Ken-po Goku-i

Autumn and Winter Ages

2012-02-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

A human life consists of four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each has its own characteristic features that are neither positive or negative. The stages of human development. Spring: Birth - 20; Summer: 20 - 40 years; Autumn: 40 - 60 years; Winter: 60 and over.

Spring: Birth - 20: This is the most emotional stage of life for it is most difficult for children to achieve any control over the emotions encountered as they age. They fall prey to compulsive responses due to feelings and emotions all triggering a variety of chemical and psychological responses that they must either learn from or suffer from as they experience each. At this stage they lack "hara."

Summer: 20 - 40 years: When we reach the summer of life we start to put all the experiences of the spring stage together into a more cohesive situation and our overall "ethics, morals, culture and beliefs" gain momentum. We learn more emotional control which is our first step into a master of haragei. We begin to learn about patience and discipline, our self-discipline.

Autumn: 40 - 60 years: Our adult life. Parenthood and hara developed stage. This is the stage where we hold ourselves accountable for self and offspring. We must be accountable for what our "hara" leads us toward. We finally understand that changing the mind is possible; but hara must be preserved, private and firm. For humans, males in particular, hara is his bond. This stage requires us to stand on our principles whereby we must remain more present, allow interval/space to communicate with words and most importantly actions and we take more responsibility for our actions, deeds, words and haragei.

The meta-physical hara develops during these three stages. We don't fully comprehend the significance of hara and haragei until this stage of life. We learn that the spiritual and physical are not separate but rather a closely linked singular form of haragei within the realm of hara. Hare being the seat of body and soul.

Physical development of hara support and promotes greater development of the spiritual aspect of hara and vice-versa. At this third stage, autumn season of human life, is where one either achieves a level of proficiency in hara/haragei leading to a Winter stage of human life that can achieve "mastery" or not, neither positive or negative is the trait of this development.

It is or should be known by this time that breathing is haragei and Zazen meditative practice is breathing leading to greater haragei. Correct breathing leads to correct mindfulness, i.e. right thinking, and that leads the body, hara, to lead the metaphysical of hara and that promotes mastery of haragei.

This is rudimentary thinking to atomistically achieve an understanding of hara and haragei that is human life as explained by the metaphor of the four seasons. To achieve understanding of haragei one must take the atomistic and develop a holistic through this understanding that one is the other, the physical and spiritual, and that with out balance in both the one is not attainable.

The importance of allowing the gradual practice of life to achieve the levels or stages in nature's intended way, path or "michi," is the only way to achieve mastery of haragei. This lesson teaches the practitioner of karate-jutsu-do that circumventing the natural way of practice and training may achieve temporary satisfaction but to achieve satori, enlightenment, and proper learning, understanding and proficiency it takes time - and practice - not skipping the critical necessities to reach a Winter stage of life with peace, tranquility and enlightenment.

p.s. following this cultural belief I am in my late "autumn" of life :-) and I am on the cusp of entering "winter."

Chinese Superstitions

2012-02-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

I found these in the book by Mr. DeMente and thought it very interesting:

Most even numbers are looked upon as lucky. The number "8" and any combination of "8's" is the most lucky as the word in Chinese for eight means "fortune." The number "4" is not lucky at all because the word used for that number means "death."

The two odd numbers, "5" and "9" are also favored numbers to the Chinese. Five represents:

Five elements, i.e. metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
Five tastes, i.e. sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and pungent.
Five basic colors, i.e. red, green, yellow, black, and white.
The ideal family, i.e. three boys and two girls.

You see "9" in the magic square that most of us will recognize in the game "Sudoku."

Bibliography:
DeMente, Boye LaFayette. "The Chinese Mind: Understanding Traditional Chinese Beliefs and Their Influence on Contemporary Culture." Tuttle Publishing. Rutland, Vermont. 2009.

p.s. also the five groups of basic techniques of kung fu based on the movements of: cranes, dragons, leaopards, snakes, and tigers.

Learn the Culture

2012-02-14T12:10:00.003-08:00

Often spoken when Isshinryu practitioners refer to some of the thoughts and quotes attributed to Shimabuku Tatsuo-san. Shimabuku Sensei, Senior and not his son, often mentioned the importance in learning the culture and beliefs of Okinawa. In that light Westerners immediately and mistakenly thought that the arts and crafts along with holiday celebrations, etc. were and are learning the culture of Okinawa and Okinawans.

In reality the arts and crafts "reflect" culture but do not create it and do not transmit it. It is said that you can view, collect and study the arts and crafts, etc. of a culture, i.e. similar to participating in those celebrations as well as practice the art of karate, etc., all your life and you will NOT become FULLY conversant with the cultures that crated them. It just ain't possible.

You can get a fundamental understanding of said culture but in order to actually know the culture you have to have been born to it and lived it as a part of your life. Even then, depending on the peoples whose culture you seek, it may only get you part way there for to be a part of that culture you must be that people, not just a visitor or guest.

It is still a good idea to try and learn as much as you can to be able to at least fundamentally understand a culture if you practice one of that culture's arts, i.e. karate-jutsu-do. It does mean you have to go beyond simply observing and even participating in the arts and crafts of that culture, the celebrations of that culture and the systems of belief for that culture. In my limited and fundamental understandings of the cultures that drive my practice and training I would say that not taking the effort to at least gain a fundamental state of understanding is like trying to create fire by clapping your hands and stomping your feet, it ain't going to create the fire - period.

My efforts at the Autumn stage of life is to gain an understanding by the study of the cultures that led to karate-jutsu-do which is Okinawa, Japan and then China. They are all interconnected and influential to that end. In addition when the time comes I would also add in the culture of India.

What could be a greater path toward understanding a culture is one posed by the author Mr. Boye Lafayette DeMente through the cultural code word approach. I can say that his books on both Japanese and Chinese cultural code words I have discovered a greater understanding of the many aspects underlying the art of karate-jutsu-do, which includes all Asian Martial Arts as well, and that of the cultures that drive the arts and crafts of Okinawa, Japan and China.

DeMente Sensei states in his book, "Language are, in fact, the repository as well as the transmitter of cultures. Languages contain the essence, the tone, the flavor, and the spirit of cultures, and serve as doorways to understanding them." Part I, page 23 of "The Chinese Mind." by Boye Lafayette DeMente.

As I study this and his cultural code word writings I also find that the characters of the language, i.e. kanji/kana of Japan as derived from the Chinese writing characters is a support or foundation of this same thought. In China there are many dialects and the one binding force that allows all of them to communicate effectively is the Chinese characters which transcend those dialects that are translated in spoken word by varying tones, etc. This is a common dominator in the Japanese language tone and quality whereby clarity is achieved by the kanji/kana.

In closing, I am absolutely amazed at the similarities between Japan and China as to language and the ideographs used in writing. As I read the cultural code words, etc. of both I was struck repeatedly with the similarities of the two cultures. Shimabuku Tatsuo-san's treatise to learn about the culture and beliefs takes new meaning for me as I continue to study.

Bibliography:
DeMente, Boye LaFayette. "The Chinese Mind: Understanding Traditional Chinese Beliefs and Their Influence on Contemporary Culture." Tuttle Publishing. Rutland, Vermont. 2009.

DeMente, Boye LaFayette. "The Chinese Have a Word for It: The Complete Guide to Chinese Thought and Culture." McGraw Hill Publishing. New York. 1996.

Yin-n-Yang : More ...

2012-02-14T12:10:00.001-08:00

It is more than merely opposites such as hot-n-cold or hard-n-soft. It is a principle explained as the behavior of all organic and inorganic things that make up and are the "universe." It includes the "invisible energy" that is a part and parcel of everything in said universe down to what is discussed as a new science today, quantum physics. It incorporates creation, interaction and death of all things in an unending cycle or circular principle of all that is said to be "tao."

The basic elements of the cultures for Japan, China and Korea are very precise manifestations of the yin-n-yang principle. To see those cultures we see the principle as applied to male and females, seniors and juniors, and to all relationships and activities to include the food they eat and the actual order in which it is consumed.

This relationship is not "fixed." It remains active, it waxes and wanes much like the moon waxes and wanes as it circles the Earth as both circle the Sun. All cultures, with emphasis on Asian cultures here, where the culture tries to keep all yin-n-yang relationships in balance or harmony.

That balance is not what most think. It is not an equality in a relations where one might say it is the middle between and extreme hardness and an extreme softness but rather a balance that is acceptable to the parties involved - whether they are a balance liked or disliked by either and whether they are balanced do advantages or disadvantages by either - merely an acceptable state for both involved.

The human equation to yin-n-yang as to Chinese thought is human relations are situational. Absolute equality exists only in relative terms and only for the present moment - short period of time.

Bibliography:
DeMente, Boye LaFayette. "The Chinese Mind: Understanding Traditional Chinese Beliefs and Their Influence on Contemporary Culture." Tuttle Publishing. Rutland, Vermont. 2009.

DeMente, Boye LaFayette. "The Chinese Have a Word for It: The Complete Guide to Chinese Thought and Culture." McGraw Hill Publishing. New York. 1996.

Learn the Culture

2012-02-14T09:36:00.001-08:00

Circular Reasoning

2012-02-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

In the Japanese culture there is the front and the rear. They are not one or the other but complementing one another in a circular fashion. They rotate in and out so they tend to be understood as supporting to one another. The front is something like the "face" you see while the other is that which resides behind that public face.

When Westerners hear a statement that begins like, "Yes, but ...... ," the immediate cultural sense is everything the precedes the word "but" is to be discarded for the truth and meaning are about to be forthcoming after the word, "but."

In circular meaning, sense, the word but is kind of saying that the word yes is significant "and" the rest that follows the "but" is also significant thereby complementing the "yes" word with more meaning which is either stated outright or in most cases "assumed" to be perceived through a more metaphysical manner, i.e. body language, etc. that is culturally insinuated. This is how we might start to understand "haragei." This is what it takes to perform haragei, the rear of the rear should be the front as it comes full circle, circular thinking, feeling and understanding - fundamentally speaking.

Blood circulating (circular) is similar to the sun and moon. Did you consider the circular nature of the sun and moon. The sun is the center, much like Sensei is the center of the dojo while the moon circles the Earth where humans live while the Earth circles the sun but the moon is also "playing the sun." This is evident simply as the sun's light, like the light of knowledge within the Sensei, shines on the surface of the moon reflecting knowledge on all on earth, the dojo. Circular, supporting one another and not working against one another.

The dojo, Earth, holds the light of the Sun, the Sensei, and reflects the knowledge of the system back unto the karate-ka, the moon. Simplistic but enough to convey the idea of circular logic, reasoning and thought.

The moon takes on other significance in Japanese culture as another aspect to nature. The Japanese have a predilection for softness and suggestiveness as symbolized by the moon, the moon partially obscured by clouds is most appealing as the light is gentle and subtle, leaving objects in a dim obscured appearance, i.e. seen through a dim obscurity.

The sun being the source of light leaves nothing to obscurity, all is clarity but the moon leaves a gentle and subtle appearance that is more aesthetically pleasing and fits nicely into the culture that is also "haragei." The Japanese are not obvious as are Westerners but rather somewhat obscure in their lives thus giving the impression to Westerners that of Inscrutability.

You could say that the moon symbolizes the obscurity of life situations. There is never a right or wrong, good or bad or a yes or no but simply "differences" that expose the obscurity of life itself which is of a human condition. As the moment changes so does the situation which is tantamount to the earth partially obscuring the light of the sun creating changes as each continues on its circular path. The moon exposes the possible space or interval that resides between the Sun and Earth as it travels the same path as the heart and the blood, that which is the energy we call "ki."

Bibliography:
Matsumoto, Michihiro. "The Unspoken Way, Haragei: Silence in Japanese Business and Society." Kodansha. New York. 1988.

Circular Symbolism/Culture

2012-02-08T09:09:00.001-08:00

Yin-n-Yang, the symbol is surrounded by a circle. The circle has a few symbolic meanings but one I found to be most connected to jutsu-do is its symbolic representation of a circular path, hara of haragei is of a circular quality. Westerners look at the yin-n-yang in a linear fashion as if a line were drawn from the extreme negative to the extreme positive.

The circle of the symbol, yin-n-yang, represents a circular quality and if you observe it closely all of the symbol is circular in nature where the extreme yin to extreme yang resides on or within that circle which is in constant movement, changing all the time, and results in the movement of the extremes out of that place to various levels of both poles until they reach a balance point and then shift into their opposites. This is the symbolic meaning of the tadpoles and the seeds represented in the center of those tadpoles rotating and changing with each moment, always in movement, always.

Western thought and thinking tries hard to control and classify our practice and training in a linear fashion, a left brain activity while the Japanese and other Asian cultures tend to practice and train in a circular quality, superior. Think of the fundamentals of aikido. [correction or more accurately it involves complex linear motion that may seem circular, but you get my point I hope]

Observe kumite in karate here in the Western hemisphere, it tends to be on a straight line forward and backward. You will observe on occasion one actually moving off that line in a circular move which in a lot of cases, if that person's line is longer, results in not losing for that person. Linear mental activity tends to lock humans in a linear mode that hinders finding a balance that is of nature, circular.

The sun and moon in the gokui inference to the circulation of the blood which is a hint to the bodies energy all travel in a circular fashion. This is an important distinction of that part of the gokui as to the lesson, the teachings of Shimabuku Tatsuo-san as taught by the ancient classics. This is an important distinction and has been a cultural belief that has lasted for thousands of years.

Take a look at the "magic tea room" post on my gokui blog. The graphic I use if you look closely to the center point where the "5" resides is actually the center of the tatami mats that surround it forming a circular quality that is symbolic of yin-n-yang.

Our whole existence as human beings is circular, i.e. birth, growth, aging and death, whereby life itself is circular taking life into and out of existence, that existence we perceive in human form that has a body, mind and spirit connection to nature, the Universe. We are all the same as Heaven and Earth as representative of said Universe.

If we stop "fighting" nature and allow ourselves to enter into the circular path we will find that many aspects that allude our training and learning will suddenly open up to us and help us achieve - enlightenment (which contains proficiency, etc.)

p.s. a thought for those accepting to the circular quality might also be that the yin-n-yang symbol moves only in one direction. This is a symbol and not restricted to the picture but rather should be thought of more like a "sphere" that rotates much like a gyroscope, in all directions and in all dimensions. The rotations go one direction, another in reverse but also in varying floating more chaos like unpredictable directions which is just like life - unpredictable.

Click for large version, and right-click to save and use if you like.

The Magic Tea Room

2012-02-07T14:27:00.001-08:00

Click for larger view.

What does this pictorial of the optimal size tea room remind you of? The dash-dot lines were added by me to give you a bit more of a hint to the symbolism here, got it yet? Yes, you have it right, it is the "magic square" often referred to in many ancient writings from China. Think the I Ching and the number 9 as well as 15 totaled by adding any three squares, etc.

Take away the lines I added and you have a 4.5 tatami size tea room. This is just another means to show how things connect even when they appear on the surface to be far and away from such symbolistic connective significance. This is just a continuance of my belief that the study of such things will provide "more" to the practice of these Asian art forms that have inspired Westerners for the last fifty plus years.

Mind-Body Communications

2012-02-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

"When experiencing problems in the natural flow of mind-body communications means disruption of the Ki or Chi energies through meridians that transverse our entire forms." The mind-body flow in balance entails both a physical and a spiritual connection that is fostered and promoted through the practice of true martial karate. Martial karate being the form that is traditional in nature or traditionally practiced to combat physical conflicts that result in damage to either party or parties.

When one side is considered exclusive in regard to the other that imbalance results in a mind-body flow interruption that has both mental and physical repercussions to include a spiritual disruption that can and does lead to inhumanity. The mental and physical repercussions are both internal and by affect cause external actions or interactions not conducive to health and wellbeing of any and all parties exposed to or interacting in the event.

The greatest benefit of practice of martial karate is to foster, build and experience a balanced mind-body development that requires constant attention, constant improvement and constant self-reflection toward the overall goals of mind-body.

To See is to Seek

2012-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

" ... and both the eyes must see all sides as the ... " of the "karate koan songoku watashi," or "ken-po goku-i." We see, we have seen, we see that which cannot be seen and we seek to see. Side be physical and metaphysical, the third eye as developed through hansei, self-reflection, another aspect taught through the gokui in the martial karate art of Isshinryu.

See the value of form and style. Seek what naturally comes for the circumstances dictated in any event. Seek the circular path so as to not get bogged down by the form and style. See the mastery of it by seeking the mastery of your weapons and tactics, forget the form and do what is natural in response to the current moment, the scenario and the resulting actions.

See that it is best to seek the non-confrontational of the form of confrontation or interaction. Seek the rules, forget the rules and see the infinite flexibility that is like water.

See the many things, atomistic. Seek the holistic that takes into it the many things, including those inspired by the void within the mind for the moment. What cannot be seen can be the seeker in the way.

The flower is not seen when a seedling. It appears as it breaks beyond the form of the earth allowing it to flower and seek its connection to nature. See and seek and allow the eyes to see all the sides - of life.

eBook - Ken-po Goku-i Progressing

2012-01-30T11:08:00.001-08:00

Wow, the process is really involved editing and readying a book for publishing, even an eBook. I wanted to let those who may be interested know that I am about two thirds through the first edit by self. I plan on at least two more before I pass it along to an editor friend of mine who has graciously volunteered to assist.

It is progressing and I have hopes of getting it on to smashwords this year!

Humbleness vs. Entitlement

2012-01-27T13:20:00.001-08:00

Humble: 謙虚な Kenkyona
Entitlement: 資格 Shikaku

Humble: 謙虚（けんきょ） / modesty, humility, modest, humble
Entitlement: ?

Humbleness: humility: a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride ...
Entitlement: To have the right to claim something; An individual who is comfortable with an equity ratio greater than that of his or her comparison other.

Often a sense of entitlement is a product of such traits as pride and ego. It is sometimes an unrealistic sense that one is entitled to something that often puts them at a higher social level where they feel superiority. It is a belief in a special sense that one has a right that is greater than another. They tend to see themselves as a "special person."

I quote, "In a casual sense, the term "entitlement" refers to a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit[1]—if given without deeper legal or principled cause, the term is often given with pejorative connotation (e.g. a "sense of entitlement")."

Who is to say that any person's sense of entitlement is either false or not. Do we tend to assign entitlement solely based on some legal or principle cause as stated above or does a false sense come from a lack thereof? How much is connected to a person's self-esteem? When is it normal and when is it a narcissistic entitlement?

Does a complete and utter release of self from all entitlements, perceived or granted, mean one is now of a humble nature? Is humbleness the complete opposite of a person with a sense of entitlement? Can a person truly release themselves from ego, pride and a sense of entitlement either false or not? Is some level of entitlement a human need, requirement for self preservation or survival?

Is it realistic to assume a humble state? I read stories of those who exude a humble nature and at the same time the story itself is a form of prideful validation that the person is humble and unassuming - unassuming? It sounds a bit like Yin-n-Yang where a balance of one extreme or the other denotes a person, their personality and their degree of either entitlement or humbleness.

Is it possible that a humble person is one who just gives up pride, ego and such beliefs simply because they cannot achieve validation that fits them, ergo their sense of entitlement thus causing another form of entitlement, pride and ego, i.e. I am a humble person or cause others to validate them because they now are perceived to be of humble nature?

Thought provoking.

Glass Full?

2012-01-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

Ever get the question (a glass with water filled to the halfway mark), "Is this glass half full or half empty?" The answer speaks to the person's view or perception to the world but what if the answer was, "Technically the glass is always full."

Waxing philosophical from a martial art perspective or more accurately a Taoist, Buddhist, Shintoist, Zen view where the void, the emptiness, the area between things is also filling up those spaces. Even the vacuum of space is filling the space between planets, asteroids, stars, suns, etc. which means it is not empty technically.

The glass is always filled with something be it water, milk, beer or just air. It drops back to the quote attributed to Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei at a late night gathering of karate-ka drinking and generally socializing, "all bottles are good, they all serve a purpose." This means that although the beer or ammori is gone from the bottle the bottle still can serve a purpose holding the air that took control of the space within when the drink was removed. That space simply waits for a purpose depending on what it is refilled with ..... ;-)

So the next time someone asks the question simply say, "it is not half full or half empty, it is always full." Guess it is a matter of how one's "sees" it.

Cultural Thing: The Finger Removal Practice

2012-01-26T10:02:00.001-08:00

I was reading about the art of tea when I ran across a reference to a story about Yoshitsune, the hero of Arthurian type legends in Japan. In one of the Japanese monasteries, Sumadera Monastery near Kobe, there hangs a tablet that has the following quote after reference to the beauty of the blossoms states, "Whoever cuts a single branch of this tree shall forfeit a finger therefor."

I immediately gave thought to the practice of the Japanese Yakuza where one who has done something that requires atonement to a senior would therefore cut off a piece of the finger. Is it possible that this old Chinese tale inspired this particular act of attrition. When you couple the many influences of China and such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Zen along with the great effort to incorporate such things into the Japanese culture and customs it is not farfetched an idea, is it?

We know that it is a custom for Yakuza so say the different cultural writings in English - translated. We don't know the origin of the practice or if it actually extended from the feudal era of great influence to Japanese culture and beliefs. It may be that even the Japanese, specifically Yakuza, know of its origins but it is an idea as to a possible source, yes?

Additional Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza

Yubitsume [Yubitsume (指詰め, "finger shortening")], or the cutting of one's finger, is a form of penance or apology.

This article alludes to its origins in swordsmanship: "Its origin stems from the traditional way of holding a Japanese sword. The bottom three fingers of each hand are used to grip the sword tightly, with the thumb and index fingers slightly loose. The removal of digits starting with the little finger moving up the hand to the index finger progressively weakens a person's sword grip." Is it possible the idea still comes from the origin above?

It also stated, "The idea is that a person with a weak sword grip then has to rely more on the group for protection—reducing individual action." This falls into some of my studies in that one who is a bit of a rogue or individualist is not complying with Japanese culture, i.e. the group is everything and to embarrass the group, etc. is taboo. If a swordsman did something not group approved, etc. then to do this ensures in a most physical way they must remain a member of the group where group decisions and actions have to have a group consensus, etc. It would also speak to the samurai in question as a reminder that death is there when one does not conform to the group. This does make some sense I think.

