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Old 05-28-2005, 06:14 PM   #19
Lorien Lowe
Dojo: Northcoast Aikido
Location: California
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 289
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Re: Article: An Unjust Belief by Paul Schweer

A long time ago, in a dojo a few blocks away...

Sensei: 'Extend your arms. Think about energy flowing down your arms from your center.'
Newbie: 'Think about *what*?!'
Sensei: 'Energy. Think about energy.'
Newbie: 'Uhh...'
Newbie: (thinking to self) 'what the hell is he talking about?! There's no such thing as energy that can be channeled like that by a human.'
Sensei: 'project!'
Newbie (thinking to self) 'ok, well, maybe if I just *imagine* there were some sort of energy...'
Newbie: 'Hey! it works!'

That's what I mean by 'suspending disbelief.' I still try to find natural explanations for things like 'ki' (or whatever it is - subconscious body control?) outside of the dojo, but while I'm training I try to accept what works, and not worry too much if it makes no real sense at all. Until class is over.

-LK
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