Deflect-Strike as One 

And you're absolutely right about plagiarism - you will see dozens of German treatises copy Johannes Lichtenauer word for word just to show that they're well read haha. Joachim Meyer's entire system is based on interpretations of Lichtenauer's work.

⚔️ Excellent! See you in San Diego…

You're doing a great job with Sam getting thing rolling in SoCal, thanks!

Great to hear it was helpful. One note, this Treatise was penned by Rodell Laoshi, however this principle is common to the Chinese Sword Arts regardless of style or lineage.

Thanks for Organizing Rodell Laoshi's Seminar. I know he appreciates your support!

One is certainly in the moment, the mind clear of thoughts when in this state of non-duality where one feels literally connected to the duifang even when not in physical contact. However, we should differential various states of being in the moment. One can be completely present in the moment, simply being. The state I referred to here is one where there is something inside of the emptiness. That being a purpose, the intending to move with the force aimed at you sending in back seamlessly. I hope this is helpful. If I only "muddied the waters," please let me know and I will endeavor to make them less so.

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 Thanks. I suspected it was a different "mind set"

@@DAVID-io9nj, no worries brother. It is tricky at the very least, to compare states of mind. How does one put this sort of altered or mind intent that is so different from the usual everyday check book mind, into words. And how who does any one individual know if what he or she means by "X" is the same idea or experience someone else has had just because both are making use of the same or similar terms?

Thanks, I hope it helps with your swordplay...

Concerning deflecting with the blade flat, while there are a very few who contend that there was edge parrying in Chinese Sword Arts, those who suggest this will have to explain how there is no physical evidence, none of the typical edge damage that results from consistent or regular edge parrying on period Chinese swords? On numerous occasions, I've explained how I have been fortunate to handle over 3,000 period Chinese blades. None of these swords show the kind of edge damage seen on European blades that resulted from edge parrying. Given the total lack of physical evidence of edge parrying on period Chinese Swords, the only sensible, logical conclusion is that it did not occur in any fashion that could be considered orthodox. And indeed, the traditional teaching of Chinese Sword Arts is to deflect with the blade flat. Therefore, the lack of edge damage is not peculiar, but expected. As for your second question, yes, some Chinese jian were mounted with disk guards. Judging from existing period examples and swords depicted in period Chinese paintings, such guards were more popular during the Ming period and don’t appear to ever have been particuarly popular. In my experience, this lack of a disk guard does not result in a much greater risk in cuts to the hand in those properly trained in blade flat deflections in the Chinese Sword Arts. Though obviously a disk guard does provide better protection.

My training partners and I regularly spar using deflections with the flat. Doing so has never resulted in cuts to our hands.

@@sdhikerdude Excellent, another "proof of concept."