Remember, all things are to be considered with caution. I kind of like my hypothesis tho :-)

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yubitsume

Taoism, Confucianism, Zen-ism [it has been a while, yes]

2012-01-19T11:36:00.000-08:00

Buddhism, Shintoism and Zen-ism of Japan, greatly influenced as were the Okinawan by their interactions with the Chinese. The Chinese directly and indirectly were of great influence on both cultures. It is this that brings me to recommendation of "The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura."

The Ken-po Goku-i is that short terse reference/inference to these past/present great treatises of life but meant to be used in conjunction with the practice of karate-jutsu-do. As I read this wonderful book on the art of tea I am finding symbolism, reference and connections to practice of jutsu for the physical and great guidance for the philosophical or spiritual - the heart in wholehearted.

It is through the oldest culture of Asia and possibly the world that is the "cornerstone" to any endeavor, discipline and art be it karate-jutsu-do, cha-do or of everyday life in the pursuit of enlightenment. Pursue the studies of these ancient classics and you as a karate-jutsu-do adherent can start with the "gokui."

Tea

2012-01-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

In my search for knowledge through the goku-i I have studied many views. Not until today have I come across a better expression of the many facets of a custom, culture and belief system. This is the "first" piece I would recommend be studied for it will connect everything into one cohesive understanding - a beginning.

This is something, similar to the go rin no sho and I Ching, that warrants many readings of which my first is occurring in the present. I can feel that my studies warrant a re-read from time to time just to open the door a bit wider and gain increased understanding.

First, I discover a greater depth and breadth to kata. Second, I lean of specific terminologies that transcend the narrow functions of the dojo allowing for a wider view of life. Third, it provides the results from the origins, i.e. Confucianism, Buddhism and Zen-ism.

Let me introduce you to "The Book of Tea" written by Okakura Kakuzo Sensei. Reading his background leaves me not doubt as to his ability to convey sometimes mystically enshrouded customs, cultures and beliefs of a society. This lead into a culture that gave birth to such as martial arts is illuminating.

I place this here as it is a philosophy illuminating understanding as in the ken-po goku-i is to karate-jutsu-do.

Bibliography:
Okakura, Kakuzo. "The Book of Tea." Dover Publications. New York. 1906, 2010.

2011-12-19T10:11:00.001-08:00

Yang-Yin Symbol

2011-12-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Take a look at it sometime, a close look. Often when I present some philosophical meanderings I refer to three, heave-man-earth, etc. but is there a "third" part of the symbol?

You have the "white half" then the "black half" and then the "two smaller white and black" within the other white and black halfs. It is referred to as the Yang-Yin symbol with only two descriptive words, "yang and yin." So, is there a third?

Yes, there is. I can think of two right off the top of my head. Yang (obvious), Yin (again, obvious) and void (not so obvious). How is void symbolized in the symbol? Ever notice that the majority of the symbols are enclosed in a black line that forms a circle? The circle denotes a few things but it is a "third part" of the symbol.

If yang-n-yin balance out it becomes the full circle but as nature, universe, intended the smaller white and black in the yang and yin fields are a seed that give birth to the next cycle keeping the cycles, rhythms and patterns constantly generating new birth-life-death of the myriad things of the great Tai Chi, the one.

Submissive-Assertive-Aggressive (Heaven-Man-Earth; balance)

2011-12-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

I really do see the number three a lot of late. Heaven-Man-Earth, fundamentals-Kata-kumite, etc. so when I read or study something and this "three" rears up in my face I gotta pursue it a bit.

It seems to me that these three fit into the world of martial systems.

Some folks are a bit timid or submissive in attempt to avoid conflict. They sometimes reach a point in that life where they want to seek out the means to overcome and create a more assertive life - karate classes can be what springs into their imagination and they seek out instruction.

Some folks tend to lean toward a more aggressive life style only to discover just how dysfunctional that can be along with all the stress driven repercussions one can encounter as an aggressor. To temper such things they may walk by a dojo, see all the pajama clad folks shouting "kiai" and punching and kicking and grappling all of the floor. They say, hey I like to mix it up and this looks like fun. In many cases once they are immersed in the system they find it a bit calming and tend to temper, no pun intended, their heated lifestyle into a more assertive form with less-n-less need to be aggressive.

Some folks walk that middle road but can't seem to bring themselves out of an assertive style to accomplish some goals that need a bit less assertiveness and a little submissive mix or a little more aggressive mix to achieve some goals. You might think that always being of an assertive nature would be a balanced way but in reality one needs to be mostly an assertive style with a smidgeon of either submission or aggression to bring about a state conducive to a good life. They find that in their karate training then can branch out and get all three so they learn to mix and match accordingly.

Too much submissive or aggressive tends to be off kilter causing more problems then one might think that style would gain but remaining in the middle is a bit boring and unproductive in many cases. A good balanced martial system provides the tools to teach one to achieve a fluctuation, as need, between a bit of one or the other mixed with a bit of assertiveness to achieve an enlightened balanced state - healthy to physical-mental-spiritual balance, don't you think?

One Wholehearted Way? or ?

2011-12-05T13:07:00.001-08:00

We have brains, hopefully. Our brains tend to work in certain ways, generally, according to cultures, times and locations. Our brains quantify everything our senses perceive in the world. It is integrated into every single facet of human life. It is a part of the function of our brains like DNA to life itself.

Our brains encode, it takes information and places it into units of quantity. Along with language influences of the brain we, the brain that is, assigns numeric labels to allow us to understand concepts such as 1, 2, 3, etc. We even assign emotional effects value as numbers. Numbers are symbolic and perceived as lucky or unlucky, i.e. 13 to most Americans is perceived as unlucky. You won't find a thirteenth floor in hotels, etc.

Such beliefs are passed down from father to son, mother to daughter, family to family, and generation to generation. Beliefs are based on myths and the more frequent they are repeated the more difficult they are to ignore, change or get rid of.

Numbers, we give greater value and credence to numbers as they grow. "Five" bucks is of greater value than "one" buck. We see larger numbers as if they validate our belief that the greater the number the more impressive it is so it just goes to say that our thought that having five black belts is of course a greater achievement than one black belt. Having five or six different styles or systems in our resume for martial arts has the ability to "impress" others as a greater achievement than just "one system."

Once this is established then it is a race to see how many and how fast you can accumulate black belts, styles or systems and of course trophies. We are programmed by our brain functions to assume greater of any thing tends to mean "more."

Here endith the lesson ;-)

Christmas Wish List Karate Justsu Do

2011-12-05T08:04:00.001-08:00

Recently I read a blog that had the most excellent list for Christmas and it got me to thinking of what I would like or wish for Christmas, for me and for all karate-ka.

Here is my list:

1. The true essence of Okinawan Karate Jutsu Do be experienced, embraced and practiced by every single karate person in the world.

2. The true spirit of Okinawan Karate Jutsu Do be experienced, embraced and practiced by every single karate person in the world.

3. The entire karate community joins hands and comes to a mutual understanding that spans the reality gaps that exist and achieve true enlightenment toward a system that embraces the uniqueness all styles and branches for a wholehearted community of karate-ka.

I could ask that this be also the 2012 New Year's resolution that all karate-ka in all parts of the world embrace for all time. Oh yea, and world peace would be kind of cool too.

2011-11-23T14:52:00.001-08:00

Gokui-Zen-Koan?

2011-11-18T12:38:00.001-08:00

In the beginning the Americans were presented with the ken-po goku-i. The presentation was in the form of a silk certificate with the "gokui" written in Japanese characters (note that Japanese characters are based chiefly on those assimilated from Chinese characters). The English translation, approximate, was presented along side since Americans do not know or understand Kanji.

This presentation is reminiscent of a Zen Master presenting a "Koan" to a disciple. Like the Zen Koan the gokui also is a kind of "story or dialogue," a method of self questioning, a statement that inspires one to think, consider and contemplate. Like the koan it is not readily or literally understood, it is not considered rational except in its "appearance" or literal meaning. It is in need of the individual's intuition, the instincts created through study and meditation, both physical and motionless.

The nine lines of the gokui are a Zen Koan for the martial arts. It is a sagely sayings to teach. It was born of the larger and more complex documents, the I Ching and others. It consists of a grouping of words that underneath the obvious that are perplexing, critical and concise words somewhat poetic but also a commentary on martial systems.

Again, like a Zen Koan, responses to the gokui will differ with each practitioner. Different systems and Sensei demand different responses as to meaning and application to the system itself as practiced by an individual. It is fluid in nature and presents answers to questions that will vary by the circumstance, person and moment in time.

The idea is not to gain specificity to the gokui but to look for a state of mind as expressed with each study and finding for the gokui. There are no traditional answers as will be seen throughout this book. It is meant to provide the practitioner a means to display the evidence of the systems working by what is grasped each moment by the disciple as they follow the path presented, the many paths of a martial system.

The greatest obstacle to Americans who study this simple, concise and complex koan called the gokui as to a qualified teacher of the gokui who can judge the depth and breadth of attainment. The gokui is a dynamic system to seeking an answer to the gokui. It is an object that seeks the object with a relentless seeking of itself - man seeking the answer to the self. To break through the obstacles of the mind!

Is it real or is it memorex?

2011-11-18T11:22:00.001-08:00

Remember the old ad, dating myself, about the new memorex cassette tapes to promote their reliability and reality based quality? I have been studying how the mind works as it relates to reality and how that also relates to our beliefs. I highly recommend the book and am providing to you the reader the below graphic to demonstrate that what we see is not always what we might believe.

The question then arises, how do we know what we see in reality based fights, violence or just plain everyday occurrences is real or matrix mind perceptions. The book inspires some interesting and thought provoking questions for each of us.

This is a large graphic of many interesting illusions so click on the picture to view the whole.

Let me know your thoughts, etc.

An eBook: Goku-i eBook Progressing

2011-11-18T09:34:00.001-08:00

Just to let interested folks know I am moving forward nicely with the eBook on the Ken-po Goku-i. I am slowly processing all my past posts and articles on the subject as well as integration of current knowledge into the book. Once I get a general layout done I plan on working on the editing of content to clean it up some and update those older writings.

Once integration, editing and layout issues are in a very rough state I have plans to pass it along, in pdf format, to several courageous volunteers to read and provide comments, corrections and critiques so I can continue to rough draft <some number as I go past the initial one>.

I am enjoying the process. I am working to be a writer so that when I retire I can write fiction. I have some outlines and other such notes started for an idea I had while meditating a while back - progressing well.

This eBook is a good start in that direction so I can get things like flow, continuity, meaning, etc. in order before I attempt to put fiction in place. I have all the material so I can focus on the fundamentals/basics and practice, practice, practice. Most important I can train my ego to allow that my writing is going to need lots of tough skin ability so my ego and pride don't hinder my desires as a writer.

Anyway, just wanted to give an update to those who may be interested.

Regards,

Charles

Dojo Kun, "Kun"

2011-11-17T09:03:00.001-08:00

家訓 - derived from translating the Japanese word "kun" where it means "family precepts"

特訓 - derived from translating the Japanese word "kun" where it also means "intensive training, special training."

The common character to both is the "訓" which by itself means: give lessons, teach, instruct, guide or lead (training).

This just might be the true meaning behind dojo kun. Dojo kun could mean a place of intensive or special training according to the family precepts, these being the insight of the Sensei as it might relate to a family sense and a household both of which are a dominant cultural system of the Japanese.

It might be that this is the intent that was lost in the disparity between the belief systems of American vs. Okinawan's or Japanese. This is a possibility worth consideration.

As shown above the common character also gives further credence to this possible meaning since insight from Sensei is a lesson that is taught through Sensei's guidance and leadership.

Is this possible? Please comment constructively and let me know your views.

Dojo Kun (dojo precepts from Sensei): Sensei insight through leadership and guidance; family/dojo precepts. ????? hm, thought provoking .....

Dojo Kun, Ken-po Goku-i and Isshinryu

2011-11-17T08:44:00.001-08:00

First, go to Michael Clarke Sensei blog and read his post on the "Dojo Kun." Then return here to read my thoughts on the subject.

The dojo kun for Isshinryu seems to have received the interpretation of a code of conduct for the dojo. When I consider the content of this dojo kun I begin to question its authenticity as to being inherited from the systems founder Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei. I say this for a few reasons.

First, references in the kun (short for dojo kun; brevity purposes) to budo, God and Faith, smoking and drinking tend to convey a more American and/or Military perspective. As far as I can determine Tatsuo Sensei was not a Christian or other religious affiliation that would teach about God. I can see where this might be perceived when he talked of such things as the gokui but wonder a bit about this point.

Second, it would appear that like many urban legends the composing of the dojo kun is or has a rhythm and feel of an American and/or Military influence. I know that Tatsuo Sensei actually composed copies, in Kanji, of the ken-po goku-i but as to the dojo kun in the honbu dojo I suspect that it was created and posted by the leadership of the deshi or senior military attendees.

The kanji provided at the top of one source of the below copy of the Isshinryu Dojo Kun if translated, working on this, may just be a title for the dojo kun or it may be similar to the terse kanji of the gokui (brevity again for ken-po goku-i).

Another source gives us a picture of kanji that is believed to be the dojo code of conduct, dojo kun. It is translated into English but since the snapshot of the kanji is difficult to actually read it is not easily verified as accurate. I also found the kanji for the gokui to lack accurate translation to English where a good deal of latitude was taken in its translation which I also question since those who filled in the holes are and were not so immersed in the culture of Okinawa, etc. that they could do so with any impunity. In this source they go so far as to add a signature in typeface only of Tatsuo Sensei.

Please understand, I am questioning things for the sake of study. It is not meant to say that either source or anyone in Isshinryu is either right or wrong regarding either the dojo kun or the gokui, it is a matter of study and personal philosophies and perceptions only. Meant to inspire comment and thought.
The closest I have come to any kind of translation of "code of conduct" into Japanese is actually "kodo kihan" which translates into "code of conduct." This does not say that dojo kun is not actually coduct but the word kun does not show in the two translator programs I use.

Dojo of course refers to a martial arts training hall. I cannot extrapolate code or honor or conduct that translates from either word, dojo or kun or both together. When I run into this type of disparity I tend to doubt the validity but do so with a bit of caution and allowance for the greater disparity toward an ability to understand Japanese or Okinawan dialect, customs and meanings. Often kanji literally loses its original intent and meaning when absorbed by such disciplines and budo or martial arts or any art form. I have discovered this when I ask the Japanese business person I frequent to translate a word for me or a phrase.

This is why I felt something when I read Mr. Clarke's understanding as to the meaning of the dojo kun. I suspect his assumptions as to meaning being one that is not set in stone, rules, but rather open and fluid information conveyed from Sensei to his Deshi, if you will allow me those terms. Much like the gokui it is a primer, a key, a cornerstone that is associated with the dojo and with the dojo's master. If it inspires and leads then it has done its job. If it ends up as dogmatic doctrine, rules, specifics that control and stifle the dojo then it needs to be visited and studied many more times.

Could this also be the answer to the question, "why are there so many definitions of the kun and gokui?" As I travel this path I am of the understanding, for me, that this is true and in lieu of wondering simply study the one you possess and let it smolder in the unconscious. The unconscious will speak to you and let you find your philosophy of both the kun and the gokui.

The more I learn, the more I study, the more I investigate the more I see that Clarke Sensei hits the nail on the head. The differences as seen in the snapshot on this post indicate that it is truly a personal thing most often provided by the dojo, system, Sensei.

Click to see full version - it was a larger graphic created by C.E. James ;-)

Okinawa Remembered

2011-11-16T13:25:00.001-08:00

Take a cultural type tour of Okinawa that gave birth to many of our current systems of karate. This site is nicley provided for those who have not had the pleasure of a personal visit.

Okinawa Remembered

Rhythms

2011-11-09T10:45:00.001-08:00

The gokui's first line is the keystone to all the lines. It in part represents the Universe's rhythm. There is a rhythmic frequency/wave in all things and the Heavens and Earth along with the second line of the Sun and Moon denote the rhythms of the Universe and thereby all those connections of nature are also a rhythm. Then we find that those rhythms in Nature, Earth and humans is once again connected by threads that are frequencies/waves that are either synchrony or not.

Then we add in time. Not just the literal time we constantly view on the watch we wear but in nature's time. Time to human's is a type of organization and that equates to our human behavior. The gokui's is one method to re-introduce us to natural time over industrial time.

Research results in this area tell us, initially with room for changes, that the self is deeply ingrained into and part of rhythmic synchronic processes. Processes such as the person's heart and the blood circulation symbolizing such things as energy of life coupled with nature's rhythms and synchronicity. The rhythm that portrays natural organization of life or nature is a basic design function of human beings. This organization with rhythm's results in human personalities. Therefore current research says that rhythm is inseparable from process and structure.

Our personality traits may find their foundation on rhythm, nature's or natural nature rhythms. This rhythm/personality is unique to each human/person. The tenant of martial practice, classical/traditional with Zen influences, to achieve balance of self and they are finding that human rhythms come from our center, hara, or the center of self. We have to have balance or self-synchrony.

Body movement is precisely synchronized with a four-level hierarchical series of rhythms which are shown in studies through wave analysis that provides intervals/rhythms of 1-3, 4-7, 8-13, 14-24, and 25-40 per second.

Zen Buddhism, Japanese and Martial Systems

2011-11-07T10:36:00.001-08:00

First, I am not a zen master. I am not even a zen practitioner although I attempt to learn and live up to that path in my practice and training. Recently I have come across more information regarding the Asian mind, time and Zen. I wanted to take the time to pass along that information here not to say I know or that I am the expert in this but rather to provide more so that one may change beliefs in this one way or another.

Let me begin that I feel strongly Americans are at a great disadvantage due to ignorance. In Isshinryu circles it is known that Tatsuo Sensei spoke often of the importance of learning the customs of Okinawa to really understand its karate. I believe this more today then ever before. I have to add one caveat tho, that we must learn of their customs but also we must first change our beliefs to allow for understanding. We have to get into their minds, their time and their time as to the other more esoteric understanding of time. If we continue to fool ourselves that our assumptions and expectations through our personal perspectives, beliefs and experiences we will miss the whole boat.

"The tremendous possibilities that lie ahed if the human race can be weaned from its fascination with technology and turn its attention once more to the study of the human spirit." - Chapter six.

What I am gaining slowly from this and other aspects of my studies is we are driven past our spirit as it relates to the spirit of the heavens, earth and nature is detrimental to our overall health and well being. The speed and complete disconnect from nature's timing, rhythm and beat is causing such distress that humans are suffering for it. I believe this is true. This is why I am presenting the next regarding a view of the Asian mind and it through Zen Buddhism beliefs.

Zen utilizes the "koan" as a teaching tool Koan are sayings or quotes that are given to disciples as a teaching tool. They are meant to take these koans and mediate on them until the key is released in a natural way. These koans seem to be convoluted, confusing and illogical, but they do have a deep meaning and in order to understand that meaning, to discover that key is to understand in which context that koan is to be understood. It is in the context.

The koan is a basic teaching tool of Zen practitioners. This teaching and learning process depends on the use of models, practice, and demonstration (note, this is how many art forms are taught such as martial systems.). Words only distort Zen (this may be one reason why Sensei tend to not use words in teachings).

Zen is very high on the context scale and the communications for Zen is very, very fast. In order to understand the context one must understand the history, background and customs of Zen. In order to begin that understanding you must start with a few facts about the Japanese.

Japanese are raised in and live in a close-knit, highly contextualized social context life. This is why there is no questions, no explanations, and this is why outsiders such as Americans find their methods difficult to understand and accept.

In Japan, the discovery of self is directly linked to the full realization of the basic social laws by which one's family, relatives, friends, neighbors and countrymen live. The American "M-time or one-thing-at-a-time" mode is a type of silo'ing or put it into a box type method that is the opposite. Examples follow.

In our country we look at most martial systems as a sport. Archery, an art in Japan, is viewed as a sport here. In their country it can be a sport, but it is also a spiritual-philosophical ritual. This is considered a discipline that trains the mind. The Zen part drives the Japanese tradition of a spiritual exercise regimen that is designed to train/expand the mind. This is the method to get into the rhythm of the unconscious. This is the method to remove all the obstructions that block our free and direct access to that unconscious.

In the art of Archery it is to achieve a blend of the practitioners to the arrow to the bow to the string and then to the target as not separate entities but rather a unified process - the whole. Americans train for skill while the Asian trains by emptying the mind and removing the self and all the self's baggage. The same is true of how they perceive time. Time springs forth from within, the self and it is not an imposed time. Zen tunes us to nature. In that light in lieu of "its noon so its lunch time" they eat when the body says it time for sustenance. They sleep when the body says its time to rest.

In Zen the thoughts that run willy nilly in our brains interferes with our consciousness. It is a form that teaches to think naturally and unconsciously where Americans tend to think logically and analytically which leads us to dogmatic beliefs, creeds and codes, and philosophies while Zen orients toward form and context.

In Zen it is to achieve dissolution of ego and they use the meditation process to bypass the influence of conscious thoughts. This is geared to take those monkey driven feelings of success or failure and consciousness of self and make the dissolve or at the very least provide for control to the extent that they no longer drive the person.

In Zen swordsmanship the Zen part is the removal of any feelings about either life or death. Truth to the Zen practitioner is all encompassing and yet the very essence of self. Paradoxical to say the least.

Our brains here in our country tend to reside and rely on the left side which is a low-context side, ultra-specific (this tends to explain why we go to the atomistic and tend to ignore the holistic).

The Asian culture believes in the concept of "hara." This is a part and parcel of Zen as well, the two are intricately blended. Hara is a logic of context and "of action" and not limited to word paradigms.

Art, in Japan, is a Zen discipline where you can say such arts as flower arranging, calligraphy, archery and swordsmanship are tied to it thoroughly and completely. This is what makes them arts in lieu of just a sport or discipline. As such all of them are high-context oriented.

Asian art has four elements which the reader will find familiar - hara, MA, intuition, and michi (the way).

