Chapter 5, Mental Illness

After the surface consciousness formed by external stimuli on the five senses fades away, the usually turbulent and chaotic thoughts enter a state of tranquility. Whether it is a practitioner of monasticism cultivating meditative concentration or a martial artist training in internal nourishment, the first step in meditation must be this way, after which one can discuss the depth of meditative concentration

Xingyi Quan is associated with the concepts of the Five Elements and Twelve Forms. The Five Elements are named Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, which in the context of martial arts refer to the five types of force application: chopping, collapsing, drilling, cannon, and horizontal. The Twelve Forms correspond to twelve animals: Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Chicken, Horse, Hawk, Swallow, Snake, Toad, Heron, Eagle, and Bear. However, when my third uncle taught me during my travels, he did not mention these; he simply referred to it as a form of agricultural skill, with names that were quite rustic such as Mountain Chicken Fist, Flapping Fist, Old Monkey Fist, Pulling Python Fist, and Wild Cat Fist.

I am truly exhausted; as soon as my head touches the pillow, my eyelids can hardly stay open. However, my sleep is far from restful. The moment I close my eyes, circles of light continuously appear, contract, and vanish in the darkness. My body feels a sense of falling, as if I am endlessly plummeting into an abyss. My mind is extremely restless, yet the profound fatigue is irresistible, and before I know it, I have fallen asleep.

After going downstairs for breakfast, I felt a faint lack of flavor in my mouth. Youfang planned to go out and practice boxing. Since the internal cultivation through meditation could not be practiced for the time being, he decided to stretch his muscles and activate his energy. This could serve the purpose of nurturing the spirit through physical form. Although the effects might be slow, they would still be beneficial.

Youfang quickly interrupted, saying: "Senior, perhaps you should use a different form of address. Whenever you call me Xiaofang, it reminds me of a girl in the village..."

The wanderer also possesses the "Soul Calling Technique". If he were to disguise himself as an older person, he could easily impersonate a psychologist in the martial arts world to deceive others. However, it is quite difficult for him to deceive himself, at least not in the short term. Just as it is challenging for a psychologist to casually alter the deep-seated imprints of their consciousness while in a state of self-hypnosis. If a person could easily repair the depths of their own consciousness, they would not be an ordinary psychologist, but rather a top-tier master of mental control.

For Youfang, the symptoms are not particularly severe for an ordinary person and do not significantly affect daily life. By changing the environment, one can gradually forget and bury this experience deep in memory. However, Youfang is not entirely an ordinary person, which leads to feelings of anxiety and frustration. Until this issue is resolved, it is difficult for him to continue practicing the internal cultivation methods, which are essential for harmonizing both internal and external aspects of health and tranquility. The prolonged delay poses a risk of losing his internal strength.

You Fang replied and had just taken a step when he turned around and asked, "What brand are you buying?"

Do not think that only modern psychologists possess these techniques; traditional practitioners in the community also master very similar methods. Even certain rural witches are capable of this. Since ancient times, shamanism and medicine have shared the same origin. This has historically been a form of folk art, grandly named the Soul Calling Technique. My itinerant great-uncle Mo Shen Shou was once a wandering doctor, proficient in the art of blessings and a master of the Fatigue Gate. Although he did not formally study medicine, he was well-acquainted with the techniques of folk Fatigue Gate Soul Calling.

You Fang had no choice but to nod and reply: "Indeed, the esteemed elder is profound and unfathomable. I am truly in awe. May I ask for your esteemed name, senior?"

After a bout of wild imagination, Youfang pulled the quilt over himself and fell asleep on the bed

General psychological issues do not significantly affect a person's rational judgment, as external environmental stimuli are often much stronger than the illusions deep within consciousness, typically overshadowing them. However, if the severity reaches a certain level, the intensity of internal illusions can surpass the response to environmental stimuli, leading to a breakdown in communication with the outside world and a loss of normal rational judgment. In simpler terms—he has developed a mental illness, he has gone mad

Not far to the east of the Cangzhou Hotel, there is a Lotus Pond Park. The park features a lake that spans over one hundred meters in circumference. In the southeast corner, a patch of grass extends into the lake, culminating in a four-cornered pavilion. This area is surrounded by the lake on two sides. In early autumn, the lotus flowers and leaves gently sway, and the morning breeze carries a faint, pleasant fragrance, making it a refreshing spot to pause and enjoy.

The old man pointed to the four-cornered pavilion in the center of the lake and said, "Don't stand here talking. I'll wait for you over there. I'm a bit thirsty, so please go to the entrance and buy me a bottle of water."

