​Our BP system is very sophisticated and layered in it's approach to developing skill and power.  Each level builds upon the last but can also effectively stand alone as a system in itself.  Level three for example develops a very destructive ging that has a pushing and centrifugal type of force.

The meditations develop the inner force.  The stillness or yin state manifests yang.  Our meditations have special sequences that activate a condition within the body conducive to accumulate, circulate and store energy in a specific way.  Level three develops power that is used for our system of six directional elbow fighting.  

There are not many Kung Fu systems that include elbow fighting as a system in itself in this way.  We have a saying that 'Palms beat hands, elbows beat palms'.  As as student progresses the body is developed and changed and the style of the individual begins to manifest.  There is no 'Burning Palm' style.  Burning Palm system unlocks someones potential and once the body is developed the practitioners own style emerges.  

The physical aspect of our elbow training not only develop the body to issue power but it has a very healing impact on the spine and body structure.   Predominately it's a close range fighting method but can and has been used by my Sifu long range in real combat.  The flexibility and torque developed are devastating and when combined with the power generated from the nei gong for this level it's a deadly art.  No wonder this was once hidden knowledge.

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​In my journey of self discovery I have had many experiences that for me confirm there is something other that than what we see day to day.  Also that we have abilities beyond what we know or would even believe without direct experience.

If is from direct experience now that I gain understanding.  Perhaps there is some faith initially if someone has no experience at all but the proof is in the results.

My Sifu has many times old me that I should document my experiences and training.  This one I decided to post so that others may relate or simply enjoy the read.

I had been meditating all day, each of my levels and by evening I was buzzing with energy all over.  This is normal and something I enjoy.  I lay on my couch and started to watch documentations on YouTube and the buzzing got stronger and I began to hear sounds in my head.  I can't describe the sound, something like whirring,  This also is something I have experienced before and my reaction is to surrender and allow the energy to do what it does.

I decided to turn the TV off and I lay back in a more comfortable position and watched as images passed in my minds eye.  After some time I felt like it was difficult to move.  I reached for my phone and held it in front of me to look at the time and my arm appeared to be stretched and the phone so far away I could not see it properly.  My depth perception had changed.  

I did this a couple of times and then out the phone down and started to wonder what was happening.  I was not alarmed as I have had experiences before so I lay still just listening to the sound and feeling the energy surging through me.  I wondered if I was going to leave my body but I didn't.

My arms felt heavy so I lifted my right arm up in front of my face and could not believe that my arm was completely invisible.  I knew I was holding my arm up but there was nothing there.  I lowered and raised my arm a few times and I could feel myself moving but could see nothing but the room around me.  I thought about my kids upstairs asleep and started to think about if this was going to be permanent.  I reminded myself to relax and allow whatever is happening to happen.

I raised my arm again and there was nothing there so I touched my face.  I could feel my hand but saw nothing but the room around me.  I put my arm down and just lay there.  After about another 5 or 10 minutes the buzzing abruptly stopped and I was back again.  I could see myself once more and rather than relief I felt excitement. 

For me these types of experiences seem to happen outside of meditation and unexpectedly.  I myself am not sure what the meaning of it is but it serves as a motivation and confirmation that there is much I do not know and have to discover about my true self and the nature of reality.  We can either choose to blindly believe what a religious person tells us to or experience for ourselves.

The image below is my Sifu Garry Hearfield

Here is a short clip of my Sifu demonstrating a break from Mew Hing's Heavenly Thunder Palm system.  From a relaxed state he releases immense power and it is from 'soon' or the relaxed state that the most power can be released.  We can see this in the Yin / Yang symbol that shows us soft/Yin leading directly into the highest yang.  One leads to the other and both exist within the other.  

The perfect combination of the internal and in external is Jinn Ging.  Many people state 'My art is internal or external'.  If this is truly the case it is an incomplete art as both must be present.  

Just recently got back from a trip to  Xatśūll Heritage Village in BC Canada.  It’s a wonderful site set right by the Fraser River.  I had some very intense experiences during meditation there.
 
Got a few pictures taken of the area I was meditating in.  Some of the rocks looked as though they are literally from outta space but I believe they are volcanic rock.
 
The power of the river was immense.  I also go to see some dip net fishing in the area later in the evening and the fishermen are careful to make sure they are tied to the rock as there is no escaping that river if you fall in!
 
Where you practice and cultivate energy has an affect on your practice and I can say I could feel that dramatically while doing our Burning Palm meditations here.
 
Our meditations are done at specific times of day and it was so nice to be able to do them here around such raw power.  Huge respect for the First Nations of that area and the ancestors and spirits of that land.  Thank you for welcoming us.

​Today I reaffirmed to myself the importance of never giving up.  It’s something I tell my kids all the time and has been the central reason that me and my son have watched Naruto, the Japanese manga anime since he was little.  It’s the core value of the main character to never give up, and never ditch his friends.
 
Many months ago now (could be year even) I signed up for a local event called ‘Mud Sweat And Tears’ .  It’s basically like Tough Mudder.   This one was an 8k obstacle mud run.
 
toughmudder.com/
 
I train my Kung Fu every day and had planned to integrate training for the race alongside but due to injuries and having four kids that never happened.  Only time for Kung Fu these days alongside being a full time dad.  I was going to give it a miss but something in me would not allow it.
 
