Jennifer

Thanks for the compliment, Rushman. I meant to use the phrase in a metaphorical sense, not to appear to be making a statement of religious fact. Of course, one is entitled to accept or reject the analogy according to one's belief structure. Now that I look at it, I should've written "non-denominational Judeo-Christian" etc. I apologize to any Semetic people out there. It was a mindless omission, not a deliberate one. Tae, your statement brings up some very interesting questions. You describe "the breath of God" as air. By that do you mean an oxygen rich atmosphere? I ask b/c, among other examples, there are some organisms that live in a methane rich environment. And I believe some bacteria can live in a vacuum. If I remember Genesis correctly, God created the Earth, plants, animals, etc. before He "breathed life into Adam." So before Adam, how did all the plants and animals respirate? Or does your interpretation refer only to human life? Your decription sounds like a fundamentalist interpretation. May I ask what denomination you are? I was raised Roman Catholic and phrases like "the breath of God", and in fact the entire book of Genesis, was explained in a much more figurative sense. Ken, you also bring up an interesting point. Let's assume that Chi is, in fact, just a human mental function and not energy. Brain activity produces electrical impulses which travel along neural pathways and fire off charges at the synapses. Electricity is a form of energy. If Chi is a function of the mind, then it's a form of energy. So, within your parameters Chi has proven it's own existance. To further the point, while still remaining within your parameters, brain function is energy that's necessary to human life. And b/c it's a proven scientific fact it must be believed in. So it could be construed that thought itself is a religious occurrance. And your last statement, "such things can only be contemplated" etc., That's exactly what philosophy is, contemplation of ideas, beliefs, and customs. - Jennifer

Lori - As always, your input is much appreciated. Karateka - I apologize for having misunderstood your statements. If I could make a teensy suggestion? When you're using 3rd person, could you leave the word "you" out of the paragraph? It would be less confusing for the reader. As for your topic, it's another doozy. I fully agree that there are many aspects to violence. I'll try to express my thoughts in broad terms. I think those who perform acts of violence, do it for the adrenaline rush. Like if two people have a fist fight and then go for a beer and make up. It's a rush. In the more heinous forms of violence, I think it's the thrill of having power over someone or something else that's attractive to the perpetrator. For those who like to study the acts/perpetrators, I think it's the thrill of the unknown that's so compelling. It's like seeing a horror movie. One is fascinated and at the same time repulsed. Just my thoughts. - Jennifer

Hi Lori, I was just a curious kid. That's why I stuck with it. Initially my dad didn't tell me what I would be learning. Just that he wanted to teach me something but I had to prove myself first. I spent three years learning basic anatomy and how to stretch and lift weights before I had any mat work. I didn't even know that he knew Kung Fu until my first lesson. I really don't know what to tell you about your daughter. If she's a lazy kid, maybe she needs a little push. If not, she just may need a break. That's not very helpful, but I can't think of anything else. - Jennifer

Hello and thank you all for the lovely greetings. It's nice to see so many familiar names. Tae- I'm not familiar with Dim Hsueh. Could you give me a summary? I was taught a military form of Chin Na, so the techniques are intact but their Chinese names were left out. Also, the system's philosophy was converted into a Western interpretation. What little I do know of Eastern philosophy, I've learned on my own. Thanks in advance. - Jennifer

You certainly did prove your point, Angus! I'm sorry to hear about your relationship w/your dad. I've always been close to both of my parents, and I find stories of family strife very upsetting. But I'm really happy to hear that you've found ways of filling the void. If you decide to have children of your own, I hope that your relationship w/them will be a happier one.

My apologies to everyone, I should've introduced myself earlier. I'm 28 and have been studying Chin Na since I was 8, boxing since since my early teens. I've been trained exclusively by my father. I'm a 4th generation boxer and a 3rd generation Chin Na stylist.

If there is a conflict, it's with you. I was rather enjoying the different opinions. Simply b/c I have a different opinion regarding mental stability doesn't mean that I was looking to create an argument. It certainly doesn't make me arrogant, and I dislike the implication. Nowhere in posts did I say that there is only one plain of thought, in fact, my posts have been to the contrary.

