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Ki in Daily Life
Technology today touches nearly every part of our lives. Through even more impressive development of machines, the process continues. Computers put men out of work; pushing a single button is enough to start a nuclear war.
Gradually, though, the world has begun to remember that it is man for whom the machines must work, and not the other way around. We recognize now that science, for all its achievements, has done little to help us understand ourselves or realize our potential.
There is no sense in waiting for science to do it for us. Each of us must now take it upon himself to understand his true nature and strength. The Chinese classic "Saikontan" says that we stand like beggars at the gate, forgetting the infinite power given us by the universe. Instead of shrinking
from this potential, we should be thankful for it. we should strive to manifest it and help others to do the same.
The author regards his Four Basic Principles to Unify Mind and Body as having been given to him by the universe to spread the way of the universe. There have been many who have grasped unification of mind and body. Very few, however, could teach it. Fewer still could teach how to teach it. Those who
learn the four basic principles as explained in this book have come to understand not only how to unify their own minds and bodies, but also how to teach it to others.
The author, founder of the Ki Society International, presents the philosophical groundwork and specific disciplines by which the individual may attune himself or herself with the hi-life energy of the universe and thrive in health and harmony, without fatigue or depression.
Gradually, though, the world has begun to remember that it is man for whom the machines must work, and not the other way around. We recognize now that science, for all its achievements, has done little to help us understand ourselves or realize our potential.
There is no sense in waiting for science to do it for us. Each of us must now take it upon himself to understand his true nature and strength. The Chinese classic "Saikontan" says that we stand like beggars at the gate, forgetting the infinite power given us by the universe. Instead of shrinking
from this potential, we should be thankful for it. we should strive to manifest it and help others to do the same.
The author regards his Four Basic Principles to Unify Mind and Body as having been given to him by the universe to spread the way of the universe. There have been many who have grasped unification of mind and body. Very few, however, could teach it. Fewer still could teach how to teach it. Those who
learn the four basic principles as explained in this book have come to understand not only how to unify their own minds and bodies, but also how to teach it to others.
The author, founder of the Ki Society International, presents the philosophical groundwork and specific disciplines by which the individual may attune himself or herself with the hi-life energy of the universe and thrive in health and harmony, without fatigue or depression.
- GenresMartial ArtsNonfiction
140 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1978
14 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 10, 2020
I took a thousand words of notes on this book.
It was recommended by an Aikido practitioner as a result of a fight with a friend.
Key ideas are the oneness of Mind and body, the primacy of Mind, and the way breathing from the lower belly center calms the mind and reduces conflict.
He teaches readers to breathe with the whole body right to the toes. Very stimulating.
He speaks insightfully about using ki in conflict to either win by preparing to apologise and accept your opponent’s points or by guiding your opponents ki towards harmony.
Big insight: Tomorrow starts half an hour before you go to bed today.
He suggests eating with full attention and zero distraction to extend ki to food.
Essentially ki breathing is open soft relaxed body with the body weight at the lowest point possible and loose shoulders whilst breathing naturally and softly in through nose and out through mouth with a gentle HA.
He suggests it for all circumstances other than eating or washing, especially at the start and end of the day, to return oneself to a positive ki.
Another big idea is that extending positive ki creates a different world experience for you and others of selfless positivity and growth.
Very cool book.
It was recommended by an Aikido practitioner as a result of a fight with a friend.
Key ideas are the oneness of Mind and body, the primacy of Mind, and the way breathing from the lower belly center calms the mind and reduces conflict.
He teaches readers to breathe with the whole body right to the toes. Very stimulating.
He speaks insightfully about using ki in conflict to either win by preparing to apologise and accept your opponent’s points or by guiding your opponents ki towards harmony.
Big insight: Tomorrow starts half an hour before you go to bed today.
He suggests eating with full attention and zero distraction to extend ki to food.
Essentially ki breathing is open soft relaxed body with the body weight at the lowest point possible and loose shoulders whilst breathing naturally and softly in through nose and out through mouth with a gentle HA.
He suggests it for all circumstances other than eating or washing, especially at the start and end of the day, to return oneself to a positive ki.
Another big idea is that extending positive ki creates a different world experience for you and others of selfless positivity and growth.
Very cool book.
September 14, 2015
If you want to know the way, why, and how of ki, this is the book. Even if you don't do martial arts, this is a great how-to book on how to cultivate and maintain a positive attitude and be in control of your own mind. Also has illustrations on mind-over-body demonstrations and techniques.
December 2, 2017
This book is a very practical look at a very ambiguous, elusive topic: ki (energy). The author is very careful to avoid mysticism or quasi-religious proselytizing. Instead, he makes a very plausible case for how we experience, transmit, and affect energy in our everyday lives. This is a truly insightful book for aikidoda and those who pay any attention to the internal dimension of martial arts and daily living.
May 26, 2009
Well, I guess I was kind of disappointed, but what did I expect, really?
This is pretty much a self-help book and at that a self-help book written by an extremely disciplined Japanese aikido master who studied with its founder for many years. He constructed his own style of aikido based on his theories of and experiments with _ki_, the kind of "life force" that animates all things.
A lot of it admittedly was insightful and interesting but I don't know if it was the translation or if it was a little dated (it was written in the late 70s, I believe) or if it's just a matter of a cultural divide, but...well, DUDE. I'm just a stressed out balding American guy with a spare tire, a kid, a wife, a mortgage and a useless college degree who's just trying to get up in the mornings and go to bed at night feeling OK about myself and the world and about myself WITHIN the world. "Just extend _ki_, keep the one point in your abdomen, and everything will be fantastic." Or something. Sounds nice. I'll try.
This is pretty much a self-help book and at that a self-help book written by an extremely disciplined Japanese aikido master who studied with its founder for many years. He constructed his own style of aikido based on his theories of and experiments with _ki_, the kind of "life force" that animates all things.
A lot of it admittedly was insightful and interesting but I don't know if it was the translation or if it was a little dated (it was written in the late 70s, I believe) or if it's just a matter of a cultural divide, but...well, DUDE. I'm just a stressed out balding American guy with a spare tire, a kid, a wife, a mortgage and a useless college degree who's just trying to get up in the mornings and go to bed at night feeling OK about myself and the world and about myself WITHIN the world. "Just extend _ki_, keep the one point in your abdomen, and everything will be fantastic." Or something. Sounds nice. I'll try.
August 6, 2008
A must read!
Read
August 29, 2008Incredibly and practically insightful!
December 31, 2010
A classic work by a master. This is practical rather than esoteric and teaches you how to incorporate simple techniques to improve your mind, body and spirit.
April 1, 2018
Best treatise on Japanese KI or energy.
December 30, 2009
I haven't read through it completely, but this book is not really meant for the individual. There are few single-person exercises.
It also talks a lot while saying the same things over and over. Perhaps this is meant to drive the point home and/or motivate you, but it just seems monotonous to me.
It also talks a lot while saying the same things over and over. Perhaps this is meant to drive the point home and/or motivate you, but it just seems monotonous to me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews