Sun, Moon, & Earth Series ...

Only when full does the Moon "escape" the sun. The waning cycle than progressively delivers the Moon back into the daytime skies as it leads the sun.

[timing is everything down to the last molecule.]

The Moon then disappears for about "three" days, lost in the light of the Sun at the new moon.

[melding of the sun and moon; melding of the man and woman; results in life and can not enter existence with out this connection.]

The Moon, whose invisible claws draw the tides up and down the beach twice a day. The Earth's atmosphere above our heads and even its crust beneath our feet rise and fall to this lunar rhythm.

[have you ever taken notice of one who is proficient in the way; they exude a rhythm that seems extraordinary when it reality it is just the connection to the rhythms of the Universe; the planet; all those living and breathing entities that make up the myriad things.]

The tides are synchronized to the lunar day and therefore to the Moon's position in the sky.

[it appears that the moon has a greater significance than you would imagine since it also has effect on land and sky. Truly shows the string connectivity of all things in the Universe.]

In isolation tanks, human bodily rhythms eventually transfer from the solar to the lunar day.

[does this equate to the changes from day to night and back? Many of the old masters have mentioned times of the day, seasons, etc. to perform/practice certain kata/techniques, etc. to benefit the physical such as our sight, hearing, and tactile touch, etc.]

The Earth and Moon form a huge dumbbell in space, with their center of rotation located about 1,000 miles beneath the Earth's surface.

[I can not yet begin to see the significance of the line intersecting the Earth 1,000 miles below the surface. It also means that depending on the rotation of the Earth this line changes. I wonder if the change of location has significance on that particular area directly above its location as either positive or negative in nature…?]

Sun, Moon, & Earth Series ...

"The fluctuating monthly rhythm of reflected light, the twice daily ebb and flow of the tides, and many natural cycles are all essentially locked into the lunar phases as, uniquely, is the reproductive cycle of humankind. The Moon is associated with women and the number 13 which could reflect the fact that the Moon moves 13 degrees a day and orbits the Earth 13 times in one year."

[rhythms and patterns; the core of the natural Universe; reflected in the world around us and in plain sight for those who truly "look" and "see" them. Amazing!]

"The Moon's radius is 1,080 miles compared with that of the Earth at 3,960 miles, a ratio of 3:11."

[notice "3" again; not to mention both figures are divisible by "3" as well, coincidence?]


"The Moon moves fast at about an hour to cover the distance of its own diameter. There are 'three' principles of rotations called "the day (Sun-Earth); the sidereal month (Moon-earth-stars); the year (Sun-Earth-stars). There are lunation cycles, the time between full moons, which is truly Sun, Moon, and Earth. The lunation cycle is the prime lunar rhythm."

[three; principles; fundamentals of the Universe; Fundamentals of Earth, Moon, Sun; Fundamentals of human beings; fundamentals of the body, mind, spirit; notice the collections of "three?"]

"The Moon begins her monthly phases acting as consort to the Sun, appearing as a sliver of silver to his left. The new moon shaped like a reversed C. Each successive day finds the Moon belonging more and more to the night sky as the waxing phases increase the crescent to a quarter, gibbous, and then full moon."

[One can not exist and function with out the other; in our lives and practice there are those that can not function or exist with out the other much like our practice where the fundamentals are necessary for the kata which are necessary for the kumite; fundamentals (kihon-teki), kata, kumite; three!]

Bibliography:
Heath, Robin. Sun, Moon, & Earth. Wooden Books, Ltd. Ontario Canada. 1999.

Sun, Moon, & Earth Series [Five]

"The Earth orbits the Sun at the incredible speed of 66,666 miles per hour and at a diastase of 108 solar diameters."

[notice both are divisible by "3"; as you read more do you see the connection to numbers with some more prominent than others such as "three," "six," and "nine?"]

Bibliography:
Heath, Robin. Sun, Moon, & Earth. Wooden Books, Ltd. Ontario Canada. 1999.

Sun, Moon, & Earth Series [Four]

"Each day is a cycle that repeats perpetually; it is the diurnal rhythm. Those cycles repeat each day until we reach the 365 days to equal one year then we see the rhythm of a year."

