Performing the following practice before workouts ensures that your mind will be as flexible as your body.
The founder of Zen and creator of Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong was the son of a king of the warrior caste in India. When he was a boy, his teacher of Buddhist teachings showed him a jewel and asked him: “Is there anything more precious than this jewel?” Then the Boddhidarma replied: “A clear mind is worth much more than a precious jewel.”
Boddhidarma took 3 years on his journey from India to China. He brought with him his scrolls with Buddhist teachings. After his unsuccessful meeting with the Chinese emperor, he crossed the Yangtze River and arrived at the Shaolin temple where he was known as «The Indian Who Stares at the Wall». His teachings were aimed more at understanding Buddha nature than at intellectual understanding itself.
If you are thirsty, the description of a glass of water will not quench you.
Boddhidarma attached great importance to physical exercise to keep the body healthy. For him, by keeping the body healthy, our mental energy increases and prepares us for rigorous meditative practices. He also taught that Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong are also part of the path to Zen.
Boddhidarma is always depicted with a serious expression. This represents his resilience and determined spirit (he says he once plucked his eyebrows to keep him from falling asleep while meditating).
When you train in Shaolin martial arts, Boddhidarma is one of your most important spiritual ancestors. You can obtain many benefits through the energy of this great Indian Master, even if you are not Buddhist or have no religion.
Like Buddha, he renounced his wealth to become a monk. He achieved nothing material from his studies and practices. His teachings were authentic and profound. When I was studying at the Shaolin Temple, our master gave us a teaching and asked us to think about it throughout the week and apply it to our Kung Fu and Qigong training. Although I wasn’t always able to understand these teachings, this practice ended up making my mind more flexible and broader.
I suggest you add this practice to your workouts and see how you get on. Here are some Zen teachings to get you started:
Conclusion
The story of Bodhidharma highlights the profound connection between mental clarity and physical practice, emphasizing that the cultivation of the mind is as essential as the training of the body. By performing specific preparatory practices before workouts, one aligns not only the muscles and joints but also the mind, creating a foundation of focus, awareness, and flexibility. Bodhidharma’s journey from India to China and his dedication to transmitting Buddhist teachings demonstrate the timeless importance of a clear and disciplined mind in achieving personal and spiritual growth.
His teachings at the Shaolin Temple illustrate that martial and physical practices are not solely about strength, endurance, or technique—they are a medium for understanding oneself and the nature of existence. The emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, and intentional movement reflects the principle that mental clarity is a precious asset, far surpassing material wealth or external achievements. When the mind is clear, the body responds more efficiently, movements become precise, and the practitioner develops a harmonious relationship with both internal energy and external forces.
Integrating this philosophy into modern training routines encourages a holistic approach to exercise. Warm-ups and preparatory practices are not just physical necessities; they are opportunities to cultivate presence, focus, and mental resilience. This alignment of mind and body improves performance, reduces the risk of injury, and enhances overall well-being.
Ultimately, the legacy of Bodhidharma reminds practitioners that true mastery arises from the union of body, mind, and spirit. By valuing a clear mind as highly as physical capability, one can approach training—and life itself—with balance, awareness, and insight, turning every movement into a purposeful and transformative practice.
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