Mokuso: A traditional practice performed at the beginning and end of Te training. It is meditation or sitting seiza with silent thoughts directed toward clearing the mind of outside influences and focusing them toward the training/practice in the training hall.
The I-Ching says, "To meditate denotes making a clear distinction between right and wrong through prudent consideration and steadfastness. In so doing, one should first become inwardly as firm as a rock."
The gokui is the tome that unlocks the true training of one's mind resulting in a strong body and a firm spirit. To follow its concepts of physical and spiritual connectivity to the tao one must first meditate to release the mind from past and future thoughts bringing us to this exact moment where nothing matters or exists but the actual occurrence of the present moment.
One trains in this singular form, Te, which can not be done with out the minds exclusive concentration and focus on Te's physical and spiritual practice. It is so evident when striking the makiwara or drilling in kumite where a moment of inattention in the moment results in immediate recognition of the fault. To do this in life would be tantamount to stepping off the curb to cross the street with out the mind being present and being hit by a car.
Mokuso is not just some requirement of the Sensei that you follow blindly just because everyone else is doing it but it is a method of training. All aspects both big and small which may "seem" a waste are actually a step toward enlightenment.
Gokui no Mokuso; Meditate on the gokui!
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