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Studies in martial arts training in general, and Aikido specifically.
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 devlop 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 sinlge 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.
(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 devlop 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 sinlge 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.
2006-09-16 15:25:38 GMT
Comments (3 total)
Author:Steve
The following question came in anonymously via email. It is a very good question:
"If one wants to learn to see things with the mind, can this be accomplished by 'just practicing' or is meditation necessary?"
It is physically possible to learn to see things with the mind without practicing any meditation. However, the likelihood of learning to see things with the mind on the level discussed above without doing any meditation is quite remote. If you just think about it simply, the mind has to be calm and clear. While the practice of aikido itself is quite ethical, we only practice for a handful of hours per week. What do we do with the rest of our time? If we behave unethically then, our mind will be disturbed about our previous actions on some level when we train. Meditative practices include an ethical component which is essential to calm the mind. I cannot say this sort of thing has never occurred in the history of the world, but it is quite rare when it does. Very good question...thank you.
Steve
2006-09-17 22:57:52 GMT
"If one wants to learn to see things with the mind, can this be accomplished by 'just practicing' or is meditation necessary?"
It is physically possible to learn to see things with the mind without practicing any meditation. However, the likelihood of learning to see things with the mind on the level discussed above without doing any meditation is quite remote. If you just think about it simply, the mind has to be calm and clear. While the practice of aikido itself is quite ethical, we only practice for a handful of hours per week. What do we do with the rest of our time? If we behave unethically then, our mind will be disturbed about our previous actions on some level when we train. Meditative practices include an ethical component which is essential to calm the mind. I cannot say this sort of thing has never occurred in the history of the world, but it is quite rare when it does. Very good question...thank you.
Steve
Author:Steve
The quotes on seeing/hearing with the mind and being unable to understand
simply with the conceptual mind reminded me of a passage I'd read recently
in a book by Matthew Bortolin, an ordained member of Thich Nhat Hanh's
Buddhist community, on the topic of understanding nirvana.
"Because nirvana is inexpressible many Buddhists attempted to convey its
meaning without the use of concepts. In the Zen tradition, monks are
provided with <i>koans</i> such as 'What is the sound of one hand
clapping?' or 'Who were you three hundred years before your parents were
born?' ... These enigmas are not meant to be logically deduced. In fact
they <i>cannot</i> be. The koan is a way of using words to take a person
beyond them by jarring the mind out of its usual rut. Koans help the monk
free his mind from conceptualization and open it to the pure emptiness of
nirvana."
It would seem to me that describing ki conceptually is an awful lot like
describing nirvana conceptually. It's not that ki doesn't exist, just that
it's difficult to understand and "wrap your mind around," much like
explaining air may have been to a primitive culture lacking scientific
knowledge; you can't see it, or touch it, but it's real - try living
without air for a length of time and you'll see this quite fast. And as
intangible and insubstantial-seeming as air is, when propelled with force
as wind, it can be incredibly powerful. It seems that ki, when applied
with force in the form of one's will, can also be incredibly powerful.
- D, the aikidoka
2006-09-18 10:55:07 GMT
simply with the conceptual mind reminded me of a passage I'd read recently
in a book by Matthew Bortolin, an ordained member of Thich Nhat Hanh's
Buddhist community, on the topic of understanding nirvana.
"Because nirvana is inexpressible many Buddhists attempted to convey its
meaning without the use of concepts. In the Zen tradition, monks are
provided with <i>koans</i> such as 'What is the sound of one hand
clapping?' or 'Who were you three hundred years before your parents were
born?' ... These enigmas are not meant to be logically deduced. In fact
they <i>cannot</i> be. The koan is a way of using words to take a person
beyond them by jarring the mind out of its usual rut. Koans help the monk
free his mind from conceptualization and open it to the pure emptiness of
nirvana."
It would seem to me that describing ki conceptually is an awful lot like
describing nirvana conceptually. It's not that ki doesn't exist, just that
it's difficult to understand and "wrap your mind around," much like
explaining air may have been to a primitive culture lacking scientific
knowledge; you can't see it, or touch it, but it's real - try living
without air for a length of time and you'll see this quite fast. And as
intangible and insubstantial-seeming as air is, when propelled with force
as wind, it can be incredibly powerful. It seems that ki, when applied
with force in the form of one's will, can also be incredibly powerful.
- D, the aikidoka
Author:Steve
An anonymous question came in via email: "How do you develop ki power
"
The first question I have is why do you want to develop ki power? If the purupose is to perform physical feats of strength or other reasons which involve the building up of the selfish ego, this approach violates the underlying principles of all martial arts.
When training in martial arts, the idea is to learn how to DO something, in this case defend oneself. Once you know how to DO something, the basic principles can be applied to doing anything. The idea when you do anything is to harmonize with the ki of the universe, which by definition means giving up the selfish ego.
