Ki [気] is also a Philosophy Too!

The character/ideogram means, “Spirit; mind; heart; nature; disposition; motivation; intention; mood; feelings; atmosphere; essence.” 

The focus when teaching and discussing ki is about energy, i.e. a Japanese term meaning approximately the same as “Chi” in Chinese. Very few MA Sensei and Senpai discuss the other aspects of Ki.

Take a look at the other defining terms for ki, i.e., take motivation as another aspect to the benefit and development of ki within each practitioner. You have what some term as “Intrinsic Motivation” and also “Extrinsic Motivation.” This also comes down to personality, character and mind-state. Even if a practitioner does not demonstrate motivation it can be instilled through the actions and deeds of Sensei and Dojo Senpai. 

How well we are self-motivated also speaks to our nature as a person and a human being. It comes from the intentions we come into a discipline with even if we don’t seem to hold a motivation. This is where we trigger our intrinsic motivation and once triggered it succumbs to our efforts to increase it and continually build upon it as a character trait. 

We all, we humans, have a personality and we all have character but it is our character that we want to build up and apply within our discipline that is a martial art. 

Take this a step further into the realms of Self-defense. How we control our emotions, our monkey, when it comes to interactions of our human species it is our character, our disposition, our true nature along with spirit and heart that will carry the day. No amount of MA and SD training in techniques will keep us in the SD circle/square. It is this that will govern our mood and feelings and those are where we are weakest when the Monkey rises up and triggers our actions in conflicts and resulting violence. It is this that provides us the motivation and ability to rein in our Monkey’s and take our human, thinking minds, out of the fog to reach appropriate responses in any given situation. 

This is about learning and applying the fundamental principles of martial systems, i.e. the philosophies that drive such things as development of ki. Not just an internal energy source as taught through Chinese and Japanese belief but those types of Ki that develop the whole person toward a person of character, of good nature, of good disposition and of the intention to avoid over conflict and violence.