The Truth About the Lin Kong Jing (part 1)
The Truth About the Lin Kong Jing (part 1)
Everything You'll Ever Need to Know About "The
Everything You'll Ever Need to Know About "The
Powerful Empty Force".
Powerful Empty Force".
Part 1
Part 1 || Part 2Part 2 || Part 3Part 3 || Part 4Part 4
At least once a week I get an email from someone asking me about the Lin Kong Jing. At least once a week I get an email from someone asking me about the Lin Kong Jing.
Due to the fact that I frequent several m
Due to the fact that I frequent several martial arts forums many know that I study the artial arts forums many know that I study the LinLin Kong Jing.
Kong Jing.
It isn't a secret that the Lin Kong Jing
It isn't a secret that the Lin Kong Jing is a controversial topic in martial arts circles. So,is a controversial topic in martial arts circles. So, typically, I either refer them to
typically, I either refer them to Paul Dong's bookPaul Dong's book or I just tell them to do a lot or I just tell them to do a lot of zhanof zhan zhuang.
zhuang.
I have recently come to believe that such a response will no longer cut it. I have recently come to believe that such a response will no longer cut it.
So, over the next few weeks I'll be publishing several posts that will shed more light on the realities of the Lin Kong Jing and outline the entire training method.
Hopefully, this will satisfy the masses. :)
What is the Lin Kong Jing?
The Lin Kong Jing literally means "Powerful Empt y Force".
Specifically, the term refers to a skill in which one is able to use his or her "Qi" in a
fighting context. The "Qi" energy of the Lin Kong Jing practitioner is used to push, pull, or in some other way incapacitate a would be assailant - all without touching them (the
"Powerful Force" is able to travel over "Empty" space).
It also refers to the zhan zhuang/qigong training method used to build the skill.
For sometime the Lin Kong Jing skill was considered b y many to be a legend.
In fact, in his book Empty Force, Paul Dong lists Yang Luchan, Gou Yun Shen, and Wang Xiangzhai (this is disputed) as some of the many famous martial artists to have mastered the Lin Kong Jing ability.
However, in recent times there have been several individuals claiming to posses the skill and yet were unable to demonstrate the skill under pressure.
This has led many to believe that the Lin Kong Jing is either simply a hoax or that only the delusional would claim to have such an ability.
Yet, there are still others who believe that the skill is real and that it is the ultimate weapon for any martial artist - those who truly possess the skill don't advertise that the y have the skill.
As I'll discuss later, the truth may be somewhere in between these two extremes
Finding a Master of the Lin Kong Jing
-I learned Lin Kong Jing style zhan zhuang from Sifu Charles Dragoo (a student of Richard Mooney).
I first met sifu Dragoo at a Qigong class.
At the time I was under the impression that Qigong was more like yoga and would be useful in helping me recover after training (I was training in a Korean/Japanese based art at the time).
useful in a fight.
I was pretty confused by these statements because all we were doing were simple movement exercises and standing postures. So, after the class I stepped aside with sifu Dragoo and asked him to explain further what he meant.
In all honesty, I thought he was full of shit.
So, he gave me a little demo of the Lin Kong Jing skill.
During the demo sifu Dragoo was able to push and pull me backwards and forwards as well as move my arm away from him as I was holding a practice knife against his throat - all without touching me.
I knew what I felt during that demo and I was seriously impressed. I've been a student of his ever since.
Through him I've learned the Lin Kong Jing Zhan Zhuang method, Taiji Ruler Nei Gong, and Xingyiquan.
I want to point out that throughout our training together he always stressed how important it was to actually know how to fight because the Lin Kong Jing skill wasn't meant to be, as both he and Richard Mooney put it, an "end all, be all" skill.
During that initial demonstration and through subsequent demonstrations I no ticed a few things that I found peculiar and very interesting.
For one, I noticed that it was a very real force - I could definately feel it. However, it wasn't truly "powerful". I mean, I could resist it if I tried.
These things and others prompted me to do a little personal research. I think you'll be intrigued to see what I found.
The Truth about the Lin Kong Jing (part 2)
"Is the Lin Kong Jing Real?"
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Last week I talked about my background with the Lin Kong Jing.
This week I want to talk about some observations and some research related to the Lin Kong Jing.
Hopefully, at the end of this post you'll have a better understanding of how the "Powerful Empty Force" ability may work.
First though, I'd like to start off with some personal observations.
The Lin Kong Jing Experience.
As I said last week, whenever sifu Dragoo would "project" the Empty Force at me I could definitely feel it - there was no doubt it was a real force.
