Jing

Jing (精, jīng, meaning 'power' or 'energy') are options for directing energy, mentioned by Bumi in Return to Omashu. Jing that have been mentioned correspond to strategies in battle. A parallel to the concept of 'Jing' would be the 'Fight or Flight' response in Psycology--certain personality types are more dispositioned for a particular type of 'jing'.

According to Bumi, there are 85 distinct types of jing, although only three have been named so far:
 * Positive jing, corresponding to advancing or attacking.
 * Negative jing, corresponding to retreating or evading.
 * Neutral jing, corresponding to waiting and listening (or, as Bumi discribed it as, "doing nothing.")

'Neutral Jing' is the key to Earthbending. It involves listening, (while seemingly doing nothing,) and waiting for the right moment to strike. Someone who has mastered 'Neutral Jing' is someone who waits and listens before striking. Bumi relies on neutral jing during his Earthbending, to the extent that he refuses to flee Omashu even when Aang comes to rescue him. His desire to wait for an opportune moment to strike was initially baffling to his soldiers and to Aang, although Aang later accepted Bumi's decision.

Only Neutral jing has been shown to be associated with a Bending Art, the status of the other 84 jings regarding bending is unknown.

Discussion about the concept of 'jing' between Avatar Aang and King Bumi:

--(Momo jumps onto Aang shoulder and chitters)--
 * Aang: I don't understand. Why didn't you free yourself? Why did you surrender when Omashu was invaded?  What's the matter with you, Bumi!?
 * King Bumi: Listen to me, Aang. There are options in fighting, called jing.  It's a choice of how you direct your energy...
 * Aang: I know! There's positive jing when you're attacking, and negative jing when you're retreating...
 * King Bumi: ...and neutral jing when you do nothing!
 * Aang: There three jings?
 * King Bumi: Well, technically, there are eighty five. But, let's just focus on the third.  Neutral jin is the key to earthbending.  It involves listening and waiting for the right moment to strike.
 * Aang: (with dawning understanding) That's why you surrendered, isn't it?
 * King Bumi: Yes, and it's why I can't leave now.
 * Aang: I guess I need to find someone else to teach me earthbending.
 * King Bumi: Your teacher will be someone who has mastered neutral jing. You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking.
 * Aang: Hey, Momo!
 * King Bumi: Momo's mastered a few jings himself!