Rise of Superman

[100kilos]

Interesting video I came across talking about the flow state. Its interesting in the begining of this video that Steven Kotler describes how his Lyme disease was practically cured when he attained a flow state when surfing. So which brings the question, is this that state we are trying to acheive when we practice internal arts? Is this also why there are many stories on the healing aspects in practicing internal martial arts and Qigong? I would love to hear what you guys think about the video. Enjoy!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1MHyyWsMeE

[jonathan.bluestein]

Thanks. Will watch the video later.

The state of Flow is very common. People fail to realize this. Anyone with a good gongfu in practically anything can attain flow. A good violinist can play in flow. A good cook can be in flow. Even a pornstar or a poet. Given, there are many levels to this sort of brain activity, but the onset of it is achieved by a large percentage of the population in their lifetime. You can even go on flow when you date someone. Most people know what it feels like but have not been familiarized with the term and have no name to call this unique experience.

Flow is very clear and distinct when you attach an EEG device to one's skull. It shows up as a uniform brain activity, with all parts in sync, not overworking but also not completely relaxed. The description of Flow in scientific literature is very reminiscent of pointers given in the Internal arts, and there is a relationship between the two. In particular with concepts like Yi, and with slow-training methods. I have explored this connection in depth in my recently published book, and referenced relevant research as well: http://www.researchofmartialarts.com/

[jonathan.bluestein]

About a week and a half ago, while I was training in Xigu park (Tianjin, China), a huge TV crew suddenly crashed into our small class (there were just shifu, myself and 2 novice Chinese students in attendance. ). About 30 people, some international guests of some kind, none martial artists. They didn't know Zhou shifu, but someone told them that if they went to him, they could video good martial arts. So shifu took this in good spirits and gave them an awesome Baji performance. Immediately following that, he asked me to show them the Pigua form I learnt. I wanted to scream at shifu: "WTF man, you just finished teaching me this form yesterday and I have been training it for 9 days total!". But screw it, my Chinese sucks too much for me to have even tried. So I went and did the form. That was a state of Flow. I knew I couldn't disappoint shifu in front of the Cameras. I zoned out completely. Time stopped and 30 people were gone. I did not see anything, and neither did I remember what my eyes watched after I was done. My mind became so blank it took me 15 minutes to realize that the crew was gone and that I had no idea which channel they belonged to. Yet, it went far better than I expected. Shifu was very pleased. It took me several more days to be able to do the form that well again. It was about feeling it was a matter of life and death. Shifu's honor was on the line. He did this on purpose, that bastard. He knew that the pressure of having only practiced this for 9 days together with that of being in front of cameras and representing him would require that I do my very best under the circumstances. Gotta love the man and his methods

I normally gain a flow state many times a week in my practice, but rarely in my life has it been as intense. Likewise, Kotler's incredible flow was triggered by a life-and-death experience. I do doubt however that flow cured him...

[jonathan.bluestein]

I see Kotler is making claims of "exponential growth in athletic performance in recent decades"... I guess someone should send him this video: