Rebo Paing
26-Jun-2008, 03:36 AM
Today, people approach silat from many directions.
In the past bondoyudo, gelut (fighting) and perang (war/battle) was only one component in the survival challenges faced personally and as community. Paradigms existed to explain phenomenon that today might be explained differently today due in large part to science. Nevertheless, IMO the physical preparation involved in silat has become the cornerstone for transformation in all other aspects of the pesilat's life.
Traditionally a guru will approach the concept of survival to encompass the psycho-physical, meaning that spiritual awareness is an important component in the holistic development of an individual. Even in the western world, overtones of this is sometimes apparent (e.g. the "magic talismans" in some schools, the links with the moral self in Karate Kid, the mystical secrets in Kill Bill 1 & 2 and the mystery inherent in David Carradine's silat kung-fu movies etc.)
At other times a modernised approach based on science (observable, analysable and repeatable cause and effect) will appear to discard the mystery and focus entirely on the physical.
But is this necessarily so? IMO the process is the same, but only the appearance/quality of spirituality is different that is all. It becomes in effect a prioritising of truths within the individual. For some science replaces religion and science becomes the expression of spirituality of the individual, in others it might be some other non-gnostic paradigm of life view.
The individual thus motivated, will obviously interpret silat within their own frame of reference .. that of science. The same pesilat as a believer in a gnostic influenced believe system will apply their framework and influence their silat experience accordingly.
Practically, this often translates into serious misconceptions and misunderstanding (especially across the Internet medium), which tragically results in alienation of brother against brother.
All however is not lost! Apart from the new realisation that the difference is really no difference (just different paradigms), there is the undeniable common experience that the physical acts upon and transforms the psyche (within aforesaid different paradigms) and in the final tally helps us to become more fulfilled as human beings.
The physical component of silat acts firstly on the body, and through it over time, changes the entire person in an integrated way.
Truth be said, it is no different in football, marathon running or ballet (which I don't do btw ... I'm much to MANO for that :D) ... which brings me to the next truth ... everything we do when approached in a whole life approach is silat. Some of us just happen to practice Silat Kuntau Tekpi, Silat Panglipur, Silat Betawi, Mustika Kwitang, Silat PCP, Silat Cimande, Sabandar, Silat Keris Lok 9, Setia Hati, Silat Aikido, Silat Patkwa, Silat Taiji etcetera, etcetera dan sebagainya.
Salam,
Krisno
In the past bondoyudo, gelut (fighting) and perang (war/battle) was only one component in the survival challenges faced personally and as community. Paradigms existed to explain phenomenon that today might be explained differently today due in large part to science. Nevertheless, IMO the physical preparation involved in silat has become the cornerstone for transformation in all other aspects of the pesilat's life.
Traditionally a guru will approach the concept of survival to encompass the psycho-physical, meaning that spiritual awareness is an important component in the holistic development of an individual. Even in the western world, overtones of this is sometimes apparent (e.g. the "magic talismans" in some schools, the links with the moral self in Karate Kid, the mystical secrets in Kill Bill 1 & 2 and the mystery inherent in David Carradine's silat kung-fu movies etc.)
At other times a modernised approach based on science (observable, analysable and repeatable cause and effect) will appear to discard the mystery and focus entirely on the physical.
But is this necessarily so? IMO the process is the same, but only the appearance/quality of spirituality is different that is all. It becomes in effect a prioritising of truths within the individual. For some science replaces religion and science becomes the expression of spirituality of the individual, in others it might be some other non-gnostic paradigm of life view.
The individual thus motivated, will obviously interpret silat within their own frame of reference .. that of science. The same pesilat as a believer in a gnostic influenced believe system will apply their framework and influence their silat experience accordingly.
Practically, this often translates into serious misconceptions and misunderstanding (especially across the Internet medium), which tragically results in alienation of brother against brother.
All however is not lost! Apart from the new realisation that the difference is really no difference (just different paradigms), there is the undeniable common experience that the physical acts upon and transforms the psyche (within aforesaid different paradigms) and in the final tally helps us to become more fulfilled as human beings.
The physical component of silat acts firstly on the body, and through it over time, changes the entire person in an integrated way.
Truth be said, it is no different in football, marathon running or ballet (which I don't do btw ... I'm much to MANO for that :D) ... which brings me to the next truth ... everything we do when approached in a whole life approach is silat. Some of us just happen to practice Silat Kuntau Tekpi, Silat Panglipur, Silat Betawi, Mustika Kwitang, Silat PCP, Silat Cimande, Sabandar, Silat Keris Lok 9, Setia Hati, Silat Aikido, Silat Patkwa, Silat Taiji etcetera, etcetera dan sebagainya.
Salam,
Krisno