Thomas Malone's Seminar Notes

12/30/2000

Schooling

Soshu

• The traditional teaching in Japan was "If I pinch myself it hurts, so it must hurt you as well". In other words do unto others.... Now, however the feeling in Japan is "Everything is fine as long as I feel OK."
• You should base all off your actions on the thought that Tenchi (The Universe) is watching you.
• "Ignorance is bliss" is no excuse. You must make efforts to be informed.
• The older generation thinks the young are bad. Yet the reason they appear to be so is because the older generation has not taught them properly.
• Aikido can be thought of as a religion if you mean by a religion "living in accordance with the laws of the Universe."
• You can't follow a God that has been created by man.
• It is not enough to only train the body. When you realize that the mind controls the body it becomes obvious that the mind must be trained.
• Advances in Science are fine. The problem is that the mind has been forgotten as well as the laws of the Universe.
• The body serves as a mirror of the mind. Thus the Ki tests [tests of centeredness].
• Once something has been reduced to zero it can never return.
• The state of zero looks like Mugensho (Infinitesimal) from the outside but is totally different.
• All of the 4 principles lead to the same pinnacle of Shinshin Toitsu [body and spirit unification].
• Since the One Point [also called the centrum] is Mugensho there is no physical sensation to it.
• When looking at the sun you should extend Ki and LOOK at the sun and not receive the rays of the sun passively. (At this point we all - about 80 people - went to the window, extended Ki and looked at the sun. I personally had no trouble looking directly at the sun for more than 30 seconds at a time)
• Eating too much meat is bad for the skin.
• The worst thing a human can do is take something in a minus way.
• Even if you feel pain or discomfort you should not vocalize it.
• All of your actions should be based on the fact that you possess the center of the Universe in your lower abdomen.
• Do everything from the One Point.
• When you walk, it is the One Point that walks.
• When you stand-up, it is the One Point that stands up, etc.

12/31/2000

Soshu

• The 5 principles for Kiatsu [ki (energy/attention/spirit) therapy] are the same as the 4 principles for Shinshin Toitsu, just with different wording.
• If your hands come up when a person does a test on you, it means that your One Point is too high. This usually happens because you are trying to settle the One Point when it should just be left alone.
• Always remember that your life force comes directly from the Universe.
• People do not "create" babies - they are gifts from Tenchi (the Universe) and should be raised as such.
• When you feel pain, discomfort or are diagnosed with a disease, do not complain about it but take it as a message from Tenchi that you have done something wrong and need to find the cause of it.
• Just as the Sun was created out of an infinitely small state and will return to it when it burns out, so did and will each of us.
• To extend Ki from the One Point you need to do nothing. That means, "Do nothing" and "Don't do" things that hinder it - minus thoughts, random thinking, etc.
• When doing Kiatsu don't think "I'm doing Kiatsu"; just leave it alone, in the hands of Tenchi.
• When you glare or scowl at something or someone you cut off Ki. [I believe he has said "Look softly" or "Have soft eyes" in the past.]
• "Doing nothing," means being natural.
• "Doing nothing" means being in accordance with the Universal.
• Reduce the diameter of your fingertips by 1/2, 1/2, 1/2 when doing Kiatsu and let them return to Mugensho. (Infinitesimal)

1/1/2001

Soshu

• It is very important to start things off with a plus mind/attitude. The start dictates the rest. Let's start the New Year, the new Millennium, with a plus heart. If you think "I can't, I'm no good" and so on, that is definitely what you will become, without fail. Approach all things with a plus mind.
• Today it was supposed to rain according to the weather forecast. I asked Tenchi to provide us with good weather to start the year and you can see the result of this for yourselves. (It was a beautifully sunny day)
• It is a certainty that if you extend Ki, Tenchi will help you.

1/2/2001

Soshu

• We live a relative world. This is evident in the fact that we think we are stronger when we put tension in our muscles. In fact this only makes us weaker.
• What I mean by Tenchi is not Ten (heaven) and Chi (earth), but the Universe itself.
• There are no deviations in the laws of the Universe.
• The reason you get tired is because you put tension in your muscles.
• All things are created from "something," not a void. The ancient Chinese thought that your Ki was diminished when you used it. However, more Ki comes in as you extend it.
• It is really not correct to think of "Extending Ki"; it is correct to think "Ki is extending".
• Behaving properly and with good manners is a state of no "Suki". (A state where you do not leave yourself open to attack or absent-mindedness) [I would translate suki as "weakness" in this case]
• Just a difference of a millimeter is enough to totally change the One Point.
• The real meaning of "Ishii" (Will) is to be able to do what is right.
• Always make good use of free time. Don't waste it.
• It is a mistake to think of yourself as only your body, as you are really a product of Mugensho
• Illnesses or injuries can be thought of as a lack of Ki circulation.