And that wraps up the entire discussion chi. lol. I wouldn't be surprised if people see the definition of Chi differently. There is already talk about spoon bending so I'm sure the magic fighting will come in soon.
OK. Any sort of evidence that chi works. Or not or whatever.
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If Chi works then should we already see it's used in Sumo ring?
Don't make me bend your spoon.
Koshiki
Brown Belt
OK. So, what does "power" mean? Hitting hard? Control of a fight? Electrical Power? Political Power? Military Power? Or maybe magical Power?
The term power may have even more definitions and connotations than "Qi/Chi/Ki." legs
If it's in terms of "power" as in "force," as in an application of energy in a physical sense, than what is Chi aside from an effective use of your legs, hips, core and limbs? In that case, it sounds like "Chi" just means "sound application of body mechanics."
Basically, "Chi" is either just an translation of one of a variety of basic English terms such as "sports physiology" or "bio-mechanics" or "mental focus" or "you've done a good job of training specific actions into your neurology", or it's something supernatural which has never been documented, demonstrated, or even reliably witnessed, and which is largely simulated through a combination of self-deception, wishful thinking, and outright charlatanry.
If we're going to say that "Chi" is "Power" in the sense of applied biomechanics that is too complex to really do justice to in casual conversation then sure, we can all discuss "Chi," although I think I and others might still use other more specific terms.
If we're going to say that "Chi" is "Power" in terms of focus, control, and awareness of the situation, then again, sure, we can all discuss examples of that, although again I think some of us may use other better defined terms.
If we're going to say that "Chi" is "Power" in the sense of, well, most people's understanding of the term chi, then saying that "Chi is Power" is at best vague. I think most English translations of the word are probably more like "vital essence," "Life force," or "spiritual energy."
Let's glance at the Wikipedia article on Chi, the term "power" shows up exactly five times:
1. As part of the word "willpower" referencing ways to control Chi.
2. Once as part of the term "feats of power," regarding things like spears to the throat, etc, which are noted as also being explainable through basic biomechanics.
3. In the title of a cited reference, The Chi Revolution: Harnessing the Healing Power of Your Life Force.
4. Once as part of the term "Qigong Empowerment," again in the title of a cited reference.
5. Finally, as the name of an author, John Powers.
The concepts listed as being similar to Chi include prana, pnuema, mana, lüng, ruah, and The Force, all of which are spiritual or fantastical, most of which are religious, none of which are particularly synonymous with "power."
So, I would say that the consensus is perhaps not entirely solid that "power" is the best, or even a particularly viable translation of the concept of "Chi."
KenpoDave
3rd Black Belt
Superman.
Koshiki
Brown Belt
Much like most religious and spiritual discussions.
Gnarlie
Master of Arts
Think of Chi as a German trying to become an Ubermein. It is real if you work at it, You are improving or you are not. But these exercises get you somewhere. Right?
The word is Ãœbermensch. The word carries some pretty heavy Nazi master race connotations, and it is not something that Germans aspire to, but rather a word associated with a past that they are collectively ashamed of. Probably not a great example unless you meant Nazis, or you mean that Germans are Nazis.
On topic, James Randi has offered his challenge for decades, and nobody has ever provided proof of chi, even for massive financial rewards, so I would not expect it to turn up in this thread.
Maybe chi 'universal energy' is what we see every day: gravity, heat, light, kinetic energy, potential energy, sound, electricity. Maybe we are looking for proof of something that has already been proven. I can live with chi as an expression of a combination physical factors in synergy. I do not believe it is a special extra type of magical energy that can not be detected. There is no magic anywhere else in the universe, why would there be here?
While Nazis loved this stuff, no I don't mean Nazis, and yes Germans should aspire to it.
I studied a little bit on Prana, and that is what we get when we breath, and if that ain't power, nothing is, Secondly, you are right, Power is such a vague term it only touches on the spiritual connotations of Chi, but again, we are talking spiritual power. Life Force, sounds like power, to me. I could go on.
Gnarlie
Master of Arts
Well the word has been corrupted I'm afraid, so no, they really shouldn't. The problem is the aspiration to Ãœbermensch implies the existence of the Untermensch, the 'subhuman', which is dangerous for obvious reasons. It really isn't an appropriate example.While Nazis loved this stuff, no I don't mean Nazis, and yes Germans should aspire to it.
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That is your opinion. The idea is that we are all sub-human until we get with it.
Every religion, including Christianity, preaches that true spiritual power happens when you eliminate your desire for non-spiritual things. So, even just walking around, trying to be a good person is empowering, right?
Actually it's not his 'opinion' it's well known that the Nazi's used this as their 'ideal' and to now think that it is an ideal well, that's sick.
Hitler's Supermen: The Ubermensch, Eugenics, and Perfecting the Master Race.
Untermensch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Every religion doesn't think that true spiritual power comes from eliminating non spiritual things, Judaism doesn't work that way at all, we don't do 'spiritual' in the way it's meant here. Judaism is about how you behave to others, spiritualism doesn't really come into it at all.
Gnarlie
Master of Arts
That the use of the example is inappropriate is my opinion (an opinion which the vast majority of the German and Jewish populations are very likely to share). That the word Ãœbermensch has very negative connotations (as does sub-human) is fact.
You might want to express your ideas in a different way e.g. In terms of enlightenment, as that seems to be what you actually mean.
Actually that people thought the world was flat is a myth.
Did Medieval People Believe in a Flat Earth?
So... what that Ten Commandment thing all about then?
You are stretching, now. Go ahead and tell us how Judaism isn't about eliminating sin. This should be fun. 
23rdwave
Green Belt
So... what that Ten Commandment thing all about then?
I don't find it 'fun' and if you are just going to belittle of people's beliefs there's little point in discussing anything with you. and by the way there's 631 commandments not 10. The fact you talk about 'eliminating' sin shows you know little about theology in general and certainly nothing about Judaism.
Sin means, to miss the mark, which implies you should stop doing that. What did I miss?
That's a modern thing encompassing religious beliefs , even the early Greeks know the earth wasn't flat. the flat earth society had about 3000 members worldwide, it's doubtful there are that many now.
