A few words about the Shaolin.
Both from legend and real history.
Knowing that most of the oriental
people are very superstitios, it's not a big surprise that about almost
everthing that is not a matter of the common people's life, there is a
legend at least, or , why not, several different accounts of legendary
superpowers, psychic capabilities, and paranormal or supernatural
abilities. From generals of the army, or just soldiers remarked, from
heroes to enemies, the chinese people have attributed during their wast
culture and history legendary powers to all those
who they could not or would not want to
understand completely.
So is the case with the priests of the shaolin. There are accounts and tales, stories, according to which some of these fighter priests had superhuman powers, like hitting and braking a rock just by the power of their thought, or by being impenetrable to knife, bullet, or having their body shielded almost electromagnetically against any weapon that would be used against them.
Apart from the legendary side of the story, in truth most of the shaolin priests were retired soldiers, who just had enough of serving the needs of landlords who couldn't care less, and wanted to retire in peace and harmony, so they took up the robes and became priests of the shaolin temples.
Of course, every one of them was bringing in some fighting skills, and in the temple there was much to learn, too, and so the fighting art of the shaolin became better and better by every new monk. Most people would think that everyone went to the temples to learn, but there were countless ones who went to the temple to retire to a life of meditation and prayer, but also brought with them a great contribution to the embetterment of the fighting styles practiced inside the temple.
The shaolin art was, no doubt, is, and will remain, however, one of the most serious, most deadly, and mostly unknown martial art. That is mostly because of the harsh training conditions, the very hard to attain admittance, and due to the fact that those who have trained in the shaolin, are NOT much of show-offs, they silently keep their art for themselves and only use it for defensive purposes.
Among the legends mixed with the true history, the shaolin figthing style and the shaolin , ascetic way of life, remains one of the hardest to comprehend and practice, yet, one of the most beautiful and rewarding martial arts style or school to follow.
The extreme training methods, the harsh conditions of life to follow during the training, the hour-long meditations following the training, enables the follower/practitioner to attain not only bodily strenght, but also a greater harmony of the body and mind than in any other style.
I sincerely recommend, and keep, if not following and comprehension, at least, the greatest respect for all those who practice and live the shaolin way of life, the shaolin martial art.