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Greetings!
"Ki Inspiring Thoughts" is a free weekly email service provided by The Center For Humane Living. The messages are intended to be shared. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you would like to inspire to live a more peaceful and compassionate life. |
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"Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate."
Chuang-Tzu
"If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like an echo."
Bruce Lee | |
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KI ENERGY
What is Ki (Japanese) or Chi (Chinese) energy? And why have I chosen to use this term in the title of this email series, Ki Inspiring Thoughts? We have all heard stories of the frail mother who following an accident, lifted a car off of a pinned child. This is a dramatic example of Ki energy. In this example, the mother does not allow her mind to tell her that logically she cannot lift the car. Instead, out of instinct, the mother channels her Ki energy into doing what naturally needs to be done to save her child. Most people have never experienced Ki energy in such a dramatic fashion, although most of us have experienced Ki energy in some form or another; we may have just not recognized it. Some people believe that through martial arts training we can develop the ability to create such mythical power. However, this is somewhat of a misconception. Utilizing Ki energy is not magical, it is very natural. Have you ever tried to pick up a young child that didn't want to be picked up? This task can be difficult because the young child naturally projects his Ki energy downward creating much more downward force than his simple body weight. This Ki energy is the invisible life force that flows throughout the universe and that, given the proper training and practice, is available to each of us on demand. It is not created by the child or the martial artist and is available to us all of the time. Our challenge is to develop the skill and mindfulness to tap into and utilize this limitless power in our daily lives.
Dr. Foley teaches the ability to harness Ki energy with the following object lesson. He asks his students to extend one of their arms forward and place it on his shoulder palm up. Then he applies a force downward to their elbow and asks the student to keep him from bending their arm. With their attention on not allowing their arm to be bent, students no matter how much they try, cannot keep their arm from being bent. Then he tells them to focus the flow of their Ki energy through their arm and visualize their energy flowing out from their finger tips. Again, he applies a downward force to their elbow but with this attempt students discover that by channeling their Ki energy they are much stronger and can resist the downward force. Another example of the use of Ki energy is in breaking boards or bricks. When martial artists channel their Ki energy THROUGH the board, uniformly they achieve a successful break. With training, we are all capable of tapping into and utilizing this tremendous universal force. Bruce Lee developed and demonstrated the technique of the 1 inch punch. Through his mastery of the utilization of Ki energy, he was able to place his fist one inch from a much larger opponent and with a single punch, send them reeling backwards. This is a great example of this extraordinary power.
The major location of Ki in the body is the Tai-ten or one point that is located a couple of inches below the navel. Ki energy flows from that point like water throughout the body. Ki energy cannot be created, but just as we can guide the flow of water, we can guide the flow of Ki energy through the body. This concept is very difficult to describe with words. It is something that is beyond description and needs to be felt and experienced to truly understand and utilize it to our advantage. Most people are unaware of this tremendous energy and power. As martial artists, we have the opportunity to develop our awareness and ability to tap into this energy. Once we become more aware of its existence, we can then utilize it in and out of the dojang.
Ki energy is the invisible life force that flows throughout each of us and the universe. Inside and outside of the dojang, it is our challenge to tap into the flow of our own Ki energy. Just as the mother who lifts the car off from her child, we too have the ability to utilize this great power. If we ignore the voice in our mind that tells us that we cannot do something and instead become more mindful and present of our Ki energy and the flow of energy in our lives, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.
"Chi is the force behind good health, confidence, happiness, strength, power, self-esteem, focus, virility, increased mental effectiveness and success. It is that thing inside us that cannot be seen; the energy behind all change and self-improvement."
Joseph Cardillo
KAIZEN!!!!
© 2009 Steven M. Erickson. The Center for Humane Living. All rights reserved.
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"Chi is the force behind good health, confidence, happiness, strength, power, self-esteem, focus, virility, increased mental effectiveness and success. It is that thing inside us that cannot be seen; the energy behind all change and self-improvement."
Joseph Cardillo |
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Respectfully,
Steve Erickson
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The Center for Humane Living is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the personal and spiritual growth of individuals through an innovative approach to martial arts education. Our vision is to inspire all people to live peaceful and compassionate lives. Would you like to learn more about The Center For Humane Living? www.centerforhumaneliving.com
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You can send your response to Steven.Erickson@cox.net |
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