Hara links the individual to nature, the universe, man-earth-heaven. MA is a space-time concept and a meaningful pause, interval, or space. Silences in Japan shout the deepest feelings while in American culture it says "embarrassment or dead time. Intuition come from long, deep study and experience. It is the distillation of a theme, an emotion, idea, or object. Michi implies devotion to discipline and the perfection of one's art. The American view of michi is the limiting belief in "technique."

In a short quote, "The Zen artist, after years of disciplined exercise, experiences the object with his whole self and then lets the object draw the picture using the ink-brush as a tool. There is seemingly no conscious effort on the part of the artist to direct the brush. As was true of the Zen archer, the object - the brush - and the artist are part of a single, unified, integrated process. The Japanese, in order to develop his art, must center his efforts on self-knowledge and ultimately on enlightenment. The greatest efforts are made to still the mind and to eliminate the ego, which is subject to the frailties of praise, success, failure, and lack of recognition. "

Japanese arts come from and grow from within and not influenced a great deal from the outside. American art tends to focus on the aesthetic context or on the object itself or both than using the arts to gain insight to the self, the inner workings of our psyches.

Another unique aspect of the Zen practitioner is the view that any failure is seen as merely insufficient effort in the physical discipline, work and dedication to the task or art at hand. It also places a huge demand on the individual.

The Japanese act comes from three centers, not one as we tend to think of it: the mind, the heart, and the hara. Mind is for the business end, heart is for family, friends and home, hara is what one strives for in all things - balance as a whole.

The heart you can depend on; the mind is fluid, chaotic and always in flux. It takes the hara to bring the other two into balance, equilibrium, the whole. If we are to understand context of Asian's to understand our martial practice as a classic/tradition then we must also understand "tate-mae," "honne," and "suji." Tatemae is a sensitivity to other humans, the public self; honne is a sensitivity to that private self; suji is a situation significance to an event.

We Americans also can divide people into an "us" or a "them or othering." The Japanese Zen aspect does do this to an extent in that honne and tatemae is an "us and them." The exception while Americans have shades of gray in us or them the Japanese Zen aspect has nothing in between honne and tatemae.

One last aspect is "giri" or that obligation which a Japanese can incur during their lives with a "requirement" to repay that obligation. The Japanese have a meeting of the "heart" and Americans have a meeting of the "minds." One last note of significance is in our country we tend to spar with words to show superiority or greater intelligence. In Japan, they will synchronize their "breathing." Now, I would love to learn more about that part and maybe my continued studies will lead me to that one.

Remember, this is my view as to my current studies. My studies are fluid. They will change as I gather in more information and knowledge. This post is meant to give the reader more information as a key to prompt opening a door, a door to more information gathering and to hopefully inspire the reader to open the mind and truly seek out the customs of Okinawa from their perspective, perception and belief systems.

Bibliography
Hall, Edward T. "The Dance of Life: The Other Dimension of Time." Anchor Books. New York. 1983, 1984, 1989.

Not a Reflection on Origin Posts, Periodicals or Books

2011-11-03T09:07:00.001-07:00

Just want to let anyone know who reads my posts that an extracted quote and attached comments by me are NOT to disparage the original source post and it is not to refute or otherwise make a statement that the original source post is right, wrong or other. It is just that sometimes a specific quote out of the context of the original source post, periodical or book triggers a thought, an idea and a topic for a post here - it is not personal and not any of the above.

If you feel otherwise let me know and I will make sure I don't extract quotes in or out of context from your blog, periodical or book - send me a private email at my blog email account and I will stop.

Thanks,

Charles James, esq. :-)

Why Ken-po Goku-i Philosophies are Important

2011-11-01T09:08:00.001-07:00

A recent post on kata brought out the analysis engine when I read comments that said words like, "Lethal, Destructive, destroying partners," and other such insinuations. I don't like insinuations or even more suppositions that lead folks to believe you have to use lethal-destructive techniques to achieve reduced damage and ultimate safety.

This mind-set comes from a misunderstanding of what karate is all about. Yes, it is a system that uses the body to apply a certain amount of damage to a threat but it also has to be tempered with a morality that tempers the human mind-set to use it appropriately and with a modicum of restraint for the regard of another human and society as a whole for it is these two that promote a survival instinct and tribal cohesion to promote a way that is morally right and correct.

The Gokui leads us to those ancient classics that speak of a balance where the human understands the yin and yang of many things and teaches us to strive for a balance that is a belief system of moral behavior, thinking and expression.

If not for this type of equilibrium in karate-jutsu-do the practitioner may succumb to "the dark side" and become just another "Darth Vader or a simple thug" with dangerous ability. It is a difference between righteousness or terrorism.

Think of providing a person with tools of power where the difference between proper use vs. improper is the difference between justice, honesty and morality vs. injustice, dishonesty and moral turpitude.

The gokui is meant to be the weight that sits on the other side of the scales of martial systems - physical weight on one side with morally just belief on the other balancing the person who has the system as a means of protection.

This speaks of that one slippery line between defense and fighting. It is narrow, moving and hard to see in the heat of battle but is the determining factor between defense and the legal ramifications of assault.

Earth

2011-10-31T13:03:00.001-07:00

Earth Sign: one of the five elements in Chinese beliefs. Along with Heaven they both symbolize what is high is of heaven and what is low is of the earth. The Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn).

Taurus - the bull - element is earth - negative - planet is venus
Virgo - the maiden - element is earth - Negative - planet is mercury
Capricorn - the sea-goat - element is earth - negative - planet is pluto

Sun, moon and Earth: Astrological Signs - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_sign

Earth Symbolism: http://symbolism.wikia.com/wiki/Earth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_%28classical_element%29

Earth:

Chinese Earth Symbology: Chinese look upon Earth as a bit more than simply the planet on which we live. The associate Earth as one of five elements. The Greeks also looked to it as one of four elements, i.e. Fire, Earth, Air and Water. They looked to Earth first as our home and origin of humanity. It has certain spiritual traditions that are displayed in such classics as the I Ching where it is represented by the trigram of six broken lines while Heaven is a trigram of six solid lines, the direct opposites.

Earth is a Chinese Astrology symbol. It denotes a type of person who is serious, logical and methodical. One of foresight and deductive powers. They like to keep things in perspective. They are conservative and governed by their own interests. They are of sound reasoning, reliability, discipline and steadiness.

Martial systems can be represented by these traits as by metaphor or symbology. The traits necessary to follow the path to martial prowess are also governed by the traits the astrological Chinese sign of Earth. With out these positive traits and expectations one may achieve a level of proficient physical ability but to achieve a true martial spirit and apply accordingly the physical aspect takes more. The Earth represents what that more is and relates that to the subject of the first line, a person's heart. If these are in a person's heart then they will achieve success in martial practice.

Japanese Earth Symbology: The five elements are also a part of the Japanese culture. They have two ways which one is directly related to the Chinese elements, referred to as "gogyo." The second is a buddhist form called, "godai," with influences from hinduism traditions. We see references in their terse tome of the elements depicted in the Go-rin-no-sho of Musashi Miyamoto.

The element in question is "Chi or Ji" meaning Earth. It is representative of the hard in the world. There symbolism is one of a stone which is hard, unmovable and resistant to change. In the human body it is representative of the bones, muscles and tissues which conduct the life energy called Chi. This version is associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality and gravity as to its effects on us as humans.

It also speaks to the mind for emotional stability and confidence. It usually is indicative of person's who are dogmatic in a belief and resist any change to it regardless. It represents a karate-ka's ability to be aware of their physical presence and the sureness of the actions necessary to apply that physicality.

The typical Japanese stone lantern is a symbol of the Earth element.

American Earth Symbology: The earth is in reference to mathematical symbolism. In the European pectoral of the peruvian man by DaVinci. There is a square, large circle and a man which is symbolic to this first line as the square represents Earth, man represents man and the circle represents Heaven while the space between the top of the square and the circle is exactly fits a scale of the moon.

The square is used in this depiction to square the circle, or to combine symbolically the heaven and earth-spirit and matter - symbolically combined as in marriage. This view gives mathematical correlation's to all the heavenly bodies that have influence on the human.

In American the Earth symbol implies vast complexities. It evokes a desire to "dig into the secrets the earth holds" for a person, for mankind and for the Universe. In a word the Earth symbolizes and is used as a metaphor for life. It is the accommodator as it provides the other elements necessary to man, i.e. water, fire, air. It teaches us that all threads (strings) of life are first woven with the very fibers of the Earth.

It is a unifying force, it reunites tribes, and native soil has begun wars for its importance to human kind. It represents community which is of the survival instincts inherent in all people, we band together as symbolized in the dojo to survive, learn and prosper.

The Earth symbol can depict the four corners or four sides as in later lines directions and sides seen and heard.

See, Hear and Touch - In Lucid Dreams

2011-10-25T09:43:00.001-07:00

The activity of the brain during a dream activity, also using imagery or visualization, is the same as during a real event, neuronal patterns of activation that one would require and use for the act, skill or technique can be established in a dream state or through visualization. This is not a complete encoding via these types of mental states but it does encode such skills so they are available for training and practice where the other aspects of martial arts can be encoded for real-world-context applications.

Once we achieve lucid dreaming or if we use imagery in solo practice or training we have a type of control. In lucid dreaming we are now aware of the dream and this allows us a bit of control in how it goes. The same can be said of the use of imagery/visualization. In this light we provide for what we see.

Seeing involves more than just the literal stimuli perceived it also allows us to control a bit of what is seen so we may input a variety of scenario's that we can work out applications in response. This goes for the other senses as well. You should keep in mind for the lucid dream that this state is driven by the mind/brain because the real world senses are no longer sending signals to the brain.

In a lucid dream state we are not unconscious. We continue to experience consciousness with no sensory input. The mind is what actually constructs our reality both in the real world and in the dream world. If not we would not have the capability to visualize. Our minds go right on creating our real world but in a setting where control is achievable to a point.

Reading the gokui the spiritual is mentioned in the first third while the second and third involve the body and the spirit as both are fed by what we see, hear and feel. On occasion you can include smell and taste. In the physical world that experience has inherent dangers while in both the lucid dream world and through imagery/visualization you remove most if not all dangers.

This makes the tools of both lucid dreaming and imagery/visualizations a fundamental step in preparing for real-world-context reality training and practice. Research also shows that the lucid dream is significantly more creative than imagery or visualizations. Seeing the possibilities of the lucid dream state seems beneficial to our training, practicing and teaching of all things including martial systems.

The Noetic Method

2011-10-21T07:46:00.001-07:00

Noetic: From the Greek noēsis / noētikos, meaning inner wisdom, direct knowing, or subjective understanding. “Noetic” comes from the Greek word nous, which means “intuitive mind” or “inner knowing.”

I am always fond of the discovery of new ways to express the practice of the martial arts. In the "fringe-ology" book this term took flight and brought another means of describing, metaphors, the practice and balance of martial systems, i.e. the physical and the spiritual.

Noetic refers to capabilities that help me to understand the mind and its inner workings so I may better understand and apply both knowledge and understanding to better myself and those I associate with in life.

To practice the noetic method is to enter into a state of insight, insight into the depths and breadth of the self seeking truth, to illuminate, to experience revelations that are significant and of importance.

In our practice and through the more esoteric teachings of the classic traditions of Asian martial systems we delve into areas of the unconscious hoping for a transformative effect. Its practice will help us achieve other aspects of the martial arts such as knowing our self to include how we perceive and act on "gut feelings, intuition, instinct and hunches."

The way of knowing all this is what the noetic method accomplishes, "the way of knowing." We develop by our "one" effort that comprises its own duality to achieve inner wisdom, enlightenment and direct knowing of subjective understanding. It is clarity, seeing that which resides in the mirror or the understanding of the reflection of the still pond.

Visual Metaphors

2011-10-20T08:57:00.001-07:00

What is a visual metaphor, it is the representation of a person, place, thing, or idea by way of a visual image that suggests a particular association or point of similarity. This is similar to both the written and spoken word but from the point of visual - seeing. It can be seen a lot in "advertisements" in ads for magazines and in newspapers but also through the televised commercials.

It is juxtaposing a picture, a symbol if you will, that suggests a relation between what is being presented in a form that causes the recipient to stand up and take notice. In the world of the martial arts then promotes greater understanding and greater retention, encoding and ability for application.

In the "gokui" the part that speaks of "seeing" all sides this can assist you by allowing the mind to perceive a relation to your personal metaphor system promoting acceptance and learning allowing a greater ability to encode and retrieve for use later. The Sensei must determine several things to maximize teaching. We have discussed some such as determining the persons dominant sense mode where here we determine the person's dominant metaphor mode.

In our society most men relate to life the metaphors of football. In our society it might be said that for females it could be either gardening or the classroom. You don't want to assume but if Sensei actively listens when practitioners ask questions, etc. they can determine such things and therefore maximize translation of teachings to the individual.

When we study the gokui we tend to extrapolate direct and literal meanings. This is another form to hopefully inspire more "out of the box" thinking when studying and applying the gokui to martial practice and then to life. Kinda like plugging into the Matrix to accomplish something then bringing it back out to live it or walk the path in realty.

"I, Chuang Chou, “Dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”

Is there a difference between a dream state, the Matrix, and life, unplugged, and how do we know reality. Sometimes we dream in a very lucid form and it becomes blurred as to dream vs. reality. Hmmm, something to contemplate on don't you think?

Earth, Moon, Sun and The Stars

2011-10-19T08:29:00.001-07:00

Fringe-ology, an excellent read. In the part on Astronaut Edgar Mitchell epiphany in space the following quote spoke to me:

Returning to Earth from the Moon, "He felt the Earth, the moon, the Sun, and the stars. He felt his own relationship to all these things. He even felt the blackness in between them. The borders of flesh and bone disappeared. He felt the sensational tremor in his own being extending out into space. He felt no distinction between himself and the nothing of black space. He suddenly experienced life - with no distinctions at all."

Astronaut Mitchell was not the only astronaut to experience this but he is the only one who pursued it and still does today well past 80 years of age. Remember the two movies, "The DaVinci Code and The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown?" In The Lost Symbol the organization at the start of the Noetic Sciences is based on Mitchell's actual creation of such a place called, "IONS or Institute of Noetic Sciences."

Here a person actually experiences the effect and state of being we all talk about but seldom walk in that state, "one with the Universe." It is a state we can achieve and one method that is being tested by Dr. Andrew Newberg of Penn State Medical in his "Neurotheology" teachings by testing those who have achieved that kind of state through "Meditation."

It is coincide (do-n-side) or coincidental that I came across this particular subject and quote while readying myself to write an eBook on Smashwords about the ken-po goku-i which in its own right touches on this "oneness or wholehearted" enlightened state we strive for in the martial arts or any such singular practice.

Personally, I plan on doing some more academics on IONS and Neurotheology for my practice and meditation. Yes, I will be posting on this but you already know that, yes :-)

Faces: The Many Faces of Fu-Manchu

2011-10-17T08:51:00.001-07:00

Long ago in a distant galaxy there was this very old movie, "The Face of Fu Manchu," circa 1965 starring Christopher Lee. This image reminded me of "Facing Violence" with its references to "losing face." This seemed so important that when I thought of it and the image of the movie came into mind it spurred me to write this post.

We humans assume many "faces" in life. We have one when we are alone, another when with a loved one, then there are those other faces we put on when we are at work, on vacation or in a very stressful encounter. We also change faces constantly when we are in a primary face. In a stressful encounter the exchange can change a face from easy conversation to irritation and if it escalates into a "war face (courtesy movie "Full Metal Jacket.")."

Our many faces are an intricate part of us, our personalities (those vary with the facts too) and our communications. The words we use are supplemented and dominated by face and body language, i.e. the many faces can achieve aggression or deescalation.

Our perceptions will be skewed to the face we put on or shift into from moment to moment. How we see things, how we hear sounds and what we feel are also driven by face resulting in our primary faces deflecting those sights, sounds and tactile/kinetic energies, data and perceptions.

Much like misdirection of the mind by magicians, our minds will misdirect those we encounter by the face we assume directly influencing the person or persons perceptive filters as fed through the lenses of the eyes, the microphone of the ears and the tactile input of the skin.

Face can change by proximity to persons/humans, their face projection and the make up of the environment. I am reminded by the clever computer graphics that can morph many faces depending on the ad and associated implied meaning of the admen.

This all begs the question, "How we lose face?" In face loss philosophy we then need to know, "which fact" is lost and the importance of that face in the scheme of all the faces we use from moment to moment.

I then began to freely associate this ideology with that of the ken-po goku-i with the following results:

Heaven, Earth, Sun and Moon are referenced so I started to think of the many phases (faces) of the moon. The cycles it travels through similar to our travels through life provide the face, i.e. waxing or crescent moon; waning or crescent moon; waning gibbous with three quarters moon, etc. This changes as the moon changes in relation to the position of the Earth and the Sun. The moon by this proximity and from influences of the Sun and Earth result in an affect on humans, nature and the Earth itself, i.e. tides, etc. This can be looked upon as the faces and influences of the moon.

The faces we see of the Sun come at sunrise through mid morning, noon, mid-afternoon and finally the face we see reflected by the sunset. The varied influences of the sun are by the intensity of its light, heat and radiation dependent on its location across the sky. The shadows as well are dependent on that position and present a set of different facts as that changes. We can perceive this through the needs of artists and photographers for that "face" provided by the sun's position changes the face of the portrait taken.

Then we can see within the other references to humans in the gokui that hard-n-soft can be displayed in the face we assume and speaks to those viewing the face as to a disposition, etc. The balance or lack thereof, the eyes, the skin (flushed, white or pale, etc.) and how they manifest and display control our "face" and thus the perceptive filters of those we encounter.

Hard-n-soft can infer such emotional states as to face such as "anger-n-love, hate-n-like, etc." We show our unbalance as well by the "fear, anger, frustration" we experience, face. Then we show our balance by the "love, pleasure, excitement and affection" we experience, face.

If we lose face, which one? If we lose face, how does it affect our whole "one self" and does a connection to the other faces cause as much damage? These and many other questions are to be asked when you encounter others as to the "face" and more importantly as to others affect on you as to your "face," which ever face that may be at that moment in time.

This type of perspective as to "face" may alleviate the perceived loss of said face into a manageable form allowing you to accept and believe that losing face might not be all that important in the overall scheme of life. Lets not forget that what we perceive through our perceptive filtering is also greatly influenced by the "face" we assume in any given situation. Does the face you wear blind you to the truth or to something that could tell you to take a different tactic or strategy?

If we assume an angry and offended face does that shut down our ability to objectively assess any given situation to "see" or "hear" the other person? How can we deescalate or avoid if our angry/offended face is in control? Isn't this just another "way" for the monkey brian to take over driving the bus?

Hmmm, questions-questions-questions but of course that means possible "answers-answers-answers."

Ken-po Goku-i and Bottles

2011-10-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

This post is an attempt to analyze the ken-po goku-i as it might, may, maybe connect to the quote, "All bottles are good; they all serve a purpose." Let me begin by presenting both to you, first the gokui (used to represent or reference "ken-po goku-i" for brevity).

My Version: "A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction."

Bottles: "All Bottles are Good. They all served a purpose." - Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei Post #19411 dtd Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 11:26hours.

I have presented in a previous post what I belief is the purpose of the gokui and now want to present some fundamental facts as to the origination of the bottles quote.

Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei taught Marine and other military on Okinawa so we talk about our service members. Shimabuku Tatsuo said, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." This story came from me but it was his quote. - Advincula A. J. Sensei Isshinkai post #27618

On many an occasion after a dojo workout we would have a drink or two with Shimabuku Sensei. On one occasion, several American students at the Honbu Agena Dojo we were drinking. Some were drinking beer while others were drinking Awamori a potent alcoholic beverage indigenous to and unique to Okinawa.
...
Shimabuku preferred awamori and at this event, some Americans were mixing awamori with pine juice (Pineapple soda). Shimabuku asked us which bottle was best. Some picked up beer bottles while others awamori bottles and one or two who did not drink alcohol picked up the pine juice or other soda bottles.

Shimabuku stated, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." While he never said why he asked the question about the bottles, I thought he was relating it to karate styles, that all styles of karate were good.

Now, is there a connection? Yes, on a high level both are a philosophical expression of what we do, practice and train in a martial art. Is this the extent of it? Maybe, but it may just be the key to the door that allows us to exit the box and enter into the world, the Universe, the Great Tai Chi or Tao.

Lets also make an assumption that the place, time and beliefs of Tatsuo Sensei influenced all he did and that would be indicated by his spiritual experiences. Those experiences were influenced by the Chinese Classics, i.e. I Ching, etc. This is a limited view in the vision of Tatsuo Sensei. Does it extend into the entire martial systems? Yes, Chinese influences permeate all the Asian communities in the Pacific and by migration of its people brought it all to the America's.

This seems significant to me. Some thing that lasts famine, wars, political influences and other such things for centuries means it has some significance. It is hard to ignore and we should not do so. I believe that is why you see some form of the gokui in a variety of historical data presented in many individual systems of martial practice.

The I Ching provides a self-consistent and powerful framework that allows us to classify our interactions and allows us to examine some of the implications of a particular kind of interaction. We choose bottle we wish to use and suits us out of all the available bottles. I chose the bottle Isshinryu for my FA/MA practice while others chose Goju, Shorin, etc. All are good and all serve a purpose regardless of the choice we make as to which bottle is best.

The Chinese say that when we consult the book we first see the images and those images require adaptation to the user's society and background, and to the particular situation. How much more unique can it get, choosing the bottle provided by the book to give you knowledge and understanding so you may "choose" correctly, for you.

By the bottles metaphor we can learn that it may be teaching us that we must be open to all things for they all serve a purpose. Then when we view the gokui we can begin to see beyond the literal and start to perceive many more facets of practice, training and life within its terse and fluid tomes or pomes.

Even at this point we begin to understand that both are related and in all likelihood were born through a long history of life practice both physical and spiritual. This is the great Tai Chi, the Yin-n-Yang, the In-n-Yo and the balance to achieve in any of our singular actions with intent to find balance.

