Chi and the martial arts

mind controls the chi, the chi controls the strength. So runs the traditional law
governing the use of chi in the internal martial arts. The body requires a
minimum amount of vital energy for our daily lives. This you could call 'core
energy'. Any extra energy is stored within the body and added to your potential
strength. This internal strength can be trained and brought under the control of
the mind.
The relationship of the mind and the chi is somewhat akin to a rider and a
horse: the mind is the rider and the chi is the horse. Once the horse is trained it
will go wherever the rider commands. After consistent, correct training, the
accumulated chi can be led to any part of the body in a fraction of a second, by the
mind. Thus when you are performing the tai chi form, pushing hands or
self-defence applications, you first form the idea of doing something a split
second before you do it. Instantly your energy will lead your body to perform the
task required.
If you doubt this mind-body relationship, perform the following test. Try to
walk forwards while you are thinking about standing still. You will find that you
cannot move; all the actions of the body are governed by the mind. The mind
forms the idea of the task you wish to accomplish, and the energy sends impulses
to the muscles and tendons to move in a prescribed way. Thus, when you wish to
deliver a powerful strike, you command the body to do so, sending a surge of
force to the hand or foot. When chi is concentrated in this explosive form it is
called Jing (Ching) or 'essence'.
The inter-relationship between the mind, body and Jing might be explained
best with the analogy of a car. The chi you can think of as petrol, or the prime
mover of the car - without it the vehicle could not run. The body of the car is the
human body, with the wheels representing your arms and legs. The driver and
the steering wheel represent your mind and the centre or tan tien. Wherever they
direct, the car will follow. Jing is the momentum of the car, and the potential
explosive force now inherent in it. Therefore Jing is the total force of the
combination of all of the factors involved. Chi is not Jing - it is the prime mover
which helps to create this explosive energy.