Poet's Workshop

photo by Gerry Williams

Poet's Workshop Presents: The Kung Fu of Writing: How to situate yourself in a daily practice and work towards that Black Belt! by Terrie Leigh Relf ©2004 All rights reserved

Part I

I’ve been telling Jung Shee Rich Robson of the Kung Fu Academy that I wanted to write a piece on the Kung Fu of writing. What does Kung Fu have to do with writing, you ask?

Loosely translated, "Kung Fu" means "hard work over a long period of time."

See the connection?

In order to develop, you need to have a daily practice. A rigorous daily practice. Ok, so I’m a better writer than I am a Kung Fu student (with apologies to my teacher…), but the desire is there. That’s step one. You have to want it. You have to need it. You have to start twitching if you’re not getting to pound into that rock bag or keyboard. You’re given to irrational outbursts in public if you’re not throwing someone to the ground or some character into conflict and resolution.

You crawl into Kung Fu (or to your puter chair) whining and complaining. After class (or after that two hours of writing), you’re kissing the carpet (or your computer screen). You feel better than good. All is right in the Tao. You’re primed to take on the next opponent or the next page.

Ultimately, you’re really "fighting" yourself, so doesn’t it follow that you need to know as many techniques as possible? Doesn’t it also follow that you need to be aware of your vulnerable areas as well as your strengths? How do you counter a "Right Inside Windmill"? What about a scene where a character’s life flashes before their eyes?

The good thing about kung fu–and writing–is that there’s always something new to learn, a new level to attain.

But how do you start the flow in the first place?

Jung Shee Robson says: "you can’t start moving until you first stop moving."

Many yin-yang Kung Fu forms begin with what is called the "natural stance". You stand feet together, knees slightly bent, pelvis tucked, arms at the side, shoulders and head up, and breathe. In writing, our "natural stance" is sitting at the computer, typing away--or at a cool café, double mocha, pen and notebook in hand.

Some people resist routines. The thought of a daily anything is "bor-ing!"

It doesn’t have to be that way. As I’ve said before, belief is an extraordinary power. Or as Jung Shee Robson says, "just do it!"

Kung Fu teaches us how to move naturally, as the body was intended; so, too, does writing. Since I am a definite believer in the body-mind connection, it’s important to emphasize that we can adopt a natural posture when we write. It’s not only about sitting up straight with our head up, shoulders back, and chest open, it’s also being mindful. Jung Shee often says: "wherever the mind goes, the ch’i follows."

Yes, words are all around us. They permeate all things--just like ch’i. There’s a Buddhist adage that I often repeat to myself: "out of formlessness, comes form; out of form, comes formlessness". They’re in the very air you breathe. So don’t block them–absorb them!

It feels good to write, good to practice Kung Fu…

Don’t try to do it all at once. That can lead to overwhelm…Take it one day at a time. Breathe. Create a space that welcomes a writing process, rather than one that thwarts it. In other words, get out of your own way! Step aside and watch how that "inner editor" is catapulted into thick air…

As My Friend, the Feng Shui Consultant, Sada Anand Khaur Khalsa, asks: Is this what you want to give your vital energy to?

What we focus on grows--why not focus on writing?

Ponder this (to borrow Suzuki Roshi’s rhetoric): when you breathe, breathe. When you write, write.

In case you’re interested in studying Kung Fu, Jung Shee Rich Robson generously offers two free trial classes! For more information, visit:

http://www.kungfusandiego.com/

The San Diego Kung Fu Academy

3388 30^th (the corner of 30^th and Upas)

San Diego, CA 92104

619-297-0424

Need your writing space Feng Shui-ed? Contact Sada Anand Khaur Khalsa at Sacred Healing Clinic and Yoga Studio: 619. 291.8314

Send your comments and questions-and your poetry-to Terrie Leigh Relf at terrie@WritersMonthly.com

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