It speaks metaphorically to us the concept to learn that "all bottles are good" and we should learn both and use what works for us as individuals.

What is the Ken-po Goku-i?

2011-10-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

I would begin this post by saying that it is NOT any particular theme, it is not something that will be anecdotal and it will not be stories on how I attained my "insights" into the Isshinryu system. There is no definitive topic to the gokui (will use this to represent ken-po goku-i for brevity) but my posts on the subject are my personal interpretations.

I would also stress emphatically that the recent publication with this title is not what I perceive is the meaning and function of the gokui. This is not about ego, pride, self-esteem or commercialized stories to promote and put my self on any type of pedestal. It is not about self-absorption, self-promotion or self-driven ego building see how great I am stuff.

Phew, now that I have that out of the way I want to present a short description of what the Isshinkai tells us the gokui is.

First a statement from me personally:

(Authors Note: The "gokui" is fluid. There is not right or wrong, good or bad, and yet their is duality and the one. Take the gokui in all its forms and translate it into a meaningful translation for your life and practice of karate-do. Let it remain fluid so as you grow it grows. The meaning today may lead to another more profound meaning tomorrow. - C. E. James)

Now the statement from the Isshinkai:

Kenpo gokui is a code which is often called the Pome of kenpo (Karate). The word kenpo is made from two kanji or Chinese characters; ken means "fist" and po means "law". Kenpo means "fist method" or "Law of the fist."

A code is a systematic statement of a body of law. A law is a system of principles or rules that also include a moral code. A moral code is a state of mind that dictates moral practices or teachings, modes of conduct, and ethics. Conduct is the act, manner, or process of carrying on in different situations be it mental or physical. A code is also a system of symbols letters or numbers used to represent assigned (and often secret) meaning(s).

The Kenpo gokui has eight precepts (as does article 13 of Bubishi). Precepts are principles intended as a general rule of action. Action is a function of themind, body, and/or one of its parts, and can also be the manner or method of performing something. This can be brought about by altering or modifying each precept (much like the I-Ching) to suit a certain situation. Each situation can be dealt with by physical force or with (civility) reasoning. Reasoning means using the mind and drawing inferences or conclusions through the use of reason and or argument. Argument demands reasonable thinking and thought.

The Kenpo gokui is a micro I Ching (Book of changes/wisdom) in the form of a very terse, forty word pome (a pome of wisdom). The very reason it is called essential. The Kenpo goku puts the "Do" in karate for it is the very essence of karate. - Advincula, A.J. Sensei, Isshinkai Moderator.

I have come to firmly believe that this description is only the beginning. It is a wonderful beginning for a fledgling academic studying the ancient Chinese Classics. You will notice in this explanation that the definition is not really the element of the gokui but rather a way to clinically define it as a starting point for the new person entering this philosophical keystone to martial systems.

The essentials, the philosophical principles, of a system which can be martial or any other concerted effort into some system of training, practicing and living. It is the "heart" of the wholehearted system I practice and refer to as "Isshinryu." No form or system that speaks to the physical, mental and spiritual of a person is just about kicking, punching and grappling. It is not just about trophies, accolades or validations but rather about the self and what that self's potential has for them. It is unlimited.

Some of the incidentals that also assist us to discover within ourselves the meaning of the gokui is a perceived close correlation between the code, the I Ching, and Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine deals with the cycle of life forces (the blood), time, and the relationship of man with the forces of nature, etc. It seem that the gokui is a road map for behavior, harmony with oneself, harmony in relationships with others, and nature, as well as a roadmap for training/living karate-do.

It must be expressed at this point the fluidity of the gokui. This fluidity is a result of first, its terseness and second, its source or its original. It is meant to transcend things and allow any time, place or peoples to interpret it in a positive way allowing the mind to reach the depths of intuition and inspiration giving back insight and those things that lead to enlightenment.

In addition as I have stated in previous posts, "The work of art (in this case the gokui) is always produced by a certain person in a certain time and place, and it is always related to its author's other works, his contemporaries, his sources and traditions, his intellectual, political, economic, and aesthetic climate. Background materials that can help the modern reader grasp the ideas or catch the flavor of a literary work of the past serve a valid and necessary purpose." - Damon Knight, "Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction."

Both these last two statements should provide the reader the idea, in general and on a fundamental level, what the possibilities are regarding the gokui. This post is an attempt to define, explain and inform one as to its basics and to inspire more through practice, training and studying.

As nature permeates all things with the Tao, the gokui permeates all activity of a person injecting an energy, a custom, a symbol and the inspiration necessary to live it - the Ken-po Goku-i (for my system it is referred to as the "Isshinryu no gokui.")

My rendition of the ken-po goku-i:

A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction.

An eBook .....

2011-10-13T15:59:00.001-07:00

I am considering a book. An eBook to be exact. There is a means of publishing on a site called "smashwords" so it spurred my creative juices. I have several years of material that I would pull together into this book so wondered if this blog's members and readers would be interested if I publish it?

I really appreciate the response and any comments on the idea. I wanted to break away from the typical book on techniques, etc.

Respectfully,

Charles J.

Seeing - Once Again

2011-10-13T09:51:00.001-07:00

To "see" doesn't mean just to register images; it means to interpret. - Damon Knight, Developing Your Talent as a Writer; Learning to See

When you walk in a meadow, see a tree - what do you see? Some might say, "I see a tree." Some might say, "I see an oak tree." The point is not only what you see but how you interpret that tree. Some might say, "The huge oak with its many knots and wide branches shifted and swayed with the afternoon breeze while impressing nature with its strength, health and breadth over the land under the shadow of its heavy branches filled with leaves cluttering and caressing one another as many mothers to their younglings."

Yes, a bit much but I want to get the point across. Seeing a tree is one thing but seeing it and interpreting what you see into more than just a simple tree is something unique and special. It tells us a story and in karate-do what we see in our environment and how we interpret what we see matters.

Today I was reminded just how complicated interpretation is and that interpretation involves seeing, interpreting and knowing what you see is vital. So many video's are made of folks on the streets that it becomes a witness and a threat. I have viewed two today that I misinterpreted completely because I don't have full knowledge of the incident and I have no experience as a professional interpreting the events that were recorded.

I viewed the video, I attempted to see the event and I judged - too quickly and incorrectly. I was lucky a professional provided me much needed feedback on the events that once explained opened my eyes to seeing that his interpretation was far superior to mine and rightly so.

I then viewed another video of a violent encounter between two reported street members. I came to realize that avoidance is so much more important. Violence is unforgiving. I actually thought the person who received the most damage that he was dead or at the very least would suffer a lot of physical complications later on.

Seeing things with clarity and properly interpreting events, people and actions is most difficult and can be so misleading - a dangerous mix if you are ever in a violent encounter. Trust me, I will run fast and far if I am lucky enough to see it coming and my pride will not be an issue nor will my ego. It is so much safer.

Knowledge, interpretation and reality seeing - another important aspect of self protection.

Parts of a Whole

2011-10-13T09:50:00.001-07:00

This blog, like other blogs, is a message in a bottle. I know who I am and what I understand, but I can only guess who you are and what you understand - the people who are going to pop the cork on the bottle and read the message. (redacted from the similar quote in the book by Damon Knight.

My desire to write both the blogs and (future) short fictional stories is to express things from the self in a way that folks can see, hear or touch in some direct or esoteric way.

I can't pump determination into a student, and would not if I could. What I can do is try to tell folks what they are in for, and help them acquire the knowledge that makes the difference between an amateur and a professional.

A successful martial artists, like any other professional endeavor, is all one wholehearted thing, not just the collection of the parts. Everything in the martial arts, its parts, fits together, flows together, and harmonizes with a unique personal rhythm. When we talk, teach and write about the components of the whole, when we try to teach you to achieve proficiency of a new skill, you need to know what the components are and how they work.

You try to improve one piece or component at at time - work on form, function and application, for instance, until you make progress; then turn to another aspect and work on that. If you try to learn all of it all at once, you will stifle growth, your progress, ability and proficiency will be stagnated, frozen and paralyzed.

Remember that the sum of all the parts, components, dealt with in practice and training are all interrelated. It is up to you to bring them together into the one whole of the system - and make it work.

You must learn the system your own way, or you won't be able to truly learn it at all. I am not trying to say that a karate-ka can do whatever they please; the karate-ka still has to learn along with the rest of the dojo. I am trying to convey that although the Sensei can tell, show and direct what is necessary to a karate-ka you have to learn the rules, follow them, and the bend (break some) them to fit your uniqueness.

We all have different bodies, minds and spirits - we are unique human beings. Remember that the brain, each human brain is more unique and individual than fingerprints, has a lot of variability. The number and kinds of cells in a given area are different inside every brain. You follow the rules until you get proficient enough to then start to blend the parts into a whole that will be a bit outside the rules and sometimes outside the entire box to best encode the practice and application into mind, body and soul.

Karate or any martial art is not just "one thing." It is a cluster of many things and abilities that are merged in a unique way each and every time they are applied. The components or parts learned are where you find your strengths and weaknesses and that uniqueness in your blending into a wholehearted "one whole system" is where the rubber meets the road. The system your being taught is designed to help you do this and it behooves the practitioner to learn to get the most out of what you have.

The unconscious works better if you don't watch it too closely. Follow the rules, learn them and apply them - then let them go, somewhat by bending and sometimes breaking. Remember, The unconscious works better if you don't watch it too closely.

Rules to Understanding the Way

2011-10-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Long, long ago; far, far away I posted this set of rules. I wanted to re-post since topics of late point toward the way, the path, the road we travel in the martial arts.

You must be deadly serious in practice.  
Practice with both your heart and soul with out worrying about theory. True practice is done with the entire body. What you learn with your whole body you will remember for the rest of your life.  
Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism.  
See yourself as you truly are and try to adapt what is meritorious in the work of others.
Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, whether public or private.

One's initiative and attitude determines the degree of skill, knowledge, spirit, and how they are integrated within the self, within Karate-do.

The spiritual use of karate-do waza and their integration with the spirit are all important.

The way of the empty hand is intended to lead or guide the practitioner to the attainment of perfection through self-realization, enlightenment, and maturity.

Practitioners develop a sound mind through the development of virtuous character and a sound body through rigorous training. They train the body for health and strength while developing the character accordingly.

I cannot remember if this was mine or a quote from another source. If you recognize it and know the source let me know.

Symbols and Metaphors - the stories ....

2011-10-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

In China the past and history was not passed in a narrative form but only stories.

The rulers of the China Shang Dynasty pondered cracks in turtle shells. They actually believed they could hear their ancestors voices as the shells cracked. To our minds the cracks mean nothing but to the creative thinking those cracks/cracking gave the interpreter a place to stand outside the rigors of logic, to dream, to allow their minds to associate freely and make new connections. The turtle shells cracks were referred to as the Oracle's Bones and the oracle bones comprised a regular practice of a stable society, a dynasty, that lasted hundreds of years. - Peter Hessler, Oracle Bones

The ability to stand outside the box. The box that is considered the logical view of the world. Leaving the box allows us to dream beyond mere logic and allows us to stretch our minds and spirits so the mind can associate freely in the Universe and make new connections. Connections not present, connections that seem to come spontaneously from a mystical source and connections that create new and exciting ways or "paths."

Is it possible that Tatsuo Sensei, as a academic of ancient classics and of the spiritual aspects of fortune telling, etc., passed on to us the ken-po goku-i much like the ancient Chinese study of the oracle bones to free our minds so we can see and hear new connections?

As I study these esoteric forms of the way of the empty hand I find more and more "connections" that come freely in my mind seemingly from a source that feels like some mystical source, could it be this ability to freely associate all the knowledge I have acquired to make new theories that once vetted become facts?

If it improves my practice. If it improves my ability. If it improves my way of life. It has to be a good thing. It becomes a new connection that builds my values and beliefs in a positive way and in my singular practice of karate-jutsu-do I am freely and spontaneously (mostly) building on this.

Metaphors and Symbols tell us a story. The talk to us in a way that allows our minds to leave the logic of the material world so we may dream of the possibilities and make new beliefs, customs, metaphors and symbols for the next generation. Is this why the second and third level of application is meant to also leave behind the box of basic strict adherence for a freer form that is derived from dreams that become reality?

If not for the dream of new lands we might have missed all the excitement of the journey that makes our society what it is today. We might still be in the dark ages. Passing from the dark to the light came about from the dreams and connections that were born outside the box and grew into reality, yes?

New Line for Ken-po Goku-i

2011-10-11T08:32:00.001-07:00

It just came to me last night. When I added my view or additional line to the gokui for touch sense I didn't catch that I now had "nine" (9) lines vs. the previous eight (8).

I realized this has some significance to me. Nine lines can be divided into three sets. The question I am researching is, do those three sets relate to the three primary pillars of the I Ching, i.e. Heaven, Man, and Earth? Much like hexagrams where the three sets of two lines, i.e. the sets of trigrams, also represent or are symbolic of Heaven-Man-Earth.

I can also now look at those three lines each of the gokui to see if they too will relate to the I Ching in this fashion.

Eyes

2011-09-30T09:53:00.001-07:00

The Ken-po Goku-i, or gokui for short, talks about the senses both directly and indirectly. When the gokui states that a person must see all directions, the directions in question can be literally the multi-directions the eye perceives of the environment and all that resides within "as far as the eyes can see." What it does not do is provide us with explanations and training on how we utilize this most important tool for the mind. The following two quotes from Dr. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D. books on the gentle art of verbal self-defense tell us more about how the mind uses our perceptive filtering through the sense of "seeing in all directions."

"It is not your eyes that are doing the learning, but your whole body. And it's not what you see that teaches you. Seeing is only the tool that you use for obtaining the information. What you learn from is feedback you get from your own body as you try to match the body language being demonstrated. ... No set of detailed written instructions will replace the feedback you get from your body as you try to follow someone's instruction - right before your eyes - to "hold your hand like this."

AND

"If your preferred mode is eye or ear, you may find this more difficult that the person who strongly prefers the sensory mode of touch will. But you can do it. It will just take you longer." Quote in reference in learning how to use your body language in communications as to the three sense modes of people - in general.

This and other information written by Dr. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D., provides us the knowledge that learning, thus teaching, relies not on any one thing but a combination of things. The eyes are assumed to be the learning tool for people and now I discover that they are merely a tool by which the mind along with other factors perceives and interprets the entirety of communications to achieve understanding.

The entirety of communications can be understood as what the eyes process, what the ears process, what the body process through touch and in a small way what the nose processes as to smell and the tongue processes as to the taste. In MA instruction the most command and most advantageous are eye, ear and touch sense teaching. You may need to adjust the primary tool to process to eye, ear and sometimes touch depending on the preferred sense mode of the student.

Just remember one thing as a Sensei, it is not just what you say in words. It is what you say in words along with the tone and more importantly your body language as processed by the eyes, ears and in some cases by touch - direct touch and touch sense by distance.

Just remember one thing as a student, it is not just what you hear in words. It is what you hear in words with their tone and body language as processed by your eyes, ears and in some cases by touch - direct touch and touch sense by distance.

The idea is to reach a syntonic state of instruction-to-learning by building a bridge between the two of understanding, knowledge and awareness. Sometimes just being aware of what it all takes and encompasses is adequate to maximize teaching and learning.

In addition the learning we achieve through our senses, especially the eyes and ears, is hugely influenced by our perceptive filters. Another aspect of the gokui and our training is to achieve the ability to adjust the filters allowing for the possibilities to enter. If we cloud ourselves in a veil of dogmatic doctrine the unexpected will have nothing to draw on from the mind to overcome it. There are so many possibilities that are presented directly and indirectly through the study of the martial arts with emphasis on the gokui.

Moment of Stillness

2011-09-29T12:15:00.001-07:00

"Moment of Stillness"

There is the moment when things become absolutely still. That moment in nature where everything aligns perfectly, where the sun, moon and earth align resulting in something special, something unique and something extraordinary.

This stillness much like the still lake allows for a reflection. The reflection in that moment of stillness opens a door to another dimension, a dimension of the mind.

When I am practicing kata I tend to reflect through imagery many things. I often come to a still place where without conscious awareness achieve a still mind with no thought and then much like a rain drop striking a still, mirror like, lake sends a small ripple across the stillness. You see that which was not seen, you experience that which is not experienced and you reach the unreachable.

The epiphany, the enlightened state, the moment oh so present. The inspirational moment that many artist refer to when they see the image in the stone and chip away all the exterior garbage.

I am lucky. I experience "moment of stillness" in these present moments that occur without awareness and this is where I achieve shifts in a paradigm called life through those shifts in a paradigm I call martial systems.

I can in those moments suddenly like a spark that shocks new ways of doing things, new ways of seeing things and new ways of experiencing things. This works well in my practice as it has taken me beyond the basics, beyond the fundamentals and beyond any dogmatic adherence to some stunted belief derived as a vilification of a creator of a martial system.

Do you practice and train to achieve a "moment of stillness?" I have had those moments in applying my expertise and it is inexplicable. I am reminded of the unexplainable explanation of the Tao Te Ching.

"Remember to pay attention when you realize you're in a moment of stillness for it is in the next moment when a slight breeze, a puff of wind or a falling leaf will disturb the stillness." - Charles James

Gotta Believe

2011-09-28T13:43:00.001-07:00

I am beginning to understand a bit better that humans, generally, need "something" to believe in or they can feel life is not worth much. I also believe, see, that folks want to have something to take up the lulls in life so we have things like vacations, etc. This seems ok to me if it fills a need and makes a difference, a positive one, in life.

This seems to fill a belief and need for people when they take up martial systems. I can say that it is because of "my belief" in these systems and the ability of them to fill my need for substance the have been an important part of my life - good, right?

Where I want to allow flexibility is in my belief system. People can be stubborn to the ninth degree if their belief system is questioned. I see this as a hinderance to both belief and personal growth. I believe, yes believe, that our ability to adjust our beliefs, for the betterment of us and our interactions in society, is critical and allows for a more moderate response when questioned.

I believe we all should stop at a four way stop sign in our automobiles. I would then believe this as a good thing. I would then believe it not so good if all we did was stop and then no further progress. If I allow my belief that stopping is good and that allowing an adjustment/change in that belief it might benefit all. I can allow my belief to change and then create a new belief that if we all arrived at the same time the person on the left allows the person on their right to proceed through the intersection. I can allow my belief to change that if one of the four arrived a moment before the others that the person may proceed first followed by others in an orderly manner.

So, why do we find dogmatic adherence to specific group dogma simply because we allow a belief to influence us to remain stagnant vs. continued growth and prosperity. Hmm, must study and contemplate this a lot.

Tatchi-goku-i (接触 - contact or touch)

2011-09-21T09:57:00.001-07:00

Touch law of the fist can be further explained in the new ken-po goku-i where the tendency of the mind to "go to" the area of the body under assault. This means when you feel pressure, pain, rubbing, pinching, grabbing, and with intensity that screams "danger will robinson" then your mind will lock on to that location to the detriment of all else.

This is a fundamental principle of the OODA loop explained by Rory Miller and Marc MacYoung on their blogs and web sites, i.e. no nonsense self defense and conflict communications, etc.

A couple of idea's in this is to train so that when you feel some intensely applied pressure, etc. you either ignore it with some action that is not associated with that area or you act on that area with some counter move. This is not the forum to explain exactly and would be better served when explained and taught in a person-with-person on the floor training/practice session.

Another aspect for application is to apply the pressures, pain, etc. to a threat and keep moving that around so the mind keeps moving with your movements-pain applications thus locking the mind in an infinite loop with no ability to act or react. This may be the principle to the Chinese principle of a lot of strikes to overcome the threat vs. karate's so-called one strike - one kill principle (this is a whole post all on its own - don't agree with this one).

Once again as a reminder the ken-po goku-i is meant as a teaching tool that transcends any one techniques or philosophy. It encompasses all aspects of training and practice.

Grasping the Martial Arts

2011-09-15T10:05:00.001-07:00

Again, an attempt to gain a good hand on the new tactual data when supplementing both seeing and hearing for training and practice of martial systems. In the world of tactual encounters we once again connect to such things as hard, soft, seeing, hearing, the cycles of ebb and flow within and without the body along with the cycles of breathing in and out.

Rory Miller once spoke of, or better to way wrote about, tactile in self-defense. He alluded to the "feel" of the opponents body where the tactile or tactual information one feels from another can send signals to the mind on a response or action that would best nullify or deflect or allow a movement to better your position, etc. That speaks of two things regarding this new ninth goku-i line.

One is an understanding of the tactile symbols; duration-location-action-intensity-frequency-sensation. As an example the "sensation" a threat might feel triggers the tendency for the mind to lock on to that location and feeling where the mind, if not trained in this, tries to discover what is occurring and gain a tactical response and advantage. This is where the interruption of a person OODA loop occurs where continuing to change the sensation, location. intensity and duration keeps triggering the mind to lock on to the now new sensation reducing the minds ability to achieve a response.

By allowing my new line validity in the ken-po goku-i it might bring to the for of our minds the conscious attention and awareness of touch to achieve a greater understanding of the martial arts and our applications of its principles and techniques.

Two is an awareness of the tactual sense elements and how they function adding to the application of techniques to achieve additional advantage. These elements include, pressure; pain; pleasure; temperature; muscle movement of the skin; rubbing; pinching, etc. In a grappling art pressure, pain, rubbing, pinching and the movement of muscle under the skin apply. Just give it a moment and consider this, have you in your training, practice and teaching of martial systems.

Tactual data retrieval to train and practice can be seen and grasped literally as a function of the arts - martial arts. I can now realize that not taking touch to this level of thought may have contributed to a lack of full understanding on principles, intent and applications. Worth taking down and out of the attic and placing it in front of us so we can examine it with our eyes, analyze it with our ears to hear how it impacts practitioners, and touching on the value of its implications in teaching and learning.

My Postings

2011-09-15T08:14:00.001-07:00

As you can see my posts are a mixture of my thoughts, my thoughts that are inspired by my reading of books, and my thoughts as inspired by other blog postings such as Rory Miller's Chiron, Sensei Kane and Wilder's blog, and many others like SueC's and Vesia Sensei's blogs.

