Heart/Mind

I have posted many times with discussions as to the body following the mind and when you couple that with the Kenpo Gokui/I Ching teachings one must connect the mind to the heart. In "The Elemental Changes" it states the following:

"Perceptual knowledge derived from the five senses is absolutely crucial to the correct operation of the heart/mind."

The gokui states, "A persons heart is the same as heaven and earth." If we lead a life in accordance with our practice and our understanding of the ancient pomes of the gokui as they unlock the mysteries of the oracle, the I Ching, we come to understand that we must follow this path "wholeheartedly."

What we perceive in our heats reflects in our "actions" and taken one step further the timing of those actions can mean the difference between gain or loss.

Discussion of the five senses is reflected in our pomes called the "Kenpo Gokui." It actually references our senses by openly referencing the eyes and ears to "see" and "hear" everything everywhere with our whole heart. Our sense of equilibrium as perceived through the senses and especially the body are also referenced in the pome when it tells us about balance and unbalance, hard and soft, changing directions, etc. Our senses of touch and how our mind and heart perceive the signals of the senses is crucial for our spirit-mind-body actions.

Where else is this more important than in the fighting arts where your adherence to such things is discovered quickly and sometimes with the pain of errors. It is a great teaching tool that provides the body, mind, and heart those lessons we either listen to or ignore.

This requires a good deal of contemplation.

In addition the following quotes provide additional paths to understanding of how the Universe works and if we are diligent we can seek that knowledge and understanding through the practice of Isshinryu and our studies of the ancient texts.

"In early Chinese tradition, the EAR is particularly associated with moral development."

[How can we learn, grow, and develop as humans if we don't "listen" or "hear" what is being said. If Sensei provides you information as either the spoken word, "hear," or by demonstration, "see," then how do we progress? If we are not open minded how do we determine morality and civility. If we are not diligent in our use of the senses then how can we gain the proficiency in our practice by the observation of others and Sensei? By extension that what we practice in the training hall is reflected in our daily actions in the world.]

"On another level, the EAR represents good advisors."

[Sensei, Sempai or Kohai are our advisors and we should control our ego so that we actively "listen" with our ears, eyes, mind, and body to achieve greatness.]

"The belly [hara] is both the center of the body and its storehouse of energy, the belly or gut is like the ruler."

[Hara, the balance point of the body. Through our practice of the fighting arts we discover rooting our selves to the Earth and then developing our physical actions from our balance point, the midsection or hara (belly). The true center of our strength in the fighting arts. All action comes from the Earth up to our hara and from there is expressed outward by our actions of the thighs, hara, and extremities.]

"The limbs depend on the belly, just as ministers depend on the ruler for guidance; the belly functions as the seat of moral courage while the thighs are vehicles for decisive action."

[Consider that nothing moves with out the center, hara. Our arms and legs have no strength or power with out the hara. Even with chinkuchi the hara plays a pivotal role in its application. Some kata depend on chinkuchi and one in particular depends almost exclusively on the hara, koshi, through "gamaku."]

"The belly and thigh act in concert to insure the survival and security of the 'little guy.'"

[Our ability for self-preservation is dependent on this...our mind and heart program our actions. This is an important distinction to our practice and following the way.]