Freeforming is about opening to influence. To be in-formed by the situation. I am informed by you.

The earliest use of the word “influence” was to to imply a “flowing in”. Only later did it accrue the sense of exerting personal power.

I like the earlier sense. It describes the exquisite opening and sensitising to what is already stirring in the situation. To allow it to flow into me and allow me to be formed afresh.

Of course in someways this stands at the opposite pole from that of a martial art where the attitude is one of ultimately taking control, of exerting the influence.

What I love about the idea of influence is the possibility that I might be changed by something I hadn’t thought of.

(The growth seeding novelty of contact in the Gestalt understanding.)