About Manung Tao Martial Arts

“The way that can be named is not the eternal Way."

- Lao Tzu

Manung Tao Martial Arts.

The Power of Unity and the Versatility of Change.

Universal motion. Peng Jing. Fa Jing. Less reliance upon outward things. Sensing the power within and tapping into that instead of looking for it outside oneself. Focus. Perception. Stillness. Moving from separation to Unity. Moving towards more perfection. More wholeness. More Accuracy. Rhythm. Timing. Balance. Coordination. Absorption. Simplicity. Flow.

Unity.

The Infinite.

"Contemplate the workings of this world, listen to the words of the wise, and take all that is good as your own. With this as your base, open your own door to Truth. Do not overlook the Truth that is right before you. Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants, and trees - should be your teacher."
- Morihei Ueshiba

As our martial arts improves and becomes more subtle and refined, our intuition becomes deeper and clearer and more capable of sensing and knowing. It is then that we begin to sense an underlying unity that is behind all of the martial arts.

Unity is consistent and powerful. When everything is seen to be many things, that is when things become complex. However, when everything is seen to be one thing, that is when things become very simple.

Manung Tao.

In Chinese (Cantonese), Manung Tao means ‘Universal Way’. It is the style behind all styles. The way of movement that is behind all of the martial arts.

Although our expressions may vary, the universal source from which we move always remains the same: the unity that is behind all of the martial arts. This internal unity is the essence behind the martial arts. It is the art behind the art.

Manung Tao Martial Arts takes an expansive holistic approach and the primary idea is for the student to transcend the individual waves of fragmentation and division to realize the one united move of the ocean that is at work behind it all. The waves may vary but the Ocean is One.

"One move is all of my moves."

- Great Grandmaster Denis R. Decker

Styles Taught.

Chi Ling Pai (Chi Lin) Gung Fu Symbol

Baguazhang Gung Fu symbol

The styles taught within Manung Tao Martial Arts concentrate upon,

Chi Ling Pai Gung Fu,

Baguazhang Gung Fu,

and the Internal training methods.

Our teachings include:

Kicking.
Striking.
Trapping (close range gung fu combat and infighting).
Chi Gung (energy art).
And some Ground Fighting.

Additionally, we also include Physical Conditioning (all at the student’s individual pace and fitness level) to make for a well-balanced workout.

Please click HERE to read more about our Areas of Study.

Teaching Approach.

"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials."
— Chinese Proverb.

At Manung Tao Martial Arts, teaching is individual. We each have different strengths, weaknesses, personality quirks and traits that make us unique as individuals. Truth cannot be taught, it must be experienced and then embraced. Therefore as your teacher, I cannot teach or give you anything; I can only help you to perceive the gung fu within yourself, and working together, we bring that out, polish it, and make it shine.

The Mirror.

The mirror of self-reflection reflects back to you your highest potential.

The mirror of self-reflection reflects back to you your highest potential.

A clear mirror reflects perfectly. However, if the mirror is dirty, the reflection will be distorted.

The student should treat the martial arts as a mirror for self-reflection, learning and growth. The more that the dust and dirt of your ego clouds the mirror, the darker and less reflective it becomes. However, the less that your ego gets in the way, the clearer and brighter the mirror, and therefore the greater your potential.

Although our polished mirror minds may be turned upon our opponents so we can reflect the most fitting and appropriate reactions, the greatest usefulness of the mirror lies in self-reflection, that is, in turning the mirror upon ourselves.

As martial artists, we are not here to beat the opponent or make them go away. On the contrary, the opponent serves a greater purpose in life by helping to reveal to ourselves who we truly are. There are many types of opponents, and when the student has the right attitude, the opponent becomes like a mirror that provides us with the constructive feedback and criticism we require, the very opportunities to help us transcend ourselves and realize our full potential.

The martial arts should be treated as a means to an end and not as an end in itself. Like the mirror, the student must give up the dust and dirt of the ego in order to reach the light. The more empty of self (ego) the student becomes, the freer they become of the usual selfish limitations that hold them back, and the more capable they become of full expression. The student then approaches the highest technique of all, which is actually a non-technique, the technique of direct perception, a spontaneous fluid living process of expressing, relating, and doing rather than the static product of imitation and accumulation.

"It is through training that one can discover one's own strength.
Perhaps the most formidable enemy lies within one's self."
- Huo Yuanjia

The purpose of the martial arts when treated as a Way (Do or Tao) is to realize the Hero within and to reflect them throughout thereby vanquishing the enemy.

A Lotus Flower blooms within harsh conditions.

Teacher: I see your talents have gone beyond the mere physical level. Your skills are now at the point of spiritual insight. I have several questions. What is the highest technique you hope to achieve ?
Lee: To have no technique.
Teacher: Very good. What are your thoughts when facing an opponent ?
Lee: There is no opponent.
Teacher: And why is that ?
Lee: Because the word "I" does not exist.
Teacher: So, continue...
Lee: A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself.
Teacher: Now, you must remember: the enemy has only images and illusions behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.

- Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon.

The Manung Tao Martial Arts School Emblem. Herein we describe the Manung Tao Martial Arts school emblem:
	Empty of itself yet full of unlimited potential, the circle is one, without beginning or end, and forever flowing. The formless, boundless and eternal circle is full of life and represents nature in all of Her potential. Infinity.
	The Yin and Yang symbol represents the dualistic opposites found within nature and Her propensity to seek balance and harmony. In Chinese, the unity of Yin and Yang is referred to as the 'Tai Chi' (the Supreme Ultimate).
	The figure in the center represents combat readiness, fitness and our capacity for ever expansive growth and awareness. He or she is a seeker of Truth portrayed in the posture of the Five Elements (Wu Xing).
	The eight kua, or bagua trigrams, represent the eight elemental manifestations of change, or becoming.
	Here is the complete Manung Tao Martial Arts school emblem.

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