Muay Thai Bones Podcast - #13 (Apple & Android) The Meaning of Ruup, Intensity vs Load, Buddhistic Fight Compassion (3 hrs, 48 min)

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu

Pop, maybe it would be worth it to start a thread on this on my forum, 8limbsus.com/muay-thai-forum as you have a lot of detailed thoughts about it?

Pop Praditbatuga

This is a continuation of my other comment post on "Ning" and "Oht-tohn" from the subsequent "Comanche Warrior" podcast. Again, this is from a Theravada Buddhist meditation standpoint. One of the biggest challenges during meditation with "Ning" is to not drift into the future, because thoughts of the future leads to desire (e.g., desire to get out from being stuck in a cave with rising water, etc.) and when that desire is not met, or leads one to being too anxious about getting there, it leads to suffering and panic. Mastering "Ning" to be calm and okay in the current state will automatically guide you towards infinity if need be. But during this concentration on the current state, one cannot make the mistake of inviting in fixation on the future. We often can't separate "forever" from "future" or some "extended time." The purpose of the "Ning" is to be calm here and now and flow with it infinitely without thinking about infinity in terms of "future" if that makes sense. If you've tried Buddhist meditation as a newbie in a Thai temple, you've probably sat there thinking into the future about when is it going to end because your knees hurt sitting like that... because you haven't attained Ning yet (and your Ruup must be way off with your back slouching down in pain). :) Now, this is the part I'm not going to pretend to know....because this is reserved for you experienced pro fighters. But I'll throw some Buddhist concepts out there. In the middle of a round, if one were to think too much about making it to the end of the round, then deductively, that would appear to disturb "Ning." "Ning" should be maintained throughout the round in the here and now until the end of the round arrives naturally, and thereafter. Secondly, because in a sport like Muay Thai one is not sitting still like in meditation, "Ning" is better manifested through Ruup. Hence, to maintain "Ning" throughout is to maintain Ruup throughout. Hope that didn't sound too confusing from a meditation perspective. Definitely correct me if this isn't applicable from a pro-fighting perspective. Also if true Ruup is derived from true Ning, then the Ruup should not just be a mere visual "front," but a truly derived posture from Ning. These concepts occur throughout different facets of Thai culture, but rarely is it discussed like this. Love that you are bringing this out in the context of Muay Thai.

Shell

Ah Thanks 🙏🏼

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu

Ruup is your body, posture, physicality. Ning is a quality of that posture or composure. Also a quality of stillness as a mental state.

Shell

Really enjoy this one too.. I esp love hearing the difference between Thailand and the west. I also love the Buddhist/Muay Thai discussions. I feel Ruup and Ning are very similar? I’d love to hear a podcast on those two explanations side by side .... pretty please 🙏🏼

Thanks guys I've listened to every podcast you've done. Most of them on here since being a sponsor. Really love everything you're doing. It's great for Muay Thai and the fighters. Really love the long form format of the casts (and this comment) and love all the content you post. Please keep it up it's inspiring in loads of ways. Also your analogies are amazing 😆! Thanks

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu

Thanks for the super positive feedback! It's great to hear. We'll definitely keep on going!

Arch Konstad

Hey guys. I have been a regular listener of your podcasts... The latest, my favourite thus far. Fascinating to get a westerners perspective of ruup and how Buddhism is woven into Muay Thai culture. These are wonderful listens. Keep it up!