Spiritual and Mental Strength of Silat

Pencak silat, similar to other martial arts, benefits its practitioners physically, mentally, and spiritually. Spirituality (Mental Spiritual) is a unique and often mysterious aspect of Pencak Silat. Often reserved by the gurus for students who have been exemplary and proven worthy of the high level of knowledge.

The world’s largest archipelago stretches like a huge scimitar from Malaysia to New G uinea comprised of more than 13,000 islands and is home to a deadly fighting art known as “Silat”, or “Pentjak Silat.”

In Malaysia, there are approximately 500 styles. In Indonesia there are perhaps 200 styles with many styles preferring not to be recognized by their respective governments. Accordingly, there may be an incalculable number of styles being practiced today. Archaeological evidence reveals that by the sixth century A.D. formalized combative systems were being practiced in the area of Sumatra and the Malay peninsula. Two kingdoms, the Srivijaya in Sumatra from the 7th to the 14th century and the Majapahit in Java from the 13th to 16th centuries made good use of these fighting skills and were able to extend their rule across much of what is now Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. 

Four aspects play an important role in Pencak Silat ;

• The "Bela-Diri" (self-defence) aspect:

           Self-confidence and perseverance are very important.

• The "Seni Budaya" (culture, art) aspect:

          Culture and performing the "art" of pencak silat is very important. This combines Pencak Silat with                 traditional music and costumes.

• The "Olahraga" (sport) aspect:

        This means that the physical aspect of pencak silat is important. We try to have a sound mind in a                  sound body. Competitions are part of this aspect. There are full-contact (Pertandingan=Competition)             fights, as well as form demonstrations, for one (Tunggal), two (Ganda) or team (Regu) persons.

• The "Mental-Spiritual" (mental and spiritual) aspect:

          Pencak silat builds and develops the personality and noble character of oneself.

Silat does include amulets, prayers, and rituals designed to induce invulnerability and protect students in times of danger. These privately taught rites are unique to each teacher and are never revealed in public. Such traditions serve as a physical reminder of the student’s connection to the cosmos and his belief system. For example, if he is wearing an amulet of tiger’s stone, or the tooth of a tiger, it is a physical reminder that when he uses his Silat, he assumes a tiger’s attitude and incorporates it’s fighting attributes, including tenacity, courage, daring, and ferocity.

All Silat methods include a belief system, often based on the instructor’s religious background, that produces in student’s courage, confidence, and the will to fight in the side of truth and justice. The belief system serves as a philosophical foundation for the student’s fighting techniques. Much of the physical aspect of traditional Silat has mental and spiritual equivalents. This is why the earnest study of Silat leads to the development of a philosophy of life. 

Inner Energy in Martial Arts

 Meditating for spiritual growth and inner energy

The word "energy" or "inner energy" or "mental energy"  is called "Chi Energy" in Chinese,  Ki (Japanese) and "Baraka" in Islamic Countries. It is related, but not precisely the same thing as the scientific concept of energy. The word as used in this context, is something that essentially should be felt.

The Great Mystery of the Martial Arts is how to generate Secret Inner Energy. While some fighting disciplines are more concerned with how to knock people out, the advanced martial artist is always concerned with how to create Inner Energy. This is the arena of Tai Chi, Silat, Ninja, and other such fine arts.

To really make any progress in this matter one needs to understand several items which don't always appear be martial arts related. These things are essential to the human being, and critical to understand the real mysteries of life. Thus, analyze my words carefully, for the real truth is before you.

One, you are unique, a human being, a point of awareness in the universe. Many people think they are flesh machines, but this is false. A body is a vehicle for moving around on the planet, nothing more, nothing less.

Two, the thrust of the human being is to bring order out of chaos. This is a desire for structure which pushes the human experience. Indeed, one's very survival hinges upon ones ability to bring order out of chaos.


Three, the universe is nothing more than a motor. This means that everything has two sides, and if you want to make the universe work, (if you want to generate and use Inner Energy), you need to understand how to make the two sides (of any motor) work.

Four, the martial arts is the best discipline if you wish to learn how to make a motor do what it is supposed to do. This is because one learns first for the smaller universe of the body, and then those teachings can be applied to the rest of life. Unfortunately, this is not known by most people.

