Master: When you were in the water I told you the philosophy of fighting is in the motion.... correct?

Student: Yes Shodo.

Master: What motion do you use?

Student: The circular motion Shodo?

Master: Correct. And within that motion lays the secret.

Student: I don't know if I follow Shodo.

Master: A balance.... a circle.... the most perfect form is a sphere...no edges no true boundaries...smooth...harmonious...in balance. Now.... again...think on the human body, the heavenly bodies, and what form do you see?

Student: The stars appear like small circles, but the human form Shodo?

Master: You can't figure that out can you?

Student: No Shodo.

Master: *LOL*...if a circle had an edge, what would it be called?

Student: Boundaries Shodo?

Master: *chuckles*.... If a circle had an edge it would be a curve...part of the circle would be a curve...and the human form is made up of curves.

Student: Ahhh...I see. I am beginning to understand, but Shodo, that is not a full circle?

Master: Well lets get a bit deeper...veins, muscle fibrosis, cross section of bones, cells, etc.... Your body's movements as well are circular.... You swing your arms at the shoulder joint and the shape your fingers make is circular...roll your head and its a circle.

Student: Yes...Yes! It is true, I see now. A Physician of Ar once told Me the same Shodo. He was very talkative that Physician.

Master: Back to the circle Ishtoya. Now.... life is what as well?

Student: Hard Shodo, very very hard.

Master: *smiles*...True but we are thinking of the philosophy of the circle and how it applies to fighting.

Student: Life is a.... a.... a cycle?

Master: Bingo. Birth, life, death, over and over again and again. Now.... think on all I have told You.... the majority of the fighting arts involve intricate wrist movements and twists and turns and counters that are part of the circle. The pit itself is a circle.... patterns of fighting are all circular...at least the best of Us know that. Back on to why You were in the water Ishtoya. Fluidity of movement. Water is the most perfect form.... it is strong enough to bring down mountains, yet soft enough to deliver the gentlest of touches in something as simple as a raindrop.... it can fit into any container and assume its shape and form. One might say it adapts to its surroundings as should a warrior.... and it is as well very forceful when needed.... is why I said for you to enter the river to churn the water.... to feel the current to Your back or to Your front...different periods of the day, during different cycles of the moons.... the power and philosophy of fighting is there within all of us in something as simple as water.... Be like water. Soft and hard, gentle yet forceful, smooth in movements as well as rough when facing obstacles.

80% of the human body is....

Water

75% of the Urth is....

Water

And in water is the secret to the philosophy of fighting.