At 01:07 PM 1/21/2004 +0100, Nils Weinander wrote:
>Peter L:
> >
> >>Actualy, Li Mu Bi is a reasonable example of a mystic in action.
> >
> >
> > I wouldn't see Li Mu Bai as a full-on mystic. Rather, he is a
> >martial artist who uses some system of theism, sorcery, whatever for
> >his kung fu. He also has some mystic understanding, but I don't think
> >he's gotten any magic (or kung fu) from it.
>
>I agree, with the addition that he might be considered a
>martial artist who has retired from action in order to
>start on the real mystic path, but who is forced to return
>to active life by te theft of the magic sword.
Heh. Here we see "advantages" used as "flaws." Li Mu Bai is pretty
much hampered by his relationships: Avenge Master, Love Yu Shu Lien,
Ashamed of Love for Yu Shu Lien, the Green Destiny Sword's rating, Pass on
Martial Skills, etc. To drag this back to Glorantha, a similar thing
happened to Ingolf Dragonfriend in the EWF (KoS) -- his urge to help his
kin overcame his desire to stay on the Path, and it destroyed him. His good
intentions kept his failure from being as bad as it might have been, but
he's a good example of how not to be a mystic.
Peter Larsen