22 Ki Sayings by Koichi Tohei

1. Our Motto

Let us have a Universal Mind that loves and protects all creation and helps all things grow and develop. To unify mind and body and become one with the Universe is the ultimate purpose of our study.

Four Major Principles to Unify Mind and Body:

1. Keep one point
2. Relax completely
3. Keep weight underside
4. Extend Ki

2. The Value of Our Existence

Our lives are born of the Ki of the Universe. Let us give thanks for being born not as plants and animals, but as human beings blessed with a Universal Mind. Let us pledge to fulfill our missions by helping to guide the development and creation of the Universe.

3. The Way to Union with Ki

The absolute Universe is one. We call this Ki. Our life and body are born of the Ki of the Universe. We study thoroughly the principles of the Universe and practice them. We are one with the Universe. There is no need to despond, no need to fear. The way we follow is the way of the Universe, which no difficulty nor hardship can hinder.

Let us have the courage to say, “If I have a clear conscience and a calm spirit, I dare to face courageously any obstacle I may encounter.”

4. Unification of Mind and Body

Mind and body were originally one. Do not think that the power you have is only the power you ordinarily use and moan that you have little strength. The power you ordinarily use is like the small, visible segment of an iceberg. When we unify our mind and body and become one with the Universe, we can use the great power that is naturally ours.

5. The One Point in the Lower Abdomen

The Universe is a limitless circle with a limitless radius. This condensed becomes the one point in the lower abdomen which is the center of the Universe. Let us concentrate our mind in this one point and become one with and send our Ki constantly to the Universe.

6. Relaxation

We are accustomed to having trouble with unnecessary nervousness. Nervousness causes blood vessels to contract, making it difficult for the impurities to leave the body, and thus makes one susceptible to many diseases. Relaxation is truly an elixir of life.

Let us spread the true method of relaxation which enables us to meet each day with a spirit like that of a mild spring breeze. If we practice this, we need never get nervous and excited in our daily affairs.

7. Living Calmness

In a natural state, the weight of objects is always underside. Therefore the physical expression of living calmness is that the weight of every part of our body is also underside.

Like the calm, still surface of the water that reflects the moon and a flying bird, true living calmness is the condition of our mind that reflects all things clearly. This is our original and natural state. By understanding these principles, we can acquire true living calmness.

8. Plus Life

The absolute Universe is One. Then two opposing forces appeared, and the relative world was born. In the Orient this dualism is called Yin and Yang, in the West plus and minus. A bright happy life is called plus life, and a dark gloomy one is called minus.

Let us eliminate every minus thought and strive for plus life henceforth.

9. The Subconscious

The subconscious mind acts as a storehouse of knowledge and past experiences. The materials stored in the subconscious mind form the conscious mind.

Henceforth let us cease putting any minus material into the subconscious. Let us always extend plus Ki and live our lives with a positive attitude.

10. The Principle of Non-Dissension

In the absolute Universe there is no dissension. Dissension arises from the relative world. If we unify our mind and body, become one with the Universe, and practice the principles of the Universe in our daily life, others will follow us gladly.

Do not say that this is a world where we must struggle to live each day. The true way to success is exactly one and the same as the principle of non-dissension, and that is the way of peace.

11. The Definition of Ki

Counting any number of things, we start with one. It is impossible by dividing one to reach zero. No matter how many times we divide one in half, the result can never be zero. Things which can be divided without limit are infinitely small and at the same time infinitely large. This infinitely small and infinitely large is called “Ki.”

Ki is not something formless or shapeless that is somewhere far away from us. The condensed Ki of the Universe becomes one point in the lower abdomen which, condensed infinitely, never becomes zero but becomes one with the Universe. We may understand the definition of Ki in this way.

12. The Ki Development Exercises

It is easier to coordinate mind and body when we are sitting or standing still. But true unification means to maintain the coordination of mind and body even when we are moving. Ki development exercises train us to always maintain the unification of mind and body in our daily lives.

By applying them to our daily life, we can perform to the best of our ability in all circumstances.

13. The Unity of Calm and Action

A top spinning at very high speed appears to be standing still. The calm at the center of a hurricane expresses enormous power in its action through its stillness. This is the unity of calm and action.

