My my is right! Dare I jump back in this thread now? I have to admit - you guys did much better than I imagined with this one! Who would have thought that a bunch of macho men could come up with such beautiful thoughts on what is the mystic feminine? I'm so proud I could cry...
Seriously though - what wonderful images of the sea and sailing as aspects of the feminine within - from mother ocean to ships travelling over her - poets and writers have epitomized woman in that which is mysterious, deep and driven by forces of nature - Van, Allen and Anthony - beautiful descriptions!
John,
Good point - I remember when I learned that I thought it interesting that the male of the species were created because of the "odd" chromosone... everything being equal we'd all be female - but that wouldn't be any fun now would it?
Ant'ny,
More "power" to you! And as for that ocean image - thanks! My kata on the beach will never be the same again! >

Michael,
Perhaps you'd care to moderate that forum you speak of! I'm sure you've gotten plenty of material in your line of work for some "provacative" posts! And we can start with "unbridled" as a state of being...

Allen,
For not knowing anything about the "feminine" side - you did a damn good job with that sailing bit... that was beautiful actually! Reminds me of a video I ordered from guess where - the Mystic Seaport Museum about sailing around the horn - the last sailing ship ever to do so and the only one ever filmed - the guy was a maniac - with a heavy old moving picture recorder at the top of the mast in swells bigger than skyscrapers it seemed - check it out it's awesome!
J.D.-san,
Ever the critic! Melville's not THAT bad now is he? You've got to admit he came up with a few interesting characters...did he know you?
Now tell me - how much chi does it take to execute enough mind control to force the purchase of an Air Supply CD???
I'm sure the Lagavulin boosts your level of "chi" somewhat for such an endeavor! (Or at least your belief in chi! - ok - NOT!)
Ant Knee,
You know our sensei would appreciate that - spoken like a true master!
Rich,
Kata on the beach can take on all kinds of dimensions - try it if you ever get a chance - something about the vastness of nature all around - quite a difference from feeling your power bounce off the walls of a dojo!
Robb-san,
Nice post! And well said... it's not an easy topic for most - yet an interesting aspect of our art! Duality manifests itself in so many ways - for example right-left brained or handed - when we practice using/accepting both sides then we become more whole - growing as artists and human beings - embracing the feminine side for a man may be part of that -
On the other side - I think that women who are already involved in karate are probably exploring their masculine side - some find this easier than others - some are trying to beat it - some are competeing with it - it is when we as women find balance with both sides that we can truly grow as martial artists - competing and defeating the differences don't really serve to promote growth as I see it.
Van-sama,
What can I say? You leave me speechless in the wake of your intensity...you must be a force of nature yourself to have such a grasp on the "mystic feminine..."
Peace,
Lori
[This message has been edited by Lori (edited 12-01-98).]