And I wasn't alone. All of Dragoo's students could feel it. We could even feel it when we projected at each other (though the strength of the "force" was much less pronounced).
Interestingly, we all reported the force actually feeling the same way.
Virtually every single person who has actually experienced the Lin Kong Jing describes the energy as feeling "magnetic".
Now, when I say "magnetic" some of you may not understand exactly what I mean.
So, I want you to imagine as though you are holding a magnet in each hand and the magnets are either pushing or pulling on each other.
That's the feeling. When someone is using the Lin Kong Jing to push or pull you it really does have a magnetic quality - though, even the pushing and pulling of a "strong" Lin Kong Jing practitioners is fairly weak when compared to a real magnet.
But why would the energy have a magnetic quality to it?
The Science of Qi
As I explained in part 1, the traditional definition given for the Lin Kong Jing is the act of using one's Qi to push, pull, or otherwise harm an attacker.
But what exactly is Qi?
existed invisibly all around us and within us. Especially here in the West, the concept of Qi carried a lot of spiritual/religious baggage.
During the middle to late twentieth century howev er, new research into Acupuncture, External Qi Therapy, Tai Chi, and Qigong ( pronounced "chee-gong") offered many important insights into the nature of this energy we call "Qi".
Perhaps one of the most important findings to come out of this research was that the energy known to the Chinese as "Qi" was in reality the bioelectromagnetic energy all living
organisms produce. Yang, Jwing Ming and Randall L. Waechter have both done excellent jobs summarizing the research into human bio-energy and Qi.
Based on the voluminous amounts of research into human Bioelectricity (Qi) we know:
1. That the human body produces an easily measurable electrical current and
magnetic field (also known as bioelectr omagnetic fi elds ) do to the the electrical activity of the heart, brain/nervous system, and the piezoelectric effect of bones and various other connective tissue.
2. These bioelectromagnetic currents are ESSENTIAL to our survival - thought, speech, perception, organ function, locomotion, tissue regeneration, ect... are all guided by bioelectric (Qi) activity.
3. The bioelectormagnetic fields our bodies produce radiate out from us - infinitely.
4. A person's mood, proprioception, sense of direction, and even vision are all affected by external electromagnetism.
5. There is a significant amount of research (in both the east and the west) which shows individuals (particularly those trained in Taiji and Qigong) can consciously manipulate their bioenergy.
6. The bioelectric energy of one person can affect the brainwave activity of another when the two are in contact or close proximity (but not touching).
Those last two are important for our discussion.
So, based on the above 6 points it isn't really that much of a stretch to imagine that a trained Qigong practitioner could develop the ability to a ffect others through the use of
bioelectromagnetic energy.
The real question is: would such an effect be all that powerful?
Does the "Powerful Empty Force" Live Up to its Name?
The Lin Kong Jing isn't all that powerful.
I mean there is a real force - no doubt about that. I've experienced it and I've known many others who have experienced it.
The problem is, for it to work you have to be a passive, cooperative participant to the demonstration. At any point you could easily resist the force.
I have NEVER been a part of or witnessed a believable demonstration by ANYONE
claiming to use the Lin Kong Jing ability (or similar ability where the attacker is thrown or moved by Qi) against a determined, non-compliant aggressor.
I'm also pretty damn sure I will never see one and neither will you.
So, then what's the point?
It is my personal belief that the Qigong/Zhan Zhu ang and intent training that make up the traditional Lin Kong Jing system aren't meant to bestow "supernatural" powers upon practitioners. Rather the training in this system is meant to build something much more practical.
But that'll have to wait until the next post in this series. :)
Conclusion
- Now, I realize that for a lot of you I've made quite a few claims that really require
documentation. I understand that and I have provided a list of links that should help you with further research. I'm not going to spell out everything for you. I want you to come to your own conclusions.
I also understand that it isn't easy to approach material like this with an open mind. Before meeting sifu Dragoo I would have called all this bullshit.
So, I know how you might feel. But I'm confident that if you take a look through the
"Suggested Reading" list and really READ the articles you'll see that the topics discussed in this series aren't really all that weird or implausible.
Train Hard, Josh Skinner
The Truth About the Lin Kong Jing (part 3)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
"The softest things in world overcome the hardest things in the world" ~ from,The Tao Te Chin g
In the last part of this series on the Lin Kong Jing we talked about the relationship between Qi and Bioelectricity.
I also provided significant proof that the bioelectricity (or Qi) of one person could affect the nervous system of another.
During this post I want to discuss the REAL purpose b ehind Lin Kong Jing training.
We're going to cut through all this superhuman bullshit and look at the real reasons Lin Kong Jing training is important for all martial artists.
