The three most powerful words in the world.

(No, they aren't "I love you," although they are a close second.)

I deal in uncertainties. Other martial artists are certain. They are certain that their teacher knew everything. They are certain of the history of their martial art, all the way back to the Paleolithic Era. Doubting either of these things will drive them to anger.

Me, I'm never more that 70% certain about anything in the martial arts. If I am more certain than that, it's a bad sign.

The reason the martial arts are dying these days is that people's egos are closing their minds. I'm out here setting aside my own ego, even reversing it. Every day, I try to prove what I think I know wrong. I'm delighted when someone pokes a massive hole in my theories.

This has cost me, and it will probably cost me more. I'm currently releasing books on "secret" styles. I expect to be ridiculed just for claiming Taiji lineage other than Yang Chengfu.

The only way the martial arts are going to survive is if we all get together and say the most powerful words in the world:

"I don't know."