If ever I utilize a topic from your sources, i.e. your books or blogs, etc., and you are not pleased for any reason please comment. I want to make sure all the material I use is acceptable to the person, their work, and their philosophies as to their intent. I am not trying to steal, borrow, abscond, hijack your material.

I want to write, as a touch dominant person this is really the best self-teaching tool, and I want to learn from that writing so I tend to read others material and then try to morph it into my own thoughts and by that method encode it and by that method learn and apply it in my practice, training and life.

If you feel I trespass on your efforts comment or send me an email directly to let me know and I will either stop using your stuff or with your ok send you the post for approval before posting to the blog. If I don't hear from you then I cannot take your feelings and such into consideration, If I do hear from you I will accord you the respect you deserve.

This also goes for giving credit. I attempt to do so as is proper by either adding name and source to the end of a quote or by bibliography at the end. If I miss it please remind me and I will correct it quickly.

Thanks!

Possibilities through Knowledge, Understanding, and Acceptance

2011-09-14T12:41:00.002-07:00

I am so excited at this moment in time. I know my knowledge and ability in karate-jutsu-do is good. I have come to realize in my practice over the last hour that I will begin to improve by leaps and bounds. I feel this deep in my gut.

I have discovered my sense mode. The dominant one that has hindered my life for these past 54 years. My gaining knowledge of touch sense, my growing understanding of touch sense and my acceptance that I have a dominant sense of touch has allowed me to "see" my training from a whole different perspective. A perspective from a touch sense mode.

I have trained, taught, practiced karate these past thirty plus years from a sight and sound sense mode with a smattering of touch. I now understand why my form of teaching met with some initial resistance. It was a bit of sight, sound and a lot of touch orientation.

I practiced today with a new sense of touch mode where I imagined threats and attacks with more touch orientation. I imagined actually connecting. I imagined how it would feel when I moved, parried, and connected with a technique. I used it to enhance my visualization, my imagery, my tactual means of feeling the event and it felt natural, normal, and very good. This is positive.

I am anxious to check my progress as I move along the path to "see" if results gain momentum vs. current sight/hearing oriented momentum. Understand that I am pleased with my level of proficiency. I wish I had understood sooner. It is never to late and this is something that excites, pleases, and motivates me beyond my normal somewhat obsession of martial arts.

The Human Brain and Imagery

2011-09-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is quoted directly from the book by Dr. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D. It involves a bit of trivia for the brain, an important piece of trivia. Our brains, as she states from research, cannot not distinguish sense perceptions that are real world perceptions from those we might visualize or use imagery to "see it in our minds."

If the imagery is "vivid" enough, i.e. the details of the imagery is really descriptive, then it is as if you really experienced the event. The brain cannot tell the difference between a real one and the imagined one. It will send out the same signals and chemicals in both cases, i.e. reality vs. imagined.

She has a term she coins for this type of visualization/imagery, "Creative Visualization." A very important point to place forward here is this title is "sight-biased." Touch dominant persons tend to lose out with this since they often cannot relate to this sight mode title and those mostly sight mode sense instructions. I often express that it was hard to learn and this is why.

In your teachings you may want to be aware when a student states they cannot do visualization they are merely expressing that instructions are convoluted simply because they are transmitted in a sense mode that is not adequate for touch dominant persons ability to assimilate. There is a way for the touch person to create or convert instructions to a form that will be tuned to their learning mode and then can achieve greater results and benefits from "creative visualization."

As a touch dominant person I use imagery. I have been fortunate that I was able to work out how I could do it. It comes mostly from sensing through my body movement when presenting technique I can see the body movement of an imagined opponent moving in such a way that the technique averts the attack and presents an appropriate response.

Dr. Elgin presents, shows, and makes audible several examples of touch techniques to learn imagery or visualization techniques geared to overcome the sight dominance in visual/image training.

Now, this is really a cool thing to know that when we have vivid imaginations in such techniques it is as if the brain actually experienced it. The only thing we have to grab onto is how to experience the actual feel of it, i.e. pain, fear, anger, frustrations, etc.

Touch Dominant

2011-09-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure I am one of these persons. I am touch dominant. As I study the material provided in Dr. Elgin's book, "ry To Feel It My Way: New Help for Touch Dominant People and Those Who Care About Them," I am becoming aware of those road marks that indicate I am touch sense dominant.

As this self-discovery become glaringly more apparent to me I realize many of the difficulties I have experienced and become are related to this sense mode and the response, unconscious and unaware and unknowingly, received molded me into a person who tends to be "brash," "loud/forceful," and "a naysayer." It fits and makes me feel a bit sad.

It is a product of the time which I was raised where such knowledge was not known and not studied. It was not taught in the schools simply because no one was aware at those times. As I am able to grasp the implications and effects of such a mode that is strongly a part of communications I can now see why I have felt specific emotional responses.

The most important lesson is it is no ones fault, not mine and not others. It is simply a lack of knowledge and understanding and self-realization. I now am growing in my awareness and I am now growing in my knowledge and I am now growing more aware of what it is I must do to build a bridge across the reality gap of touch vs. sight and hearing sense modes. My only regret is it would be improper for me to pass this along to those I communicate with - they have to come to this realization completely on their own. I can hope!

As to those who will and are reading my posts. I am expressing to you all that if something I write does not seem to fit, to connect, to have clarity please take a moment and consider that it may be in touch mode for sense communication - take a moment and re-word it where words that are sight or hearting sense related and it may make it clearer.

My goal is to translate my touch dominant writing mode to a more sight and hearing mode for better clarity for all with smatterings of touch mode to cover the whole spectrum hopefully to have clarity with all who read my stuff.

Thanks for reading, thanks for hearing what I am trying to say, and thanks for trying to grasp the idea of sense mode in communications. I can express to you that as I get "in touch" with my apparent touch sense side and language I am feeling a lot more comfortable. Pardon me if my writing goes more touch but that is my way of learning - touch :-)

Hard and Soft

2011-09-14T09:21:00.001-07:00

As I study the tactual idea of the goku-i I discovered that the words used in the third line also are used when expressing both a hard or soft feeling. These are touch dominant words.

A soft feeling id described by feathery, fuzzy, limp, silky, soft, and so on while the hard feeling is firm, solid, hard, crispy and tough using just these few words to describe this view.

When we speak of unbalance same as a weight, the touch description is one of a heavy feeling where that same feeling comes just before the fall - so to speak. When we use karate or practice a martial art we are required to touch something. We brush up against an opponent. We feel them move and respond accordingly. We strike, we tap, we pinch a vital point to gain control. We grasp and grab to apply the tactile method - grappling, aikido, judo, etc.

All of these relate to the goku-i as to heart, hard/soft aspects, balance/weight, strikes, directions, sides, seeing, hearing and grasping tactual or tactile - feeling the body movement. When Chinese system practice sticky hands techniques they are applying those tactual/kinesthetic principles that involve touch with balance and body connections.

In the martial arts we respond to stimuli, i.e. another tactile driven explanation of applying martial arts. This is why touch dominant persons tend to do well in sports or sport like physical activities. Martial Arts are about training us to be responsive to the touch/intent of others - yes?

New Ken-po Goku-i for Karate-do

2011-09-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

The new goku-i provides an additional line of text that provides for the third sense mode that was previously two, sight and sound - eyes and ears. The last line promotes a touch mode. The first eight lines also become more apparent to touch mode since we now have "tactual" mode or touch mode. This being both tactual meaning to handling and touching along side kinesthetic which is used to refer to the position and balance of the body.

This new line may not readily come to be accepted by those who have lived with the original eight lines provided by Tatsuo Sensei or those who received their version from reference to the Bubushi. This would be a normal reaction and in time it is hoped that the last new line would become apparent in the first eight and make sense showing its importance in making a full connection the the three that make the one.

"A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth; the blood circulating is similar to the sun and moon; the manner of drinking-inhaling and spitting-exhaling is either soft or hard; a person's unbalance is the same as a weight; the body should be able to change direction at any time; the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself; the eyes must see all sides; the ears must listen in all direction; AND the mind must grasp all the tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction." - Shimabuku Tatsuo Ken-po Goku-i + "one"

It becomes very easy to miss this important aspect of training and practice in the jutsu and do of any martial art. The senses of sight and hearing are primary to all humans. Even the touch sense dominant person switches between those two. It becomes critical for the tactual person when stress and its chemical effects kick in for the human being uses the dominant sense much like the freeze and the flight or fight response of survival. Look at it like the adrenaline dump experienced in a threat stress induced situation. There are particular aspects that take over like narrowing of vision and dysfunctional perceptions all to provide survival instincts.

Look at it as a way to see the view from this perspective, to hear the value of it for all the senses and to grasp it firmly in our hands and minds to provide a triangle of completeness - sight + hearing + tactual/tactile/kinesthetic.

How the Ken-po Goku-i refers to sight, sound and tactual senses.

2011-09-13T08:31:00.001-07:00

An article on teaching to young adults for all three major senses brought about this epiphany toward additional meaning of the goku-i (shortened for brevity purposes, i.e. full ken-po goku-i). In that article they teach the teachers to used all three senses to make sure "the material reaches the student rather than why isn't the student grasping the material?"

They trained them to determine if a student is a visual, audio or kinesthetic learner - sight, sound, touch. Once they determined a student was touch dominant they went a step further by finding out if they were "tactile or tactual" which refers to the handling and touching vs. Kinesthetic which refers to position and balance of the body.

Take a look at Kinesthetic, the balance and position of the body. This touches on the goku-i's lines on the body changing direction at any time, a person' balance same as a weight. Both are in reference to the body and balance with falls into a touch dominant sense mode.

The now nine references within the entire goku-i provide the full spectrum of using the "three" major senses fully and completely in practicing and teaching the martial arts. These three provide a fullness to the goku-i interpretation that aligns with the I Ching where the three is heaven, man, and earth where in the trigrams and hexagrams it is further dividend to these three components that make us whole or "one."

The manner of drinking or inhaling vs. spitting or exhaling is also using a touch sense mode inference for they both infer a type of balance within the body much like the heart and heaven and earth along with blood similar to moon and sun.

This warrants further study and contemplation as it will open more doors to a large audience that may be missing out on a martial art path simply because they lack an awareness that it also provides for the much aligned touch dominant sense.

The Eyes, The Ears, and The Touch Modes

2011-09-12T13:06:00.001-07:00

Open up your eyes, perk up those ears and let your mind touch your heart because what I am posting today is critical to the art of avoidance. This warrants my changing my copy of the ken-po goku-i by adding an ninth line to the overall paragraph so that it includes touch sensing.

"The mind must grasp all the warm and fuzzy data not seen or heard in all directions and on all sides."

This involves communications because although we are predominantly influenced by the accepted normalcy in society of first sight and secondary hearing we have removed the sense of touch almost completely. I have been informed that this is a recent phenomena. We included all three as major sense modes long before the last century - most of history has all three.

If this is true then we might hypothesize that at least a few fights might have been avoidable if we could be aware when a person drops down into a primary sense mode of touch. Since the majority are classified in sight and hearing when a touch person gets agitated/stressed then when they fall into a strict touch sense mode while all the rest remain in sight sense mode the reality gap is strong and wide. This gap then can only be spanned if one or the other are able to determine the touch sense mode and then assume it as well for all avoidance/deescalation processes.

If this is true how do you know when you are facing a sense mode, especially a touch sense mode? Good question. Since touch has become a taboo topic today you will have to first become aware that a lot of folks are touch sense dominant even if we function in a normal sight/hearing sense world. Once you are aware they exist then learn about it. "Try to Feel It My Way" by Dr. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D.

This also applies to Sensei for mentoring practitioners. Discover their primary sense mode and try to gear your instruction and guidance toward that mode of communications. Recently a blogger posted on that very subject where no matter what they did the Sempai could not adequately convey to that person what it was they were trying to teach. The person got very frustrated while the sempai just kept in that sense loop that was not the persons primary sense mode. A reality gap where the person walked away with out that new knowledge.

If the sempai has been aware of and sensitive to sense mode of the person they might have devised a means to convey the knowledge where that person would learn and not become frustrated, etc.

As for the taste and smell, these tend to be non-existent regarding a communications primary sense mode.

All Bottles Are Good - They All Serve A Purpose

2011-09-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Today John Vesia Sensei of the Martial Views Blog made a statement that reminded me of the term Occam's Razor. In summary Occam's Razor means, "the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one." In that light John said simply, "... Who knows, maybe he (tatsuo sensei) was just talking about various types of booze."

The story goes simply as, a group of practitioners (Marines mostly) were drinking a variety of booze and had an assortment of bottles on the table when Tatsuo Sensei asked them which was the best. Several answers followed and then he stated, "All bottles are good, they all server a purpose," or something similar to this quote attributed to him.

Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei taught Marine and other military on Okinawa so we talk about our service members. Shimabuku Tatsuo said, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." This story came from me but it was his quote. - Advincula A. J. Sensei Isshinkai post #27618

"All Bottles are Good. They all served a purpose." - Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei Post #19411 dtd Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 11:26hours - this post quote comes from the Isshinkai Yahoo group run by A. J. Advincula Sensei.

The story, redacted for brevity, is as follows:

On many an occasion after a dojo workout we would have a drink or two with Shimabuku Sensei. On one occasion, several American students at the Honbu Agena Dojo we were drinking. Some were drinking beer while others were drinking Awamori a potent alcoholic beverage indigenous to and unique to Okinawa.

Awamori is made from high quality rice from Thailand and is distilled and not brewed as is traditional Japanese sake. A black yeast that is unique to Okinawa is used to make Awamori. In Okinawa, the word saki is used instead of sake and some brands of awamori are listed at 43 percent alcohol. Awamori is also drank with ice and water or sometimes mixed with citrus juice or other types of sodas. Most Okinawan mix awamori with ice and water but many Americans may use some kind of juice.

Shimabuku preferred awamori and at this event, some Americans were mixing awamori with pine juice (Pineapple soda). Shimabuku asked us which bottle was best. Some picked up beer bottles while others awamori bottles and one or two who did not drink alcohol picked up the pine juice or other soda bottles.

Shimabuku stated, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." While he never said why he asked the question about the bottles, I thought he was relating it to karate styles, that all styles of karate were good.

Years later Ciso said that even while taking breaks, or drinking after hours, his father was trying to teach. I don't think too many Americans understood this, if they did, we would have more stories to tell. It is interesting that many of the Shimabuku's Okinawan students, relate stories of Shimabuku. I have written and told this story over and over again at seminars, after hours and at parties, yet some still do not know or remember the story. Kind of like on Okinawa, where many Americans just didn't get it.

Now, as the "naysayer" of this blog I have to say that I take all inferences to what Tatsuo "meant" when teaching with a grain of salt. That grain involves the disparities naturally created through the individual's perceptive filtering. Even when hearing testimony attributed directly from Cisco Shimabuku, the teacher of Marines Isshinryu, both his and the recipient's perceptive filtering change the meaning and as it passes along to others each filter makes subtle changes and the only way to refute any interpretation you would need Tatsuo's exact explanation as documented by him directly - never occurred, never happened so the entire system is open to any interpretations.

The question then becomes, "Is any and all interpretations acceptable, true, and relevant to the practice of the Isshinryu system?" In my view, yes. All interpretations that are beneficial and provide for positive growth of the individual and any of those who may listen to his/her communications on this particular subject are good - all bottles are good, they all serve a purpose.

Ergo, all interpretations are good if they all serve a purpose with the hopes that those purposes are beneficial, good, and enlightening. It must be remembered that styles, style names, and systems are merely individualized views and application of the same thing, fundamental principles of all martial systems. All principles are good, they all serve a purpose, the provide the fundamental foundation of martial arts.

Goku-i and Bottles

2011-09-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

It came to mind today for me the question, is the bottles quote implied through references to the ken-po goku-i. If we take each goku-i (used for brevity for ken-po goku-i) and view it from a point that is a belief that all things are good, they all serve a purpose then we can extrapolate:

1. Humans are all inherently good and they all serve a purpose on the Earth as it resides under Heaven.
2. The blood that circulates much like the cycles of both the Sun and Moon are the same but different where the differences still promote all humans and all of nature as good and purposeful to life.
3, 4, 5, and 6 fall under both the above statements with differences indicated so that particulars of the person or human can connect to the fundamental principles of that inference to show the differences and sameness that is beneficial or good to each uniqueness without regard to any type of prejudices.
7 & 8 seem to provide an indication that we look and hear all the myriad things of the Universe, i.e. Humans on Earth residing under all the Heavens, in a manner that indicates difference yet complete understanding that all of it is good and all of it serves a purpose.

Tatsuo Sensei, as indicted by Vesia Sensei blog post, may have meant to promote the different bottles of booze but may also have wanted to express more to his system, his reference to the ken-po goku-i and to this particular quote to get us to think and conclude that all of us under the heavens here on Earth are more alike than our outward appearances, beliefs, and customs might indicate and that we all serve a purpose both as individuals and as a unit, a tribe, or society.

If we remove all inferences to order and numbering of the goku-i then both it and the quote will better connect as one whole or wholehearted effort to perceive, learn, and understand.

Click graphic for larger view.

The Mind of Wu Wei

2011-09-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Flows like water.
Reflects like a mirror.
Responds like an echo.

Longevity:
Sit like a turtle.
Walk like a pidgeon.
Sleep like a dog.
Develop inner quiet.

Words Hurt

2011-09-02T07:36:00.001-07:00

I have been hit. I have been on the receiving end of a horizontal butt stroke from a M-14 rifle. I was beaten over the head with a 2x4. My bunk was set on fire one night after a night of imbibing a bit to much alcohol. Never in my life have I felt the pain I feel when I get hit by words. This is especially so when it comes from someone close to you.

No amount of softening. No amount of dears, friends, loves, etc. added to those words diminish their effects. Like using the word "but" it cancels out any niceties you add when the hurtful words hit.

I can truly say that the words do hurt. I can truly say I don't feel the guilt and anxieties that go with that - mostly - words still hurt and now that I know why I don't feel guilt that is not appropriate.

The more I learn the more I understand and the more I realize just how important communications are and that our own awareness of what is said, how it is said and presuppositions can achieve greatness and hurtfulness - our choice, my choice.

The question now is, do I allow it to continue - enable it - or what? The second question is this, if they don't really realize that they are doing what they are doing how do you make them aware of it without creating a larger rift of anger, resentment, and such?

There is just one pain that exceeds what I describe, the self-realization that I too used words to hurt, bully, cajole, intimidate and that is just wrong. Words can heal - or - hurt. You have to ask yourself, "What did yours do today?" Wise Sufism: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? Consider this sufism when you consider saying something to someone - remember, the answers are there's if asked, not yours.

Seeing the Practitioner

2011-09-02T07:31:00.001-07:00

I am having a great deal of thoughts and idea's regarding how a Sensei provides knowledge, experience, and ability to practitioners. It occurs to me that observation, seeing and hearing, the practitioner as they practice becomes a critical trait of a Sensei.

Sensei can have all the requisite stuff to impart their wisdom. They can do so ad-hoc or they can see and hear the practitioner to determine what is understood and what needs clarification. It is also something necessary to perceive the needs of the next iteration of wisdom.

Ever see a face of confusion when you provide training? It may be how you are perceiving the practitioner where you are not getting what it takes to allow them to learn at a maximum capacity.

Another aspect of the goku-i, to see all sides. You as Sensei must achieve the trait and ability to see all sides of your practitioners. See them as they are and as they can be - their potential. This means seeing the teaching potential that resides in each one - individually, uniquely, and completely.

Provide you dojo the light and guide them along the path. To achieve this open the eyes and see everything - obvious and hidden. Do you truly "see" your students?

The Eight Ken-po Goku-i of Martial Systems

2011-09-01T07:42:00.001-07:00

On the surface the tendency to take each of the eight on its own seems logical. In actuality the eight are separate and distinct for teaching purposes. Like the fundamental principles (fundamental principles of martial systems by Steven J. Pearlman, i.e. the Book of Martial Power) are written distinctly in a separate manner to promote teaching, learning, and understanding.

The eight goku-i (Ken-po Goku-i for short/brevity) are separated and numbered only for this purpose. What is not been made clear to those who study the system and the goku-i is once you learn the fundamentals of the eight you remove the separateness of them and merge, meld, morph them into "one."

The "wholehearted way" of Isshinryu is the "one way" or "one heart way" of Tatsuo Sensei's system. One being the key feature of the entire system. Wholehearted brings the heart of the practitioner, the spirit if you will, into the system separately and with distinct parts that must be assembled into "one whole" system - the one heart system.

The eight into one may indicated that it speaks of the mind, heart, and body. Those three spoken separately. Those three merged, melded, and morphed into the one complete and whole person.

Learn the goku-i - separate and distinct. Learn the goku-i - meld, mold, and morph. Learn the goku-i - the one and wholehearted way of Isshinryu. Remove the child references - numbers, orders, and separateness. The great tai chi is the one which then separates into the two - Yang-n-Yin. The two separate into the four into the eight trigrams. The trigrams continue to separate into the hexagrams - the sixty-four.

The separation into the sixty-four are to teach man how the Universe relates to the Earth. How the Earth relates to humans. The three, Heaven-Human-Earth then learn from the separation of the great Tai Chi how to meld, morph, and merge the separate back into the "one." The way of Humans is to see, hear and thus perceive how all the myriad things of the Universe are connected and return back to the great, the one.

This is the method and purpose of following the way in martial arts. This is the method and way - wholehearted - of Tatsuo Shimabuku Sensei in his teachings through the physical of Isshinryu and the Spiritual of Ken-po Goku-i. Physical training is the yang of the great tai chi while the ken-po goku-i is the yin of the great tai chi - the one, wholehearted way.

The ken-po goku-i is the fundamental principles of the spiritual wholehearted way of all martial systems.

Ken-po Goku-i tome seven and eight - seeing and hearing

2011-08-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

To give another idea as to why we see these to particular "sensory modes" used in this philosophical reference you need to read the following quote:

"In America today there is an overwhelming emphasis on ear and eye sensory modes. All educational and mass media mechanisms are limited to those two modes, so that those who preference is eye or ear (and especially eye) have an advantage truly impossible to overcome. Except for a smaller number of people all language processing in our culture is done through the sensory mechanisms of eye and ear." - Dr. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D Author of "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense."

