450 Keep Calm and Study Martial Arts

The once and only experience I learned a martial arts was Aikido lesson in the university. It was among many courses in liberal arts (which is interesting as the definition of "liberal" includes "martial").  The essence of its fighting way was so unique. Basically it's not about a form (though we learned a bit), nor a power, a battle, even victory or defeat. It's more like a spontaneous and unconscious flow. I never reached the depth of the way, but the impression was huge. 

Later I happened to learn a few things about the way of ancient martial arts. It seems difficult to understand as it contains many metaphysical wisdom but only thing I was interested in and still remember is the following; 

"Do not try to forecast which side, right or left, the enemy will take to attack you. It's no use because you cannot do anything if the enemy takes neither of them. The true mind when you face the enemy is just set yourself alright and perfectly in line with your inner calm so that you can always react unconsciously no matter how the enemy attacks you." Insightful words.