Mokuso and Kenpo Gokui; see and hear!

"The eye must see all sides and the ears must listen in all directions" as written in the seventh and eighth tome of the kenpo gokui as interpreted for the Isshinryu system. I recently, doah, read a quote in Major Hayes Sensei book and thought it was something I would pass along here.

It also goes to show that you never know what data mining will turn up in regards to your practice or studies as this one rang out when I read it so wanted to add it to my data on the kenpo gokui.

"Mokuso: the meditative session done at the start of training and practice is to clear the mind so we can "see" and "hear" better."

This makes so much sense. We need to discard all the trials and tribulations of our daily lives in order to actually see what Sensei is doing and listen actively to hear what he/she might say. When you are observant with all your senses you will see and/or hear more with intent on looking or seeking out knowledge.

We can not simply expect to have it handed to us on a platter. Sensei can talk till he/she is blue in the face when reality says we only retain a certain percentage of what is said so, we miss stuff.

Ergo, why we need to have clarity of spirit, mind and body when training and practicing. You never know what piece of gold you might turn up in all that water and sand.

Major Hayes Sensei also said in his book, "When observing Sempai in practice where they do something slightly different than you or what you were taught, be quiet and watch [allowable differences, etc.]. They are shaping the technique for personal practical purposes."

The core shall remain intact but to truly go beyond one must come to that place where they adjust things to suit their personalities and bodies, etc. When they do then a practitioner should stop, take notice [see] and then watch and learn [see and hear what is occurring with the sempai].


Bibliography:
Hayes, William R. Major USMC (ret.) Shorin-ryu Karate-do. "My Journey with the Grandmaster: Reflections of an American Martial Artist on Okinawa." Morris Publishing, Kearney, NE, 1997/2009 ISBN: 978-1-575-02-554-4

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