Five, you're going to have to find the martial science which focuses on these points. This can be incredibly hard, for the martial arts are a path of knowledge, and have been mixed up and compacted by an endless variety of people with vested interest, or, sad to say, people who are just mean. Still, there is a way to resolve the chaos, discover the science, and find out the truth about your potential.

These five steps are the martial discipline, and they are yet more than martial arts. For the goal of martial arts is merely to open the door to the realization of your true potential, of finding the key to this secret Inner Energy will lead you past the door, into a realm hitherto not accessible to people. Thus, whether Kung Fu or Taekwondo, whether even MMA or Silat, the chi mystery will fall, and the universe will do as you bid.

Master of Silat Lincah

The testing of internal energy mastery of his students.

The Aura and The Chakra in Silat

AURA is your psychic energy body- it's the energy produced by your life force, and it emanates all around you. A lot about your mental, emotional and physical state is reflected in your aura. This can be percieved in the predominant color of your aura.... but please keep in mind, the aura is constantly changing in color, shape and size. Also, the strength and integrity of your aura will have a strong effect on your overall wellbeing.

CHAKRA is a Sanskrit word meaning "spinning wheel of energy". These energy centers within our bodies receive and transmit energy, and each is situated at a major endocrine gland, and nerve bundle within the physical body, called a plexus. Each chakra is connected and associated with a different part of the body. Understanding and using your chakras can promote physical, emotional and spiritual healing, and can lend energy to your manifestational work.

The Chakras

The chakras

The chakras are whirling masses of subtle energy which act as “control centers” for the energy meridians throughout our body, and which receive, store and transmit vital energy.
The word chakra translates from the Sankrit word “wheel” or “vortex.” There are 7 chakras located on a "power line" which runs down the center of the body from the top of the head to the base of the spine. These chakras are whirling masses of subtle energy which act as “control centers” for the energy meridians throughout our body, and which receive, store and transmit vital energy. They are shaped like a "funnel" which is narrowest where our spine is, and which widens as it faces outwards.

Through the energy meridian system, the chakras metabolize and supply vital energy to the various systems and organs of the entire body (similar to how food is physically metabolized). Each chakra resonates at a different frequency and corresponds to a specific color, bodily system, and personality aspects. The chakras also store experiences which have had an emotional impact on us during our lives, with various types of emotions corresponding to each chakra.

An energetic imbalance in one chakra can affect the energy balance within surrounding chakras. The amount of energy flowing through each chakra, as well as the clarity of the color, can indicate an imbalance either within that particular chakra or within the energy meridian assoicated with that chakra. The faster a chakra spins, the more energy it can receive and transmit. When a chakra stops functioning properly, the intake of energy will be disturbed and energetic imbalance will result. The organs and systems related to that particular chakra will reflect this imbalance by inhibiting the immune system in that area of the body, evenually resulting in weakness or illness. Fear-based emotions and situations may also manifest.

A clear, balanced flow of energy within the chakras is important for healthy functioning of the body. The clearer and more uninhibited the vital energy flow between the body, the more health and well-being will be experienced.

Each of the chakras represents a different level of consciousness, and the same issue perceived from the perspective of each chakra would be experienced differently. The chakras each function at their own frequency, the higher its location within the body, the higher the frequency.

At a certain frequency, the seven chakras begin to unify into a single chakra. This unified chakra functions at a much higher frequency. The fields of energy which surround the body also merge into one, and resonate to this much higher frequency. Tony Stubbs, author of An Ascension Handbook, presents a wonderful and simple method of experiencing the unified chakra.

The Aura

Energy Body

The aura is the energy field (also known as the energy body) which extends from all living things, and which is constantly interacting with the surrounding energies in our environment. Many people consciously perceive this energy field. Others perceive it unconsciously (for example, when you feel anger or tension emanating from someone, or you have a vague sense of their personality, or feel a sense of peace and comfort around them).

The aura protects the body from harmful energies by filtering out unhealthy energies and energies it does not resonate with, and absorbing energies that are needed and which it does resonate with. When we feel excited, happy, optimistic, and self-assured, our aura emanates frequencies matching this emotion, and attracts to us other people and situations matching this frequency. Likewise, when we feel depressed, unhappy, pessimistic, angry, or frustrated, people and situations which resonate to these frequencies will be attracted to us.

