At long last, here is the final chapter of the series (from 2010!) on traditional approaches to teaching and learning Silat. This article is one of my favorites from the writings of the emminent Malaysian Silat scholar Mohd Nadzrin Wahab. We have previously examined 2 other methods "Impression" and "Expression" - now we learn about the third method: "Activation".
Activation Method
The third method is the Activation Method (AM). Depending on who you speak to,
this can be spiritual, supernatural or psychological in nature. However you
want to label it, AM deals with the direct activation of hidden potential
within the human being and can be carried out in a number of ways.
It begins with the assumption that every human being is imbued with innate potential
for movement. They say, everyone is born with it. Some call it
Gerak (motion),
Ibu Gerak (source of motion),
Ibu Gayong (source of divine motion),
al-Aql
al-Awwal (the first mind),
Barakah (divine gift), The First Principle, etc.
Whereas IM sought to mold the student to accept the art and EM sought to have
the art developed by the student, AM simply bypasses the body and mind and goes
straight to the soul and activates the ‘art’ from there.
Scientifically, there is no explanation. Some may try to wave it away as
hypnosis, hoaxes or even plain delusion. Since this method is, at best,
incredible, I shall proceed to only discuss those examples which have been
documented.
In one instance, Ustaz Azam, the Khalifah Perang (War Caliph) of Persatuan
Seni Silat Gayong Maarifat Malaysia claimed in an advertisement that "By
participating in this
Gerak Laksamana course … the caliph/caliph’s
representative will open the door of your body’s ‘batin’ energy … in a short
period you will be able to explore any form of
silat … perform silat movements
and master complex combat techniques".
The advert goes on to explain "It should be mentioned that this energy
door is present in all human beings and all masters or practitioners of ilmu
batin who are experts are able to open these batin doors within the human
body".
"By mastering the knowledge of true internal energy which lies within
the human being there is no need for requesting of assistance from jin or other
superstitious aspects".
Is the statement an oxymoron? Apparently, it isn’t for many Malaysians who
took the advert in stride.
Another explanation is given by guru Abdul Karim Mat Shah of Silat Semula
Jadi (Natural Silat). According to him, silat (self-defence) is inherent
knowledge in the self. It is present even in a baby who blinks when one
attempts to touch his eyes.
The difference here lies is his attestation that training is a must. He
stressed that without physical training, ‘natural’ motion cannot translate into
movement. He describes the ‘natural’ motion akin to an electric shock.
"It’s like a flowing current… we can sense the enemy’s pulse (intent).
We instinctively know his movement and can move anywhere (he
goes)"."Silat Semula Jadi will only come to those who really want it
to. It will seep into the body if it is really wanted. Within a month, it can
be done, if it is really wanted," he repeats.
Islamic Activation?
However, these attempts at clarification often fog the issue and leave the
devout Muslim scratching his head (not to mention the pronounced skeptics).
Ustaz Zainuddin Othman of
Silat Sendeng Nusantara, a religious teacher of
sufistic background gives it a more Islamic spin.
In his explanation, he calls it
Ibu Gayong."… in reality,
Ibu Gayong is
a secret of the soul that emanates from every human being, conferred by Allah
to us, which is called reflective movement. In the
sufi’s language, it is
Al-‘Aql Al-Awwal, or the pure soul".
He gave the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH who wrestled two Arab
wrestling champions, Al Aswad and Rukanah, and won.
"How did he win, when he wasn’t even an expert in wrestling? Clearly,
he had stepped forward to prove that subscription to Allah’s strength is far
more powerful than depending on one’s own … therefore, defensive reflective
motion arose from his submission to Allah".
A more graphic and practical display was described by Ustaz Wan Kamarulzaman
Wan Abdul Aziz founder of
Persilatan Gerak Suci Mangkubumi. When he first made
known his intention of studying a silat style named
Silat Gerakan Suci, the
master
guru Wan Asri initiated him with some H2O.
"He gave me a glass of water and immediately, I could extrapolate
movements. But my movements were too fast, they were uncontrollable. It came
quickly, just as when we first learn to drive a car, just as uncontrollable.
After you get your licence, then you’ve mastered it," he quipped.
According to
Ustaz Wan, this ‘motion’ exists in all human beings. It only
has to be ‘activated’ so that it may be used consciously. He gives the example
of reflexive movements that occur during sleep.
"Motion in this silat is a result of our supplications (to Allah) and
our spiritual practices … in other silat, the physical is taught first, such as
buah, kuncian and such, but in
Gerakan Suci, the ‘
gerak’ method is given
priority".
"Initially, when I began teaching, I also favoured the ‘gerak’ method …
but I noticed it wasn’t appropriate. The emanated movements depend on the
practitioner. If he has studied silat before, his movements are
beautiful".
"But, for those with no
silat basics … pandemonium. Some just start
rolling around. The silat movements are just rubbish. No artistry whatsoever …
that is why … I began teaching the physical aspect first".
It may surprise many to know even though the three methods (IM, EM and AM)
seem different, but many perguruan of the former two also subscribe to the AM
concept, albeit later, much later in the training.
Sometimes, this is because of the situation that
Ustaz Wan faced early on in
his teaching career, others because it is considered the highest secret of
their
perguruan.
Personally, I [Nadzrin] have only experienced examples of IM and EM but have yet to
sample AM. It would make an interesting article should it ever happen. In any
case, all three methods, and more besides, exist in all
Silat Melayu to a
certain degree or other.
To be able to determine the extent of subscription, surveys have to be done
on a case by case basis, and because of the secrecy surrounding most of these
practices/ beliefs, it mostly has to be done by participative observation.
