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Beneath Japanese philosophy and military strategy are five key elements. These five elements are earth, water, fire, air and void, and they are concepts that can destroy or generate each other. Many people believe that understanding these five basic elements is key to understanding war on a personal, or on a grand, level.
The first thing to be understood is the arrangement of the five elements. In proper arrangement, it is believed, can be found their true value. Unfortunately, as there are different arrangements, and arguments concerning those arrangements, it can be said that nobody has truly discovered the true value of the elements.
In researching the elements, and in applying Matrix theory, this writer believes he has found the true value of the five elements. This is a matter not of de-mystifying mysticism, but rather of defining the value of the elements from the point of view of their source. In accomplishing this one finds that physics, not mysticism, is at the core of the matter.
The first element to be considered, when arranging the elements in their proper order, is air. Air is life, air is the act of breathing itself. Ultimately, air permeates our very person and it gives rise to the birth of further elements.
The second element to be considered in this sequence is fire. Air enhances and grows fire, and if one breaths 'to the Tan Tien,' one is cultivating the spirit of fire that is necessary to the grand warrior. Combat uses the element of fire most, and thus fire must be enhanced and groomed and aimed, all at the same time.
The third element in the correct arrangement of elements is earth. A warrior breathes and creates fire, and he must control that fire so that it creeps down the legs and into the very earth he stands upon. A warrior who can tenaciously hold to his position, no matter how vicious the attack, is indeed a superior warrior.
Water is the fourth element. When a warrior finds himself under attack, even by forces greatly superior, he learns the proper methods of giving way, thus he learns to preserve himself, and then wash back over the attacker. Understanding water indicates the start of a basic transition from youth to wisdom.
The fifth element is the void, and it has the appearance of being quite mystical and unexplainable. In the absence of elements, however, spirit can grow, and since spirit is awareness, the mystery is solved. Ultimately, awareness rules the other elements, and it is awareness that determines the eventual outcome of conflict, be it on a grand, or a personal, level.
The first thing to be understood is the arrangement of the five elements. In proper arrangement, it is believed, can be found their true value. Unfortunately, as there are different arrangements, and arguments concerning those arrangements, it can be said that nobody has truly discovered the true value of the elements.
In researching the elements, and in applying Matrix theory, this writer believes he has found the true value of the five elements. This is a matter not of de-mystifying mysticism, but rather of defining the value of the elements from the point of view of their source. In accomplishing this one finds that physics, not mysticism, is at the core of the matter.
The first element to be considered, when arranging the elements in their proper order, is air. Air is life, air is the act of breathing itself. Ultimately, air permeates our very person and it gives rise to the birth of further elements.
The second element to be considered in this sequence is fire. Air enhances and grows fire, and if one breaths 'to the Tan Tien,' one is cultivating the spirit of fire that is necessary to the grand warrior. Combat uses the element of fire most, and thus fire must be enhanced and groomed and aimed, all at the same time.
The third element in the correct arrangement of elements is earth. A warrior breathes and creates fire, and he must control that fire so that it creeps down the legs and into the very earth he stands upon. A warrior who can tenaciously hold to his position, no matter how vicious the attack, is indeed a superior warrior.
Water is the fourth element. When a warrior finds himself under attack, even by forces greatly superior, he learns the proper methods of giving way, thus he learns to preserve himself, and then wash back over the attacker. Understanding water indicates the start of a basic transition from youth to wisdom.
The fifth element is the void, and it has the appearance of being quite mystical and unexplainable. In the absence of elements, however, spirit can grow, and since spirit is awareness, the mystery is solved. Ultimately, awareness rules the other elements, and it is awareness that determines the eventual outcome of conflict, be it on a grand, or a personal, level.
About the Author:
Al Case has been practicing the martial arts for 40 years. You can see The True Art at Monster Martial Arts. This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.
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