This is to my mind a profound quote/statement. It rings many bells as to why these two senses dominate the martial arts. I believe wholeheartedly that this goes farther back than modern communications. The first moment of communications be they the grunts and gestures of ancient humans to today's ability to communicate in one form or another where eyes and ears dominate.

Consider teaching or instructing practitioners of martial arts. If a practitioner has a dominant sensory mode of seeing they can have an advantage over hearing and without exception touch. Since martial arts like karate involve moving the body the sense of touch, with restrictions, can aid a person who is identified as touch dominant to learn quickly. I can extrapolate from this that Sensei who have not identified this aspect of teaching can find their participants being less that could be. Imagine you know this tidbit of information and use it to ensure that all your practitioners get the most out of your guidance, knowledge and experience.

In most the left brain processes information that comes in patterned chunks of information one after the other. This is like numbering and the letters of the alphabet. The left side attends to those parts and pieces while the right side "wholes" not formed in logical patterns. The left is mostly in favor of the eye and ear senses while the right side touch. The other senses beyond sight, sound and touch are nonexistent for this lesson, i.e. taste, etc.

I quote, "The effect of our concentration on training the left brain and letting the right founder about without help means that we educate and foster a dominant sense mode of eye and ear, neglecting the other touch dominant sense mode. If you have a practitioner who suddenly becomes frustrated with your efforts you might try to discover if their sense mode is touch vs. the dominant seeing and hearing.

When discovering methods to pass along all that knowledge, skill and enthusiasm for your system remember that although the eye and ear dominant in communications, i.e. teaching, you may discover that touch can benefit your efforts. In the greatest of all scenario's a Sensei who can incorporate seeing, hearing and touching to train and practice may benefit the participants greatly and thus the dojo. The skill then can be to determine the dominant sense and emphasize instruction individually to achieve greater results - skill, knowledge, and proficiency.

Once again give attention, thought and discovery to the meaning of, "The eyes must see all sides. The ears must listen in all directions."

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.

Letting Go

2011-08-26T08:05:00.001-07:00

We receive instruction. We have no reasoning to believe what we are taught is real, accurate, and truthful. When we establish a relationship in the dojo, Sensei and Deshi, Sempai and Kohai and fellow dojo participants it builds a bond, tribal oriented bond. We become a family that tends to stick together - group protection.

Our associations create a bond, a culture, dojo customs. We come to have certain beliefs about the system, the dojo and the Sensei. This is all a good thing. It is instinctive and natural. We gravitate toward like minds and like activities. Much like the natural survival instincts of history we collect together and form a group that bonds and protects and socializes. We survive together even if we no longer fear lions and tigers and bears.

We, the group, must be careful that our customs, traditions and beliefs don't become mired in dogmatic doctrine with a rigidity that removes any chance of flexibility and change. We must be mindful that all things change and that change is a good thing. If it were not then we would not have the great Tai Chi, the I Ching and the Tao Te Ching - among others.

If we allow our group to become so rigid then we lose site of balance as taught by the Ancients - Nature. It is like the sky above, the earth below and all of the living things - in the moment, present, and moving through time.

That which nature and the ancients teach is nothing is made of stone. All things are headed somewhere. We live in the moment and the moment is a continuous changing moving moment - moment by moment. To achieve balance we accept the moment, the movement, the change. Change means allowing that what we know and knew are not permanent. We must allow our customs, traditions and beliefs to live, breath, and grow - change.

Accept the changes, gain balance and believe - believe in change. Sometimes you just have to let go!

Red-Blue | Yang-Yin | In-Yo | Heat-Cold

2011-08-23T15:36:00.001-07:00

The great tai chi symbol originally was red and white. It occurred to me that there may be more interpretations to the symbol not covered in my previous postings. We see in today's symbol the colors black and white. I discovered that long ago when first created there were no dye's for black and of course white is usually a byproduct of creating paper or bamboo where no color could be interpreted later as white. I would suggest that if dye's were available for blue it might have been the opposite to the red.

I can only speculate that we see the common black-white as an interpretation of dark and light or the night sky vs. the sun's daylight. All of these to my mind work and have a sense of truth.

I have come to understand that if the red and blue has been used we could then use the forging of a Japanese sword, the Katana, as representative of the forging we as martial artist must endure to create a balance enlightened person.

The color red represents fire and heat. Fire and heat are used to heat the metals of the soon to be blade of the katana. If we were to allow that to occur and then stop with out consideration for the entire process the sword would actually be brittle. If we heat it then simply dip it once in the cool blue water then it will cool rapidly and once again if not considered as a whole process leave a brittle blade. It is a repetitive process of hot/red and cool/blue to work the metal until it reaches that stage where it adheres to a strength that allows it to endure battle yet flexibility that prevents it from breaking. It allows just enough of a combination in forging to create one of the finest blades known to man.

Red is also representative of anger. Anger if not cooled and tempered will create a brittle mind and body easily defeated in all crises. Using a cool mind represented by blue which is related to cool, peaceful and a comfort we can temper the minds anger from red to blue until we reach a mind and body that remain present and balanced.

Is this a viable hypothesis?

Customs, Traditions, Cultures and Beliefs

2011-08-19T09:09:00.001-07:00

Customs: accepted or habitual practice; a specific practice of long standing; Frequent repetition of the same act; way of acting common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing or living; a specific practice of long standing, etc.

Traditions: A long-established custom or belief that has been passed on in this way; An artistic or literary method or style established by an artist, writer, or movement, and subsequently followed by others; an inherited pattern of thought or action; a specific practice of long standing, etc.

Culture: The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively; The attitudes and behavior characteristic of a particular social group; The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group; the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group; acculturation: all the knowledge and values shared by a society, etc.

Beliefs: An acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists; Something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion or conviction; Trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something; impression: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed; any cognitive content held as true, etc.

I have been informed that Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei spoke to a few American's who seemed to have an interest in continuing his system of practice of the intent to learn more about the Okinawan customs, traditions and beliefs. We know that he spoke of these things as he presented those first few the silk certificates that included a rank/level pronouncement and the ken-po goku-i. Some attempted to get a greater explanation of his intentions - alas, none were forthcoming so reliance on second and third had testimonials are used.

I have no way to know for sure if this was intentional on Tatsuo Sensei's part of just a huge chasm between the cultures of Okinawa and America. It is known that humans create a world through the perceptive filters created by environment, culture, customs, traditions and beliefs of family and the society to which the family is a member. Experience as we travel through life adds, supplements, modifies our perceptive filters thus changing the world we create by our mind. Those filters provide us the knowledge and experience to either take the red pill or the blue pill.

Our own customs, traditions, culture and beliefs drive us and it can be difficult to observe and learn of other customs, traditions, cultures and beliefs if any of the data causes stress as it may or may not relate to our own - cognizant dissonance occurs and creates cause and affect to the perceptive filters of our mind.

The greatest challenge to the transmission of a system such as Okinawa Karate, i.e. Tatsuo's interpretation of karate in Isshinryu, is that our preceptive filters tend to cause changes thus changing the traditional beliefs of the original system into something unique to the individual, the individuals family and the individuals tribe/society where they reside. Classical training takes precedence when a practitioner works diligently to remain as true as humans can to the original intent, training, customs, traditions, culture and beliefs of the creator - such as Tatsuo Sensei and Okinawan Isshinryu.

This becomes a conundrum to the practitioner of the systems of karate or other martial systems. It is believed that once a human intervenes in an experiment that experiment is thus tainted unintentionally. That unintentional intrusion that causes a distinct effect to the experiment taints any chance of an unbiased result.

As today's practitioners take on the mantel of Isshinryu and martial arts generally they influence that practice intentionally and unintentionally. I believe that a true practitioner of a martial art cannot avoid this shift due to the personal perceptive filters created over our life time.

The most difficult aspect of my practice of a martial system is learning to see past some of my filters with a mind that this also is tainted by those same filters. This is a truth that colors our world where clarity over rose colored shadows can lead and mislead. This is my belief in the disparities encountered between various Isshinryu houses. They all have a distinct blueprint that manufactured that home or dojo. Changes are not impossible, merely difficult if approached from a path foreign to the belief system of that dojo.

It is my hope that I can inspire a very small view that transcends the view currently held in each dojo of Isshinryu. To inspire a change. A change that benefits the system and promotes the core belief of its founder to learn of his customs, traditions, culture and beliefs which will promote a better understanding of all customs, traditions, cultures, and beliefs - all of them.

Let me close this post by saying that I understand a bit more why Tatsuo Sensei asked his American practitioners to embrace this study. It does seem to enrich the practice and the system itself overall. It also promotes my personal belief that taking this intent places its importance within those fundamental principles of all martial systems. It fits to how we interact with other tribes, other societies, and other nations.

Buddhism and Martial Arts

2011-08-17T09:52:00.001-07:00

Historically speaking and to give due regard to the practice of all martial arts one should study the history of the arts. In my case that means Okinawan origins with extensive influences by China and later Japan pre-1900's and early 1900's.

When a person speaks about Buddhism they tend to direct thoughts of Japanese origins. This is true to a small extent. The martial artists must realize that the Buddhist influences originate from China and China's Buddhism originates from India. It can be a bit daunting when you study the traditions of a system such as martial arts with specifics for me in karate of Okinawa.

To better understand what was in the minds of those who created the systems we practice today it is important to study their traditions, beliefs and customs. A huge custom and belief for all is Buddhism - in one form or another.

I wish to take a look at some fundamentals of Buddhism to see how they connect to my practice of Okinawan Karate-jutsu-do and to understand what Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei meant by asking his American practitioners to study Okinawan's and their customs, courtesies and beliefs.

For me there is a bit of groundwork I want to express to set the stage for this post. I try to understand that humans fashion narratives/stories to express our self-understanding and to contribute to a structure of meaning for life. When we fashion/create these narratives/stories I understand them to be a form that provides me information of varying degrees as to the way I see the world and interpret my experience within the world.

I will often utilize various mythological symbols or narrative motifs from any surrounding data and then adjust-change-transform the meaning in some new and creative way - this is normal for any human mind to my current understanding.

I also make a note as to karma, karma being that "action" which is a moral belief of cause and effect which is then bases solely upon my actions.

Buddhism has what is referred to in some sects as the four noble truths. When you actually see the context of those truths they do relate to other beliefs and customs used in classical traditions of martial practice. They are:

1 - the truth of suffering.
2 - the truth of the arising of suffering.
3 - the truth of cessation of suffering.
4 - the truth of the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.

Taking the systems within the Ancient Chinese Classics, which are influential in both Okinawa and Japan systems, there is the great Tai Chi which fundamentally are the reference to Yang-Yin. Life is suffering. Take a moment to understand that our greatest lessons usually come from those things that cause suffering - look at it as stress from anger, fear, etc.

To begin to practice karate-jutsu-do you must know the "truth" of what is is and what it provides. To take just a small part of it results in incomplete knowledge, understanding and proficiency in use of its applicable principles and resulting techniques. In a nutshell to not understand the truth behind the practice will result in "suffering." Think personal damage, legal ramifications, and those medical resulting for use of karate-jutsu without the moral compass of such teachings.

Truth arises in karate practice if you fail to assimilate, study and apply the principles, etc. The goal is to stop the suffering by learning to apply karate-jutsu-do and avoid violent encounters, etc. that always result is suffering.

When we fully understand the truth of suffering and what causes it then we can truly take the path, or way, that results in our ability to stop that suffering. Take it to mean knowing the truth of fighting and violence whereby your practice achieves a level of proficiency where you can avoid it. On those rare occasions when confronted by crises you then apply the practices and principles that allow you to not use physical means to resolve the crises. Avoidance, deescalation, etc.

Lets say all the worst occurs then if you apply karate-jutsu properly you are able to keep the damage to the absolute minimum for you and your threat. Even now we can apply the third truth.

As spoken of in many martial arts narratives/stories the true master achieves enlightenment which is the truth of the path that leads to cessation of suffering. His or her mere presence defects threats and crises where they no longer need to apply the arts.

The four truths as to Buddhism provide a means for humans to become "Buddha Like" where there efforts within achieve ability to spread the truths and the learnings to others as society service. This sometimes referred to as a living "nirvana."

As we continue to view the fundamentals of Buddhism the four truths are expanded by the study and achievement of the eight-fold path. When you see how the break down of that path unfolds to Buddhist practices you will see a correlation to such things as Bushido.

The eight-fold path:

Right Understanding; Right Thought which equates to "Wisdom."
Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood which equates to "Morality."
Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration which equates to "Mental Discipline."

Can you start to see how it connects and cause-effects the practices of both Okinawan and Japanese martial arts?

It is understood that study of each is necessary to learn. It is understood that they are all developed and applied simultaneously. This is similar to the study of the fundamental principles of marital systems, you do them separately and apply them simultaneously. These eight-fold dimensions of practice are broken down into the "threefold learning." Once again numerology appears with the number "3."

In Buddhist practice of the truths and paths one must also develop proper morality through regulation of your speech (verbal, written, etc. communications - gentle art of verbal self-defense), your behavior, and your work. This means controlling your words or actions that may cause suffering for others. It is believed you also avoid occupations that cause harm to others such as arms dealing, etc.

Buddhism, like martial arts, asserts that there is a mental challenge required to achieve the various levels. A mental discipline that transforms the mind and thus the body.

Buddhism uses "meditation" a a means to transform your mind so that when dealing with the world you are able to act, think, and respond wisely and compassionately. This is promoted in those practices of avoidance, deescalation and so forth.

Buddhism is a philosophy of the mind. It is a guide to the layperson to allow them to select a path for life. It provides us the ability to see and hear that the world is not just a battleground between good and evil. It is a means for a person to transform the consciousness and follow a way so you can truly possess reality of the world.

It provides guidance, as we find in martial systems, to understand and control - somewhat - our intent: both conscious and unconscious intent. This then controls the actions that result not allowing the actions to simply act. It promotes, like in marital training, a moral behavior, think etiquette, etc., that creates a dependence to both mind and action - a mind-body connection.

The world we live in is a product of our minds. Everything in our world is altered by our mind - our conscious perceptions. Everything we sense is filtered through our consciousness and that can either distort it or recognize the truth in it by the experience.

Buddhist meditation, the moving meditation of martial practice, techniques were created and developed to teach humans to "see" the world and to wake us up to the interdependent and non-dualistic nature of reality.

An important principle of Buddhist practices, martial practices that result in a dogmatic adherence to that practice, teaches us that this conditioned "attachment" is a delusional reality that prevents us from breaking away from it. Meditation, martial practice, must therefor promote breaking away from the attachment to allow true understanding and the ability to see and hear reality and truth.

Buddhism is practiced within the realm of discipline and practice. Karate-jutsu-do is practiced within the realm of discipline and practice, practice, practice. In marital arts a person learns discipline and control of the mind. It can result in removal of the filters that distort our perceptions and reprogram the mind so that perceptions of reality are real and reflect the way the world is and not necessarily those of our narrative/story.

Buddhism increases the power of perception and the mind. Martial arts increases the power of perception and the mind. Since our only access to reality is by way of our minds the martial practice trains the mind to see and hear and sense truth of reality. Buddhism and Martial Arts both achieve this.

To understand the classical traditions, beliefs and customs that made the martial arts what they are you would need to understand those traditions that influenced their creation. To understand such as Buddhism and its cousins Zen, etc. you would seek out the knowledge then understanding from their studies. This provides the balance needed to truly learn, practice and teach authentic classical traditions of the martial arts world.

2011-08-15T14:59:00.001-07:00

Something to Consider?

Falling Down the Rabbit Hole

2011-08-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

If we as martial artist take that leap into the rabbit hole we are acknowledging failurs, loss of power and control or a failure toward casutiousness. As we fall we get a feeling of flying providing a real sense of independence. It denotes we are regaining real control by the process of falling into the rabbit hole. We also sense a feeling of freedome and release that relate to attaining a transcendant state.

The hole itself represents a start of a change or transformation. It also represents our deepest most transcendent wisdom or information about our unconscious. It is seeing into our depths, what does this reveal.

We could also accept the well to represent our deep seated unconscious information about our wisdom. It can mean our effort to look deep down into the depth of ourselves to see what we can reveal.

In the Matrix trilogy they used another symbol that is merely a vertical shaft vs. a horizontal one, i..e cave vs. well, where the cave is about our inner most or hidden issues. Those we covered up unconsciously to feel good about ourselves and to alleviate pain and suffering. We enter the rabbit hole or cave to see just what we can find, what we keep hidden and to find out where discovery leads.

Wells, rabbit holes, caves, etc. are all under ground. Underground symbolizes that hidden side of self. It is that shadow that lies in the depths of experience. It is that otherworld, that matrix, - the mystical world beyond the veil of reality. It is our soul where reside our spirits. It represents who we are and where that comes from as to our past.

The rabbit hole symbolizes a hallway as well. Another vertical well or tunnel. Entering into and following the path of a tunnel that our unconscious creates can open our innermost memories and feelings. This is especially important to those that we bury deep to hide away and from. It can also symbolize a re-birth or resurrection. It also shows you the doorways leading off the hallway that can be various apsects of you and inform you that they connect to one another. That connection is important so you realize that those connections that are hidden still affect those that are not dragging one or the other back into the depths of the unconscious reflecting stresses and their effects.

The corridor is no mans land, a place between conscious and unconscious where being stuck/trapped is unsatisfactory to life and health and well-being. It leads to some end and that ending is determinant on your awareness of this corridor, this well, the cave, the rabbit hole. Just how deep, long or wide remains within your control.

It is apparent that the opposite of this is the rabbit hole can also mean a regression, tuning inward, to escape from threats, problems, boredom and those stories that hurt, cause pain, and create effects that are not good for the mind and body.

The opposite also shows the symbols of the rabbit hole, etc. as a pit or void. It means a place of emptiness. A place where feelings are trapped. We face the void only to understand that means falling into it. We fall into the nothing, but with the potential to increase awareness with a effect of transformation beyond our imaginations. This is the power of change. The power of self-liberation.

Often in martial arts we refer to becoming a state of awareness like a mirror that reflects truth and understanding. It represents our looking inward to seek enlightenment. It can symbolize self-image. It can represent our identity - both good and bad. It means looking, seeing, into the unconscious to see exactly who we are and to reveal all that we hide from ourselves. The confusion can be informing. It can still provide information to show you you.

The opening to the well, corridor, cave, etc. can be an entrance, opening, or a door. It can be a symbol to new experiences as well as a passing from one state of self to another. The new self being a new realization of self. Doors are something you can or not open. It can open you to other people and ideas. This is an entrance to a new life. The walking through a door is a transit into another space - a transition. How we transit to another space is like walking, crawling, falling, riding, running, flying or jumping. Walking can symbolize/signify a confident entrance to the unconscious; falling can mean out-of-control or accidental or a chaotic quality to the transit. You need to ask yourself as this stage: where, how, or what are you transitioning toward?

This is what we do when we take on a martial practice. This is what must be accomplished to balance out the body and mind. This singular endeavor can insert the key into the door that lets you see just how far the corridor goes, how deep the well, the rabbit hole and just how deep and wide the cave.

Thank You

2011-08-12T09:56:00.001-07:00

A few years ago I began seeking more. I felt a need to know about SD and fighting beyond my then current level. It provided me many discoveries. Discoveries about my training, practice and me. The me part has recently become more discovery than I intended. It is something I needed and did not know I needed.

I have discovered some not very nice traits. If not for the teachings of many I would not have discovered those things and that would be depressing and most unfortunate.

I want to say thank you to a few folks. I won't provide names. I don't wish to forget or overlook any one person - not nice of me. I want to say thank you to those folks for putting themselves out there. Those efforts provided me the awareness that will result in my growth as a person. I want to say thank you to the authors, web sites, blog posters, article authors, teachers/mentors/instructors and those references they provided that led to this recent epiphany. I would not and could not have discovered the needs and traits without that effort - thank you.

The road before me is going to be the most difficult road I have ever encountered in my life of fifty-seven years. The only regret, I was not aware or astute enough to see what was needed at a much younger age. It is truly never to late.

So, with out more I say to all of you, "thank you."

GAVSD (Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defence)

2011-08-12T08:41:00.001-07:00

I have posted recently on this particular self-defense written by Dr. Elgin, PhD. and want to clarify something. It may seem as if I am promoting this a the ultimate art of self-defense. I am simply excited by the possibilities this type of knowledge can achieve in crises handling. It is relevant and a tool like any other tool that provides benefits when used properly. I just happen to feel it is a fundamental tool in avoiding conflicts.

I have all the GAVSD books. I have read almost all of them first time around. I know I will read them again and again. I also will actively follow her recommendations to improve my communications. That improvement will also provide me more knowledge to improve my self-protection method of avoidance. It has already in my personal and professional life.

My enthusiastic postings are my efforts to inspire readers to read her books. To decide on the value for themselves. If you enjoy my posts that is frosting on the cake for me.

Ego Driven Blog?

2011-08-11T11:18:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when I write and post I consider the reasons. I ask myself if I am doing this to feed my ego. It is difficult to really tell. I tell myself it is a good model to learn and pass along thoughts and idea's on my practice and training. I tell myself that I write in a manner that leaves ego and pride out of it - I ask, "Am I successful?"

My efforts to see what is down the rabbit hole sometimes seems truthful. Sometimes it seems not. I discovered using the word seem can be deceptive. Can this mean I am just discovering its true meaning therefore provides the opportunity to reflect once again and discover the truth vs. a self-deception?

Can I be honest with myself now and say, "My efforts to see what is down the rabbit hole is truthful. Sometimes it is not."? At this particular moment I can say, yes. I can also say that this requires self-honest evaluation on a consistent basis. It is easy to fall back into those habits that developed digging the rabbit hole deeper.

Something to consider ... what we say and do and write ... is it filled with presuppositions that provide hidden self-talk that the unconscious mind recognizes with out more conscious awareness resulting in a deeper and darker rabbit hole?

