The World of Kung-Fu 1.4: The Psychology of Kung Fu

Becoming a master of Kung Fu changes people in many ways, but two stand out in particular. Firstly, humans with very high levels of Health tend to feel good. They are more likely to be happy and less likely to be depressed than the average person.1,2 The joy of life that can accompany extreme health can be quite a serious problem for those martial artists seeking to lose their attachments and reach enlightenment.3

Secondly, many martial artists meditate, and meditation inclines people to either become more compassionate or to become more detached and callous. In effect, meditation makes good guys kinder, but bad guys crueler. The Shaolin monks and Wudang priests in particular meditate a lot and have become very compassionate.

Footnotes

1. There is no important information in any of the many footnotes, just academic discussion of poetry and music in the martial arts community. If the footnotes annoy you, don’t read them, except this one. Reality is what it is, but your gameworld need be no more absurd than you want.

2. The sentiment of many martial artists was captured by the song “High of the Tiger” by Thriver, on Shoutin’ and Yellin’ (1981).

I make too much noise when I work out. / It’s got the neighbors complaining.

I feel such joy that I just have to shout. / When I’m doin’ my training.

It’s the high of the tiger. / It’s the thrill of great health.

It’s the bliss of tuning up to peak condition.

It’s the happiness you feel when you look after yourself.

You have to scream ‘cause it’s so good to be alive! The high of the tiger!

High-fiving people as I run down the street. / Hurdling cars out on the highway.

Rollin' and tumblin' on the rooves of the stores. / You know that I’m doin’ it my way.

It’s the high of the tiger. / And you just have to yell.

As you leap down the sidewalk in the city.

And you can’t fight the feelin’ cause your livin’ the dream.

You have to scream ‘cause it’s so good to be alive! The high of the tiger!

3. The problem is captured by the song “Nirvana”, by Never Mind on Smells Like Samsara (1990).

Attachments are so hard to lose. / All I’m learning is Kung Fu.

I need to find enlightenment. / And I’m just punching through cement.

Hello. Hello. Hello. Still here. Oh no! / Hello. Hello. Hello. Still here. Oh no!

I can leg block a katana / But I just can’t reach nirvana.

Got attachments like piranha. / And I just can’t reach nirvana.

My situation is complex. / I get such joy from food and sex.

I just can’t help but find it fun / To practice Kung Fu in the sun.

Hello. Hello. Hello. Still here. Oh no! / Hello. Hello. Hello. Still here. Oh no!

I like tennis with my friend Dennis. / I find women just stupendous.

Love defending the defenseless. / So I’m still there on the census.

Hello. Hello. Hello. Still here. Oh no! / Hello. Hello. Hello. Still here. Oh no!