Race started at 9:30 am so I left with what I thought would be enough time.  It wasn’t! I could not find the place and drove around getting more and more worried I was going to be late.  I had to pull over twice and get directions and the directions I did get sent me to the wrong place.
 
At 9:30 am when my race had started I pulled into a gas station and the attendant was unfortunately no help at all.  He had no idea where this place was either so I turned back to my car.  At this point I realized my team had started and I had missed it and I had a feeling of letting them down.  For a brief moment I thought ‘perhaps I should just go back home’.  But I quickly fucked that right off.  Commit don’t quit.
 
I drove off and stopped by a guy walking his dog who gave me the directions I needed and I quickly made it there.  I was lucky enough to find the race organizer and explain that I was late etc.  I asked if I could still race and he said sure he can put me in another race.  I told him that was no good, I need to catch up with my team and he told me they were over 30 minutes in but I could try!
 
I got my ass in gear and jumped in the mud.  Over 8ft the wall, electrified barb wire fences, tire pulls etc.  I kept going and on the way I helped out a couple of other teams with certain obstacles too!.  I remember thinking I was doing ok for not having trained but no way I would catch up.  But guess what? I never gave up.
 
Near the end I helped another team carry a log on the second to last obstacle and made it to a climbing wall just before the finish.  I looked over and realized I had caught up with my team! I got over the wall and we all ran to the finish line together for a team pic.  When I get the pic, I’ll post it up.
 
Having the will to never give up is not just for training.  It is through training that we can forge that iron will though.  My Sifu has an iron will and I often look up to him and strive to be as good and as determined and passionate about our Kung Fu. 
 
It is my iron will that got me equal parenting with my kids in court, enabled me to move to another country and build a new life, help people with addiction and many other things. Never give up on yourself or your dreams and use the small things like I did today to sharpen  your will!
 
 “The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.” – Bruce Lee
 
If you never give up on yourself or what you desire you always win no matter what happens because the biggest victory is to overcome yourself.

Here is a nice action shot of a hammer fist - Soy Kuil or our Shattering bridge skill shown by Sifu Garry Hearfield.  The force required to break a fresh nut like this is approximately 1600 pounds per square inch on the low end.  It has been said that they can be seven times harder than a human skull. 

Made some Dit Da Yao/Yau the other day and decided to make a video.  In the first part I talk about Dit Da Jow and proper application and also some basic Dit Da technique.  Finish with my Yau making.  Hope you like it!

Happy training :).

I just got back from a trip to Whistler in BC, Canada and had a great time with my kids.  Training each day still and enjoying nature!

As part of the trip I took the kids to the James Stewart Sculpture gallery in Whistler Village.  He is an amazing and very talented artist.  If your interested in his work you can view it here;

http://www.jamesstewartsculpture.com/

One sculpture that caught my eye was this one below of a man from the Mentawi Islands named Siberuit.


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What struck me immediately was the description.  James had traveled to Indonesia and met a tribe where this guy shown above was able to open coconuts with his bear hands.  I have been to Indonesia myself a few times and had fresh coconuts.  Usually they are opened with a machete.  This was undoubtedly a demonstration by the man of his tenaga dalam.

This made me think of my system of Burning Palm as it is nomadic/tribal in origin and in all we do like to break coconuts with our hands!

For anyone familiar with Bak Fu Pai, Grand Master Doo Wai or my Sifu Garry Hearfield, coconut breaking is one way we can demonstrate the hand conditioning that comes with the training.


Grand Master Doo Wai himself said that this is what makes his Iron Palm training more advanced than others.  As far as I am aware, it is something unique to the teachings of Grand Master Doo Wai.  Although coconut breaking is not a huge part of burning palm it is most certainly done from time to time.  Our system contains every type of palm training not just Iron.

Burning Palm was originally a nomadic system and uses nature and the elements weaved into the practices.  The Taoist monk Fung Do Duk took the system to Ermi Mountain in China from Tibet.  I wonder if there is an connection! 

​Very soon I'm going to be making a couple batches of Dit Da Jow and some other medicines.  When I do I'll make a short video on it and give some explanations of basic Dit Da.

Today though I was looking through some old pictures and found these.  This is probably 8 or so years ago when I was making some jow with my kids.  Time sure goes by fast.

They still remember the lesson clearly and it also reminds me of how important it is to make time for family no matter how dedicated you are to training and cultivation.  

​Been a few days since I posted so here's an update on my daily routine.  Today so far have done 1080 strikes for iron fist/palm/STG training.  STG dragon pearl methods and meditation. 130 push-ups, 25 pull-ups.  Still got to do leg raises to complete 108 FIT for today and have evening meditations / Qi gong to do later.

This morning after morning practice I did 40 minute self healing after dropping my kids at school.  I watched the end of Victor Frankenstein and then had a shot or Burning Palm tonic before starting my midday training.

Today I have had 1350 calories so far and by the end of the day I will be at around 1550 - 1600.  I did all my training fasted after a 18 hour fast today.  Below is a picture of lunch.  A delicious chicken chipotle salad.