Ch'i

There are two things that could happen if we concentrated on a successful state of peace. One, we fail. There are no more enemies to fight, energy is no longer a problem, so we can keep to ourselves. Living out our days in peace, we slowly sink into a motionless state, a philosophical stalemate. Because we assume peace means "an end to struggle" the country becomes a vegetable.
The second, we change our line of thought. Instead of conceptualizing our enemies as other people, we battle against inate ignorance, the causes and "why" of what surrounds us. Instead of striving for power over other people, we strive for the power of knowledge and mastery over adaptation to our environment. Concentration can be set on study, and intellectual challenge. We have many built-in thoughts on what our enemy is. If you think about the word right now I'd imagine most of you would atomatically think of another person, or an antagonist of some kind presenting itself in the form of a physical danger. If we can change our focus to see our antithesis as our lack of understanding, then maybe that would be enough to stay sharp. Debating, like this forum, can instigate our growth. In order for this to work we need to apply our knowledge, and actually do what we are willing to. "While walking or resting, sitting or lying, while talking or remaining quiet, while eating or drinking, do not allow yourself to be indolent, but be in most arduous search of "this." If we strive hard enough for something, then it will be. There is always a possibility, because defeat and despair are nothing but states of mind. Once you accept defeat, you are defeated; not a moment before.