Martial

Too often, martial arts are trained by mindlessly repeating techniques in the hope that one day mastery suddenly “appears”. It doesn’t. Inflicting our way on others through pain, struggle, being clever or using brute strength is not mastery. The Cheng Hsin martial art is designed to train the principles and dispositions of mastery. To become masterful, we must surrender to principles; we don’t “get our own way”. Mastery is not about “self” defence - what self are we protecting?

The Cheng Hsin martial art was developed out of a lifelong inquiry into the essence of martial arts by a demonstrated master. Peter Ralston's investigations into martial arts also included intense periods of contemplation. Following major breakthroughs in directly experiencing the nature of self and reality, Ralson experienced a radical leap in his understanding of the nature of martial arts and his ability as a martial artist. Master Ralston created the Art of Cheng Hsin to point towards the essence of martial arts and to invite people to an experience of mastery.

When looking at our relationship with the world, we may discover that we relate mostly to ourselves and are afraid to experience others. Practising Cheng Hsin drives us towards real experience of others. In freeplay with a skilled opponent, we get instant feed back the moment we stop relating to them (they strike us, project us or throw us).We seek to change our experience of the relationship from avoidance and judgement to real experience. We train to make the distinctions that “talented” people make and create being skillful. But why stop there? We are seeking mastery. Master Ralston openly shares his experience of mastery, discovered through years of hard work, study and contemplation; he named his communication Cheng Hsin.

The Cheng Hsin martial art incorporates different forms of training:

• Tui Shou
• Tai Chi
• Internal boxing
• San Shou
• Sword

Cheng Hsin is a coherent and seamless art; appearing in many forms but always our intent is to surrender to the principles and experience Mastery.

Principles
Things are always a certain way. Relationships are governed by what is possible in the interaction. A principle defines how something manifests. In martial arts, one needs to grasp and then align with the principles of body design, movement, perception and skill. What is the principle of effective interaction? What do we need to “be” so that we are effective? What must we train in order to become skilful? What do we overlook?