[when the obvious is revealed we still wonder at why humans refuse to see and embrace the cycles of repetitive practice. Is this why we lose the connection to the fundamentals which are the keystones of great structures that can be built on those solid foundations?]

Bibliography:
Heath, Robin. Sun, Moon, & Earth. Wooden Books, Ltd. Ontario Canada. 1999.

Doing It Wrong

How do you feel when you find out you have been doing something you believe was "right and correct" only to discover it is "wrong?" How you handle such an event will speak to you, or not.

Sometimes I find I am doing something wrong and it speaks to me then sometimes it does not and it can become a matter of my inability to accept that it disrupts my story so I resist.

I can truthfully say that although I might resist eventually I come around to the correct thinking. Example: I was dating this young woman and when the topic of marriage came up I said, "I will never ever get married again." She simply asked, "why?"

This stopped me in my tracks and I just looked like a dumb ass cause I could not answer. I took that thought with me for a while and realized I had no decent answer other than I had a bad marriage before and the divorce was a real bummer. I gave it more thought and now have been married for fourteen years.

I am finding some extensive flaws in my FA/MA practice. Nothing that changes what I practice but changes the perspective I take in that practice. I no longer say that I teach self defense. I will say that I have recommendations and then point them to where they can get some knowledge and then tell them they can then find someone who can fill the bill, maybe. After all there are very few out there who can teach real self defense and not this bogus stuff I use to teach long ago.

This is just an example and there is more I am realizing. I just thank the powers to be that I am at least acknowledging my short comings in this life and hope that I can continue to admit that my story may be in need of adjustment.

Life does throw some cures don't ya think? Hey, I am thinking of not calling what I practice a FA/MA except that the source it comes from fills that bill. Do I teach how to fight, nope. Do I teach a fighting/martial way, maybe but with a lot of caveats. Maybe I am making it way to complicated!

Sun, Moon, & Earth Series [Three]

"The great pyramid (2480 B.C.), its base and height fit the 'squared circle' of Earth and Moon. The Sun, Moon, and Earth system! "

[as you read the quotes in this posting you will see connections, patterns, rhythms that effect one another much like we humans in our societies, cities groups, township relationships, community connections, and family wholeness. The ken-po goku-i helps us to "see" and "hear" the opening of the door to more connectivity to the Universe as the I Ching tells us about the great Tai Chi and Chi as it increases by the balance attained in the opposites of life, yin-yang.]

Bibliography:
Heath, Robin. Sun, Moon, & Earth. Wooden Books, Ltd. Ontario Canada. 1999.

Behind the Naming of Isshinryu

Why did Bushi Tatsuo Sensei pick January 15, 1956 as the date to announce the starting of a new style? Bushi Tatsuo Sensei was a Sumuchi [also referred to as a Sanjinso, which means three social trends meaning past, present and future, and as such would be asked by his community, etc., to choose specific dates for important events such as this naming.

When performing sumuchi the diviner would base it on the client's birth date and other factors. He also used the I Ching, almanac and other books of divination.

As a sumuchi Bushi Tatsuo knew the importance of choosing a most prosperous day/date. As a sumuchi/sanjinso he consulted the ancient oracles and decided that "Oshogatsu" (Okinawa dialect) or "Koshogatsu" (Japanese dialect), meaning "Small New Year," relies on the "Lunar Calander. (Moon!)" The Oshogatsu begins on the "first full moon" of the New Year. The time falls generally on dates somewhere around the fifteenth of January. A widely observer time in the rural areas of both Okinawa and Japan.

It was fitting that Bushi Tatsuo Sensei would announce the new name for his karate on Soguwachiguwa (Small New Year) which in modern times falls on January 15th. He would have used the I Ching to pick this date as was customary for Okinawa Sumuchi's. What better date than small new your to plant a new seed to bear new crops, the seed of Isshinryu for the crop of karate-do or "Ti."

As is tradition on the island of Okinawa Small New Year's follows the lunar calendar and is celebrated on the first full moon of the year, January 15th. Although not planting a agricultural seed, he planted a new style with new idea's and named it "Isshin-ryu!" As a sumuchi, who read the ancient classics, he understood that "All things begin with one," and on January 15th in the year 1956 Bushi Tatsuo Sensei planted "one seed."