Sorry, myths aren't necessarily of a religious nature, Ken. A myth is any imaginary person or thing spoken of as if existing, sometimes based on an historical event. Under your definition, Babe the blue ox could be considered a relgious element. Or, for that matter, so could Beowulf and Grendel. Philosophy is a form of academia that's used to analyse and understand things such as religion, w/o needing to believe what you're studying. I know that you're not religious and so I would never debate religion with you. But just b/c you think that Chi has to be religious doesn't mean that it is. It's an element of philosophy that may or may not be influenced by religious belief. - Jennifer

Angus, I'm never offended when someone praises my dad. Certainly one could consider that we're programmed by our environment, but like most other topics there are arguments to the contrary. My brother and I were raised excatly the same way and yet our personalities are almost total opposites. I'm shy - he's not shy in any conceivable way. I'm quiet - he's loud, I'm a ponderer - he's impulsive. Our beliefs on morality and self-conduct are radically different. Both of our view points differ from our parents views. I think one can choose to learn, or not, from one's social environment. If one can identify one's behavior, then one can alter it. If someone comes from an abusive home but doesn't want to be abusive, that person can learn to change those behavioral tendencies. I think we're all influenced by our environment as a whole, but I don't feel that we're slaves to it. I'm sorry, I just can't accept that things like mental retardation or illnesses that produce unwarranted violent behavior to be persons on a higher plain of consciousness. I've had quite a lot of difficulty w/the Buddhist belief of eliminating desire. I, too, feel that w/it's elimination goes many of the beautiful things in life, namely love and all of it's many virtues. I suspect that I'm not understanding it in it's proper context. Thanks for making a complicated topic more complex, Lori. I generally try to present things in an academic light. I don't always express my personal or complete opinion, but I just can't approach the Genome project in an unemotional way. I'm a deeply spiritual person and I really do feel that Man trying to be God will bring Hell on Earth. If scientists are successfully able to manipulate genetics, will the products of their efforts still contain a soul? That's the question that prompted Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein, and we're still not any closer to an answer. -Jennifer

Wow, that's another complex topic guys... Is Man a product of environment, or genetics if you will? Or, if you're spiritually influenced, does Man have free will enough to transcend the trappings of the corporeal self? Certainly, I believe violence for it's own sake should be discouraged, but violence in defense is justifiable. To eliminate it altogether the nature of Humanity would have to change. For that to happen we would all have to be on the same level of consciousness at the same time. I don't know if that could ever be possible. Hmm...encouraging evolution, interesting phrasing. Physically speaking, evolution happens constantly. Every little change we create in our environment forces us, and every other living thing, to adapt to the change. The change may only be cellular and not necessarily visible or even healthy, but it occurs nonetheless. As far as how we impact our environment we have control, but how we adapt to Mother Nature's changes is well beyond our control. Here's where it gets really rocky... Evolutionary change on a spiritual or conscious level. One could argue that we are totally free willed, but then there are many examples of how we're affected by our genetic trappings. Mental illnesses or mental deficiencies dramatically affect our behavior and understanding. How does one trascend such disabilities and achieve enlightenment? I feel it's an undeniable fact that we're influenced by our physicality. However, I don't think that we're slave to it. I really do think it's possible to transcend the physical self, to consciously evolve. Buddhists believe that this world is the illusion and that it's laws don't apply to the rest of the universe. The spirit world is the only reality. B/c we're both physical and spiritual, we can change or bend the rules of the physical world until we finally shed the corporeal vessel and move on to a higher plane of existance or evolution. -Jennifer

