Letting Go!

We as human beings find comfort and solace in the familiar. When that familiar changes, regardless of the reasons, we tend to resist. We speak of the kenpo gokui in that change is good and all bottles are the same. We discuss such lofty ideals as discovering the others in their beliefs and customs yet we still resist any changes. What I mean is when we do learn about the customs and beliefs of others we see it from our unique perspective and try to change that perception to meet our expectations.

"All bottles are good!" and I mean to live by that maxim as best I can which means that I will sometimes have to "let go" of some things in order to make room for new things.

The transition is most difficult considering our comfort zone for the familiar. This is evident in the practice of our own style of fighting art, Isshinryu. We receive from Sensei and through practice and training over a long period of time become familiar with that "way" of training and practice. What happens then is when we move off from Sensei and his/her dojo we find "differences" that challenge our familiar.

If we follow the way then we know that "All bottles are good" means that change is good but change just for the sake of change is not recommended. Change is good when it has meaning. It has form. It has function. It is found to be a part of the "Way" of the empty hand, or tea, or flower arranging, etc.

I firmly believe that the reason Tatsuo Sensei gave out the Kenpo Gokui with the hopes that those in receipt of this tome would study it and discover on their own its value to us as not only karate-ka but as humans. He felt that we should discover others value and transition from one level to another in reaching "that" level of spirituality not to be confused with religion and its doctrines.

There are ways to overcome that instinctual urge to remain in the "familiar" so change can come naturally. We must be open minded to what ever we encounter then we must allow it to flower showing its capabilities then allow it to influence us in a positive manner; to become a part of us. This may mean we have to "let go" or if I may "accept" the loss of something to grow with something else.

Life is a matter of seeding, growing, flowering, wilting, dying, and returning to the Earth. As we travel the "Way" of life and the fighting arts we will find many different seeds that will be planted within us, that will grow, flower and become something new only to wilt at the meeting of new things so it will die away and allow the Earth to let something new grow combining with the remains of the old.

This transitional phase is most difficult and tests us more than anything. Those who find the strength to allow this "letting go" to allow "growth and flowering of the self" is true strength while anything else results in early decay and death.

Study this thoroughly!