In an honest effort I will say I believe that my blog(s) are a teaching tool for me and a means to express to others my ideas and thoughts for comment and feedback of a beneficial way - to learn and create light in my rabbit hole. Is there a presupposition that is within this statement nullifying it?

My wife uses a Sufism, "Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?" Can this be used for posting as well? All three or two or one of them? How would you accomplish this?

The Rabbit Hole

2011-08-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

To achieve awareness first recognize that the rabbit hole is yours and your standing over it. Look down the rabbit hole and you may see nothing but darkness that runs deep. This is a good thing - self-awareness of the rabbit hole.

To know just how deep the rabbit hole goes you must get some light to see past the darkness. This is an internal event. It is a self-crises that must be overcome to light the rabbit hole.

To send light down the rabbit hole to see just how far it goes is to become aware of those things within us that are not allowing the truth to be present and in our consciousness. To see just how far the rabbit hole goes you must choose to take the red pill or the blue pill. As always, your choice.

To become aware, take the red pill to open the mind and become aware of the rabbit hole. Many tend to take the blue pill. It is a painful process to light up the rabbit hole, look into it - like looking into your soul - and then taking that first step into the rabbit hole.

I have taken the red pill. It is a hard path and I still am not sure where the rabbit hole will take me. I have discovered that the hole although dark and deep still provides growth and serenity to my life as I encounter each thing and change it to a more positive thing - a most difficult task.

The practice of karate-jutsu-do in tandem with the ken-po goku-i was my red pill. During my journey down the rabbit hole each level in my training, practice and studies has created a greater light intensity showing me the way. The rabbit hole is deep. The light removes doubt and fear and frustrations so I can truly see beyond the many stories covering my self.

I don't say this to express that this is the way. It is just my way and my philosophy. I have taken the red pill, I remain in wonderland and I am finding out just how deep the rabbit hole is. If I had taken the blue pill I would still be blissfully living in the matrix believing everything the matrix wanted me to believe regardless and in direct opposition to truth.

Unlike Cypher, I would not desire to return to the matrix and be plugged back in for the benefits I have experienced next the pain of discovery and change is far greater.

Jutsu-Do

2011-08-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Recently I read the article, "Jutsu vs. Do," by Iain Abernethy Sensei. Outstanding article read here first if you so wish.

Abernethy Sensei does an excellent job explaining his perceptions and understanding of the two terms as applied to the practice of martial systems. I agree with his assessments. I also believe it explains an aspect taught in Chinese Classics that all life deals with a duality of Yang-Yin.

To me, karate is both jutsu and do, much like Sensei articulates in his post. To me, it is the duality of karate training and practice. To practice and maintain the traditions of Okinawan karate both sides of that coin must balance to achieve a level of proficiency leading to enlightenment - both physical and psychological.

The ken-po goku-i, the bubishi, the I Ching, and the Tao Te Ching bring many lessons with a theme of duality in balance. To meld jutsu and do, dojo and society, internal self and external person, etc. Everything connects and this is one lesson of many in karate-jutsu-do.

The naming of a system should exemplify the systems principles. To provide a limiting title creates confusion and misunderstandings. Take the title/name "karate." Depending on who is hearing the term, title, name you get many differing explanations/interpretations of just what that means. Until you clear that air you cannot truly understand its true meaning in practice and training.

So much in training is missing due to misunderstandings through ambiguities such as this. It may seem frivolous yet it does have an affect. You may ask, "Why bother?" Use verbal self-defense skills as the example. If you cannot determine meaning and then articulate a response how can you deescalate and/or avoid the common crisis/conflict that results when things go bad. Verbal communications are known to be the impetus of most conflicts.

Read his article. Consider what it means to you and then decide. It is your practice and training. It is your goals and accomplishments in this that matter. If it provides balance then it is good.

One

2011-08-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

The great Tai Chi. The one that became Yang-Yin. Then became the trigrams then hexagrams. The one. The one of karate. The one in life, that one thing that brings meaning to all things. Isshinryu or "one" heart method/way/technique, etc.

Neo, the one, the one who will free the mind. Through our practice of the one heart we can learn to free our mind. Neo is an anagram for one, just look for it.

To grow in spirit practice with one in mind, the one being you, yourself, you within your mind and body. Learn to break the one into the two and find them in balance through your practice and training.

Use the full and complete training of kata. Not many but just one kata.

One kata, not many. Many is fine once you learn the one. Learning one kata has come to mean learning the movement. The movement must be clean, crisp, and most of all pretty. I mean pretty like the performance in floor exercises in gymnastics or up on the rings or even the horse or beam. This takes great skill. In kata it means something is missing.

Learn one kata means to truly learn it to its fullest depth and breadth. Often I have posted that to learn one kata means you learn all kata. To spend time and effort on one will teach you what you need to then learn other kata in a shorter time period. Why? Because you know the depth and breadth of one kata. That one kata encompasses those principles that transcend kata versions as well as systems and styles be they hard, soft or a combination thereof.

Often the idea of many kata as many black belts for many systems or styles has become the goal, the marker of a master. Too bad, so much is missed because of this misconception of proficiency and ability. To score 9.8's and 9.7's for kata performance has taken precedence over kata to self protection, combat, fighting, or what ever is required for the moments scenario. Too bad ...

Spending all your time on many kata leaves no time to learn karate. Yes, you can do the form in its most rudimentary level - can you apply it randomly yet with direct application to the appropriate threat? Too bad ...

To learn one kata with all the fundamental principals of martial systems then learning what violence is and achieving the ability to recognize it and act accordingly overcoming all its adversities is a real challenge, does your kata do that? Too bad ...

If I had to lay claim to just one thing in all my years of practice it would be with pride I would say I learned one kata completely, thoroughly, deeply and to its greatest breadth much like gazing at the heavens and seeing no end or limitations. I would say I learned one kata this way and made it work.

When you have learned your first kata moves and your Sensei says your ready to begin the next, STOP, respectfully ask to learn all there is to learn on that one kata first - you have all the time in the world to add to your kata with meaning and purpose toward karate's meaning and purpose. Wouldn't that be great?

If your the offspring of the traditional, post 1900's implementation to schools on Okinawa and Japan, form of learning it is not too late. Stop, choose the one kata that speaks to you as the unique individual you are and then seek the knowledge to learn and practice "just one kata" to completion. You will enrich your training and practice and thus achieve greater understanding of all those other rudimentary kata. Sounds good to me ...

Seeing, Hearing, and Feeling

2011-08-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

The ken-po goku-i speaks directly to the two terse references to seeing and hearing. We can go on-n-on on those two. It appears another very important sense to use and understand for karate-do through this reference is "feeling."

Iain Abernethy Sensei speaks about the use of two hands in kata bunkai. The use of the hands where while one strikes the other is feeling the body movement as well as deflecting, etc. to supplement the striking hand. Note: there is more to this. Recommend viewing his video's for more.

The ability to feel the movement of the threat gives you additional sensing information to properly act. It tells you they are moving, in what direction, and then by its message provides you the actions necessary to exploit that movement.

In addition a karate-ka must not rely only on seeing or hearing or feeling. It should be a combination of all of them. Sometimes hearing a noise, looking to identify and classify may not be enough. A lot of times when attacked from the rear or blind side all you get is the ability to feel an aggressive touch. Once you feel it you have to act, to move, and to apply actions that will keep you from damage.

Feeling may be implied in the ken-po goku-i. It is not directly referenced, obvious to the reader. You can get an inference to feeling if you know to recognize the ken-po goku-i though symbolism and the Isshinryu-no-Megami. The time to strike is symbolized by the open and closed hands of the goddess so you can kind of extrapolate that this includes feeling with the hands. Going outside the box would add that feeling the others hands, i.e. open being representative of non-aggressive touch vs. closed hand representative of an aggressive touch or strike or joint manipulation and so on.

You can also use symbolism of the darkness represented in the goddess to mean one must use touch and thus how that touch feels something with interpretation as to that objects intent be it aggressive or not. We must use our hands and touch and feeling through the touch sense to determine obstacles and threats in darkness of all kinds.

Symbolism and its teachings, something to consider.

Thanks to Iain Sensei for this lesson on two hands and feel/touch, etc. Sometimes the obvious remains hidden until someone turns on a light. Light on! I also must mention that Rory Miller expresses the importance of touch or feeling to fighting, etc. in his book Facing Violence. Mr. Miller also speaks of smell as well which is unusual - how many teaching SD speak of touch and smell?

The Matrix is Real

2011-08-02T08:20:00.001-07:00

We live in a matrix of our own doing every single day. Recent viewing of the matrix with story notes stimulated this thought. It can seem real yet some distant instinctual ghost of a thought says this is something more or different although seemingly real. This can be the stories we tell ourselves to make life comfortable - our comfort matrix of our mind.

We each experience life. Each of us will interpret those particular experiences and assume it represents reality. This is true to each individual due to their particular believe system which when compared to other systems becomes a divergent belief system that each of us possesses - The Matrix. Our belief system can be wrong and therefore our reality is not what we think it is - our matrix, the matrix.

If true then our reality is to be questioned in order to discover what exists behind our self induced illusions - our stories of comfort.

To be free from the matrix of our own design we shall have to accept the truth of the world which is the only path to true enlightenment. We have to achieve an ability to get past the matrix or the true nature of the human mind and karate-do is a means to develop a mind-body ability to reach enlightenment - unplugging from our matrix.

No where else can I determine such direct confrontation of the matrix than by the mind-body practice of karate-do. No where else can I determine such rapid emphasis on the reality than when a technique or mind fails to perceive the reality of such endeavors, i.e. protection in fighting and/or combat, speaks by way of pain. Pain is a good teacher.

To achieve the "way" one must come to some state where the uneasy peace karate-do presents achieves a balance of both Yin-n-Yang, i.e. the rational and irrational of the matrix. Understanding first and foremost that our minds are a matrix - of a sort - that produces both reality and stories is paramount to escaping the matrix. Accepting that we can control our mind thus the matrix is to build and strengthen our will and creativity. It is our natural ability of free will utilization and our innate creativity that allows is to unplug. Sometimes the comfort of the matrix keeps us chained to such things as rigidity and dogmatic doctrine that limits our enlightenment.

Don't' allow the matrix to dictate to you what enlightenment is ... allow your mind to be free, freeing the mind from the matrix of our own making. After all, the matrix we deal with although influenced externally is still ours and we can change it - free will, creativity, due diligence, and believing in oneself are the key to following any path where the way of the empty hand is the first gate to open allowing access to the second and third gates.

Free your mind; free your body; achieve free will; build on creativity and all through the singular, the one, practice of karate-do [any do will do the same].

Bibliography:
Young, Mark. An Interpretation of the Philosophy of the Matrix Trilogy. 2003 - 2011. The Matrix 101. Date of Access: 2 Aug 2011 http://www.thematrix101.com/contrib/myoung_aitptm.php

Hearing

2011-07-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Ears must listen in all directions. Directions for this post are not just north, south, east, and west. Directions are multi-dimensional for both the physical world and the esoteric one.

There are so many benefits when you study something with a mind aware of the possibilities. In the last terse tome of the ken-po goku-i it states, "The ears must listen in all directions."

When you connect this with the system's symbol, i.e. the Isshinryu no megami, you find that the Goddess represents being alert and listens attentively. There are no restrictions or set definitions as to what this means yet if you really do the research you find that listening attentively has many benefits.

Research has proven that talking, emotionally or innocuously, results in unhealthy effects while "actively listening" provides many healthy ones. One causes increases in blood pressure while the other lowers it.

To actively listen provides healthful benefits that extend into martial arts where such active listening keeps you calm and breathing properly for a stable and alert mind allowing you to perceive what is needed to avoid-deescalate confrontations.

Seems like a win-win situation ... make it your effort to actively listen and leave the talking to the bare minimum.

Why so many posts on "seeing and hearing?"

2011-07-19T15:55:00.001-07:00

We process information of the world by our senses. The majority fall under either sight or hearing - primary. The others, i.e. touch, taste, smell, are important and most of us in martial arts must, should, will train to use those as well yet the eyes/ears are also a primary.

The others are more necessary when the two persons start to physically interact. Smell of a person tells you something; feel of a technique as applied tells you something; taste can also tell you stuff be it a taste in your mouth or something tasted, etc. yet what you see or hear are a primary tool in awareness.

In deescalation you eyes and hearing are critical to the communications you use but that is also tempered with knowing what to see and hear as well as what to say in response to the many stimuli you encounter in a self defense/protection scenario.

This is why you will see far more posts on seeing and/or hearing than other senses for SD, etc. or just for training/practice of martial systems.

Yes? No? Maybe? Comments?

The Eyes Have It

2011-07-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

There are two terms in Japanese that help explain this precept or tome or terse tome of the ken-po goku-i, i.e. kan (顔 - observing) and ken (見 - seeing).

It begins by telling us that the eye, generally for martial systems, is both strong and weak. Kan is a strong eye while ken is a weak eye. We see far and close where the focus may change what is seen from either strong or weak. We must achieve seeing as a sweeping broad fashion of seeing things.

Then we take into consideration strong and weak where directly seeing a thing is weak while seeing the peripheral as strong. This is what the gorin-no-sho states in, "you observe what is happening on both sides (peripheral) of yourself without rolling your eyes." This is that principle that uses such vision to see everything allowing the mind/brain to achieve superior action selection and implementation.

The art of seeing all things in martial systems is special to the art of fighting. To know a threats fighting system and yet not seeing its importance is not the arto of fighting and leads to getting hit.

We make many things important yet should understand that all the principles must be cohesive in application and practice/training to achieve a whole complete and useful system. Any imbalance to one or more leaves the art less than optimal. Seek the optimal, perfection as a path, at all times in training/practice.

This can be applied to "hearing," "striking," "moving," "balance," "hard-n-soft," and other aspects of the ken-po goku-i as it connects to the fundamental principles of martial systems.

COMPARISON: “karate ni sente nashi.” and "The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself."

2011-07-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

First, there are many differing opinions on when a strike meets either of these principles requirements or meaning to a karate-ka. The first tends to speak of not "attacking" first regardless of it being a strike, punch, or kick, etc. The second in its present English inference speaks of a particular, i.e. strike, but may actually mean any physical means of attack. Here is where the rub lies, the differing opinions that come from no one accepted expert source/validation.

Second, we cannot forget that this first principle is open to many interpretations due to the original presentation in Japanese characters which seem to rely on where, who, when, and what kind of preconceived/perceived experiences drive their particular explanations.

Third, and the majority of the remaining comments for this post, is how do we resolve and differentiate between these two principles or beliefs. Do we have to deal with cognitive dissonance and other such questions to come to a consensus between like minds.

I feel that in a real sense that keeping to the morals, beliefs, and meaning of both the individual and the mentor that all of us are correct when it results in a positive and beneficial result. Positive and beneficial as to the individual's needs and goals yet also meets those of the tribe/dojo and society as a whole - how society accepts or rejects such things.

Some of the justifications for this mode of belief are:

1 - Religious in nature, i.e. the commandments.
2 - The kata meaning, i.e. every kata starts with a block ...
3 - The meaning actually does not preclude striking first. The first attack consists of other than physical blows, etc.
4 - The belief once a threat is attacking karate-ka are free to "defend" regardless.
5 - The belief that you wait until the threat becomes physical is foolhardy, etc.
6 - The belief that our understanding of a threats intent governs how we implement the principles here.
7 - The belief that the two are more of a mid/late 1900's move toward cultivation of the mind by living to these precepts.
8 - The belief that these were created when the move to implementation into school systems to govern the watered down mostly physical versions governed.
9 - The belief that instruction of the mostly combative percepts in the dojo needed to be tempered by a moral code thus along with school implementation the more commercialization needed to add in for balance.
10 - The belief that it must be interpreted literally while its intent may have been more personally esoteric in nature.
11 - The belief that it actually means to do no harm to others, i.e "one must not harm others for no good reason."
12 - The belief, "a mental attitude of not being eager or inclined to fight."

On twelve I would quote, "Kobo Kenpo Karate-do Nyumon" chapter 10, "There is a precept “karate ni sente nashi.” Properly understood, this indicates a mental attitude of not being eager or inclined to fight. It is the teaching that just because one has trained in karate does not mean that one can rashly strike or kick others. ... the expression karate ni sente nashi should be properly understood to mean that a person who practices karate must never take a bellicose attitude, looking to cause an incident; he or she should always have the virtues of calmness, prudence and humility in dealing with others. (Mabuni and Nakasone 82-83)"

I personally believe that these two closely allude to this last belief and the quote below it. I have studied the ken-po goku-i as best as I possibly can and have come to the conclusion that it is never a good idea to get physical and that one must temper karate with humility and a belief system that promotes a calm and prudent attitude in all you do - not just regarding karate or any martial system.

To me the ken-po goku-i or law of the fist means that one only strikes, punches, or any other physical act when its need is presented to the victim in a manner leaving no other recourse - you fail to avoid, you let your awareness drop, or you allowed ego/pride to release your monkey brain precluding avoidance, etc. I also feel like the attempts to define the Tao-te-ching that it is something that exists when developed and nurtured by the person and is also not easily communicated but must be something felt at our core.

In conclusion from Okinawan Masters: "1930's era: ... Choki Motobu and Kenwa Mabuni – ... they strongly believed that striking first does not necessarily violate the sente nashi principle. Indeed, both men seem to have felt that a first strike is, under certain conditions, the only reasonable course of action for a karate- ka to take."

"Mabuni was “a staunch advocate of the moral values established to govern the behavior of karate-do practitioners” (McCarthy, “Standing” 34)."

p.s. Tao-te-ching, wonder if the te part can be connected to the hand in some philosophical inference/reference?

Bibliography:
Tankosich, Mark J. "Karate Ni Sente Nashi: What the Masters had to Say. [revised version of a paper that originally appeared in Vol. 27, No. 1 of the Hiroshima University of Economics Journal of Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences.] 2004 pdf format article from Charles Goodin Library Web Site.

Kenpo Gokui: What is gokui?

2011-07-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

I finally found a valid definition of the word, "gokui," where its meaning is, "The Ultimate Wisdom [or State]." Coupled with the meaning behind Ken-po, i.e. law of the fist, we find that this is "Ultimate wisdom for the law of the fist."

Gokui by itself came about through the writings of the Japanese Sword Saint, Miyamoto Musashi, in his book, "The Book of Five Elements." Yes, you read that right. Apparently it is not actually a Book of Five "Rings" but rather a loose inference to the Chinese five elements which are very apparent when reading the five chapter titles, i.e. Earth, Water, Air, etc.

I recently came across a book on Samurai that seemed to focus on various folk tales to express the customs, traits, etc of what Samurai and thus the Japanese Warriors of ancient times to help us relate to today's characterizations as to martial systems. In that version/translation of the Gorin-no-sho the author uses Gokui to refer to the ultimate understanding of the art, martial art.

This seems to follow with the implied meaning Tatsuo Sensei meant us as practitioners to seek out such an ultimate wisdom of the laws of the fist, karate. In this particular case the system of Isshinryu.

I was unable to find a solid reference to what gokui meant until I ran across the meaning provided for the Gorin-no-sho translation. When I read it, the light came on and it felt right for the totality of meaning toward the study of the terse key called the "ken-po goku-i."

In addition, research also provides the following:

法 - Law, method, code of laws, law, rules, regulation.
Gokui: 奥 : 奥義 the secrets, esoterica, the mysteries
憲 - Kenpo: a rule, a regulation; 憲 - Kenpo: constitution, constitutional law
獄衣 - Goku-i: prison uniform/jail: Gokui: The Ultimate State or The Ultimate Wisdom

憲奥義 = Kenpo Gokui?

Bibilography:
Sato, Hiroaki. "Legends of the Samurai." Overlook Press. New York. 1995.

E-Language Processes to Follow:

2011-07-08T09:56:00.001-07:00

Look at this as E-Language Tactics so you don't find yourself in a e-language self defense mode or attack:

Rule 1: Force yourself to "think" before we speak or write.
Rule 2: Write down you message and read them carefully before you actually write them.
Rule 3: Print out your Internet messages and read them before you send them or save them.
Rule 4: Do something else for a few minutes and then go back and read them before sending.
Rule 5: When you feel like you have been attacked, hold the message for twenty-four hours before responding.
Rule 6: When you fired the opening shot, intended or unintended, hold it for twenty-four hours before responding.
Rule 7: When you send an unfortunate electronic message, do make all efforts to repair matters. Call or send an apology and/or explanation. Do what you can to set matters right.
Rule 8: DO NOT share intimate personal information by voice mail, e-mail, or on the Internet.

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Self-Defense at Work." New York. Prentice Hall Press. 2000.

Written Language and E-Language

2011-07-08T09:43:00.001-07:00

Wow, something I want to get out on this blog. Flame wars are misunderstood written language where a party projects some sort of internal misgiving, to be nice about it, into what they read. This is an important distinction when communicating by written language.

Remember, the written word does not convey the all important intonation or melodic pattern of the spoken word. It does not have any body language either. There is no way in hell you can possibly fully understand what is the meaning behind the written language of a post, etc.

I quote, "It is never sage to assume that you have been verbally attacked on the basis of written language alone!" - The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense at Work, chapter 6 "Malpractice of the Mouth," by Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D.

If you find that some written language/word/statement you receive in an email, letter or post either on a blog or social system has caused you to become angry then "stop it" and remove the "personalization" of it. It is you and not the composer. If you do get one then ask questions if you are unable to "hear the sequence from the speakers (author of original post/writing) own lips. Sometimes a back-n-forth of generic non-aggressive questions will get the author thinking and maybe the true meaning will arise in the thread. Note: If after two or three threads it does not clear up then drop it, remove any personalizations, and assume that until you can "see and hear" the person's intent and context that you just agree to disagree.

Sometimes you can get more by a phone call but that is lacking as well. It is so darn complex.

Final quote, "Unless you can find a way to hear the sequence from the alleged attacker's lips, or find additional evidence that the language was an attack, assume that it was a neutral utterance.? - The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense at Work, chapter 6 "Malpractice of the Mouth," by Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D.