Bibliography:
Advincula, A. J. The Naming of Isshin-ryu: In the beginning there was the one. Isshnikai:The Official Website of Sensei Arcenio J. Advincula. http://www.isshinkai.net/history03-birthofisshinryu.html. 2009

Sun, Moon, & Earth Series [Two]

" ... cosmic patterns are reflected in earthly life ... "

[we see it daily only if we look in the present moment and it is reflected in may aspects of our training and practice for which knowledge leads to enlightenment.]

Bibliography:
Heath, Robin. Sun, Moon, & Earth. Wooden Books, Ltd. Ontario Canada. 1999.

Sun, Moon, & Earth Series [Beginning]

This is a bit of information of interest that I gleamed from a tiny book published by Wooden Books. The bibliography at the end will get you to it so you can read the entire book.

It just goes to show that one never really knows what they will find if they remain open to the possibilities. This is true in the practice of a FA/MA such as Isshinryu provided the practitioner, deshi, embraces the entire system which includes the study of the ken-po goku-i and by extension those ancient classics that influenced the creation of Okinawa Isshinryu Karate-do.

I plan on quoting parts of the book and then in [brackets] provide my thoughts on the quote. The comments are mine and subject to critique since I am a deshi in regards to the ken-po goku-i so don't hesitate to provide your views and comments.

"The subtle connecting strands of meaning woven into the web of life." - Sun, Moon, & Earth by Robin Heath.

[string theory does seem apropos when you consider all the connections you find not only in the Heavens themselves but in symbology, numerology, etc. along with patterns and rhythms. When you view it all you find that even in the "one" practice of Isshinryu and the study of the ken-po gku-i the value of its knowledge in understanding the breadth and depth to which Bushi Tatsuo Sensei took in the many years used to develop this singular form that will and does connect us back to the cosmos.]

Bibliography:
Heath, Robin. Sun, Moon, & Earth. Wooden Books, Ltd. Ontario Canada. 1999.

Vitruvian Man and Ken-po Goku-i

Granted, this is my research and you may find that DeVinci's explanation does not agree yet when you look at the symbolism and numerology (sacred geometry) the connections are there.

In my research on the ken-po goku-i, the I Ching and its relationship to the practice of Isshinryu karate-do not to forget the symbolism Bushi Tatsuo Sensei incorporated in his style there must be meaning that connects everything much like the Universe is made up of connections or strings, i.e. string theory, etc.

The first two precepts of the ken-po goku-i are directly connected to all this and the other six precepts indirectly. If no other reason it is an interesting journey when you start to "see" connections especially in actual practice.

Kanpai Bushi Tatsuo Sensei!

p.s. Click image to see larger version which may make the text easier to read.

The Great Tai Chi (a single point and a line...)

The great tai chi is representative of the one that begat all myriad things in the Universe, or so says the Chinese Oracle. We can look at this as a single point that has no dimension, it is void, and does not reside in space. There is no inner nor outer to this point and yet it is the source of all the myriad things that make up our Universe.

This is why the Tao is represented by the circle which is also manifest as a small circular dot. When the myriad things came into being a line emerged from the small dot which brought into being two principles, active (yang) and passive (yin) which are also referred to as strong and yielding. Thus came the great Tai Chi.

The single point chose somewhere outside of itself, a direction to travel. Much like it is believed that the Universe exploded outward from that one single point with no dimension and no space. The line has no thickness and no end.

The line brings into being simplicity or "three" ways to become apparent.

The line has a stationary point and a moving point. This is referred to as a stationary point and a fee point (passive/active). The free point can be rotated to form a circle which in Chinese belief forms the Universe. We can say that when the Universe came into being the myriad things filled the expanding circle formed by the single point and the free point (which continues to travel away from the single point while forming a circle, etc.).

The active/free point can also move to a third (three) equidistant point from the other two points equally forming a equilateral triangle.

The active line can also produce another form by its movement away until distances are equal to form a square. representing the Earth as described in Chinese belief and referred to in the ken-po goku-i and I Ching.

