Michael Sternbach

That's the definition of a Shaolin priest accortding to a famous TV series. It is entirely possible that Black Holes are literally holes in space-time leading to other Universes. Or could they be rabbit holes?

It can be seen in numerous books and videos. Most prominently, in the authoritative "Original JKA Kata" video series from the mid-80s (still available on DVD). Several Shotokan greats are demonstrating the BS there. To be fair, I should mention that there was a debate among them about it before, but it was decided to make things as simple as possible for the general (international) audience. Along these lines, I remember once attending a seminar with a widely known Shotokan master. We practiced with a partner what was supposed to be the interpretation of Heian godan. It was completely unrealistic. Why would I purposefully turn my back on an opponent in front of me to hit him with a backward backfist?! After that strange training session, a co-instructor heard me tentatively mention to a fellow that the distance to the partner is sometimes problematic. He insisted that was just because we stupid students didn't adhere closely enough to the kata moves! It was not until much later that I heard of the real bunkai - including kyusho-jitsu, tuite, nage-waza. Now, things started falling into place. Not least some previously mysterious statements by Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi in his Karate-do Kyohan. Funakoshi still knew the true Okinawan tradition, but was not exactly outspoken about it. With his seniors, things went south for good. Only in fairly modern times, the openness of certain Okinawan masters and their western students made the real applications readily accessible.

You certainly know the first move in Heian shodan (Pinan nidan for you, I suppose), where you step to the left to a forward stance with a lower block, then step through to a right forward stance with a lunge punch. Well, according to the official JKA doctrine, this is how to read the sequence: Somebody attacks you with a middle level step-through punch from too far away to reach you anyway. So you step forward in harm's way just to block the punch. The attacker now takes a full step back! (Looks like your previous action convinced him that you must be completely mad, so he changed his mind about messing with you.) That's why you step through with a middle level punch yourself, and, hey - finish him off! It goes without saying that there are entirely different ways to read the sequence for someone who has the eyes to see...

Glad you like it. Stanley Pranin has more excellent videos on Youtube.

Even if you do kote-gaeshi in an "abbreviated" form minus the step/turn (irimi tenkan), this discussion by Stanley Pranin remains conclusive:

Welcome, oh Feline One!

Yes, it's a wide spread phenomenon that the "attacker" in a demonstration or training session doesn't act realistically.

I had to disarm, well, let's say "friendly forces" attacking me by a knife or a screwdriver on a couple of occasions. A kote-gaeshi (supinating wristlock) from Aikido proved useful for that. However, it's quite tricky to grab the wrist of a really experienced knife fighter. Unless you are very skilful and/or have stunned them by a blow previously, chances are that they pull their hand out, and pull the knife right through yours on the way. Kote-gaeshi:

I agree, MooNiNite, except that there is nothing really super natural or beyond human nature. There are only natural things that we don't fully understand so far.

Gotcha. Rough customs in the army, eh? I'm not sure what Sun Tzu would have to say about members of the same army bashing each other, although I suppose the phenomen already existed in his time.

Sounds interesting, you have got my attention.

Why would you want to batter friendly forces?

Actually, I don't equate logic with wisdom. There is a lot of wisdom in spontaneity. Being logical can be wise, to be sure, but logical/linear thinking only gets you so far. Even Mr Spock came to understand that when he was older. Daoism emphasizes intuition over logic, I would say.

The most direct way to develop psychic abilities is to simply practice them in a deeply relaxed state. The Silva Mind Control seminar is good for that (best to do it live, but there are also CDs and books available).

I really don't know where you would draw the line. I thought of different ways to reply to you, and I may come back to one or the other later. But what my thoughts boil down to is beautifully expressed in this illustration I "coincidentally" found at the right moment:

Don't you agree, Jim? Right, it's "quality over quantity". - But, incidentally, peace and contentment are prerequisites for a long life (as they help you preserve your chi).

Interesting topic, Sionnach. Dew is considered a bearer of celestial etheric forces (you might as well call them chi) in Alchemy. Here is an illustration from the Mutus Liber. It shows dew being collected by sheets spanned over a meadow. The alchemists (the couple in the foreground) wring them out in order to use the dew in the Great Work, the pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone.

Of course, you are right. But considering that it's a movie for a general audience, I would give it credit for at least hinting at the origin of Okinawan Karate in the White Crane system - something that, at the time it was published, even many advanced Karate instructors were (and possibly still are) not aware of. Likewise, in part 3 of the series, at the climax, Daniel starts performing a kata (a form in Karate, for you non-initiates out there) in the ring. Conveniently, the opponent attacks at the right moment and in the right manner for Daniel to use a throw occurring in the kata... That seems stupid too, but to be fair, it's hardly more unrealistic than the popular JKA type of bunkai (interpretation), and at least demonstrates the awareness that there ARE throws in the katas.

Oh, I have no problem with folks ridiculing the heroes of my teenage years.

Hi Mikal, I think I am a human too. That makes two of us! Furthermore, I think I essentially share the same name with you, as well as an interest in Zen, Daoism, Qigong, Chinese herbs. What else? Well, we'll see! Anyway, I look forward to talking about mountain stumbling/climbing with you. Welcome to the forum! Michael

So am I. So what?

The video correctly identifies correlations between a country's economic condition and certain other circumstances, but claims that the latter are the causes of the former, when this, in some cases, is far from clear. For example, alledgedly, corrupt institutions are the main reason for a country being poor, but in truth, it could well be the other way around: Institutions might be corrupt because of the poverty. Likewise, epidemics could be an effect, not a cause. Etc. Or the poverty and these circumstances could be reinforcing each other. The documentation, although thought provoking in some regards, seems highly simplistic to me.

That's an entertaining change of perspective. However, it's only an extension of something that is obviously crucial to the movie's plot: Daniel-san's ego problems and need to prove himself. Mr. Miyagi tries to lead him beyond that.

Eat red chili peppers.