"Superman Where Are You Now?"
In part 2 I wrote a few lines that ended up getting me several hate-filled emails. Here's the snippet these people didn't like:
"I have NEVER been a part of or witnessed a believable demonstration by ANYONE claiming to use the Lin Kong Jing ability (or similar ability where an attacker is moved or thrown by Qi) against a determined, non-compliant aggressor.
I'm also pretty damn sure I will never see one and neither will you."
I write two measly little sentences and end up with like 20 emails telling me how much of an arrogant dumb-ass I am!
And they can all be summed up the same way: "...uuummm, like how do you know there aren't...like, ya' know Shaolin Masters or ninjas or something out there who can knock people out with their Qi? You aren't the world's only authority on the Lin Kong Jing!"
I have two responses for those people:
1) Prove it. - If you make the claim that somewhere out in there, there are "hidden warriors" who do have superhuman abilities, then the burden is on YOU to back up that claim. I'm
not saying that these people don't exist either, but the Lin Kong Jing system I was taught doesn't teach anyone to throw people around using "Qi".
2) You're right, I'm not the ONLY authority on th e Lin Kong Jing. However, I'm approaching the subject from a very practical standpoint. I'm speaking from personal experience and I do my best to provide research and evidence to support my claims. If you'd rather delve into the more mystical/spiritual/esoteric aspects that's fine, but that isn't what I'm about and that isn't what (Un)Caged Fighter is about.
It isn't like I'm someone trying to "debunk" the Lin Kong Jing. I'm just trying to trying to get rid of all the bullshit surrounding it.
And I'm not the only one who will tell you that Lin Kong Jing training WON'T turn you into Superman.
Sigung Mooney (2000)
Both Sigung Richard Mooney and Sifu Charles Dragoo have mentioned multiple times that the Lin Kong Jing isn't the "ultimate martial arts technique". In fact, Mooney wrote in an article for Kung Fu/Qigong magazine (and a book review on Amazon.com) that the Lin Kong Jing was not an "...end all be all technique." and that the skill didn't work 100% of the time (just like any other technique in a fighter's arsenal).
I think most people miss the point when it comes to the Lin Kong Jing.
When people think of the "Powerful Empty Force" they tend to get an idea in their head that the "Qi" acts like some sort anime-style blast or a Jedi force-push.
People begin to think the Lin Kong Jing is like every other technique and can be used much like a punch or kick - only from a distance and without having to touch the person they're fighting.
Well, truth is, it isn't anything like that at all.
To be perfectly honest I once thought that through the training of the Lin Kong Jing I'd end up being able to Ki-Blast the shit out of any would be attacker.
Hadouken!!!
But, over time and with a considerable amount of training and personal research, I hav e come to believe that the training method for the Lin Kong Jing and the skill itself have a very different purpose.
Based on my training, research, and conversations with my Sifu (Charles Dragoo) I assert that training for the Lin Kong Jing is useful for:
1) Building Physical Strength - Qigong, and in particular Zhan Zhuang (which makes up the majority of Lin Kong Jing training), are known to build significant amounts of physical strength.
This increase in strength is due to the way Qigong improves the function of your nervous system. I'd like to note that Qigong's ability to improve strength has been observed by both researchers (also here, here, and here)* and strength coaches.
Training for increased physical strength is called "Shi Jing" b y Lin Kong Jing practitioners and much of the training method has its roots in Xingyiquan and Yiquan.
2) Improved Focus - Because of the various meditative and focal visualizations Lin Kong Jing practitioners get a pretty damn good mental workout.
Practitioners note an improvement in reaction speed, ability to handle stress (particularly in a fight), and ability to relax. All great things for a fighter.
3) Weaken/De-motivate Your Opponent - This is the most "esoteric" benefit of Lin Kong Jing training so bear with me.
In part 2 I established that the "Qi" (bioelectromagnetic energy) of one person can affect the brainwaves and, thus, the mental state of another.
Now, this is an important fact, because if properly trained individuals can consciously control their Qi and project it outside of their bodies at specific targets (which we know they can; also here) then that person can literally influence another on a very subtle (which
I don't mean as a synonym for "weak") level.
This can be very useful for the fighter.
You see, it is well documented that electromagnetic radiation that falls within the ELF (extremely low frequency) range has the potential to produce feelings of anxiety, fear , memory loss, weakness/loss of coordination, and even hallucinations in human beings. Primarily due to the fact that the pineal gland and other parts of the brain are sensitive to changes in the electromagnetic field of the surrounding environment.
Can you guess what range the frequency the human bioelectromagnetic field falls within? Yep, the ELF range.
