Chapter 6: Subtle Perception – Eating and Sleeping as Meditation

“How can eating and sleeping be part of cultivation?” 

Su Jie asked, puzzled.  

“The two most important things in life are eating and sleeping,” Odell replied. “Once, someone asked an enlightened Zen master, ‘What is Zen?’ The master answered, ‘When hungry, eat; when tired, sleep.’ The person found it strange and asked, ‘But isn’t that what everyone does? Why is it Zen for you but not for others?’ The Zen master explained, ‘Because when they eat, they are not truly eating, and when they sleep, they are not truly sleeping.’ Do you understand the meaning of this story?”  

“When eating, one is not truly eating. When sleeping, one is not truly sleeping,” Su Jie repeated, pondering the profound philosophy. He vaguely understood but couldn’t quite grasp the specifics.  

As he was reflecting, the sound of a motorcycle came from outside the courtyard.  

Odell opened the gate, revealing a food delivery worker.  

Several large bags were brought in and placed on the table. The spread was extravagant: beef, chicken, fruits, dairy products, fish, and soup. It was clearly not ordinary takeout but custom-made dishes.  

Once the delivery person had set everything up, Odell gestured to Su Jie, “Come and eat. This is private cuisine from the Nie family. It’s said their ancestors were imperial chefs. I tried it once before and found it incredibly delicious. It also nourishes the body and replenishes vitality—suitable for all ages.”  

Su Jie’s stomach was already growling, but a hint of embarrassment showed on his face. He felt like he was freeloading.  

Odell seemed to see through his thoughts. “I’m conducting a physical fitness training experiment. If you’re willing to volunteer, I’ll cover your meals and even pay you.”  

“Of course, I’m willing!” Su Jie nodded quickly. “Just covering my meals is enough—I don’t even need the pay. Could you teach me more martial arts instead?”  

“Then let’s eat first.” Odell pointed with his chopsticks.  

Westerners are usually accustomed to eating with knives and forks, and many struggle to use chopsticks. Su Jie tried his best to handle the chopsticks but failed every time. Odell, however, was entirely different. He wielded the chopsticks with fluid ease, even skillfully picking up difficult-to-grab peanuts, selecting precisely how many he wanted.  

Su Jie, famished, took a big bite.  

Odell immediately stopped him. “Eating is your first lesson from me. You must chew thoroughly, breaking down the food completely before swallowing. While eating, don’t think about anything else. Focus solely on the act of eating. But don’t be too tense—maintain a mindset of enjoyment and relaxation. Remember, eating is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable moments of life. Grasp this moment, and you grasp the essence of life. This is what the Zen master meant by ‘when eating, eat.’ Most people—99%, in fact—aren’t truly eating when they eat.”  

“Focus without distraction, yet enjoy and relax. Chew thoroughly,” Su Jie muttered. He recalled what he had learned in biology class: thorough chewing helps secrete more saliva, converting starches into maltose and reducing the digestive burden on the stomach. The more you chew, the more facial muscle movement stimulates the cerebral cortex, enhancing brain activity.  

“Eating with the right mindset is crucial. If you think about other things while eating, blood circulation won’t focus on your stomach and intestines, which weakens your digestion. At the same time, it reduces the brain’s control over your taste buds. Over time, this can lead to mild anorexia. From an evolutionary perspective, this marks the beginning of species elimination,” said Odell. “In my research, even professional athletes who eat without thinking outperform those who think while eating. Don’t underestimate this detail—true physical fitness and body quality stem from such strict self-discipline and mental control. The devil is often hidden in the details.”

“The devil is hidden in the details.” Hearing this, Su Jie seemed to grasp the concept. He wanted to think further but stopped immediately, focusing on eating and enjoying the food.

As he ate, he entered a state where he felt the aroma of the food spread throughout his body with each chew, leaving him slightly euphoric. The well-chewed food traveled down his esophagus into his stomach, bringing an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

During this, he felt nature’s gift to life.

Observing Su Jie’s state and his expression change while eating, Odell looked as though he had discovered a treasure—like a teacher finding a highly perceptive student.

After finishing his meal, Su Jie instinctively wanted to stand up.

“Don’t stand yet. After eating, sit for a while because your stomach and intestines are still digesting. If you disrupt this process by standing, your stomach might sag. However, sitting for too long can lead to bloating. In this case, you should drink something to aid digestion,” Odell continued to share his detailed knowledge.

“A drink?” Su Jie didn’t find any juices or similar beverages but had eaten some fruit at the table.

“The best drink is your saliva,” Odell said, gently massaging his abdomen in sync with his breathing. “There are several points on the abdomen. In Chinese medicine, these points are unique and fascinating. In our scientific terms, they are called sensitive areas where neurons concentrate. Massage these points—such as Zhongwan, Daheng, Tianshu, Qihai, and Daimai—gently and in order. While doing this, stimulate saliva secretion and swallow it. This helps your stomach and intestines digest more efficiently. It’s one of the small details in Chinese martial arts and a health-preserving technique that aligns with scientific principles. Continue until you no longer feel bloated or sense any discomfort in your stomach and abdomen.”

Su Jie followed along, learning as he went. He hadn’t expected something as simple as eating to involve so much knowledge. Instead of dismissing these details, he valued them deeply and resolved to implement them diligently.