Very philosophical post, Angus... I too have an interest in warfare. I am fascinated and, at the same time, horrified by the psychology of humanity as a race. What I enjoy most about combat is the study of the human body. To know one's weaknesses is to know one's strengths. I don't feel that Martial Arts originated in any one place. Where ever humanity existed, in however small a number, there were M.A. Whether it was fighting off a saber-toothed tiger or some greedy neighbors, the martial arts were necessary for survival. I'm not sure that it's a fascination with warfare as much as it's a desire for power that shapes our general interest and persuit of war. One party wants to control another party but that second party doesn't want to succumb to the rule of the first, thus we have war. There have always been warmongers and there have always been pacifists, but what makes the difference in how the world is impacted by either group is communication, education, and financial freedom. I personally, feel that the ease by which these three things are aquired today has done more for pacifism in general than did any war. The description of the atrocities performed during WWII is an offense to anyone with a conscience, but to be able see pictures or films of said events hits one on a much deeper level. There have been many rulers, worldwide, who did things every bit as heinous as Hitler and Stalin etc. Vlad T'episch(spelling ?) was an absolute brute and yet his people loved him. He butchered his own people and for that they feared him, but he saved them from the Turks and for that they loved him. If his people weren't so desperately poor and ignorant perhaps they would've felt differently. I don't feel technology is evidence of human evolution, only human ingenuity. How we apply our knowledge is a much better guage of evolution. I think it's humanity's sense of morality that shows it's evolutionary progress. And, personally, I don't think we've improved all that much. There's an element of Jewish mysticism called the Kabballah. (I'm not an officianado on this, I just have some rudimentry info.) Within the Kabballistic teaching exists "The Tree of Life." It shows the different paths Man can take to reach God, or Heaven. One of those paths is the "path of pure intellect." On this path we can advance intellectually but w/o the tempering of God, or for my purposes morality, we can't advance as a race. When we reach the height of knowledge that is God, or any equivalent concept, we won't pass into Heaven or Nirvana or any higher plane of existance. Instead, we'll lose touch with the higher consciousness and go insane. I feel that it's how we treat the world around us and each other that better shows our evolutionary progress. Just my take...,but this is a very complex subject you brought up, Angus. A discussion could go on forever. - Jennifer

Thank you, Patrick. It's nice to be missed. Thanks, Angus. -Jennifer

The concept of Chi is a very complex element of Eastern philosophy and therefore, very difficult to explain. Given the amount of space you have Lars, I think your explanation is excellent. However, there are a few concepts of Eastern philosophy that Westerners often make the mistake of incorrectly associating with Western ideals. The idea of Philosophy itself is often misunderstood. It's not religion. Religion can be a part of philosophy but philosophy, in and of itself, isn't religious. Philosophy is the analysis of knowledge, of culture, of religion, or any kind of belief structure. Buddhism and Taoism are two religions that heavily influence the concept of Chi. To be fair to all religions it's best to attempt to present Chi in a non-religious manner, while still adhering to it's Eastern conceptual roots. Chi is the essence of all existance. The universe, the stars, rocks, dirt, people, you name it. If it exists it is and it has Chi, for Chi is the fundamental of existance itself. Many Christians associate it with the soul, which is only partially correct. Origins of Chi: Normal or Upright Chi(zheng-qi) or True Chi(zeng-qi) refers to all Chi in the body as a collective. Sources of Chi: Original Chi(yuan-qi) we get from our parents. Grain Chi(gu-qi) we get from food. Natural Air Chi(kong-qi) we get from breathing air. Chi has numerous functions, far too many to name. Each function has a corresponding type of Chi. e.g. Heart Chi and Lung Chi are the same substance but perform different activities. Each organ of the body stores it's own kind of Chi. The meridians are the pathways which are travelled by all the forms of Chi. It's at the pressure points where all the forms merge, which is what makes them so important. The area bellow the navel which you spoke of is where all the forms converge in abundanec, which is why it's so important to martial artists. If it's controlled properly it can be moved to different parts of the body and exploded outwards. The uses are numerous. To associate it in non-denominational Christian terms it may be understood as "The breath of God." The soul, however, is more complex. Jing is the substance that exists within organic life. We get it from our parents and the food we eat. Shen, a difficult concept to define, is unique to human life. It's like the energy that allows us to have an intellect. If the brain is the organic representation of the mind and the recepticle of thought, then Shen is the energy that allows thought to occur. The combination of Jing, Shen, and Chi, are closer to the Western concept of the soul than is Chi alone. Philosophy is a pretty heavy area of academia. I hope you all have the patience to read my long winded post. -Jennifer