For years this term, and more importantly the concept it embodies has been the source of books of explanations and definitions. there have been those who have written on Ki as if it is a simple issue, giving it a mere passing mention, while others have lifted it to a diety of God status. We, as Christians, likewise have entered into this debate, but for other reasons, and motivation.
What is Ki? (How should we know? No one else does.) Well, it certainly has, by the books written on it, one of the widest definitions of about any word in our language. after all I've read and absorbed, I believe the closest definition/explanation to Ki would be the human soul, or the inward man. There is no other Biblical element of "humanness" more described or embodied, as in the explanation of Ki. The phenomenon, both in the physical realm, and in the psychic realms are mixed, matched, and mused throughout all the explanations I've read and studied. Due to this, there are some thoughts I have on the subject.
Because this is an issue where the physical is woven with the inward psyche, most do not have a clear description, due mostly to it being an invisible area. Whether the physical controls, as some say, or the psychic controls, as others claim, or the spiritual controls, as still others claim, there is no unity. Whatever we find, one thing is certain. It is a real area of great power and caution, for the mysterious invisible side of humanness is always open to mystical powers much misunderstood. Psychologists and psychiatrists alike have stumbled over the inward mental, emotional, psychic layers of humanness. It is my thinking that some martial artists are likewise likely to stumble over this area.
The true Ki (if it could be so called) is the inward, sought after, life, not attainable without Jesus Christ within the inward heart. Follow the thought of these scriptures. "Except a man be born again he cannot ..." John 3:3, "But to as many as received Him..." There is a natural man and a spiritual man. When born again he is with Christ (God). Christ inside the human spiritual creature after the new birth. Some martial artists talk of qualities one will attain as he realizes his full potential of Ki. In examining those qualities, a knowledgeable believer quickly sees that they are actually "fruits of the Spirit". Love, peace, meekness, etc. However, God declares that these are only attainable through the spiritual new birth. "He that knoweth not God..." Isa 4:8 The fruit of the spirit is..." Gal 5:22-23. This being the case, what martial artists are seeking by way of inward achievement through practicing their arts (attaining Ki), is not thus attainable.
The Christian martial artist's goal is not to give the unregenerate hope of finding a power in his "Ki" through the practice and development of his martial art, but to show the true believer (Christian) the power of the hidden man, through combining proper technique and the inward man. The Ki - the soul. We are shown in HEB.. 4:12 that the Word of God "divides between the soul and the spirit". That this soul in the lost, or natural man, is without a "living" spirit and is in a spiritual blindness. Once Christ (God) enters the heart through repentance and faith toward God (the spiritual new birth), he has the divine nature dwelling within his heart. Only by this nature can one truly develop a real Ki.
The search for one's Ki is a search for God and His nature. Some may not want God but all martial artists I've read on the subject seem to wish for His nature as they explain their own personal and individual search for their Ki. This search will never be realized until they receive Jesus Christ as personal savior. Then, true Ki may become developed as they develop the NEW born inward man of the heart. Herein the Ki - the soul, is able to truly be realized.