We now have at the most basic or fundamental form "three forms," i.e. circle, triangle and square. All rich in meaning and found in almost all things living and created. We now have Heaven, Earth and Man.

If we go a bit further by rotating the circle a sphere is formed. If we move the triangle, a vertex, we form a pyramid or tetrahedron. And finally if we transition the square we form a cube. The possibilities are endless. We open our eyes and "see" the myriad things which in turn open our minds to many more possibilities in life and in practice.

The sphere is a symbol of the cosmos and the totality of manifest creation. Very large/small things in nature lean toward a spherical shape. Einstein hypothesized that all the stars and planets, etc. are inside a "event-horizon sphere."

With circles you can produce perfect triangles and hexagons. Thus you can see why the circle and sphere are representative of the Universe for all the myriad things are produced by the single point and line creating a circle and thus by it emergence create squares and triangles representative of Earth and Humans.

If you take circles to form many other forms such as triangles, dodecagons and more by using the circles and the line to connect points, etc. When done many myriad things are created and are represented by the drawings created using a ruler, compass, and pencil. The pencil creates the single point while the compass forms the circle(s) and the ruler helps to connect the points created by intersecting circles, etc. with lines. A combination of the many myriad lines form many things. This occurs in all the kingdoms of Animal, Man and Nature.

Take a look at the graphic in this post and you will notice that this ancient drawing has all the symbolic drawings representative of Heaven, Earth and Man the read the first precept of the ken-po goku-i which leads to the I Ching and then review the references to the number three in the Isshinryu system which is referenced in other posts here and on my karate blog site.

Bibliography:
Lundy, Miranda. Sacred Geometry. New York. Walker Publishing Company. 2007

ANSWER TO GRAPHIC POST

If you look at the center graphic, then the yin-yang symbol, and finally the tomoe symbol you will see the patterns in the center geometric drawing which I might add comes from a design for a Church Window.

Of course the most obvious are the circles, triangles, etc. in the drawing but it is a combination of all those that make up the final design. Notice the sets of "three."

CLICK GRAPHIC FOR LARGER VIEW!

This one pretty much answers the second graphic as well.

Three, 3, Tri and Unity

If you take a look at the symbols of geometry you will find numbers are prevalent and one of those is the number three. Three or trinity or Tri-unity deals with a triangle which enables opposites to balance and transcend to new wholeness that could not be achieved any other way. Are you beginning to see?

Think of it, a third leg makes a good tripod and it becomes stable and you can not braid hair with out the third stand(s) of hair. Sensei can be the third point creating a balance between sempai and kohai in the dojo.

Take a look at the various "three's" in the world and you will be amazed and maybe see the connections of three in our practice. Didn't Bushi Tatsuo Sensei develop Isshinryu from three different styles? Maybe that is why Isshinryu is so stable and continues with out Sensei so well. Isn't there three stars in the sky of the me-gami?

An example that will help explain the importance of three in the Universe, "If you draw a line and then use "phi" to divide the line so that the ration of the lessor part to the greater part is the same as the ratio of the greater part to the whole. No other proportion behaves so elegantly around unity. "

When you practice kata do we have groups of three in each section? If you understand and know of Bushi Tatsuo Sensei you know he was religious or spiritual and studied the classics not to forget his fortune telling capabilities then seeing a number three in his system will be logical.

When you study the I Ching you will find the number 6 and 9 have significance and guess what? Six and Nine are divisible by "3!"

Other aspect to consider:

"The diameters of the Earth and Moon (7920 miles and 2160 miles) are in the ratio of 11 to 3."

"Nine or the horizon: In traditional worldwide number lore, nine, or thrice three, was referred to as “the horizon” symbolizing the ultimate, the maximum, “the whole nine yards”."

LAST:

Take a look at one of the leading practitioners of Isshinryu in the United States and his teachings. He uses the number three, i.e. The 3P's, 3R's, 3K's,3L's and the 3-8's. [practice-practice-practice;repetition-repetition-repetition; kihonteki-kata-kumite;look-listen-learn; and 8 codes of the kenpo gokui; the 8 empty hand kata; and the 8 kobudo kata]. Lets not forget the "A,B,C's" or Attitude, Basics, Confidence!

