Return to Section Top....>

The Wisdom of Socrates

CHAPTER XII. OF THE NECESSITY OF EXERCISE TO HEALTH AND STRENGTH OF BODY. 
       Among others who frequented Socrates, there was a young man whose name was Epigenes, and who was very awkward in his person and behaviour, and had contracted an ill habit of body, having never learnt nor used any exercise. Socrates reproached him for it, and told him that it was unworthy of any man to be so negligent of himself. Epigenes slightly answered that he was under no obligation to do better. You are no less obliged to it, replied Socrates, than they who train themselves up for the Olympic Games. For do you believe that to fight for one's life against the enemies of the Republic, which we are all obliged to do when the Athenians please to command us, is a less important occasion than to contend with antagonists for a prize? How many men are there who, for want of strength, perish in fights; or have recourse to dishonourable means to seek their safety? Some are taken prisoners, and remain in slavery all the rest of their days, or are forced to pay so great a ransom, as makes them live poor and miserable ever afterwards: others are ill thought of, and their weakness is imputed to cowardice. And do you value so little all these misfortunes, which constantly attend an ill habit of body, and do they seem to you so slight? 
    In my opinion, there are no fatigues in the exercises but what are more easy and more agreeable. But perhaps you despise the advantages of a good disposition of body: nevertheless, they are considerable; for men in that condition enjoy a perfect health, they are robust and [p. 140] active, they come off from combats with honour, they escape from dangers, they succour their friends, they render great services to their country. For these reasons they are well received wherever they come, they are in good reputation with all men, they attain to the highest offices, they live the more honourably and the more at ease, and they leave their posterity the most noble examples. If, therefore, you do not practise the military exercises in public, you ought not to neglect the doing so in private, but to apply yourself to them with all possible diligence. To have the body active and healthy can be hurtful to you in no occasions: and since we cannot do anything without the body, it is certain that a good constitution will be of great advantage to us in all our undertakings. Even in study, where there seems to be least need of it, we know many persons who could never make any great progress for want of health. Forgetfulness, melancholy, loss of appetite, and folly, are the diseases that generally proceed from the indisposition of the body; and these diseases sometimes seize the mind with so great violence, that they wipe out even the least remembrance of what we knew before. But in health we have nothing like this to fear, and consequently there is no toil which a judicious man would not willingly undergo to avoid all these misfortunes. And, indeed, it is shameful for a man to grow old before he has tried his own strength, and seen to what degree of dexterity and perfection he can attain, which he can never know if he give himself over for useless; because dexterity and strength come not of themselves, but by practice and exercise.


A Zen Koan Story

          One of the famous Zen koans reads: If this is the sound of two hands clapping...What is the sound of one hand clapping? One novice was called in to the interview and gave what he thought was a remarkable answer: It is the sound a samurai makes when he clutches his mortal wound while still retaining his weapon in his other hand. He exits to a mighty ovation: The sound of one hand clapping. 
       This answer gained him a tremendous slap on the side of the head and he was excused from the room. 
       On his next try he devised a more elaborate answer and received for his trouble a smack on the side of his head. 
       The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth interviews all ended in the same way. 

COMMENTARY:
       What comes next, enlightenment or brain damage? 

       There should be some questions you could ask yourself about the above scenario. If you know what it means then you have solved the koan; if not, keep trying. 
"The most important part of any Zen communication is to listen to what is not said." ==============================================

Copyright © 2006 Chris De Baise                                  


Something for Nothing
      By DeBaise Sensei
          Years ago I decided to teach one advanced technique to the entire class. It was based on a neurological point and was introduced as an immobilization trick. I explained to the class that size and strength did not matter since the point, once manipulated, caused such excruciating pain that no resistance was possible. In those days I was rather rough with my demonstrations so one of the senior black belts volunteered as Uke. I explained the scenario and demonstrated the technique. The results were so sever that the Dan screamed in pain, arched his back, and pounded the deck with his hand. He was unable to defend himself or to escape and I could have immobilized him for hours without any expenditure of energy. After the demonstration was over I asked for volunteers. Guess what? No one, nobody, no nothing. After class a few students asked me questions about the technique. I refused to discuss anything pertaining to the technique, except to say "the only person who can truly understand is the Uke." They wanted the secret of the technique but were unwilling to pay the price. The Senior Dan didn't require any explanation nor did he ever question the effectiveness. He learned from experience and was willing to pay the price. In the Martial Arts, and in life, you never get something for nothing. If you think you do you're only fooling yourself.

Wutang Story
       Somewhere in the Wutang Mountains of China sits a small abandoned temple. The chill of early autumn hangs in the air and small droplets of moisture cover the roof tiles. The sole inhabitant, a Taoist Sage, places a few splinters of wood in the firepit and goes outside to perform his daily exercises. He glances out over the landscape and takes a deep breath; the cool air feels exhilarating as he readies himself for the day ahead. He has been wrestling with a particular problem for the past three years. He is getting older and has noticed a decline in his physical abilities. Moreover, he cannot generate the power that was the hallmark of his fame as a martial arts practitioner during his glory days. 
       As the old man turns to face the rising sun he notices a crane perched on the roof top next to the chimney. He thinks the old bird must be hugging the chimney for warmth. The smoke, slowly rising from the chimney, fueled by the new wood splinters begins to swirl and thicken. The crane, bothered by the smoke, rises up on his legs and begins to flap his wings. The wings gather energy and the ends of the feathers strike the roof tiles. As the bird gains flight the broken roof tiles slide down into the courtyard with a clatter. 
       The Sage smiles, shaking his head, he has discovered the secret of Qi; and, in a sense, regained his lost youth. The rest is history.


Commentary: When the student is ready the teacher will appear.


Copyright © 2006 Chris De Baise. All rights reserved

Return to Section Top....>