George: Oddly enough, I wrote a response to your 'action and words' post before I read this.

I believe this discussion falls into the realm of 'continuous present', the so called fourth dimension, or psychological time (not physical time) where one's time changes with one's reaction to the ...

This seems to follow a deeper, more intuitive, perhaps ritual, understanding of the martial arts, where the object of continuous practice (action) is to seek stillness.

If you were interested in the context another style, Tai Chi Chuan, I think I could recommend salient parts of "The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan" by Jou, Tsung Hwa. It would be very interesting if you would share your thoughts or observations and comments. Best wishes! Phil

Van: Indeed I do miss it! And come to think of it, there's a connection here isn't there? Your forum theme reflecting on the serious nature of battle is indicative of deep concern for others, not unlike the comeraderie, shared commitment and esprit de corps at Hancock St. There were real people ...

Hi... it is good to talk to you even if via e-exchange!

I agree and I believe what you say compliments the case. At this level, the nature of the conflict is combat, pure and simple. Any confrontation at this level is too serious to leave to chance.

Because there is no margin for error.. and for ...

My view is that many who study martial arts are alert to danger but may also be seeking deeper meaning and purpose in their training. Many of them recognize that there are bad people out there but willing to trust that the skill to deal with them will take time and hopefully take care of itself with ...

Paul: I couldn't agree more. It's often confused or misunderstood because the principle applies not only to martial arts but many things, including sitting quietly. The mind generates practiced consciousness through a form of concentration to bring about relaxed altertness. I believe the physical ...

A worthy subject indeed. I believe it happens because all of the attention is on hard technique (punch, block, kick) where the source of execution begins at the body extremities. A thought, rather than pro or con, would it be more interesting to consider if we would characterize telegraphing as a ...

Ok. There are differences in training. But in the end, what separates trainee from rigors of training, or for that matter, one style from another is the core, the soul of the martial arts, and that is what connects us. The training is the individuals path and that may take on any form. In the end ...

Just a thought. One presumes the symbol was adopted and picked up for some reason. If we follow that, and try to bring some meaning from our own training, then there are some interesting ideas that can be brought to the table, possibly from where we are in our own stage of development.

The symbol ...