joriki

Some people define Joriki as concentration; this is a very poor definition.

Joriki is not an action like concentration, Joriki is the product of proper concentration, and still is much more. Joriki is the mental power that is born from the unification of purpose and intent, and yet has significance beyond this attempt to define it.

One of the components of this word is Ki (Qi in Chinese), the term for life force used throughout oriental metaphysics. It is said that Ki becomes upset, erratic and scattered when an individual behaves in an uncoordinated, unfocused and directionless way, and that the reverse is also true. These behaviours are evidence of a disturbed spirit. The main focus of Qigong, many of the martial arts, and meditation practices is to unify the spirit, mind and Ki so that the behaviours of body, speech and mind become focused, allowing Joriki the opportunity to manifest.

The mind becomes a prisoner to its experience the moment it attaches itself to the idea that the self is something separate from the world. This not only cuts off the mind from the flow of Ki, sending the Ki flow outward into the sense objects, but creates a space between the life force and the mind that can easily house fear. When Joriki arises as a result of spiritual practice, the mind is no longer able to fall into the trap of believing that there is a separation between the self and its experience. The energy normally wasted in this way is occupied with more important tasks, such as maintaining focus and clarity. These activities of Joriki increase its power, such that once it begins to manifest, its influence steadily grows. Joriki also dissolves the illusions that you are what you own, or that your life is dependent on the good wishes of others. These ideas are among the major sources of fear in modern humanity.

One who has cultivated Joriki is no longer a slave to irrational beliefs and unproductive desires, and has reached the state the Heart Sutra describes when it says "No obscuration of mind – no obscuration, therefore no fear". This word obscuration can easily be read as pollution, because it means the type of psychic pollution that clouds us with concern for things that do not really matter, and blinding us to those that do.

This power of the mind reshapes our behaviour so that we are able to take immediate and appropriate action even in the most surprising circumstances. This is because the Ki that is normally scattered about becomes concentrated, coherent and readily available. There is no longer the need to stop and "pull yourself together" or "collect your wits".

Joriki is mobilized through practice, but if practice is broken, or becomes routine and mechanical, Joriki will gradually disappear. This is because it is a fire that is fed by purpose. This is also why the ancients urged seekers to develop some form of regular focused activity. Engaging in such a practice can allow the mind to 'get a taste' of Joriki. It is produced when one is totally centered in the performance of almost any activity, therefore learning true focus in daily activities will reinforce the gains made by meditation practice, just as the daily practice reinforces a lifestyle based on constant improvement, sincerity and integrity.

Joriki, once cultivated, will erase all self-doubt and drive a constant experience of power, spontaneity and freedom in one's everyday life.