So, it isn't at all out of the question that one human can influence another and cause feelings of fear and anxiety and perhaps even make another physically weaker (even if only
slightly).
In fact, we've all experienced that person who just seems to exude negative energy. Every time you interact with this person you feel drained of energy, anxious, and you yourself begin to have negative thoughts and emotions.
Or, perhaps you've had to spar with or fight someone who seems to project
nearly unconquerable levels of confidence. You find it difficult to attack and defend against this person; you don't feel as strong, but when fighting or sparring with others you can
perform at normal levels.
And that is the key to the Lin Kong Jing!
It's an extra line of defense that sits somewhere between situational awareness and actual fighting techniques.
It helps you win the fight before it even starts.**
And it's in that sense that the "Powerful Empty Fo rce" is "powerful". Not in the overt, over -the-top way most people imagine it.
Start Training!
Alright, so by now you guys should have an understanding of what the Lin Kong Jing REALLY is, how it may work, and wh y the ability is useful to you as a fighter. At this point I want to start going over the actual Lin Kong Jing training methods.
Most of the material I want to save for the next two posts but today I will go over the introductory Qigong method called"Pushing and Pulling Hands Qigong"
Conclusion
-I'm not the only guy in the world who has trained in the Lin Kong Jing system of martial qigong. But I am one of the few who still talk about the skill. Plus, I'm trying to be as open and honest about it as I can. I'm not here to sell anyone anything ***.
There are still a couple more posts in this series and I want to do my best to address some of the controversies surrounding the Lin Kong Jing a nd its practitioners.
I also want to make it clear that my view points SEEM to contradict other's who teach and train the Lin Kong Jing. However, it is best to remember that I don't know everything
(shocking, right?) and my view points are personal - based on my training and my research.
I have nothing but respect for Sifu Dragoo and Sigung Mooney. In fact, I consider Charles Dragoo to be a friend and confidant. And I gain great value and insight every time I read an article by Sigung Mooney. Where we differ in opinion on the Lin Kong Jing comes down more to semantics than anything else (at least IMO).
Because at the end of the day we all value the Lin Kong Jing for practical application. To quote Sigung Mooney: "[we]...wouldn't practice the art if it didn't work."
The Truth About the Lin Kong Jing (part 4)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4We're finally to the part of the series, "The Truth About the Lin Kong Jing", that most people have been waiting for:
The actual practice itself.
We're done with theory. Now, it's time to get to work.
Like the rest of the series, my approach to Lin Kong Jing training varies in serveral ways from the "traditional" method. Personally, I feel like these variations are improveme nts.
But, I'll let you judge that.
Stand Up Like a Man
-Last week I introduced you to the Pushing and Pulling Hands Qigong method.
This qigong acts as a "warm-up" for the Zhan Zhuang, or Standing Meditation, exercises that form the meat of the Lin Kong Jing system.
The traditional Powerful Empty Force system consists of roughly 12 different Zhan Zhuang postures intended to develop 3 subsets of the Lin Kong Jing ability *.
This is way too many postures
It isn't a surprise that the Lin Kong Jing system has so many postures as it is closely related to Yiquan. But, then again, I've always thought Yiquan had too many postures as well.
To simplify things I want you to focus on 4 of the most important postures:
You'll be standing with your feet about shoulder width apart or slightly further. Shift your weight so that all of it rests evenly across the whole surface of your foot. Lightly clench the ground with your toes.
Next tuck your butt in as though you are going to do a slight "crunch" while standing. This will cause your lower back to flatten slightly. As you tuck your butt in you will also tuck your chin in slightly. This will cause the top of your head to rise up a small amount.
Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth, behind your teeth, and begin breathing
through your nose. You can utilize either the Buddhist or the Taoist breathing method . (mix it up with both)
Now, bring your arms up with your elbows bent and palms down as shown in the pictures above. Make sure you keep your shoulders relaxed and your armpits "hollow" (imagine as though there are golf balls in your armpits).
A good visualization for this posture is to imagine your hands are resting on top of the surface of water.
Double-Weighted Posture 2 - "High Embrace"(bi-lateral)
This posture is virtually the same as posture 1, except the arm position.
posture. Keep the hand high (fingertips about forehead level) and make sure to leave several inches of space between the fingers of each hand.
All other postural requirements remain the same.
"Single-Weighted" Posture 1 - San Ti Shi (uni-lateral)
I've discussed San Ti Shi Posture in detail here.
"Single-Weighted" Posture 2 - "Empty-Step Embrace" (uni-lateral)
This posture is very similar to San Ti except for th e hand and arm position.
