Why Would a Hardcore Martial Artist Like Me Learn Yellow Bamboo?

I am writing this to address this question because it was asked in a sarcastic manner,  in the sense that if my art of Kalis Ilustrisimo Kalis is that effective,  then I would not need to learn Yellow Bamboo.  Or,  if Yellow Bamboo can knock down fierce attackers without physical contact,  then I would not need Kalis Ilustrisimo.  The sarcastic manner this question prompts my answer. 

A hardcore martial artist would naturally try to learn the best and most effective techniques and to perfect the delivery of the techniques.  Whatever that can be used to help in achieving this goal is reasonable to learn and use.  For example,  different styles, different masters, proper rest, more money to spend on learning, books, videos, masters etc, proper nutrition, knowledge of anatomy & physiology, best training equipment, safety practices, etc etc.  

It is thus natural that a hardcore martial artist would look to anything else that may give any advantage.  This can be perhaps development of internal power,  and the powers of the mind.  Hence Yellow Bamboo.

Many old martial art masters had mastered the science of internal power or the mystic.  The master of our Arnis/Eskrima style of Kalis Ilustrisimo,  the very great master Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo,  was not only a superb master of Eskrima,  but was also an expert in Orascion  or  Anting-anting.  His father, uncles, grand uncles and great grand uncles before him were also great mystical warriors.  For example,  the famous Agapito Ilustrisimo, a man gifted with strange powers,  founded one of the 6 mystical communities in the sacred Mount Banahaw.  Tatang Ilustrisimo used his powers many times in fights and challenges.  In one,  he used his orascion to disable his opponent, an Indonesian grandmaster of Silat,  and rob him of the will to fight.  

When I was young,  I already had interest in such inner sciences,  and in fact,  I learnt a little of it before my father forced me to give it up.  

These powers,  or “ilmu”  are a common part of our traditions and cultures in South East Asia where I grew up.  I never questioned them.  Would you question why there should be a Sun in the sky?  Would a fish question or wonder about water?  It is taken as a fact of life.  As a traditional Asian,  I have many things that I still wonder about what people believe in the West too,  as unscientific and irrational.  But,  each to his own,  isn’t it?   I DID NOT QUESTION OR VILIFY YOU,  SO,  WHY QUESTION OR VILIFY ME?????  

If you ask me if I have enough faith in my art of Kalis Ilustrisimo,  why do I need to learn Yellow Bamboo? 

Let me remind you,  yet again,  that Tatang Ilustrisimo himself learnt the spiritual arts and was a master of the mystic.  The martial art of Kalis Ilustrisimo does come as a whole package.  We do not try to separate it into distinct pieces and claim each as the complete art,  just like blind men touching an elephant each say each part is the elephant.   I consider the mystic is legitimate part of Kalis Ilustrisimo.  Therefore,  I have every right and reason to learn any mystic art.  It is not a matter of WHY, but, WHY NOT?

By the same token,  as a practitioner of a mystic art,  I have every right and reason to learn a martial art to further develop myself and acquire every advantage.  Let me remind you,  yet again,  that most,  if not all,  Silat masters do learn the mystic,  and most Indonesian mystics also know Silat.  

I also question the understanding what constitute a ‘true’ or ‘real’ martial art. By the same token, what is not a ‘true’ or ‘real’ martial art? Just because a martial art is not what is CURRENTLY WIDELY understood to be a martial art (such as the popular Chinese, Japanese and Korean systems), should not expose the practitioner to ridicule, or worse still, abuse and obscenities (which true hardcore and experienced martial artists would not do).

I have learnt and practised sufficiently of Tai Chi Chuan and Eskrima and I am very happy and satisfied with the PHYSICAL martial arts that my teachers have taught me. I am very confident of my physical martial arts (which the so-called experts call ‘true’ martial arts). What I am interested now, and am heading that direction for the rest of my life, is the spiritual and mystic aspects of the martial arts, which ancient waiiriors of all cultures seem to have. It is a more complete form of martial arts, and I indeed, bow my head very deeply, to Tatang Ilustrisimo, and many other forefathers and Silat masters for showing me the way. It is for further personal development.

When I visited one of my Eskrima teachers (the late Edgar Sulite, founder of Lameco Eskrima) in Los Angelos in 1993, he praised me very highly for having made definitive commitment to emphasise the spiritual aspects in my practice of the martial arts. He said he himself is also starting to move in that direction. He said that many previous Eskrima masters, when they grew older, slowly turn to the spiritual aspects, and less fighting. He said he has started to do meditation also. He encouraged me to move in that direction. Tatang Ilustrisimo and many old Eskrimadors took that path. So, we are not doing anything abnormal.

For this reason to insinuate that I am learning the spiritual aspects of the martial arts for defrauding people, is ridiculous, and offensive. I assert my right and common sense and rationale to learn and practise the spiritual and mystic aspects of the martial arts, and to follow in the exemplifying footsteps of my illustrious teachers and nobody the right ridicule/vilify me, neither to call me a fraud or scam for that.

Therefore,  to question and make sarcastic remarks about martial artists learning the mystic arts,  or  about mystics learning martial arts,   is not taken to very kindly,  and is regarded as vilification,  and offensive.  This is a warning.  If anybody thinks he/she is beyond the reach of this warning,  please feel welcome to make public statements in your full name,  and publish your insults in Indonesian newspapers,  challenging the common sense and motives of the local Silat masters, and then fly over to Indonesia for a long visit.  The local Silat masters may want to have a serious chat with you!  

I practise martial arts for my great pleasure.  It is my hobby,  and I love it.  I practise the spiritual arts for my great pleasure.  It is my hobby,  and I love it.  Therefore,  I practise both.  Both arts complement each other, and this tight integration makes my martial art complete. I believe in completeness. Is your ‘true’ martial art really complete, yet? Is your common sense complete, yet?

In any case,  Yellow Bamboo is a spiritual path.  It is not a martial art.  Why prevent a martial artist from praying to God?   Alternatively,  why prevent a God-loving man from practising martial arts?     It does not make any sense.  Therefore,  please just let them be.    

Written by John Chow

7 November 2004