By Godric Liddell (Order of the Nine Angles)
According to tradition, in the past candidates who sought either entry into an established Order or group, or who sought individual instruction from an adept of the Left Hand Path, first had to prove themselves through trial by combat.
In established groups, the Guardian of the Temple was the adversary and Physis as Martial Art is believed to have developed from the training that these Guardians received to enable them to undertake this task. The fact that candidates were usually defeated by the Guardian was a salutary lesson for them just as their acceptance of combat was a necessary proof of their desire to join.
As a Martial Art, Physis is quite simple, being merely a sequence of moves which enable the individual undertaking them in the right manner to achieve a harmony of body and mind – a type of consciousness where spontaneous action is possible. It is this spontaneity that is the secret.
The correct attitude of mind which creates the spontaneity is achieved by slow concentrated movement. Through concentration, the individual draws to themselves those hidden (or ‘occult’) energies that pervade the world and the cosmos and which are variously named Physis, Tao, ‘pneuma’, spirit or Ki. Slow, deliberate movements in a sense ‘distributes’ this energy around the body and enables action without thought.
Physis contains no ‘grades’ no complicated series of Forms, no secrets: it is simply a pointer to something beyond itself. This ‘something’ lies within every individual and once it has been discovered, Physis (and all techniques) are irrelevant. Just like ‘Traditions’.
Physis contains no techniques of self-defense, no methods of attack, no disabling blows or kicks, all these arise of themselves provided spontaneity is achieved and provided the individual is fit and supple enough of body.
Physis is essentially of the Left Hand Path because it is an individual (or ‘anarchic’) way: a means to discovering the Chaos within, and it is structure-less because of this.
Techniques of Physis
Ideally, you should perform all techniques barefoot and out of doors, in loose clothing. Set aside about half-an-hour each morning or evening and for about three weeks practice the simple movements given below.
Before this, undertake some simple exercises to increase suppleness – such as arm-swinging, squats, trunk circling. These should not be strenuous. Also, begin some other activity which will increase your general level of fitness – running and cycling and swimming are ideal. The aim of all this is to give you that pleasurable glow which such activity can produce – if not overdone!
To begin, stand with feet slightly apart, hands by the side in a relaxed way and imagine drawing energy up into your body through the soles of your feet. Draw in energy with every breath, which should be slow and regular. Continue this for several minutes.
The following movements should then be performed – slowly, to form a continuous whole, without breaks. Although the movements may seem complicated (when described here at least!) they are in fact simple and easily mastered.
From the initial position the left foot is brought forward with knee bent as the left arm extends outward with elbow bent, wrist turned and level with face, the hand above the knee. The right foot is moved slightly, pointing straight ahead. The weight should be slightly greater on the left foot. The fingers of the hands should be slightly curved.
The right foot is turned to face behind while the body weight is shifted (via the hips) to lean the body and turn it sideways through ninety degrees. As the body turns, so does the left foot, through ninety degrees. The right arm is extended, slightly curved, so that the hand is above the head but several feet from it while the left arm is brought in so that the hand is near the navel. The right knee is bent.
The body is turned clock-wise through ninety degrees as the left leg is swung round and the left elbow moved backwards as if to strike. As this is done the right arm is drawn in to near the navel and the balance shifted to the left foot.
The right foot should be so placed that at the completion of this move only the heel is on the floor. The right foot is set down and the whole body brought downwards toward the ground by bending the knees but without turning the body itself. The left arm is drawn in, the right is extended upwards and outwards.
The body is then brought upright, as the left leg is moved forward (about forty-five degrees) and bent to take the weight while the left arm is brought upwards, elbow bent, the forearm almost vertical and the hand a few feet from the face. The right arm is drawn in, the hand below the chin.
The body pivots off the right foot through ninety degrees while the left arm is drawn in, the right extended with hand above the head and a few feet away. The left leg is then lifted as if to kick while the left arm is brought forward. The left thigh should be below the horizontal.
The left foot is lowered while the left arm is brought across the body and outward to the left side as the toes of the right foot are lifted and weight transferred. The right arm is brought in near the stomach. The left foot turns about forty-five degrees.
The weight is taken on the right leg, knee bent, the left arm drawn in and the right extended above the head and a few feet away. Finally, the body is turned so that the position is the reverse of the starting one. This sequence of nine moves is thus in the order:
7. 1. 6.
4. 9. 3.
5. 2. 8.
The aim is to undertake the movements in a relaxed and mindful way, breathing slowly. Should it be desired, the sequence can be repeated several times. The movements should flow into each other, without pause. Practice should make the individual movements, one continuous movement, like a slow dance. Do not worry about getting each movement exactly right – fluidity is more important.
If this is done for the period suggested above, set/hang two balls of wool from a straight tree branch, overhead beam or something similar, at a distance apart slightly greater than your outstretched arms. Set them swinging slowly in opposite directions and stand sideways or between them. Without turning but simply bending your body, strike with your hand at one ball and then immediately, with the other hand, at the other so as to hit it.
To begin with, set the balls at eye level, then lower it to the level of your hips, and repeat. If this is too easy, have someone stand near and shout either “right” or “left” in their own time when you are prepared. If they shout ‘right!’ hit the right ball first, then the left. The shorter your reaction time, the better. Another variation of this is to use coloured balls, the helper shouting out the colour.
Further Techniques
Another technique which may be used is to set into the ground eight wooden posts, arranged as in the figure above: that is 1-8. the object is to strike each post in sequence with hands or foot according to the movements listed above. As you strike, exhale. Gradually increase the speed at which you do this until it is a burst of energy. Aim to control this energy, though, through the movements and strikes.
This technique should be used only after the foregoing has been undertaken and in the slow manner indicated.
Once you are satisfied with technique, abandon them if you wish and create your own sequences of movements. Be sure, though, to undertake each movement in the slow, mindful way, as this is really the key to spontaneity, or action without thought. Faster techniques (like with balls or posts) really only draw forth what has been cultivated through an inner stillness – and if there is a ‘martial arts secret’, it is this.
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