Preface
The ancient "light gong" skills, once famous all over the world, have been passed down for thousands of years, but they have gradually disappeared in the long river of history. How did this lost miracle drift away in the changing river of history?
What is even more worth pondering is that some of these requirements seem to be beyond the capabilities of modern people. Why was it possible in ancient times to climb over the cliff with light work, but it is difficult for modern people to replicate it? What is the reason for the decline of light work? Has it really existed?
The authenticity of light work and the rationality of its existence
"Light Gong? Isn't that the plot of a martial arts novel? How can it really exist?" Modern people are mostly skeptical about the existence of light gong. However, in fact, light work is not fiction, and it does have its rational scientific basis.
The human body has infinite potential, but it is difficult for most people to develop and use it. The essence of light work is to give full play to these potentials. For example, explosive power, bounce power, balance power, etc., are the original talents of the human body, but it is difficult for ordinary people to exercise them to the limit.
The reason why the ancients were able to practice a good light skill is precisely because they honed day after day and developed the potential abilities of the body to the limit. They continue to improve their physical fitness through a variety of rigorous training, such as weight-bearing running, high-intensity jumping, etc. Over time, they will be able to be "as light as a swallow" and fly on the wall in the air, which is breathtaking.
Therefore, light work is not obtained by some magical external force, but comes from hard practice that is difficult for ordinary people to achieve. It is the maximum development of the human body's potential, and it is the exertion of its own various abilities to the extreme. This is the essence of light work, and it is also where the rationality of its real existence lies.
The important position of light power in ancient times
In ancient times, there were two main reasons why light work was highly valued. First of all, the need for life is the number one reason. The ancients were not as convenient as modern means of transportation, and they had to rely on their feet for long journeys. If you want to shorten the travel time and improve the walking efficiency, practicing light gong is undoubtedly the best choice. Once there is a small cultivation, even if it is a distance of dozens of miles, it will be a matter of several hours for them.
For those who need to travel frequently, light work can be described as a great boon. For example, merchants, envoys, samurai, etc., they often need to travel long distances, if they can master a good light skill, it can undoubtedly greatly improve work efficiency and save a lot of time.
Therefore, for the ancients, light work is not only a means of exercising, but also an effective way to solve practical problems in life. Because of this, light gong was so popular in ancient times and was regarded as the highest realm in martial arts.
In addition, light martial arts are also the only way for martial artists to pursue. What martial arts practitioners desire most is to bring their martial arts to the extreme. And light power is the only way to achieve this goal, it can make the warrior in the battle like a cloud, agile and invincible.
Therefore, light power is not only practical, but also the ultimate ideal pursued by martial artists. Because of this, there are countless people in the ancient martial arts who tirelessly study light skills and regard it as the highest pursuit. They hope that through the cultivation of light skills, they can show their extraordinary skills in battle, so as to become unparalleled masters in the world.
The decline of light power in modern society
Despite its importance in ancient times, it has faded away and been almost lost in modern society. The main reasons are as follows:
The first is the transformation of modern lifestyles. Nowadays, we don't have to walk on our feet anymore. All kinds of modern means of transportation are available, even if it is a long journey, it can be solved by plane and train. Therefore, light work has lost its practical value for us.
At the same time, the fast-paced life has left us exhausted and mentally stressed like never before. After returning home, we often just want to have a good rest, so how can we still have the energy to study light work? For modern people, light work is no longer a necessity of life, but a luxury hobby.
The second is the interruption of the lineage. If you want to learn a martial art, it is essential to pass on the teacher's inheritance. However, with the change of the times, there are fewer and fewer masters who really master light skills, and they gradually lose the object of inheritance.
Even if they occasionally meet an expert master, it is difficult for them to find an apprentice who can endure hardships and perseverance. After all, the path of light gong cultivation is extremely arduous, and it is undoubtedly a great test for young people. Because of this, the chain of teachers and successors has been constantly blocked, and the unique science of light gong has naturally become unpopular, and it is gradually declining.
In addition, the high threshold for practicing light exercises is also a major obstacle. The path of light gong cultivation is not achieved overnight, it requires long-term hard study and arduous basic training. For example, hamstring strength exercises, weight-bearing running, etc., are huge challenges for ordinary people.
Not to mention, the highest level of light work often requires more than ten years of perseverance to achieve, which is undoubtedly unattainable for modern people. After all, who wants to spend all their good years on this hopeless path of cultivation? Therefore, the practice of light gong itself is an extremely high threshold, which is also one of the important reasons why it is declining in contemporary society.
The overall decline of traditional martial arts
The decline of light martial arts is actually just a microcosm of the overall decline of traditional martial arts. In recent years, fewer and fewer young people are willing to practice martial arts, resulting in the danger of many traditional martial arts being lost.
The reason for this is, first of all, that modern society no longer has the practical value of martial arts. Once upon a time, martial arts were not only a means of self-preservation, but also a skill to earn a living. But today, these features have been replaced by modern technology. For example, police, security guards and other professions, their force value depends more on guns and equipment than traditional martial arts.
Secondly, there is a lack of enthusiasm for martial arts among young people. They prefer fashion-forward sports such as fitness, rock climbing, skateboarding, etc., and have little interest in ancient traditional martial arts. In their eyes, martial arts often give people a sense of obsolescence and backwardness, which is difficult to resonate.
Moreover, the path of martial arts cultivation is arduous and long, and it requires great effort and perseverance. However, most modern people are not willing to sacrifice too much for this. They prefer to pursue quick and efficient results, rather than spending a lot of time and energy practicing traditional martial arts.
Finally, the traditional culture of martial arts lacks sufficient dissemination and promotion in contemporary society. In contrast, modern sports have received more attention and support, while traditional sports such as wushu have been gradually marginalized.
Because of this, traditional martial arts are experiencing an unprecedented crisis, and light martial arts, as a branch of it, will naturally decline. This is not only a decline in culture, but also a shift in values.
epilogue
The decline of light work is actually a microcosm of the gradual loss of vitality of traditional culture in modern society. However, we should not turn a blind eye to this, because traditional culture is the root and soul of the Chinese nation and our precious spiritual wealth.
Let us make concerted efforts to inherit and carry forward the Chinese martial arts culture in the process of modernization, and let light martial arts regain their brilliance is no longer just a fictitious dream, but a tangible pursuit! We should re-examine and understand these traditional skills with an open and inclusive mind, so that they can be full of vitality in the new era.
Only in this way can we truly protect the roots of Chinese civilization and let it continue to be passed on.