More talk on the existance of "ki"

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Tue Dec 12, 2000 8:31 pm

Ted

My 8-year-old son asked me that riddle about a month back, and was shocked I had the answer immediately. Why was it so easy for me? The answer is that 1) I was educated in parochial school grades 1-7, and 2) my undergraduate degree was in applied mathematics. So the God and devil parts, along with constant consideration of a certain mathematical "set" as a possibility, made it an easy conclusion. Everything else fits, and so validates the conclusion. In the end though this is just one of those brain teasers. The ability to solve them has less to do with what you know, and more to do with how you think. That's right up my research alley.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

I find that I understand things in a more metaphorical way than scientific. I have an artists mind, I have been told; more intuitive.

As a researcher, I've developed a great appreciation for all types of thinkers. I have a team of people working for me. I try very hard to draw on a variety of skill sets and personality types. This is extremely important. Up until recently, one of my workers also was a professional musician and singer/songwriter. She was just as important to me as my physician and my biostatistician. So...never discount your way of thinking and your approach to a problem. Your skills are extremely useful.

I find I can learn just as much about martial arts by watching the Alvin Ailey Dance Troup perform as I can by watching a tape of the 30 greatest KOs by Masters of Doom (TM).

- Bill

Post by **gmattson** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 2:39 pm

OK. . . I give up. . . What is the answer to the riddle????

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GEM

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 3:23 pm

It is greater than God,
More evil than the devil,
The poor have it,
The rich need it,
And if you eat it you will die.
What is it?

Nothing

Post by **gmattson** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 3:38 pm

Hmmmmm... Why do the rich need "Nothing"?

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GEM

Ted Dinwiddie · Post by **Ted Dinwiddie** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 4:22 pm

Sensei Mattson

The "Poor" and "Rich" questions were sticking points for me, also.

ted

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 6:13 pm

This all depends on the definition of "nothing." Ultimately what messes people up (including the point GEM brought up) is that the word "nothing" takes on different meanings for the various categories. One of the definitions of "nothing" is no thing. The rich (we can assume this means "rich enough") can always buy "things."

And as Ted stated earlier, the more you overanalyze it, the less likely you'll figure it out. To say the rich need nothing is more vernacular than literal.

- Bill

MetaBaron · Post by **MetaBaron** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 10:24 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by gmattson:
Hmmmmm... Why do the rich need "Nothing"?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think in this context it means, the rich are in need of nothing. In otherwords the want for nothing.
-Meta

SEAN C · Post by **SEAN C** » Thu Dec 14, 2000 11:56 pm

Maybe "ki" is Japanese for what we call the concept of "K.I.S.S."?

Like, if I'm blindfolded and earmuffed while attacked from different directions, I could feel floor vibration, heat, air pressure, electrical energy, maybe even a combination of these and many other things that haven't been explained yet.

By concentrating on a single assumption, I might negate another source of input. By keeping an open awareness of energy, plain and simple, I can continue to become more aware, or sensitive to change.

All that matters in a self defense context is that I learn, not necessarily why, but how.

In Panther's example, he simply taught the girl to project energy through the board, using the mind, and it worked beautifully.

Just for myself, it is a million times better to direct my energy to sink, and visualize roots growing into the earth than to compute the order and degree of muscle relaxation needed to take place while someone is trying to uproot my body, without just falling in a heap on the ground.

Hopefully someday I'll actually be good at this stuff!

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sean

mugaku · Post by **mugaku** » Fri Dec 15, 2000 12:38 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Phils:
I confess that while the detailed scientific explanation is interesting, the quotation cited is quite illuminating and infinitely more instructive.

"If you overlook the Way right before your
eyes, how will you know the path beneath
your feet?....."

I believe the author, quite advanced, is cautioning us about training ourselves totally. I'd be interested in your comments and interpretations. Best regards. Phils<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Phils,

Entering this topic only yesterday, I am hesitant to say anything, but knowing something of the context of the poem SANDOKAI by ****ou Xiqian (J.,Sekito Kisen), your interest deserves an accurate response.

Briefly,****ou Xiqian lived in southern China in the beginning of the eight century. He was a Ch'an (Zen) monk, a disciple of Sixth Ancestor, Dajian Huineng. Years after Huineng's death, Master ****ou and Master Mazu (J.,Baso) were to become cornerstones of the five great schools of Ch'an.

The SANDOKAI (trans.The Harmony of Sameness and Difference, among others) addressed divisions between the Northern and Southern schools and other dichotomies of thought. It is chanted every day in Soto Zen temples throughout the world.

To the extent a Samurai found connection with Zen, a thoughtful martial artist may find connection to the SANDOKAI.

This information and MUCH MORE is available to the inquiring mind in the form of a book,

BRANCHING STREAMS FLOW IN THE DARKNESS, a series of Zen talks on the Sandokai given by the late Shunryu Suzuki, University of California Press Berkeley, 1999

"I respectfully urge you who study the mystery, do not pass your days and nights in vain."

peace, mugaku

Shih-t'ou has been translated as ****ou by the dratted and ever diligent "censor / editor" of this forum...

[This message has been edited by mugaku (edited December 15, 2000).]

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Dec 15, 2000 2:22 pm

It's nice to have an editor now and then. The goal is to encourage us all to evolve from "Bull****!!" to "I beg to differ." But now and then the editor doesn't know **** from shinola, or its *** from a hole in the ground.

In the case where you really mean to enlighten and not disparage, liberal use of "$" in place of "s" can get you through.

- The moderator

Phils · Post by **Phils** » Sat Dec 16, 2000 1:23 am

Thank you Mugaku. I understand your hesitation and appreciate the information. Phils