Traditional Definition
- 氣 行氣集神 Chi alignment
- 骨 骨勁內斂 Bone power
- 形 化象模仿 imitate / mold
- 隨 圓通策應 Adapt
- 提 頂懸虛空 Rise /suspend
- 還 往來返復 Return / waves
- 勒 定靜守虛 Restrain
- 伏 隱現藏機 Hide intent through use of yin and yan
Given what we went through in the definition and refinement of liuha, the obvious next step is to repeat the process for bafa.
Through classes, you understand the limitation of words to quantify/explain experiences / abstracts. As example, we discovered that the word “relax” may convey the general direction, however, to communicate exactly what exactly is required is very difficult – you have to have some common experiences to refer to. To cross between culture and therefore languages makes things even more complicated. Furthermore, without the original author’s explicit confirmation, definitions are frozen at a point in time and can easily be misinterpreted. One of the few things I always warn my students is “Never try to explain something by saying this is how it was 200 years ago or that an explanation was given to you in private and therefore your version is the only version that can be true”.
“Bafa” defines how to bring our values(or the liuhe) into usable reality. You can think of it as defining what is needed so that you do not count on just speed and strength for combat. These are not the skills themselves (as there are at least 66 named-moves from the form) but rather, attributes / quality / ideas that help make our our system practical and distinct.
Exercise
If you have problems driving definitions via the inadequate translations, try flip the question around and to make it goal driven. Summarize the qualities/mechanics/ideas that we have talked about to help make techniques work in combat. We will talk more on Tuesday. Ask if you need help.