Oh yea, the square root of "3" is found in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms! Lets not forget that one of the forms of divination in I Ching is the use of "three" coins.


Bibliography:
Lundy, Miranda. Sacred Geometry. Walter Publishing Company New York. 2007
Schneider, Michael. Constructing the Universe. http://www.constructingtheuniverse.com/. 2010.
Advincula, A.J. Isshinkai Yahoo Group. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/isshinkaiKarate/. 2010

Updated version of the symbol, click for the larger version.

Moon (The blood circulating is similar to the sun and moon.)

Many aspects as they come to light show the connectivity that Bushi Tatsuo Sensei used when he developed his style of Isshinryu karate-do. The more I find the more I am amazed with what he achieved but am disappointed that in our eagerness to become physical that most of us have glossed over or completely missed his true goal for teaching and practicing the fighting art he created.

In the second precept of the ken-po goku-i the I Ching provides more on the reference to the "moon."

K'an in the I Ching represents water, rain, danger, abysmal, pig-ear, and hand. Its element is water and it deals with spiritual cleansing. In man's world it represents the "heart," the soul locked up within the body, the principle of light enclosed in the dark - that is, "reason."

It also represents the recent past and the present when interpreted for divination purposes. It tells us to act with persistence, to successfully overcome difficulties and hardships. It refers to a persistent individual who overcomes; has high ideals; is a benefit to all things; to teach others; to increase their own knowledge.

The moon as seen within the symbol and character representing K'an when followed leads to calm; leads to a peaceful place.

Harry Frankfurt wrote, "Becoming wholehearted, a state not unlike stoic resoluteness." It is to eliminate conflicts in which one physical process interferes with others and undermines equilibrium in which health consists." - The Stoic Warrior author.

Wholehearted is to seek to overcome or to supersede a condition of inner division and make the self into an integrated whole. Fight it as an enemy, banish it, resist all alliances with it. Build gates to keep from entering.

MOON!

The depth and breadth Bushi Tatsuo Sensei went to achieve this level of enlightenment is astonishing or if you are of this mind then maybe he was just lucky and these connections are just the stories we tell ourselves to make what sometimes is a mundane practice into something much more much like those who "see" secrets in practice.

Look within, see the truth, stop the stories and allow Tao to provide for us. Seek knowledge, true and accurate knowledge, or only the facts.

Symbols-2

Take a close look at this graphic. Can you see the symbol I can see here? Is there more than one symbol?

Symbols

Take a close look at this graphic. Can you see the symbol I can see here? Is there more than one symbol?

Fist+Law+Extreme+Meaning

The ken-po Goku-i or the law of the fist where the eight precepts are those extreme meanings of that law which equates, to me, to the connection with the ancient texts.

Bushi Tatsuo Sensei and other masters of Okinawa Fighting Arts pulled these precepts from the complexities of the ancient texts from China. Okinawa was under China's influences most of their history and the history of Okinawa Ti is derived from that melding to local practices to the practices locals acquired from the study of Chinese boxing and the classics.

Extreme meaning alludes to the way they condensed many aspects of the I Ching and other mysteries of the past-present-future to provide a set of "keys" to open many doors to much more.

I believe that these keys were created in this fashion to provide the doorway to enlightenment but also to confuse the minds of those who were not serious about their training which I find evident in many of today's practitioners. A serious view of learning and practice means that we find equilibrium which in turn means study of both the Yang and the Yin of karate-do or the way of the empty hand.

After all, if they didn't want us to dig deeper then why call it the ken-po goku-i? If it were meant to teach us about the physical aspects of the way then they could have called it simply "ken-po" or "law of the fist."

When we take a look at the meanings behind the character we find that "goku" means "extreme" but also means utmost or exceedingly great, ultimate, ultra-, and hyper-. When you take a look at the character "i" we find both "MIND and MEANING" along with heart, thoughts, feelings, opinion and take something to heart. I am sure if you are a Isshinryu practitioner who has been exposed to the ken-po goku-i and its deeper meaning then all those adjectives will connect your thoughts to the many direct words in the eight precepts and more so in such books as the I Ching.