If we succeed in maintaining a state of mind-body unification while being centered at the one point in the lower abdomen, we can find time for composure even when busy, and can remain calm and display our full powers when facing unexpected situations or important tasks.

14. Fudoshin

True fudoshin is not a rigid, lifeless state of mind. It is the condition of stability which comes from the most rapid movement. In other words, like the stability of the spinning top, the state of perfect spiritual and physical stability arises from movement which continues endlessly and is so fast as to be imperceptible.

This movement is centered at the one point in the lower abdomen. By putting everything into the one point, we can achieve fudoshin that can never be disturbed by anything.

15. Ki Breathing

Our breath reaches out to the farthest reaches of the Universe, and the breath of the Universe comes back into us. In one breath we breathe in all of the Universe. Ki breathing is a way of unifying mind and body.

When we do Ki breathing, the Universe becomes calm and still, and we become unclear as to whether we are the Universe or the Universe is us. In this moment the magnificence of becoming one with the Universe is achieved. And the life force that is rightly ours is utilized to the fullest.

16. Kiatsu (Healing with Ki)

By learning the principles of mind-body unification and by understanding the depth of Ki breathing, we can gradually learn how to be filled with the Ki of the Universe at any time.

When a water pump is dried out, no water can flow from the well up through the pump. To start this flow again we must pour some water back into the pump. In a similar way, Ki does not flow strongly in a person who is ill or in poor health.

Let us practice Kiatsu to pour the Ki of the Universe into such people, strengthen their flow of Ki, and help them on the road to happiness.

17. Reiseishin (The Universal Mind)

We are blessed with a spirit that is one with the Universe. We are granted a heart that is directly connected to it. This is Reiseishin.

The moon is clearly reflected in the water when the water is calm. When our mind and body are unified and calm, our Reiseishin manifests our feelings fully. When this happens, all impure and sick desires leave us, and the Universal Spirit of love and protection of all things appears in us.

Let us polish our Reiseishin.

18. The Mind that Seeks Truth (Kyudoshin)

The mind that seeks truth is the mind that desires to know and practice the way of the Universe. No matter how clever a dog or monkey might be, they cannot know the mind of the Universe. Only human beings have the privilege and ability to know it.

If you have a mind that seeks truth, you are very fortunate, for this proves that you are truly human.

19. Willpower

An old Eastern saying tells us, “With a strong will you can pass through a rock; if you concentrate your will, you can control the wind, the rain, and the thunder.” Where does our willpower come from? Those who understand and can answer this question are able to carry out great tasks.

When we are in a state of mind-body unification, calming our mind infinitely, we generate an enormous willpower that can influence the Universe.

20. Intoku (Good Done in Secret)

Just as the number one can never be reduced to zero, once we have done or said something, it can never be erased. An old Eastern saying tells us, “Sow good and the harvest will be good; sow evil, and reap evil.” We must understand that everything we do comes back to us.

That is why before wishing for the well-being of ourselves and our children, we must do good deeds in secret. To do good in secret means to act without desire for recognition or praise, without the slightest expectation of reward. This is called Intoku.

The best of all possible ways to practice Intoku is to follow the way of the Universe and to lead others along this path.

21. Setsudo (Teaching the Way of the Universe)

A selfish person can never comprehend the way of the Universe. When one comes to know the principles and understands the great way of the Universe, one is given the responsibility of transmitting them to the world.

Do not think that you cannot help another. What you have learned today you can teach the next day. The world is full of people who have lost the way of the Universe and suffer from mental illness. Let us do our best to explain to them the correct principles of the Universe.

22. The Treasure of Ki Testing

Having no color, no odor, and no shape, the mind is not something that can be grasped by the senses. Based on the principle that mind and body are actually one, we can know the state of this ungraspable mind by testing the body, which is available to our senses.

Ki tests are not founded on the idea of testing for strength or weakness. The most important factor in Ki testing is to accurately inform the person of the state of his or her mind. Thus, the person performing Ki tests must truly understand and exhibit oneness of mind and body from the outset and then perform the tests correctly.