Your going to be holding you arms in an "Embrace" type posture with the lead hand held about face level and the rear hand at about heart/chest level.
Make sure you relax your shoulders and keep the "golf balls in the armpits" visualization.
During all of these postures make sure you allow yourself to relax (but not so much that you break posture). You should feel your weight sinking into the ground beneath you.
There are other aspects to "rooting" but these will be good for now.
could "spring into action" at any moment.
"How Long and How Often Should I Hold These
Postures?"
There are all kinds of crazy stories about martial arts masters having ne w students hold Zhan Zhuang postures for ridiculous amounts of time. I've heard as long as two days!
And all of this was to prove how serious the student was about training.
Other stories describe how some instructors would teach nothing but Zhan Zhuang for as many as three years - again to test the seriousness of the students.
Initially, my instructor, Richard Mooney, and Paul Dong all suggested that Lin Kong Jing practitioners should perform Zhan Zhuang training for roughly and hour a day followed by
an hour and a half of seated meditation.
That's two and half hours of training nothing but standing and sitting still!
It's also WAY TOO FUCKING MUCH.
Look, I'm a huge fan of Zhan Zhuang but it is simply irresponsible to tell your students to perform this much standing every day.
Lucky for me, sifu Dragoo ended up telling me the truth.
According to my instructor, a Lin Kong Jing practitioner need only "stand" for about 10-20 minutes a day. In my own training I have found that the 10-20 minute time length is
perfect.
We're looking for quality not quantity.
So, here is what a typical 12 minute session would look like:
* Warm up with some Joint Mobility Drills and Pushing/Pulling Hands Qigong 1. San Ti - hold for 2 minutes each side
2. Double Weighted Posture 1 - hold for 2 minutes
3. Single Weighted Posture 2 - hold for 2 minutes each side 4. Double Weighted Posture 2 - hold for 2 minutes.
* Finish with 3 reps of "Gathering Clouds".
Pretty simple stuff.
1-2 sessions of this routine daily is more than enough Zhan Zhuang training.
become more and more comfortable in the stances you can begin to add certain visualizations.
Now, Lin Kong Jing training has several visualizations and "meditations" you can use, but early on (and especially for those who are interesting in developing a strong fighting
ability) the "Creating a Sense of 'Enemy' Drill" is the most important.
Creating a Sense of "Enemy"
Now this visualization is great for a few reasons
It helps you overcome come the fear of fighting.
It helps develop the right "intent" you will need should you find yourself in a
violent encounter.
It helps you develop more self confidence and may help you project that self
confidence so any would-be attacker may think twice before trying anything. (this is the real Lin Kong Jing)
This visualization is incredibly simple.
In Paul Dong's book, and the way I was originally taught, a special stance was used for this visualization. But I don't like the stance and prefer to use either one of the "Single
Weighted" stances or just a standard fighting stance.
In general I just use a typical Muay Thai/Kickboxing style stance.
Now get in stance and face a wall/heavy bag/tree. Next, imagine as though what you're standing before is actually a very strong opponent or attacker. This person wants to kill you and everyone you love.
You really have to get this image in your head and really experience the emotions it creates. Feel your heart rate increase. Feel the anxiety and anger, but control it - direct it at your target. Feel yourself becoming ready to attack at any moment. Your whole body should feel as though you are about to lash out at this person.
It has to be real in your mind.
Hold this visualization for 2-5 minutes while standing in your your stance.
Another way you can use this visualization is just prior to and during a
shadowboxing/heavy bag session. Some of the best fighters in the world visualize beating their opponent during training before they ever step inside the ring or cage with them.
You don't have to do the drill every day, but the more often you do it the better results you will see.
Make sure you spend a time daily in silent seated meditation to help balance out this drill.
Conclusion
-We're almost at the end of the series.
In the final post I want to address some of the controversies surrounding the Lin Kong Jing and give you guys my opinions on them.
Also, I want to point out that there are other meditations and visualizations utilized in the Lin Kong Jing system. Some are useful while others are not. I'll be creating a post on power development used in (Xing)Yiquan and the Lin Kong Jing which will have the drill I have found most useful. But I want to wait and have that as a stand alone post. So, you guys will have to wait until then (I promise it won't be too long).
Train Hard, Josh Skinner
* Paul Dong talks about three different versions of the Lin Kong Jing ability. One version deals with using "Qi" to attack pressure points, other focuses on developing large amounts of physical power called "Shi Jing" or solid force, and the third type is a more general type of "Qi" which focuses on knocking people down with your energy.
A fourth type of Lin Kong Jing is the type I teach and develop. It focuses on the development of "Shi Jing" and a powerful fighting intent/spirit.