As an aside to this posting I can tell you finding the characters that represent the aspects of our karate tell us a deeper and more meaningful story. Why I devote a section in my web site to the meanings of the kanji characters (see picture on right side of this page).

Present Moment Breathing

Total concentration on the ever-changing breathe brings us squarely into the present moment. [we strive to achieve this level of present-moment consciousness upon entering the training hall. We first change into our uniform and by that process if we bring our mindfulness directly to the process of changing and bring in to that same mindfulness our breathing we pull ourselves out of the daily thoughts so we may fully focus on training and practice.]

Coordinate the activity in which you are involved with your breathing. This lends a flowing rhythm to your movement, and smooth's out many of the abrupt transitions. [our goal in practice is just this, to achieve this mindfulness that brings our entire being into what we are doing at that exact moment, the present-moment. This keeps the past and future away. Ever wonder when observing a long time practitioner with a level of proficiency where you observer a rhythm in their practice? If you are "seeing" them completely you will see that this natural rhythm comes from their patterns of both the physical movement and breathing along with some other more esoteric practice that seems in rhythm with nature. Watch, observe, and "see."]

Activity becomes easier to focus on ... mindfulness is increased. Mind is not burdened with pre-occupations or bound by worries. [karate-do provides so many benefits and one very important one is meditation through the motions of practice. Motions of practice go beyond just body movement but the mindfulness present-moment training that is found in many of the Eastern meditative practices.]

Mindfulness results in change to the nervous system fostering insight. It enhances your intuition. The breath is not merely inhalations and exhalations but... Breath ceases to be just breath. It becomes a living, changing process, something alive. It is no longer something that takes places in time; it is perceived as the present moment itself. [Mushin and Zanshin or what the Chinese call, "wu wei." Not an empty mind but a mind with a concentration and focus that keeps it and you in present-moment mindfulness which allows you to tap into the instinctive benefit of the Tao. You want this in self protection and even in combat.]

It is grounded in a living flow of the present and marked by a sense of reality. [Remaining present-moment mindfulness is a path to inner understanding where you will open up all the doors over time to "see" and "feel" who and what you are taking you past all the "stories" you have or are telling yourself to cope with the trials and tribulations of life. This is the path to enlightenment.]

The Universe as a flowing river of experience.

Bibliography:
Gunaratana, Bhante. Mindfulness in Plain English. Wisdom Publications; 2nd edition. September 2002.

Kenpo Gokui and Complexity?

It occurred to me that there is a possibility that the depth I am giving to my interpretation of the kenpo gokui may be more than it actually is. There is a possibility that Bushi Tatsuo Sensei meant it to be specific to the practice of Isshinryu where the focus is on form, body dynamics, applications.

Maybe because he never truly provided the guidance in that no one really understands and must then go with their own as to its meaning. In the end maybe that is what he wanted, i.e. to make us think. Then again maybe I am jumping into more than what really exists.

You can make connections between almost anything and it can make sense. Look at the books, fiction, that use symbolism/symbols to sell, i.e. Dan Brown's books "Lost Symbols" and " and "The DaVinci Code." You could almost believe that all he spoke of in his books was real simply because he made those same connections.

If he actually wanted us to think then maybe he wanted it to be unique and real for each of us. After all if he had laid it out word for word in a document then most would take that as the bible of its interpretation and then neglect the possibilities or not think outside that box.

How many today take it as gospel that the kata and such are to be kept "exactly" as Bushi Tatsuo Sensei taught with out deviation. Now I agree with this in part only in that we must teach new practitioners the core but we must then allow practitioners to go beyond the fundamentals.

This also appears in the so called "secret" techniques supposedly "hidden" in the techniques/kata. Really, after all my understanding of Okinawa Karate taught by the Masters, i.e. Miyagi Sensei, etc. is they taught everything they knew and the practitioner had to stay the distance to learn it all while those who quit early missed out. Maybe this secret thing is just a sales gimmick or maybe it is something to use to make the "group" or "band" feel special.

