Philosophies

WyngTjun is based on three fundamental philosophies :

Buddhism. Buddhism plays a very important role in WyngTjun. It describes the way to follow, the attitude to adopt by the student to learn WyngTjun and the diligence needed to follow the training. According to the Buddhists, "the way is the goal" and therefore training should not serve to achieve predetermined objectives because training is already an objective itself. It is the only way to exist with your mind, here and now, without wasting energy for the future. Buddhist aspects are also found in forms, such as for example the third part of Siu Nim Tao, which is named "The triple worship of Buddha".
Taoism. In the context of WyngTjun, Taoism mainly hints at the flexibility within the sequence of moves, the principle of giving way to the opponent's force and the idea of avoiding rigid and fixed positions. However, Taoism should not be confused with weakness or opportunistic action. It rather stresses the constant flexibility, the capacity to adapt and to reorganise at any place and at any time as well as to restructure an attack.
Confucianism. Confucianism also plays an influential part within the WyngTjun system. Confucius described the morally appropriate behaviour, to adopt when dealing with other people, and the mutual respect, which should predominate in every situation. The family-like structure of the WyngTjun hierarchy (Sigung, Sifu, Sihin, Sije, etc.) is linked to Confucianist teachings. However, it should be stressed that this structure must not to be confused with blind obedience or with unjustified respect. Actually, it is a relation of mutual respect between students and instructors. The predominant principle is as follows: "Teach your students in the same way as you would like to be taught." and reversely "Treat your instructor in the same way as you would like to be treated."

Principles

The essence of WyngTjun is not its techniques but the underlying principles, which allow the correct use of the techniques. Here below, you will find a sample of those principles:

Every avoided fight is a victory.

Combat principles :

If the way is free, advance and charge !
If the way is blocked by an obstacle, stick to the latter!
If the opponent's force is too strong, give way to it!
If the opponent retreats, follow him!

Force principles :

Release your own force.
Release the force of your opponent.
Borrow your opponent's force against him.
And add your own force.

Wu Wei - Act without premeditation.

This principle reminds the practitioner not to act with premeditation. In a real combat situation, the practitioner doesn't use mental preconceived movements. Consequently, his defense will always adapt to the opponent's attack. Our response (defense) to a real combat situation is supposed to adapt to the question (attack, movements) and the latter must not be countered to with violence. In case of an attack, the adequate responses by the WyngTjun practitioner constantly adapt to the opponent's movements by following the Taoist Ying Yang philosophy. That's how we use the opponent's force and speed to crush him.