The trouble does not come from BJJ itself, unfourtunalty from time to time the Chinese Gung Fu forums do tend to get highjacked by some sections of the MMA set who speak of Gung Fu in disparaging terms in relation to cross training and there own way of training in Martial Arts.
In terms of cross training there are obvioiusly two streams of thought both have their points and both have there strengths and weaknesses.
The first school of thought is from the purists who think that any form of cross training will ultimalty lead to a dillution of their primary training, and is therefore to be avoided. The argument is that by cross training in a different art, particulary one that utilises a different energy and differing principles, the practicioner will simply confuse themselves and may actually set themselves back, not in terms of concious thought, but in terms of actuall muscle memory which may lead to slightly slower reaction times and excessive tension in a real fight. these arguments are eadily dismissed off hand, but experiance and real time testing shows that there is some level of truth to these arguments.
The second school of thought is the more contemporary way of thinking which extolls the versatility and flexibility that training in varying arts can give you. The argument quite simply is that training in a different art can give you differnt tool set to use in differing circumstances, and that the incorporation of other styles can lead to a more well rounded exponant of martial arts. Again there is some level of truth to this argument as well.
Personally I lean probably more to the purist way of thinking, as someone who has learnt several different arts prior to taking up wing chun, from Ree Tae Kwon Do, Shaolin Chowga, Ging Mo Kune, Jeet Kun Do (to mention a few) I have found that sticking to one primary art has given me a more reactive and spontanious freedom in a real world situation (of which I have had a few since training) than cross training ever provided me with. The other reason why I avoid cross training, is that in terms of Anti grappling, Wing Chun does contain a surprising array of arsenal, particulary when you start to understand the Bui Jee, however in order to understand the Bui Jee you must first understand the Sui Lum Tao, then understand the Chum Kui. Now in order to put this in perspective, I trained singulary in the Sui Lum Tao for over two years, and Barly even scratched the surface of what it had to teach, let alone developed the proper energy that the sui lum tao requires.
Now despite the fact that I do not learn another art, I will say this, it is of utmost importance that in your training, you do train with people who study other forms of MA as this will help in your development as a fighter.
In my opinion being a well rounded practicioner does not come from knowing many different arts, but rather from being able to deal effectivly with many varying situation, and if you can successfully do this from within your current style then there is no need to cross train. But if you are finding it difficult to do so within your style then by all means cross train. But at the bare minimum you must allow time for the Wing Chun to develop and intergrate within your muscle memory, but training in a different style.
May you be blessed in your endevours
Respectfully
Mark
