The Matrix percentage reloaded

We've first spoken of the nature of reality being that of a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma. So it's time to study the fact that by facing the circumstances and being able to copy with them one may begin to truly perceive the essence of the world, unstable in its relativity. This can be achieved through the use of the mind and by the same token learned through tangibleness only; as we know some call it chi, the mind-over-matter practice of performing feats that should initially seem physically impossible.

Regarding the universe as a constant flow of the particles of reality, navigating skills must be of primary interest in order to avoid drifting aimlessly. A compass for this streaming chaos is found with a simple extension of the word: compassion. In Finnish the term actually means "feeling along," which reminds me of the Baguazhang principle of not trying to stop the opponent's attacks, but letting yourself be moved by them while maintaining strong positioning despite of the changes in conditions. This makes the enemy force superficial as the fighter, by letting things happen without tension (as a contest of who might overcome), allows the guidance to turn into control; from the giving in he or she molds a steering wheel for the situation. It is Baguazhang's spiral movement that surprisingly generates power in a way most natural - a spring-like reserve of energy to explode during the right fraction of a second.

The sensitivity in internal styles of martial arts is far from weakness, although such it may seem for those who lack interest in increasing knowledge. We're not just talking about the flexibility of muscles here, but the flexibility of actions. The strength that enables one to have control over the opponent's attempts is in fact based on a push, a very slight one that would obviously be, nevertheless it's still there, placed within the contact. Calm mind, unrelenting mentality; gentle moves, devastating outcome. Put it this way: have you ever tried punching a rubber band?

It is very much the same in many cases of pro wrestling; a mere display of what has been learned with a specific intention for others to watch will unlikely pass any test of critical view. Then again, once what takes place in the ring is honest, with just the icing on it for the sake of the audience expecting to see something more entertaining than an average representation, it is truthful as well, yet seemingly unreal. To tell a story, impressive as it may be, is inadequate compared to the creator of the drama having become the story itself.

For setting goals I would advise people to first get binoculars. Even if one does not reach a wondrous world after testing the limits of what can be accomplished, the journey will be magical. You'll be taken further than you knew you could, just pull the plug from your mind and look around for starters. No white rabbit to follow, there's still a cave to explore: a mental wormhole through which you may enter the realm where unexpected becomes unbelievable - a passageway for the dragon. Make it real, then astonish all who claim you're not what you say you are.

The Matrix percentage

Hopes and dreams we have tend to work as the fuel for getting results, but they do require an engine to burn within, which is true determination. Sometimes people, in their quest for personal satisfaction, put their trust in a wall of illusion they build around them to block the outside world from disturbing their (false) vision.

Pro wrestling is definitely the best of sports for the audience to realize what goes on during the event. The purpose of the techniques, the rules and the actual essence of the style is to "tell the story" to each and every spectator, whereas in almost any other form of competition, especially in combat arts, one is to have at least some amount of knowledge of what's taking place in order to be able to enjoy the presentation. The criticism pro wrestlers are often faced with has a lot to do with alleged lack of authenticity, but it's really a matter of diversity in the level of skill - properly carried out, wrestling undeniably belongs to the royal family of finest martial arts. So we are talking about dynamics here; a practitioner that's in poor condition or doesn't possess the prowess of a pro will undoubtedly have problems with his or her credibility.

Speaking of life in general it is sometimes said that the greatest stories are those of love and death. Make it everyday: we don't need to go that extreme but can simply talk about states of desire and suffering damage. As far as I've come to know no one has ever proved that affection is anything but the person's attempt to feel joy, yet evidence of the opposite can be found. There may be nothing wrong in such an emotional search, it's just that I value truth more than happiness - virtue at the purest that would be. The importance is even greater in cases of fighting, for the basis of successful strategy lies in gaining control over circumstances by co-operation with the surroundings. One cannot benefit from comfort as it doesn't offer a strong foundation but a feeble one instead, then again "it ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward".

I prefer looking in the mirror to painting a self portrait; the latter too easily becomes an object one may seek to target the hopes and dreams with. It is far better to observe yourself as you are, unpleasant as it might be, and then find the ways to get better. After abandoning the pretty veil of self-satisfaction you bend the limits of what can be done by maximizing the share of reality's iron core in the raw materials of what you're made of. Next step: fuse your own spirit into it and be part of the very dynamics, ride the laws of Nature.

We all wish to be free, but when the strings are cut off we must decide what it ultimately means: falling or flying? Who then remains frozen in the safety of the blue, trapped under one's own ice, and who dares to enter the fire and blood of the gleaming red? Free as the wind they say, just remember some winds only blow in the north of every man's heart.