Coiled_Spring wrote:Many martial arts have elements where the importance is given not only to physical attacks from enemies but also the psychic attacks.
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What are your views regarding psychic attacks? Do Chinese martial arts also concentrate on developing defense against spirits?
Most of the psychic attacks (if not all) come from people (read martial artists) themselves: I am No. 1, I can beat everyone, I can do everything, I can have a lot of women, I can drink, etc. So when teachers warn against psychic attacks, they usually mean our own demons: excessive sex, drinking, aggressivity, proudliness, intolerance, you know what I mean. To deal with them is your own task.
Another level is an ability to use psychological tricks to manipulate with opponent so that his ability to move or think clearly is restricted, he gets confused and therefore unable to protect himself. Teacher should teach you to deal with them or you can discover it on your own - usually by trying those tricks on others.
Another level is something like "psychic vampires" and similar sort of people (not spirits) - these are often mentally handicapped or people who usually do not know clearly what they do (these are not martial arts fighters) - they are low on their own energy so they simply need to refuel so they take yours... To deal with them is easy.
But I guess this is not what you asked...
The realm of spirits is completely different world. Spirits usually do not come into our world (they have no reason to come here) and we people usually do not go into their world. Normal people can not see it, feel it, enter it. However, if you somehow get into this realm (for example during advanced meditations), behave as a guest. The simple rule is: Never fight spirits. It is their world and they are at home there, you are just visitor. Even if you somehow can enter the world of spirits, they do not need to fight you, you are not any threat to them - unless you are at level with Buddha or Jesus. It is more than enough that they will show themselves to you and you will wet the pants...
And if they get lost and come to your world, still do not fight them - the best way is to leave them alone. Go away, or if it is necessary, protect yourself and go away - use common sense like in our usual earthly threats: if you see tornado, swarm of wild bees, negative/harmful wind or qi, whatever - protect yourself, hide, go away.
I do not know any martial artist teaching similar stuff but because this kind of exploring of "more remote realities" is my hobby, I developed some basic rules or "how to" for this kind of experiences:
1. You must always know very clearly where you are and what you are doing.
2. Whatever happens, you must always have control over the things.
3. You can go anywhere, do anything, but you must always have possiblity to return immediately if you do not have control or if there is any danger for you.
4. If anything more happens, you can pacify the danger or dangerous situation with loving kindness or love (if you know what it is, do not laugh, please), there is nothing stronger than that.
5. Behave as a guest.
5. Do not take what does not belong to you, especially happiness and wisdom, it is stealing. Etc.
Because this subject is quite problematic, I will finish here...
Miro
We have entered a voyeuristic, or "phanic," era where esoteric ideas and methods are only unveiled and put within reach of everyone because they no longer have any chance of being understood. (Mircea Eliade)