"Youfang, with 'you' meaning to travel and 'fang' meaning direction." Youfang answered readily; this is actually his alias, which is the same as the name he registered at the Cangzhou Hotel yesterday. He also possesses an ID card under the name Youfang.

The old man slightly raised his face and said: "I am Liu Li, the contemporary earth master, www.hetushu.com. I am not the 'wandering' of the lost, but the 'literary knife' Liu, and the 'people' of Li. What is your name?"

You Fang quietly wiped the slight sweat from his forehead and explained, "I just finished practicing boxing; the weather is a bit hot"

The old man smiled in a way that was neither a smile nor a frown and said: "Saying this can only fool outsiders. Practicing martial arts is not the same as fighting. With your skills, you wouldn't break a sweat after going through a routine. Moreover, the sweat you're producing is not right; it's on your forehead instead of your palms. That's cold sweat. Are you afraid of me, old man?"

The spirit is pierced | Excitement is an unpredictable matter, often unnoticed even by oneself at the time. Last night, You Fang participated in tomb raiding for the first time in a dark and eerie environment, committing murder and arson for the first time in his life. His mind remained in a state of excessive sensitivity and tension. That strange old man said he had "injured his original spirit." At the time, You Fang did not take it seriously, but when he sat in meditation before sleep to practice his inner cultivation method, he realized that the old man's words were not unfounded

The term "injured the primordial spirit" may not be understood by the average person, but the phrase "the spirit has been pricked or stimulated" is likely to be comprehensible. Certain environments or experiences can leave an excessively strong impression on an individual, or it may be that during specific events, the mind has been in a state of excessive tension, focus, or anxiety for too long, resulting in a deep-seated impact akin to a permanent imprint that cannot be erased. Although it may seem that time has passed or that one has forgotten, it continues to exert a lasting influence or even obstruction on a person's behavior and senses. This leads to a deep-seated impact akin to a permanent imprint that cannot be erased. Although it may seem that time has passed or that one has forgotten, it continues to exert a lasting influence or even obstruction on a person's behavior and senses.

The old expression was somewhat inscrutable: "This name suits my taste, but I can see that you don't look well. Did you not sleep well last night? Now that you have met me, is there something you would like to inquire about?"

You Fang was taken aback and immediately turned around. About ten feet away stood a person, the very strange old man he had encountered yesterday morning. It seemed that his senses were not as sharp as usual; although the grass by the lake could muffle sounds, it was still the first time in nearly three years that he had been approached so closely from behind without any awareness while standing still.

Youfang bought a bottle of water. The old man sat on the railing of the pavilion, crossing his legs. He took the water but neither drank it nor opened the cap, swaying the bottle and saying, "Xiaofang..."

The old man stood in a very strategic position, with lotus leaves on both sides of the lake. Behind him was a four-cornered pavilion in the center of the lake, effectively blocking his path, making it impossible for him to escape. He had no choice but to step forward and clasp his fists, saying: "Old senior, how did you find me?"

However, Youfang was not too worried; at worst, he could return to his hometown and ask his second uncle for treatment. If that did not work, he could also seek help from Old Master Mo, while conveniently inquiring about what "Yuan Shen" is. The over ninety-year-old Old Master is a local "renrui" and the elder of several uncles, possessing almost unparalleled expertise in the true skills and various methods of the eight major sects in the martial world.

Since I cannot avoid this old man, Youfang naturally has matters to inquire about. Stepping forward respectfully, he said: "Senior, you mentioned yesterday that I have injured my primordial spirit. I do not quite understand this. Could you please provide me with detailed guidance, esteemed elder?"

You Fang does not understand the expertise of a psychologist and is still somewhat confused about the meaning of the term "Yuan Shen". However, he is familiar with the "soul-calling technique" of the martial world. Combining this with his own practice of meditation, he has speculated and made various wild guesses about the aforementioned concepts.

The young man has a solid foundation and a strong stance; in today's world, individuals like you who practice martial arts are indeed rare.

While questioning, I was also puzzled, constantly pondering what flaws I had left along the way that allowed the old man to track me down. However, the old man answered with something unrelated: "I was out for a morning stroll in the park and happened to see you practicing your martial arts. I thought you had anticipated my arrival and were waiting here on purpose. ... ... Oh, why are you sweating?"

Waking up in a daze feels as if one has not rested well, making it difficult to muster any energy for activities. This state is something that most people encounter frequently and is not particularly concerning. However, Youfang feels quite unaccustomed and uncomfortable; ever since he began practicing meditation and internal cultivation, he has consistently been energetic and perceptive, rarely experiencing fatigue or tiredness.

