I am the acting supervisor for an IST Release Management group and every two years we are required to attend a two hour class on such things as discrimination, harassment (all kinds to include sexual), and more. Retaliation is one such part of this training.
Why do I bring it up here? Because I have seen these things happen in training halls through out my career in the Fighting Arts. I have been lucky that those minor infractions I may have done in the past never turned into anything serious and occurred mainly due to my ignorance, which is not excusable.
One of the many benefits of following a "complete Way", such as Karate-jutsu-do, is its ability to teach us to focus inward and look for improvements.
I recently read, and now re-read frequently, a book on "civility" which in itself helped me to see within myself some behaviors that I felt were innocent to instead by rude and inconsiderate. My practice helped me to open my mind to these transgressions and now I have corrected such behavior.
In the fighting arts we can be susceptible to the power rank and status can bring us and to use that power properly is paramount in a good Sensei or in a person in general. As senior persons of the fighting arts and especially in the Way of the Empty Hand, not to forget the many other ways we can follow, that our positions as seniors can put juniors in difficult situations if we are not aware of ourselves and what we do and say in the training hall. What we do in the training hall should be the same as what we do in life and what we do in life is the same as what we do in the training hall.
To allow ourselves to be consumed by our achievements, our abilities, our rank, and our status in the training hall can have profound effect on fellow practitioners. This is why I have posted on the relationships we develop in the hall referred to as the Sempai/Kohai, Deshi/Sensei, Deshi/Kyosei, etc. relationship. Its affects are far reaching and we as leaders of an art are obligated to carry that with honor and dignity.
Practice the art of civility! Practice the "Way!" Never forget that every word and deed has potential! Where the potential goes is completely up to the individual, make it a good one!
Giri! The obligation hardest to bear...we are obligated to give the best service as our abilities will provide...make it so!
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
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 tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
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