The visual state of this energy field provides important information on the health and well-being of the body. The aura can be multi-colored or may have one or two colors which predominate. These colors relate to health of the chakras and meridians throughout the body. Auras which are clear and which have bright colors indicate a healthy energetic system. Dark, “muddy” auras, or areas of the aura that are blotchy, can indicate emotional, psychological, or physical issues which have been "frozen" within the energy field.

With a little bit of practice, everyone can learn to consciously see the aura with their naked eye, although some individuals are able to naturally see the aura without any practice or training. These individuals have naturally expanded their sensory perception beyond the five physical senses and are often clairvoyant (able to see things others cannot), clairaudient (able to hear things others cannot), and clairsentient (able to feel things others cannot). When we learn to physically see the aura, we then begin the process of expanding our sensory perception and awareness of other dimensions of consciousness. The subtle information which the brain normally filters out will then become fully accessible to us.

The “glow” of the aura can also be photographed using a special type of photography called Kirilan photography. If we focus on a specific thought forms or color, these thoughtforms will be energetically displayed as color swirls and patterns in a Kirlian photograph, as will a haze of whichever color was focused on. Kirlian photography shows us that we can interact with the human energy field and regulate it simply by using our intent. Our thoughts are energy, and energy has a direct impact on our bodies and our surroundings.

What is the relationship Aura and Chakras in silat martial arts?
Is this video can give an answer?

Download Fully Guided Meditations To Develop and Balance Your Chakras !

The 'Mandi Minyak' (Literally 'Oil-Bath')

There are many rituals similar to mandi minyak in many parts of the world and the theory of ritual heat has developed to account for this type of “supernatural” or shamanic performance.

In the art of Silat,one must posses a Pure heart and confidence when taking part in any spiritual ceremony. This include Silat Seni Gayong.

The 'mandi minyak' (literally 'oil-bath') ceremony does not make one immortal, but it is believed that the hot oil actually contain medicinal value. The grated coconut were squeezed to get the coconut milk, which when then heated under open fire and stirred non-stop will become coconut oil. Throughout the whole process, the person must recite the religuous verses surah Al-Fatehah and Surah Al-Ikhlas non-stop. It is expected that the person performing this activity to do it with the utmost sincerity, concentration, and patience.

Normally the whole process would take one whole day.As the whole process is very tedious and takes a very long time,one must have a pure heart and high level of patience while undergoing the whole process.

Before inserting the hand in the wok filled with hot boiling oil, one must recite a few verses form the Quran and pray that the boiling oil could make him healthy and heal pains that he received while training, GOD WILLING.

This ceremony is best done at least once a year. The more often the better to treat the aches and pains accumulated during training.

As a people of faith we believe that it is GOD's will to grant our request. Patience is required for us to gain the rewards of our hard work to obtain what is good. And when granted, we must show our gratitude in prayer and supplication.

"No man is mighty in this world except with graces from the highest and Almighty."

Spirit in Gendang Silat

Music is one of the key elements that can raise the spirit pesilat. In silat, silat of music called "gendang silat" or "serunai silat".  Gendang  dan erunai is a musical instrument in the silat.

Gendangsilat is a mysterious, often heard when pesilat gendangsilat, pesilat will feel like a spirit in him into a warrior. silat movements, hovering in the foyer of his mind and feels as if he were doing movements. indeed it is a mystery, just pesilat only can feel the spirit.

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Spirituality in the Silat

In silat, kebatinan is internal and in the heart, hidden, and mysterious. This is the most difficult stage to achieve in learning silat. Kebatinan means one who searches to develop inner tranquility and the rasa diri (an intuitive inner feeling) through a method of self-submission. One may experience intuitively the divine prescnce of the Almighty residing within the heart. This is the awakening of the heart and a special knowledge like an unseen treasure that only those who recognize the essence of the Almighty can discover. The practitioner of kebatinan seeks to cultivate the true self, achieving harmony, and ultimately unity. Achieving kebatinan is quite strenuous; it is a search to develop good and noble character. It is a personal search of an intuitive connection to the Almighty, and a positive way of life. Kebatinan may be practiced in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity,
or any other religious or mystical movement. Kebatinan for Muslims is steeped in the lslamic faith. Anything beyond that is considered as shirk (associating partners with Allah). In Silat, spirituality acquired through the practice of prayer, dhikr, or meditating.

 

great malay martial arts silat  by yon