Ma is space and Ma-ai is distancing or that space between you and another person. Everyone who reads this blog or practices a fighting art understands this to a degree yet this posting is one that I hope helps you look outside the box.
Rival comes from a Latin word that means neighbor. A neighbor can be someone who actually lives next to your home and it also can be the person in the next cubicle at work or even that person standing next to you on the train ride home from work. This same neighbor has the potential, simply because of proximity, to become an opponent.
When we show disregard for another’s space (Ma; in this instance personal space) we are displaying a disregard for their privacy and tranquillity which turns out to be one of the most frequent events resulting in conflict.
We are all territorial by nature and when someone moves into our space, especially with out permission or aggressively, we start to go on the defensive. Out survival instincts depends on a defense of space which makes us ready to fight at even the slightest provocation.
So you say, what has this to do with Ma-ai and karate-do? It is our perception of Ma that can be used to stop confrontation before it becomes confrontation. If we practice ma or ma-ai outside the fighting circle then we can really live up to the way of the empty hand.
If we understand the above and we treat everyone we come in contact, or when we enter their space, with civility then we avoid that provocation. Understanding everyone’s “Ma” or “personal space” and showing regard and respect for their “Ma” we can avoid having to depend on “Ma-ai” in combat.
Ma outside of karate-jutsu-do is that personal space each of us has or the space we perceive that surrounds each of us as a protective zone or restricted space. We respect one another’s Ma and are perceived as a non-threat to others.
Ma or personal space is where our “ki” extends. Think of that Ma or personal space as being filled with an aura or a force field. When it is penetrated we go on alert until our perception determines if the violation is by friend or foe. The answer determines our response.
Try this the next time someone seems to be getting in your face. Back up a small amount, display your palms forward toward the person, stand up straight and face body forward toward them, keep your feet close together say in narrow musubi-dachi with out bent knees, display a facial expression of open eyes wide and eyebrows raised, and then say something like, “Sorry sir, I did not intent to offend you!” in a low, calm, slow speaking tone. See what happens. You may find that the person perceives you as leaving their space and showing a non-aggressive stance while you remain in a defensive kamae.
Practice Ma and be one with that idea before practicing Ma-ai in the training hall. Think about it! Karate-jutsu-do is more than fighting; it is about learning what we can do to avoid fighting.