerful atmosphere here that opens you up from the inside. Many people report unusually intense and vivid dreams during their first nights here; including myself. The doors of the mind begin to creak open. The hours of theory class given by Shifu in these first few days covered a great deal, from the vital importance of focused intention in unlocking the great power of the Morning QiGong, to the substantial history behind the BABU form, going back 1000 years; all fascinating and extremely helpful in informing the practice that was to come. Each morning at dawn, we rise with the sun to run up and down the mountain, to then practice the QiGong before breakfast. If I left the temple having only learnt this QiGong, I would be content, It is powerful. Physical training began with the basics, but as Shifu says, our time here is very limited, and thus after a few days we began to learn the movements of the form itself. From the beginning, I marveled at the fluidity and poise of each movement, but they are also difficult to learn, and there is no substitute for repetition, so we made circles again and again until my mind became weary. Shifu says that this is the most difficult form that he has ever encountered, and from this initial experience I can understand why this is.It is a lifetime study, and this is part of its unique beauty. It is the only form that is structured around the sacred symbol of the flower of Life. It has the potential to align you with the energy of the cosmos, a unification of the Dao and of Martial arts, as Shifu says. Which other martial arts form can do this? These deeper aspects hidden behind each movement inspire and energies me to continue moving forward, step by step.