On Ki - Usage in Martial Arts Training (2nd article in series)
First, let's look at what ki is:
(Note: All quotations with pages given are from Zen and Aikido by Kamata Shimizu)
"Aikido is a martial art which aims at the cultivation of ki. The aiki in aikido refers to
harmonizing one's ki or vital energy not only with a partner, but with all living beings of the
universe. This harmony enables one to realize that the flow of an individual's ki exists as part of
the flow of ki of the universe..." (pg 4)
"...it is often difficult to get up early for work whereas it is easy to rise early for
pleasure. This is entirely due to the action of ki. It is our ki that orders the body to take some
action and, therefore, it is essential to cultivate the spirit to develop ki-power." (pg 10)
In aikido, the philosophy of ki can also be explained in terms of kokyu power, or breath power.
"Kokyu-power is a force which unites one's consciousness and breathing, which emanate from the
center or lower abdomen (seikatanden). This power is not physical strength or a form of trickery.
Using kokyu-power, which originates in the lower abdomen, a practitioner can entirely absorb an
opponent with his breathing..." (pg 38)
Before one goes off and spends all their time focusing on their lower abdomen, remember Takuan's
comment from the first entry: "You should not place your mind within yourself. Bracing the mind in
the body is something done only at the inception of training, when one is a beginner.'
Continuing: "Then, what is kokyu-power? I regard it as a power which fundamentally unifies the
movements of consciousness, breathing, and the body. There is a phrase in Zen philosophy referring
to the 'oneness of mind and body.' The mind is 'the spiritual body' while the body is 'the physical
spirit.' To consider mind and body as separate is abstract thinking. In Zen, the most important
thing is to act. And action is nothing but the physical manifestation of will." (pg
38)
So how does this apply to the actual performance of technique?
According to Munenori Yagyu, mentioned in the Takuan post, "That which is kept inside one and
which thinks continuously is called the will. That this will, which remains inside, emits outwardly
is called ki. For example, the will is the master while ki is the servant. The will remains inside
and uses ki. If too much ki is emitted, one will meet with a setback. The will should control the
ki to prevent it from excess." (pg 85-86)
"...In all aikido techniques, you control your opponent with the flow of ki which comes from the
center.
It is important in aikido to begin the flow of ki to control the opponent before he projects his
own ki. This concept, known as kizen, is also considered to be important in the teachings of
Yagyu-ryu swordsmanship...
For example, kizen must be utilitzed when executing the aikido technique ikkyo. Unless you are
able to step in at the exact moment your opponent strikes you, you cannot make the technique work
fully. Kizen is to take advantage of the instant just before your opponent projects his ki." (pg
86-87)
A very famous analogy suggests that there is no space even for a single strand of hair. "If your
mind hesitates with the movements of your opponent's hands or legs, an opening appears, your
defense weakens and the maai (combative distance) is lost. You should make sure not a single strand
of hair can fit between the opposing technique and the movements of your hands and legs in
response." (pg 88)
Regarding another famous phrase, swift as sparks from flint, "This expression should not be
misunderstood to mean simply instantaneous. It means that one's mind does not stop even for a
second. In aikido terms, it means one's ki does not stop even for an instant...If one thinks about
doing something quickly, his mind will be carried away with that thought and this will create an
opening...
The importance of seeing this ki - [timing [meaning that the flow of ki should not be stopped
even for a second, as opposed to the ki of aikido]] is explained in the following manner in the
Katsujinken.
'The first strike of the sword (itto) is not actually made with the sword, but is rather to see
the ki [timing] of your opponent. The first sword sees the movement of your opponent and is thus
the secret of swordsmanship. You should keep in mind that the ki [timing] of your opponent is seen
through the first sword, while you strike your opponent according to this principle using the
second strike of the sword (nitto).
'The essence of the first strike does not lie in the sword itself, but rather in seeing the ki
[of aikido] of your opponent. It is most important in swordsmanship to see the movement of the ki
[of aikido] that your opponent emits. You see the ki [timing] of your opponent through the first
strike and actually cut your opponent with the second strike. It can be understood that grasping
the concept of 'swift as sparks from flint' is the essence of the martial arts." (pg 89)
So the next question is what is this seeing...
"Musashi distinguished 'physical seeing' from 'mental seeing' because he believed that ken
[sight] means to see something with your physical eyes while kan [perception] means to see things
with your mind...Normally, we see [and hear] things with our physical eyes [and ears]...our eyes
and ears only see and hear well the things which we like; this occurs merely because of our
personal prejudices. We see and hear things with our own egos. Although we believe that our eyes
and ears accept things quite objectively, we are totally mistaken. No matter how much we can see or
hear, we do not see or hear what does not interest us. Therefore, it can never be said
that we always see and hear things correctly." (pg 91)
"...Although usually when we talk about hearing we are talking about the ears, here it says that
to hear something with your mind is the equivalent of perception....one can hear the movement of
the opponent's ki [with one's mind]. Since you hear with your mind you don't have to see with your
eyes...You feel the movement of your opponent with your mind and this is perception. Perception is
seeing the will...you should see things without stopping your mind in any one place. Mental seeing
is not seeing the movement of your opponent , but rather the movement of your opponent's ki...
It is not possible for one to learn to use this perception in a single day...Seeing with the
mind comes first. Seeing with the eyes must follow seeing with the mind. We see things with the
mind in order to see things with our eyes. Therefore, it is necessary to train ourselves to see
things with the mind." (pg 92)
Some of these concepts may be difficult to fathom. The text itself repeats these points many
times in the discussion; but we don't have space here to rewrite the text in its entirety. Rather,
perhaps a rereading of the discussion above a few times may help. However, these ideas may simply
be difficult for many people to fathom, and training is an essential element in developing an
understanding. Genuine understanding cannot come simply from the conceptual mind. For example,
while I cannot find the quote at the moment, I seem to recall a poem where the founder talked about
seeing with the ears and hearing with the eyes. While the topic is the same as above, clearly
trying to understand a statement like this with the intellectual mind will not be fruitful. In
answer to such questions as these, my teacher often replied with a "just practice." Through
training, that is the quickest way to understand the meaning. Anyway, the above explanation is the
best one I have found in discussing the uses of ki in the context of martial arts training, while
simultaneously integrating the discussion with the key points from Takuan regarding the stopping
mind.
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