Topic: The Art of Peace

[Definitive Journey]

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The heart of a human being is no different from the soul of heaven and earth. In your practice always keep in your thoughts the interaction of heaven and earth, water and fire, yin and yang.

The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.

There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.

[Definitive Journey]

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To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.

The totally awakened warrior can freely utilize all elements contained in heaven and earth. The true warrior learns how to correctly perceive the activity of the universe and how to transform martial techniques into vehicles of purity, goodness, and beauty. A warrior's mind and body must be permeated with enlightened wisdom and deep calm.

Always practice the Art of Peace in a vibrant and joyful manner.

[Definitive Journey]

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It is neccessary to develop a strategy that utilizes all the physical conditions and elements that are directly at hand. The best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses.

A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.

The key to good technique is to keep your hands, feet, and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you can move freely. The physical center is your belly; if your mind is set there as well, you are assured of victory in any endeavor.

[Definitive Journey]

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Move like a beam of light;

Fly like lightning,

Strike like thunder,

Whirl in circles around

A stable center.

[Definitive Journey]

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Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the nature of our world.  Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth flowing like water, or as empty as space.

If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing.  Water, by nature, never collides with or breaks against anything.  On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.

Functioning harmoniously together, right and left give birth to all techniques.  The left hand takes hold of life and death; the right hand controls it.  The four limbs of the body are the four pillars of heaven, and manifest the eight directions, yin and yang, inner and outer.

[Definitive Journey]

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Manifest yang

In your right hand,

Balance it with

The yin of your left,

And guide your partner.

[Definitive Journey]

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The techniques of the Art of Peace are neither fast nor slow, nor are they inside or outside. They transcend time and space.

Spring forth from the Great Earth;
Billow like Great Waves;
Stand like a tree, sit like a rock;
Use One to strike All.
Learn and forget!

When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.

[Definitive Journey]

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The body should be triangular, the mind circular. The triangle represents the generation of energy and is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection, the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for solidity, the basis of applied control.

Always try to be in communion with heaven and earth; then the world will appear in its true light.  Self-conceit will vanish, and you can blend with any attack.

If your heart is large enough to envelop your adversaries, you can see right through them and avoid their attacks. And once you envelop them, you will be able to guide them along the path indicated to you by heaven and earth.

 

[Definitive Journey]

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Free of weakness,
No-midedly ignore
The sharp attacks
Of your enemies:
Step in and act!

Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer.

Each day of human life contains joy and anger, pain and pleasure, darkness and light, growth and decay.  Each moment is etched with nature's grand design - do not try to deny or oppose the cosmic order of things.

[Definitive Journey]

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Protectors of the world
And gaurdians of the Ways
Of gods and buddhas,
The techniques of Peace
Enable us to meet every challenge.

Life itself is always a trial. In training, you must test and polish yourself in order to face the great
challenges of life. Transcend the realm of life and death, and then you will be able to make your way
calmly and safely through any crisis that confronts you.

Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part
of training in the Art of Peace.

[Definitive Journey]

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Failure is the key to success;
Each mistake teaches us something.

In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and
technique is essential - do not let your heart waver!

At the instant
A warrior
Confronts a foe,
All things
Come into focus.

[Definitive Journey]

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Even when called out
By a single foe,
Remain on guard,
For you are always surrounded
By a host of enemies.

The Art of Peace is to fulfill that which is lacking.

One should be prepared to receive ninety-nine percent of an enemy's attack and stare death right in the face in order to illumine the Path.

[Definitive Journey]

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In our techniques we enter completely into, blend totally with, and control firmly an attack. Strength
resides where one's ki is concentrated and stable; confusion and maliciousness arise when ki stagnates.

There are two type of ki: ordinary ki and true ki. Ordinary ki is coarse and heavy; true ki is light and versatile.
In order to perform well, you have to liberate yourself from ordinary ki and permeate your organs with true ki.
That is the basis of powerful technique.

In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of control. Never run away from
any kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control an opponent unnaturally. Let attackers come
any way they like and then blend with them. Never chase after opponents. Redirect each attack and get
firmly behind it.

[Definitive Journey]

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Seeing me before him,
The enemy attacks,
But by that time
I am already standing
Safely behind him.

When attacked, unify the upper, middle, and lower parts of your body. Enter, turn, and blend with your
opponent, front and back, right and left.

Your spirit is the true shield.

[Definitive Journey]

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Opponents confront us continually, but actually there is no opponent there. Enter deeply into an attack
and neutralize it as you draw that misdirected force into your own sphere.

Do not stare into the eyes of your opponent: he may mesmerize you. Do not fix your gaze on his sword:
he may intimidate you. Do not focus on your opponent at all: he may absorb your energy. The essence
of training is to bring your opponent completely into your sphere. Then you can stand where you like.

Even the most powerful human being has a limited sphere of strength. Draw him outside of that sphere
and into your own, and his strength will dissipate.