Ki:
A Personal Definition
Ki is an often misunderstood concept by Westerners.
I, by all means, do not claim to have a thorough understanding of this
aspect of Ki-Aikido. Ki is often translated to mean energy.
This is not really the best definition because Ki is not energy as we think
of it. Another, yet more esoteric definition, is life force.
That ellusive thing we call life is Ki but Ki is not limited to animate
objects. Rocks, trees, plants and all other aspects of our natural
environment possess Ki. A simpler more graspable concept for most
of us is the idea of mind. Ki can be translated as mind although
we typically do not think of a tree as having a mind yet it still has Ki.
Ki is ever present. Relaxation, proper attitude, self discipline,
clarity of purpose and thought and sharpened awareness allow us to use
Ki. Ki is not magic. It is a palpable and usable force.
Simply if you do what is right, what is the most efficient, the most effective,
then you are utilizing Ki. Ki is the product of mental and physical
discipline and results in certain increased abilities. So what do i suggest? Come practice and we will explore what Ki is together.