This night was filled with nightmares, yet upon waking, he could not recall the details, only feeling somewhat dazed. You Fang is neither a notorious criminal nor a wandering hero; if one disregards his martial skills and understanding of the ways of the world, he is merely a young man from the countryside. In the years he has spent in Beijing, he first sold discs in Zhongguancun, and later helped manage a stall at Panjiayuan Book Market. His experiences with the dangers of the world are still quite limited. After what transpired last night, it is only natural to have nightmares.

The name is false, but the documents are "real." Many people may have seen advertisements for "document processing" on utility poles, but most do not understand that fake documents can also be made to appear genuine. For instance, Zhang San obtained an ID card in the name of Li Si; the identity is certainly false, but the document could potentially be real, depending on how it was obtained. (Note: The family of You Fang's seventh aunt specializes in the "document processing" business, and further details will be elaborated upon later if relevant.)

Wanderer: "What would you like to ask, esteemed elder?"

The old man also smiled: "Then I shall call you Little Traveler, yes, Little Traveler is a good name, quite similar to Little Rogue. ... ... Little Traveler, since you have put in some effort into your martial arts, I would like to ask you, why do you practice martial arts? Please answer seriously."

Nongfu Spring

If self-regulation is not possible, it is necessary to consult a psychologist. The doctor will employ methods such as soothing, diversion, catharsis, and reinforcement of stimulation for treatment. Sometimes, techniques like hypnosis and suggestion are required to delve into the patient's subconscious to identify the root cause, while also striving to eliminate the influence of such imprints as much as possible

Wandering: "Neither a Taoist nor a monk, simply roaming the four corners of the world"

You can't help but recall the last words spoken by that eccentric old man before he left: "Although you acted decisively last night, you also harmed your own essence, and there were too many flaws in front of me."

The old man chuckled and said: "Are you a wandering Taoist priest or a wandering monk?"

In a normal state, a person's consciousness responds correctly to external stimuli through the senses; for instance, if there is no one in front, one will not see anyone. However, if the depths of consciousness are not calm, it may lead to incorrect judgments and reactions, such as seeing someone when there is actually no one present. This is a fundamental cause of many psychological issues

There is a clear boundary between ordinary psychological issues and loss of behavioral control. Many people have psychological problems to varying degrees, but they are not insane

The old man seemed to have been waiting for this remark from the traveler. He waved his hand with an air of confidence and said: "We are all people of the rivers and lakes, and I am happy to support the younger generation. However, if you want me to offer guidance, you must first answer a few questions from me. Only if your answers satisfy me will we proceed."

On the other hand, his spirit was still not sufficiently invigorated. In the past, after meditating at night and practicing martial arts in the morning, he would feel particularly clear-headed, full of energy, and not a trace of fatigue or drowsiness. However, at this moment, he always felt as if he had not fully awakened. It seemed that the impact of his injured spirit would not dissipate in the short term.

Last year, there was a news report about a psychologist in the U.S. military who suddenly went mad one day, rushing out of the barracks and shooting dead or injuring dozens of people. The reason was simple: while providing psychological counseling to soldiers, he was subjected to repeated stimuli that he could not timely self-repair, ultimately leading to a loss of control over his behavior. (Note: the Hoodburg incident)

Mild symptoms can often be alleviated through self-regulation, allowing the mind to return to a normal state. An individual's self-regulation ability is influenced by factors such as environment, personality, education, and experiences. In the context of traditional Chinese culture, the psychological resilience and self-regulation capacity of individuals are notably strong, significantly surpassing those found in modern Western cultural environments

You Fang did not respond with notions of fighting with others to gain fame and fortune, nor did he mention strengthening the body or defending the homeland; instead, he expressed his most genuine sentiment—enjoying life

Why practice martial arts? When I was young, practicing martial arts was merely a form of play, something I was interested in without much thought. As I continued to practice into adulthood, I began to reflect on my reasons for doing so—why? The reasons are naturally numerous, such as self-defense, not being at a disadvantage in fights, and physical fitness, among others. However, when one reaches a level of mastery, the motivations extend beyond these basic reasons.

If environmental stimuli or cognitive activities cause distractions, they may dissipate as concentration deepens. However, what the wanderer experiences is not mere distractions, but rather imprints from the depths of consciousness. This is not an ordinary illusion or delusion, nor is it subject to human will; it is akin to being in a situation that is both immersive and irresistible—when the body and mind enter this state, it will naturally manifest.

To an outsider, the practice of routines may seem quite simple; performing the twelve forms of the boxing routine from start to finish takes just over half an hour. After completing the routine, the practitioner stood quietly by the lake for a while, experiencing the joyful sensation of energy and blood circulating throughout the body, with all physical fatigue dissipating.