Once digestion was complete, Odell finally allowed him to stand and move.

In the courtyard, Odell had Su Jie walk slowly around the yard. After an hour, when the food was thoroughly digested, he let Su Jie practice the “Hoe Strike” move again.

This time, Odell gave meticulous guidance, correcting every incorrect detail on the spot. Only when Su Jie had mastered the move with precision and steadiness did he stop.

“It’s time for a nap.”

Seeing that Su Jie was somewhat fatigued, Odell guided him on how to rest. The courtyard had annexed rooms, a traditional architectural style specifically for hosting guests.

Odell instructed Su Jie to lie on the bed in a spread-eagle position, stretching his head and limbs as if being pulled apart.

“What I’m teaching you now is derived from ancient Indian yoga and Tantric life-death cessation methods, called the Great Corpse State. I’ve made minor adjustments to it. Lie flat on the bed with your head, hands, and feet stretched outward as much as possible. Imagine you’re being torn apart by horses, at your limits, struggling to resist but eventually powerless. Imagine being quartered and feeling as though you’ve died. Though you’re actually still alive, you’ll feel an unparalleled calm. At this moment, you are like a corpse—your senses remain, but you experience life anew. By dying once and still being alive, you can let go of everything. Everything becomes serene, and you’ll achieve ultimate relaxation.”

Odell’s voice seemed to carry a hypnotic quality. Following his rhythm, Su Jie stretched his limbs and head forcefully. Suddenly, it felt as though he had truly died. Yet, just like that, he fell into a peaceful sleep, breathing steadily and deeply.

“Among the students I’ve seen, this child has the best aptitude and intellect. He’s calm, not impulsive, and has a strong sense of justice. But to get into the state so quickly… Could he truly be a genius?” Odell thought as he observed the sleeping Su Jie. The reason Su Jie had caught his attention was due to the small incident of buying water.

This minor event fully showcased Su Jie’s wisdom and sense of justice.  

In their subsequent conversations, Odell discerned Su Jie’s persistence, strong will, and comprehension. Ordinary people would find it difficult to persevere, even with guidance. Moreover, during their discussion, he realized that Su Jie was a person with strong execution and planning skills.

“Most importantly, someone who can enter the state of the Great Corpse on their first try is one in a million. Yet he managed it? He directly understood how to live in the state of a corpse. At this rate, he might achieve a state of transcending life and death—an extraordinary spiritual condition. This kind of mental training isn’t something artificial intelligence can replicate.” A smile appeared on Odell’s face.  

After two hours of sleep, Su Jie woke up naturally, feeling completely refreshed. He had never felt this comfortable before. His mind was light and carefree, as if he could let go of everything and be content with anything, enjoying a constant sense of ease and joy.  

“There’s one thing I need you to promise me,” Odell said. “Don’t tell anyone about my training for now. Set aside time every day to train secretly. Also, if the opportunity arises in the future, I hope you’ll participate in a few martial arts tournaments and acknowledge me as your coach.”  

“Okay,” Su Jie nodded after thinking about it.  

Odell seemed pleased, as if his plan had succeeded, smiling faintly.  

“What I taught you today, take your time to understand and digest. Following this training will benefit you for life. But to truly learn martial arts, this is far from enough. Here’s the plan: come here every day if you have time to train. I’ll only be here for a month, and after that, I’ll be leaving.” Odell waved his hand dismissively.  

Su Jie didn’t ask further about martial arts.  

The knowledge he had gained today was enough to keep him busy for days.  

“July 8. I had the fortune of meeting Odell, a coach of world-class martial artists. He shared with me a wealth of knowledge about traditional martial arts, opening up a completely new world for me.  

“When practicing, one must cultivate the hatred of not having a weapon in hand or a ring underfoot and the fierce determination to fight without retreating until one’s opponent bleeds. Even more fascinating is the mentality of the Great Corpse State—to live as though one were a corpse, finding one’s truest self.  

“I feel peaceful and content, as if I’ve discovered the true meaning of life through this training. Traditional martial arts and cultivation methods are truly miraculous. Whether or not they involve supernatural powers, they are undoubtedly a purification of the body and soul. It’s no wonder that throughout history, many have retreated to deep mountains and forests to cultivate themselves.”  

“Tonight, I’ll continue sparring with Josh. He still easily lands hits on me. Learning from Coach Odell hasn’t instantly made me invincible. It seems martial arts require steady progress rather than sudden leaps. Before bed, I’ll continue practicing the Great Corpse State.  

“From my online research, the Great Corpse State originates from esoteric Buddhist meditation, while the addition of the Five-Horse Dismemberment concept by Coach Odell likely symbolizes a stretching and bone-strengthening practice.  

“Another aspect he emphasized was that even eating should involve a set of digestive massages and swallowing techniques. By incorporating health-preserving details into every aspect of life, one’s physical condition will improve significantly. Life’s two most important activities—eating and sleeping—consume a vast amount of time. It’s essential to master these details.”  

“Su Jie, remember: success is determined by the details. Never forget this.”  

As per his daily routine, Su Jie recorded everything in his diary, reflecting and summarizing his experiences.  

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