The entire practice of Aikido is dedicated to this harmonization process, so the answer to how to develop ki power is simply practice Aikido, or some other martial art with similar intent. To the extent one lays out a step by step process - develop ki power by doing a, b, and c, and by the time you are done it will be accomplished - one is placing an obstacle in front of the person attempting to harmonize. "I do a, then I do b, then I do c, and then I get what I want," is a thought process that builds up the selfish ego and is diametrically opposed to harmonizing with the ki of the universe. The answer to the question which does not lay out such an obstacle, then is simply "just practice."
2006-10-26 15:59:09 GMT
"
The first question I have is why do you want to develop ki power? If the purupose is to perform physical feats of strength or other reasons which involve the building up of the selfish ego, this approach violates the underlying principles of all martial arts.
When training in martial arts, the idea is to learn how to DO something, in this case defend oneself. Once you know how to DO something, the basic principles can be applied to doing anything. The idea when you do anything is to harmonize with the ki of the universe, which by definition means giving up the selfish ego.
The entire practice of Aikido is dedicated to this harmonization process, so the answer to how to develop ki power is simply practice Aikido, or some other martial art with similar intent. To the extent one lays out a step by step process - develop ki power by doing a, b, and c, and by the time you are done it will be accomplished - one is placing an obstacle in front of the person attempting to harmonize. "I do a, then I do b, then I do c, and then I get what I want," is a thought process that builds up the selfish ego and is diametrically opposed to harmonizing with the ki of the universe. The answer to the question which does not lay out such an obstacle, then is simply "just practice."
Library:
The library contains extensive
writings, and so is available to
members only. Members of the
dojo and interested parties
may register simply by
contacting us using the form
above.
Library Contents
Please pardon our appearance on
the library pages - we have
uploaded a significant amount of
material, but formatting and
organizing will take some time. To
the extent you are interested in a
text or interview, the material is
available, if cumbersome. Thank
you for your patience.
Suggested reading:
General
Art of War - Sun Tzu - Ancient
Taoist text on warfare and strategy.
Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto
Musashi - Known as one of the
greatest Japanese swordsmen,
text addresses strategic elements.
Tai Chi Classics - Various -
Ancient Taoist masters impart their
understanding of Tai Chi Chuan.
The Sword & the Mind Vol 1-3
by Yagyu Munenori
Consider also,
Zen and the Samurai - DT Suzuki
(two essays within Zen and
Japanese Culture); The
Unfettered Mind by Takuan Soho
Aikido
Budo and The Art of Peace, by
Morehei Ueshiba,
The Spirit of Aikido and Aikido,
by Kisshomaru Ueshiba
Best Aikido, by both Kisshomaru
and Moriteru Ueshiba
Takemusu Aikido Vol 1-5 and
Takemusu Aikido Special
Edition: Commentary on Budo
by Morihiro Saito
Ki in Daily Life and Book of Ki by
Koichi Tohei (Combines Japanese
Yoga & Aikido)
Principles of Aikido and Aikido
and the Harmony of Nature by
Mitsugi Saotome
In addition, for those interested in
the topic, Zen and AIkido may be
an good text, by Kenji Shimizu and
Shigeo Kamata
The library contains extensive
writings, and so is available to
members only. Members of the
dojo and interested parties
may register simply by
contacting us using the form
above.
Library Contents
Please pardon our appearance on
the library pages - we have
uploaded a significant amount of
material, but formatting and
organizing will take some time. To
the extent you are interested in a
text or interview, the material is
available, if cumbersome. Thank
you for your patience.
Suggested reading:
General
Art of War - Sun Tzu - Ancient
Taoist text on warfare and strategy.
Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto
Musashi - Known as one of the
greatest Japanese swordsmen,
text addresses strategic elements.
Tai Chi Classics - Various -
Ancient Taoist masters impart their
understanding of Tai Chi Chuan.
The Sword & the Mind Vol 1-3
by Yagyu Munenori
Consider also,
Zen and the Samurai - DT Suzuki
(two essays within Zen and
Japanese Culture); The
Unfettered Mind by Takuan Soho
Aikido
Budo and The Art of Peace, by
Morehei Ueshiba,
The Spirit of Aikido and Aikido,
by Kisshomaru Ueshiba
Best Aikido, by both Kisshomaru
and Moriteru Ueshiba
Takemusu Aikido Vol 1-5 and
Takemusu Aikido Special
Edition: Commentary on Budo
by Morihiro Saito
Ki in Daily Life and Book of Ki by
Koichi Tohei (Combines Japanese
Yoga & Aikido)
Principles of Aikido and Aikido
and the Harmony of Nature by
Mitsugi Saotome
In addition, for those interested in
the topic, Zen and AIkido may be
an good text, by Kenji Shimizu and
Shigeo Kamata