I’d never thought that I’d get hit with writer’s block, but here I am sitting in front of my laptop with a blank mind, with nothing to-

(sudden realization, cue light bulb being turned on)

Or not.

It just occurred to me how much I can get done just by swinging into action. I wasn’t typing before this, just trying to formulate thoughts and organize them into a coherent topic from which I can write some content about. I didn’t have foodies nearby for that extra energy brain boost (which all along isn’t necessary for good creative writing). Apparently, at the very first sentence, something clicked inside my head as I typed out the word “blank” on the first line. It was so simple, yet quite profound.

I couldn’t write not because my mind was blank. I couldn’t write because my monkey mind was jumping here and there, thus exhausting my mind energy. How ironic that I couldn’t write because I was too busy thinking of what to write. Ha. Things became a lot easier once I discarded all that noise, and just let my fingers flow naturally on the keyboard.

By stilling my thoughts and letting go, the content is provided naturally. I have to thank my Shaolin training for enhancing my mind, or shen in mandarin chinese, for increasing my clarity, focus and robustness of mind. Shaolin Kung Fu is combat effective and increases your health and vitality, but what most people would not know is that it also cultivates the mind. Not just from doing sitting meditation, mind you. You can also cultivate shen by performing your Kung Fu sets in a Chi Kung state of mind. Relaxation is very important here. In fact, my Sifu always says to relax, relax and relax. If you tense your muscles you will tense your mind, and vice versa.

Of course my monkey mind is always active in the background. I cannot quiet it completely. My standard isn’t of that high a level yet. However, it just dawned on me that to improve the quality of my shen, I should let go of myself more and open my heart. Let go of thoughts and emotions, and smile from the heart.

Enjoy the moment.

Enjoy the stillness.