It is only at first glance that the Wing Chun system merely consists of movements, techniques and principles for effective self-defense. In fact, there is much more to this complex martial art, namely a way which can lead the individual to manifest his/her higher, inner self.PHYSICAL SELF-DEFENSE - The first level in Wing Chun
Wing Chun consists of three levels, the physical level being the lowest. The object here is to protect one's body from the attacks of others and overcome physical confrontations successfully. Nonetheless even physical Wing Chun is no mere collection of techniques. Certain axioms or formula are combined with specific movement patterns (forms, Chi-Sao etc.) to spontaneously create the necessary defensive "movements", which are directly suited to attack.
STRATEGY AND TACTICS: The second level in Wing Chun
The same formula we use in the lower, physical level to generate our fighting movements is used at the second level to develop tactics or strategies which can be used to advantage in the various manifestations of everyday life, e.g. business, school and in social situations.
In this case the object is not physical protection, but rather to safeguard our position, social status or business success. In short, the medium level teaches us how to use intelligence and skill to survive in the outside world and prevail against others.
But in the end this level must be overcome by the individual, for everything gained in this way is transitional and therefore without value in the end. Eventually tactics and management skills (unless one is merely selflessly performing one's duty) only strengthen the ego. Nonetheless, the second level also develops your own truths, which must be separated from the perception of others.
SELF-FULFILMENT: The third and highest level
At the thrid level the object is our essence, our real or inner life. Here the point is not to deal with others, but rather ourselves (envy, hate, frustration, self-pity, fear, offended sense of justice, self-importance, bad habits etc.).
By taking the path of individual psychological evolution and freeing ourselves from incorrect thoughts and mechanistic physical and mental attitudes, we try to transform ourselves into new, better and peaceable people. When we have worked on ourselves accordingly the world will be a better one for those around us. Originally the Wing Chun studetn would strive for personal development on all three of these levels at the same time, however when the art was taught to less sophisticated people who could only understand the physical aspect it was divided into three different learning levels. Most schools, also in Asia, are only aware of the physical level and have never been exposed to the other two – in fact some even deny their existence. In fact in an ingenious way the same axioms and behavioural principles are a common thread in all three levels, bringing their greatest and most lasting benefits particularly at the highest level.
This explanation was adapted from Keith Kernspecht's 3-part structure of the WIngTsun system.
