Speaking with Francis sensei, a realization hit me: the physical body is a real challenge to _know_. But that isn't even the final stage…

Stages of mind+body coordinated:
1. Know your mind (mental awareness)
2. Own your mind (meditation)
3. Know your body (physical awareness)
4. Own your body (owning your mind + physical practice working it into etheric?)

From this perspective, are ki building exercises important? If ki power is in all of us, and in our natural state there is "unlimited" ki power, then perhaps the focus of training should be attaining mind+body coordinated (as tohei sensei advocates), and ki power will be the inevitable result. Can it also be approached the other way – coordinating mind+body by building ki power. Likely, they are one and the same. If that's the case, then I would like to approach my training using the four-fold model highlighted above. Gives me more structure.

Of these 4 stages, 1+2 and 3+4 are sequential, but you don't need to completely attain 2 to move on to 3 (duh).

Francis sensei recommended that I learn how my body behaves and reacts, when practising hitoriwaza. Good idea. To know your "enemy" is to own him…

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