"Language used on the Internet in e-mail, chat rooms, listserve messages, blogs, social networks, and the like. The same cautions hold for electronic language as for both spoken and written language, but they hold more strongly. This one applies to training yourself to "stay away from the send button" until you have written, reviewed, analyzed, re-written, and then with a count to ten and many deep rythmic breathes then and only then "send." When you write a message on the Internet, regardless of its neutrality or inappropriateness or plain abusive nature, it is gone - instantly and irrevocably. You can not get it back or revise it.

p.s. Now I am finally beginning to understand why Rory Miller gave this particular book/author such mention in his bibliography - it is an important key to SD, etc.

Get Your Own Philosophy ...

2011-07-08T08:21:00.001-07:00

I have theories. I have idea's. I have beliefs. I have my own philosophy. I have one for my life and one for my practice of karate-do-jutsu. They are intertwined. My philosophy is a mixture of many things that come from my personal life experiences. This means my philosophy is very personal and has nothing to do with anyone else or any other practice of martial arts. It is mine.

Get your own philosophy! I don't mean you ignore the philosophies of others especially those within the ancient classics of Asia. It would be important to take in philosophy from other sources for within those you may find tidbits that can make your personal philosophy more than you would have known existed.

When I post I am expressing many things from my viewpoint that rise up from within "me" and are a part of or a new addition to my philosophy of both life and karate-do-jutsu. Like the symbol of the great tai-chi, my philosophy is a never ending cycle between yin-yang to yang-yin influenced by my practice and studies of the martial-way-technique. It influences my life and my life influences it. This is good.

Don't assume an others philosophy. It may be cool but it is NOT your philosophy, it is thiers. Get your own philosophy. You can mix, match, add, subtract, divide, morph, meld - whatever but let all philosophies you study influence how you personally "choose" your philosophy.

We spend way to much time and energy trying to get others to buy into our philosophy when in reality it should be "we present ours so you can find your own" and that works. No one is in a vacuum, an island if you remember the quote. We are the center of the circle and we are the space outside of the circle. We are the circle and we must allow both inner and outer influences mix and form our personal philosophies.

We must assume the fundamental principles, the basic waza, the kata, the other various practices of the masters but we must NOT remain stagnant by dogmatically maintaining that practice but rather allow it to form a new and unique form by our philosophy and its influences on practice. It is necessary to remain faithful to the fundamentals of a system. It must be taught, initially, as it was meant to be taught traditionally yet it must rise up, grow, and blossom into a unique practice/philosophy of karate-do-jutsu.

The Ken-po Goku-i remains the same as we pass it down to our students. Yet, its meaning and teachings are open to the individual. Although it remains steadfast in its original form it has the ability to take the practitioner on a path that deviates from any other persons path. Why it is not defined adequately by Tatsuo Sensei or any other Isshinryu practitioner is because it was not meant to be rigid and inflexible. It was meant to present a key to open the doors to each unique person so they can "get their own philosophy."

My philosophy is mine. I hope it is and has provided thought provocation. Let it be a step toward your own philosophy.

Heart

2011-07-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Japanese believe that "truth" lies "only" in the inner realm as symbolically located in the "Heart" or belly (Hara). The Japanese believe that what is important and what is true toward human interactions lies in silence which is a kind of virtue similar to "truthfulness."

The words, "haragei and Ishin Denshin" symbolize Japanese attitudes toward human interactions in this regard. To understand the "Do" of a martial system as it relates to the Japanese view you should look to the Zen practice associated with traditional arts and the spirit of do (the way or path) which is characterized in the silence of meditation or mokuso. Zen is understood only at a deep and intuitive level. It can't be understood by words but through the constant practice we hear taught in the dojo and this is the actual explanation of the "why." Constant practice is focused toward meditation, quietude, and the emptying of our minds. It is a teaching of truth through a Zen connection which helps explain "Chinmoku" or silence in Japanese communications.

As you may be able to determine by this post the importance of learning the customs, courtesies and beliefs of a system both historical, especially as to traditional martial practice, and current are necessary to fully and completely understand the "what and why" of Asian martial systems and practice. It becomes critical if one actually goes to a traditional and Koryu based Dojo where the Sensei may still practice diligently these traits of the Japanese so one will understand and comprehend.

It is interesting that the Japanese look between the lines, into the void or spaces, for determining communications while we Americans tend to look directly at the lines seeking there what is actually in the white spaces between the lines and words, etc. It is like the great symbol of the Tai Chi, duality as in one side of the Earth the Japanese do it one way while at the opposite side of the Earth we do exactly the opposite.

The "do" practices also emphasize quietude and a grave atmosphere in which a controlled attitude contained within silence leads practitioners to the development of skill and success. Could this be because the silence or space between promotes present moment awareness where one looks toward the inner self to find and improve while the practice of the physical with a silence allows present moment awareness to perceive and feel the variances of the body so it may find balance and connect to the mind and thus the spirit of the person?

Silence in the dojo may also come from the Japanese identification with groups where the role of silence is creation of harmony and the avoidance of conflict. I can see this because most of the conflict I have witnessed usually rises to the inadequate communication, words, that folks exchange in a heated fashion.

Bibliography:
Davies, Roger J. and Ikeno, Osamu. "The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture." Tuttle Publishing. Tokyo, Japan. 2002.

Do-kyo: Taoism (Tao = "The Way")

2011-07-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

道 Do-kyo, do-jo, do-toku, bushi-do, etc."The Do Spirit of Japan"

To explain how Aimai works take "The Way" as characterized by the kanji above. Depending on its usage and the persons intent as to voice inflections and body language not to forget locale, beliefs, and other traits you will get many expressions such as the one in the title as well as practice room, street or road, morals, entertainment, tea ceremony, and of course the way of the warrior.

I remember its use in a movie long ago. It was used to set the stage as to how a Japanese Oyabun understood that an American actually had an understanding of Japanese ways with emphasis on "giri." The above character was set in stone among other smaller stones, i.e. a stone garden with water and other plantings, etc. that were esthetically perfect. It was the first time I understood the ambiguity of their language.

2011-07-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Shu Ha Ri -n- Di Ren Tian

2011-06-24T12:46:00.001-07:00

I am going to assume that all the readers of this post already know and understand the concept of Shu Ha Ri or is it shu-ha-ri or shuhari, whatever. Anyway, on he wiki I found a page that provides some information on Shu-ha-ri and at the very bottom it provided the Chinese equivalent. When I read the explanation of the Chinese version the bell started to ring as to the ken-po goku-i.

Di, the Chinese character represents "Earth" basics or fundamental principles if you will. This level is to experience movement at a fundamental level. A bit less of an explanation yet if you view the fundamental principles of the martial systems it will ring a bit better.

Ren, the Chinese character represents "Human" ready to learn. This might even equate to Sho-dan. It too is a middle area where some go and remain in this Country (my opinion here).

Tian, the Chinese character represents "Sky/Heaven" no conscious thought resulting in moving/flowing like the elements. A stage or higher level from many, many years of practice/training.

Where this connects for those who are familiar with the Isshinryu version of the ken-po goku-i are references to Earth, Human, and Heaven. You will also notice if familiar with I Ching that these are the three components of the Hexagrams. They also name representations of trigrams and even the lines.

Those who have read the history of Okinawa will see that this comes about from the huge influences of the Chinese over their entire history. Karate may be Okinawan but it was born from the Chinese martial influences. Look at it this way, Kenpo/boxing is the father and the I Ching is the mother and the child is Okinawan Karate. Once China-hand to now Empty-hand. Evolution, something fierce and unstoppable, nature and its nature.

Another view, humans learn from those teachings of nature which is a marriage of the Heavens and the Earth. The Sun, the moon, the other planets and the entire universe exert some influence against one another providing the balance that makes life possible, human beings or all living things of the Earth.

Wholehearted Person

2011-06-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

In Isshinryu systems, all the various tribes or factions regardless of the obvious differences, tend to believe and promote the idea of "wholehearted practice of Isshinryu, the wholehearted system of Okinawan Karate-do." When it comes to where the "rubber meets the road" do any one of us actually understand what that means?

I firmly believe Isshinryu coupled with the ken-po goku-i provide keys to achieving wholehearted practice of Isshinryu - this applies to any martial system be in karate, kung-fu, Aikido, etc.

In the training facility, the Dojo, I speak of "Reishiki" which to me means something like "courtesy, consideration, respect, etc." It is an action that reflects what is in my heart. This can be faked by performing flawlessly those outward actions that promote the idea of reishiki but how do we "know" if one is actually a wholehearted person?

Time! No one can keep up that type of face all the time and for long periods of time. We are humans and a human will always drop back down into that true space of what is in their heart - good or bad as the case may be. Bad folks can display charismatic personalities yet sooner or later the true heart of a person comes up like bubbling water from a natural spring.

One reason we might say, it matters not what you say but what you do, so show me on the dojo floor. Even this brings out the truth in "time." Time reveals actions as wholehearted or simply a false front that is "fool-hearted."

I train and practice and study to achieve a the way of the "wholehearted person." It requires many things but a chief one is balance in all things - seeing, hearing, feeling, sensing both sides of the coin of life.

Seeing and Hearing - Vision and Auditory

2011-06-17T14:43:00.001-07:00

Research has shown that people seen to have a preference as to what kind of sensory information they will prefer over any other. This research then focused pretty much on human vision and hearing. It is nice to also hear that today they are now adding in touch, taste, and smell. Apparently you can detect which is the preferred sensory input by their language.

If someone uses such words as "see or hear" then that might indicate what they see along with what they hear will have the greatest influences. Sometimes other words point to either see or hear.

Sight: see what you mean; see your point; looks good to me, etc.
Hearing: I hear you; I know exactly what your saying; sounds reasonable, etc.
Touch: It does not feel right; I can not put my finger on it; If feels okay, etc.
Smell: That is kind of fishy; the whole affair stinks; I will sniff around and fine out, etc.
Taste: I have a bad taste about it; I can taste what is rotten here; It sickens me, etc.

I have read from one professional that one determinant between a specific kind of attacker is what you smell. It was said that this type usually does not maintain their bodies so you will smell then when in a fight, etc. Another expert then explains that when it does get up close and personal your ability to feel the attacker will be superior to what you see, hear, etc.

Now as to avoidance-deescalation if your hearing someone using the stage of verbal attacking in the monkey dance or your encountering a charm predator then listen to the words, know what to look for in the verbal content then attach what they are using for their sensory input. This may affect what you do and say to avoid/deescalate the situation. Simplistic but should provide impetus to gain more knowledge and understanding in a complex field.ß

Match the sensory mode to the person. Just one more technique to achieve the SD of avoidance-deescalation. Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ...

Grateful-Appreciated

2011-06-17T07:44:00.003-07:00

I just wanted to recognize the following blogs and say simply, "Thank you for all your efforts, your blogs are an inspiration and an education. - Thanks!"

Martial View by John Vesia, Kowakan by Mario McKenna, Mokuren Dojo by Patrick Parker, Chiron by Rory Miller, Karate Thoughts by Charles C. Goodin, Dojo Rat by Dojo Rat ;-), 24 FightingChickens by Rob Redmond, My Journey to Black Belt and Countdown to Shodan by Sue C, Martial Secrets podcasts and blog by Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder, Tai Chi With Melissa by Melissa, Bushido Road by Felicia, and of course the many folks who take the time to read my stuff and especially those who provide feedback and comments.

While I am at it I want to say thank you to those many authors who provided me more knowledge than was available when I began. Old dogs do learn new tricks.

Thanks,

Charles

Yin-Yang | Good-Bad

2011-06-16T10:32:00.001-07:00

The ken-po goku-i, by its nature and composition, teaches us that everything from MA to life itself is comprised of two sides of a singular life force/form. In my post on the Okinawan Karate blog site I talk of the dual coin of humans, i.e. humans or people are good; humans or people are bad. The goku-i, for brevity, also teaches us karate-ka that all things are one yet are made up of two sides which tend to one degree or another are also the opposite of the other.

We speak of practicing wholeheartedly yet we tend to side with either a yin or a yang practice. Some practice as if it were a complete hard system while others a soft. In Isshinryu, my belief, it was meant to balance out both hard and soft.

If you notice it was created out of Goju, which tends to be practiced hard, and Shorin, which tends to be practiced soft. Isshinryu was meant to balance out the hard and the soft living up the the goku-i's maxim of balance of the two sides of yin-yang. It seems to be a core understanding that there are meant to be two sides and they are to be balanced.

Don't misunderstand, this does not mean when your hard your hard and when soft your soft but rather a blending of both to one degree or another. We can apply strictly hard but mostly a blending of both while some are more hard or more soft or some degree between. In some cases it is hard/soft equally.

Even the principles of martial power which in reality are actually "principles of martial practice" teach you this as well. Take the application of impact techniques where your with out tension then suddenly full of tension at point of impact into the target, etc.

The core of the goku-i is balance, being one by managing the two opposites of human nature, and achieving that in our martial practice. Using this as a basis then can be achieved in all aspects of life.

Is there actually an accurate translation of the ken-po goku-i?

2011-05-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

Click for larger view.

I wonder all the time which of all the translations are accurate to the kanji passed to us as the "ken-po goku-i." Let me begin by what is provided just for the title, "ken-po goku-i."

Ken means "fist." Po means "law." But doe it really mean that when you look at the kanji. I will use the translation from the AJA tribe which has not apparent kanji characters available for the title. I have one copy of the silk certificate where you can extrapolate the approximate characters but since it is written by hand and the clarity is questionable who can tell for sure.

First, the block and hand written versions in the accompanying graphic have no kanji for the title of ken-po goku-i. In the silk certificate you can see at the far right four characters that would fit the "ken" "po" "goku" "i" translation. Since they are written in what I would call "freehand or cursive style" it is hard to determine the exact characters.

Some may ask the question, "Why bother?" Well, from my perspective if we are to study the system completely we must study the ken-po goku-i but to do that we must find the "correct and accurate" translations of the characters. If you compare these three you can at least determine with some accuracy the block characters to the free hand of the silk certificate and be pretty positive they are the same.

This reminds me of the study of the I Ching, did the translator's get the character to English right?

I have two kanji sites I will use to try and determine the meaning of the characters. Also, I have humbly asked a Isshinryu practitioner who is currently stationed on Okinawa to see if he can get a more accurate translation from the Okinawan Isshinryu practitioners, etc. Petty Officer 2nd Class Andy Sloane, Go-dan Isshinryu Karate-do.

1 - http://www.saiga-jp.com/cgi-bin/dic.cgi?m=search&sc=0&f=0&j=&g=&e=&s=&rt=0&start=1&sid=1256767060_65568
AND
2 - http://translate.google.com/#en|ja|

Another issue is that these characters have more than one meaning when taken separately which also convolutes the translations and overall meaning. Take the character for "heart" which is used in the Isshinryu kanji as well, it is " 心 ."

1 - heart: 心 = mind, spirit, heart, a soul, a thought, will, a mood, a feeling, sincerity, consideration, sympathy, the core
2 - heart: 心 = heart, mind, core, wick

As can been seen there are several ways to interpret the kanji. Another issue as will be seen is that when you translate the English versions of the kanji translations through the google translation module you find that the characters that are provided in the silk, and other, certificates don't translate to those English versions - none of them.

Note: The thought just occurred to me of another road block to understanding martial systems with my emphasis on Isshinryu and Ken-po Goku-i. Humans, my theory, tend to "stop" when they first perceive an answer they feel is what they are looking for in relation to their experience and understanding to that point. It is the same when reading we come across the very first thing that seems to answer our inquiry according to our perspective and view then we "stop." This may also be why the translations don't gel, we got what seemed like the stuff we seek and never took it beyond that point. My experience to date, a hard lesson still trying to work past, indicates that we need to go beyond our acceptance and seek out more knowledge for that additional knowledge will change our views, knowledge, and perceptions.

Back to the title, ken-po goku-i. The first part, ken, is 拳. I have viewed it in both 1 & 2 to find that it, the kanji character, matches the one in the silk certificate. It means, "fist." The part, "po," has been provided as "law" in most translations. I found in both 1 & 2 the same character as the silk, "法," which means "law" in both.

We can translate the first two title characters as, "拳法," as "fist law." So, this seems to translate to "fist law for ken-po." Yet, does it really. What happens when you put fist and law together in 2. You get, "拳法," which seems to work, in this case. I also reversed the translation in 1 and got back the same, which often is not the case, of "Kenpo."

Here is where things get a bit muddled, the goku-i part in both 1 & 2 don't match to the two remaining characters in the silk version of the graphic so we must do a bit of hunting to find the correct translations. How do we do that? First, what is the English translation found on various sites:

Click for larger view.

a. essential principles or essential points which become, "essential = 必須 and point = 点," no match. As a matter of fact, which adds to the confusion, when the characters are copied and placed in the reverse they translate to "required." Interesting, yes! Essential principles is, "essential = 本質的な and principle = 原理. Neither translate properly and in reverse, "本質的な原理 = essential principles." Do we start to "see" how convoluted it all is and that translations are very difficult if we don't know and understand the author's intent as to the time, place, customs, and beliefs of that person and time and country!

The hand written version has what the author "believes" are the English equivalents but do they, according to the translation of 1, you get:

person 人 - heart 心 - same と同じ - heaven 天 - earth 地

and we can tell immediately that although separately some are verified yet not all and one that does partly has two other characters that are appended, etc. to complete the translation.

If we translate just the English in site 2 we get:

person 人 - heart 心 - same と同じ - heaven 天 - earth 地
blood 血液 - pulse パルス - similar 同様 - sun 日 - moon 月
method 方法は、- hard ハード - soft ソフト - swallows 飲み込む - spit 唾
position 位置 - advance 事前 - pass パス - separate 別の - meet 満たして
body 体 - follow します - movement の動き - proceed 続行 - change は、変更
hand 手 - meet 満たす - empty 空 - suddenly 突然 - enter のように入力します
eye 目 - necessary 必要な - see を参照してください - four 四 - sides 辺
ears 耳 - "should examine" を調べる必要があります - eight は、8つの - directions 方向

Although the core characters, mostly, appear there are still other characters that are added to make the translation work in this site. The first site does not allow for full translations that can be added to this post but if you take a few moments and punch in the English you find some are accurate but have again many other English meanings so which would be correct and/or accurate.

Since I could not find a character for either goku or i I find that the character translation for that part is to be even more "iffy" but maybe Sloane Sensei can provide them from Okinawa.

I took the next graphic from site 1 and find that they "might" be the closest characters using a lot of leeway. They would mean essential points and if they are by some chance correct we get, "fist law essential points," which to my view come close to what I would use as a meaning behind the title of this group of characters.

The mind-body principle [体心]

2011-05-25T16:02:00.001-07:00

The ken-po goku-i speaks of the "heart" which is given the character 心 and is also a part of the characters that give us the English translation of "Isshinryu" or "One Heart System/Style." 一心流 which if you go a bit further you will find that the character used to denote the "mind" for mind-body is also the one for heart and spirit, i.e. 心 and since these all lead to the human person in relation to the heavens or the tai-chi we can see a connection to the system of karate-do we call Okinawa Isshinryu.

We also then find that in the Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman he has a section on the principle of Body-Mind where I quoted in a previous post on one of my blogs.

The Isshinryu system and its connections to the Ancient Classics as well as the gateway of the ken-po goku-i along side the preaching of Tatsuo Sensei that we Americans must get to know the Okinawans as to customs, courtesies, and beliefs for to do this gives us insight to the systems they created and pass on to us as practitioners.

Martial Arts Functions Because of a Balance of Forces

2011-05-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

The ken-po goku-i provides us hints of this principle, under triangulation point principle, in the first two references to the relationship of humans to nature or the Universe's influences which are a balance of energies, i.e. Yin-n-Yang.

We also see references in the manner of our actions being hard and soft as required; the balance of the body in changing direction where this reference to a balance of forces alludes to the shifting of legs with the body weight balanced and transitioned as the legs move into and out of stances along with applicaiton of hand/arm techniques establishing and removing a "third leg balance point" in motion.

A variety of forces are at play and can be referenced into the ken-po goku-i. I have an extended post I am constructing where I will reference each of the principles to the appropriate ken-po goku-i line, i.e. Heaven and Earth, Balance, Eyes, etc.

Since all martial arts function in direct relation to a reference to the "balance of forces" I wanted to stress the first two lines of the ken-po goku-i where the higher plane of references connects us to all that nature or the Universe governs under the rule of opposites and its varying degrees called "yin-n-yang."

Think of a "balance of forces" as a transitional effort that is fluid or constant. The more proficient you as a MA the greater you control those balances where the length of your line in relation to an opponent is that ability to govern you balance of forces vs. your opponents ability to govern those same forces.

Principle of Heaviness

2011-05-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

This principle as explained in the Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman can be connected to the ken-po goku-i tenants, i.e. with specificity to, "A person's unbalance is the same as a weight."

Our inability to properly make use of our bodies anatomical structure in nature means we misuse our weight and cannot apply our weight to our techniques. It means that we are ineffective in martial applications which can be a loss of heaviness properly applied resulting in our unbalanced body and weight. To achieve balance in our body regarding the bodies mass and weight we cannot apply momentum to techniques and we lose things like proper structure and posture where the triangles become skewed resulting in an imbalance of weight or heaviness and this results in our attacker, if his line is longer, having the ability to apply his heaviness to unbalance ours and we lose the battle.

Our bodies must maintain the principles so that our angles, i.e. Alignments, structures, axis's both major and minor, vertical and horizontal axis control, centerline, triangle guard, posture, proper breathing, etc. all reduce our bodies heaviness for apply technique which allows us to be defeated.

If our heaviness is reduced in this manner the reactions of our applications are turned inward so that those same applications against our attacker are lessened allowing the attackers heaviness to overcome the technique and turn it back inward resulting in heaviness unbalancing our bodies and so forth.

I quote, "Heaviness typically refers to sudden manifestations of weight that manifest our heaviness faster than the opponent can compensate.' It must be remembered that our weight never changes but how heaviness is applied does change accordingly to how it is maintained regarding heaviness balance.

As indicated in the ken-po goku-i inference to yin-n-yang or changing opposites to balance and back all the martial principles work in either a yin or yang form with mixtures that result in efficient and effective martial power.