The bond of master (Shifu) and student is sacred. Through years of rigorous training, the student is entrusted with carrying the essence and tradition embodied in the Shifu’s teachings, while learning lessons that can be applied to every aspect of their lives. This path is not an easy one. The master must challenge and push the student, continually shaping and reshaping them to refine their skills until the student can become a master themselves, and share the wisdom they’ve inherited with their own students.

A master does not accept students lightly. A student must meet three requirements:

1. Yuan Fen (Fate and Personal Engagement)
   Yuan Fen represents the Universal connection between a master and student, which is similar to destiny or fate. When circumstances consistently prevent a meeting, the opportunity may never manifest.
   Yet, fate alone is insufficient. Fen, the second aspect, refers to personal effort. Even if the Universe provides an opportunity, the student must actively engage in the process. Without effort, the connection between master and student remains unfulfilled.
2. Wu Xin (Thinking Without the Mind)
   The path of mastery requires thinking beyond the rational mind. Rational thinking often clashes with traditional training, making it difficult for students to embrace deep learning. A good student, under proper guidance, develops an intuitive mind, one that resonates with the master’s teachings so profoundly that they can complete a sentence before it is spoken. A great student learns to think with their Heart.
3. Wei Gun (Unconditional Love and Purity of Heart)
   A true master is deeply concerned with whether their teachings will land in the right hands. It is not just about skill, but about character. The student must possess a pure heart, with an unwavering love and tenderness that transcends generations. This purity makes a student worthy of the master’s deep knowledge.
   

Once these requirements are met, training is no longer about technique alone—it is about absorbing the master’s personality and Spirit. Just as family traits, such as facial features and vocal tones, pass down through generations, the student unknowingly adopts the master’s essence and joins the lineage of wisdom, discipline, and transformation.

This post is part two of a three-part series. Click here to read part one. Visit our blog this Friday to read part three!

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