One statement I do believe Bushi Tatsuo Sensei said and has been verified from a variety of sources on Okinawa is that he wanted us all to learn about one another and understand the cultures, etc. so we could all live in peace and harmony. Well, isn't this secret stuff along with "only my special students" can learn these aspects of Isshinryu so if you are not one of "us" then you are one of "them" and can not "see" my secrets. So special now aren't we?

Did he actually want us to learn that only a select group or band can learn all that he meant all of us to learn so you got to be special to learn it? I can only say that in my research and studies I have found nothing that says life is a secret, living life is a secret, or we are meant to be in special us type groups with all else in a them type group. Think Segregation, is this what is meant in the ancient classics?

It has been proven/verified that Bushi Tatsuo Sensei was a spiritual person who studied the classics and that he practiced sumuchi or fortune telling. If he believe in buddhist doctrine, the I Ching, the Bubushi, etc. then would he teach us to create a special group within his system and then exclude those who do not meet "our" requirements/standards, etc.?

Questions, questions, questions…maybe that is what Bushi Tatsuo Sensei was trying to convey to his practitioners who stayed the distance, ask yourself questions and then find the answers but be truthful to yourself and correct those errors and omissions to get it "right!"

Generally Speaking

Buddhism recognizes that body and mind are tightly linked. Emptying the mind is not as important as being mindful of what the mind is doing.

[Often FA/MA practitioners as well as those who practice "koryu" which is classic styles of the Japanese martial systems that emptying the mind is a requirement to achieve a level of expertise in those forms of combat when in reality this is slightly off the center. What is actually achieved is present moment mindfulness where nothing from the past or future intrudes for those moments of combat.

We can not achieve this type of mental concentration every moment of the day and we should avoid trying to do this as it is counter productive. We need to train to achieve this exacting present moment mindfulness when that moment deems it necessary. This could be combat, self defense, achieving goals, etc. or just that meditative time to still the mind and achieve positive results for you health.

We FA/MA practitioners get caught up in the thrill of the stories that cause us to look at things a bit askew vs. realistically. We all want to be the hero and yet we are influenced into that false belief that it is as depicted in movies, books, etc. when it ain't.

Present moment mindfulness is also a vehicle to dig into ourselves to see the real you vs. what you tell yourself, i.e. your story, which can be more fictional than real. This particular quote can be a reminder that we have to see beyond the story and be truthful with ourselves to achieve enlightenment. Then again, if that ain't your bag then it doesn't matter.]

Deep breaths; the mind is wild, agitated, or distracted, reestablish mindfulness with a few deep breaths. Pull air in strongly and let it out the same way. Make a strong act of will and apply some force to your attention. Reestablish mindfulness, strengthen concentration.

[There is good reason why so many forms of self improvement, i.e. FA/MA practice, meditation, etc., use breathing techniques as a focal point in practice. Breathe controls and affects many parts of the spirit, mind, brain, and body which are all connected. Breathing gives life not only to the body but through the many systems within the body and mind. ]

Generally Speaking

Buddhism recognizes that body and mind are tightly linked. Emptying the mind is not as important as being mindful of what the mind is doing.


[Often FA/MA practitioners as well as those who practice "koryu" which is classic styles of the Japanese martial systems that emptying the mind is a requirement to achieve a level of expertise in those forms of combat when in reality this is slightly off the center. What is actually achieved is present moment mindfulness where nothing from the past or future intrudes for those moments of combat.

We can not achieve this type of mental concentration every moment of the day and we should avoid trying to do this as it is counter productive. We need to train to achieve this exacting present moment mindfulness when that moment deems it necessary. This could be combat, self defense, achieving goals, etc. or just that meditative time to still the mind and achieve positive results for you health.

We FA/MA practitioners get caught up in the thrill of the stories that cause us to look at things a bit askew vs. realistically. We all want to be the hero and yet we are influenced into that false belief that it is as depicted in movies, books, etc. when it ain't.

Present moment mindfulness is also a vehicle to dig into ourselves to see the real you vs. what you tell yourself, i.e. your story, which can be more fictional than real. This particular quote can be a reminder that we have to see beyond the story and be truthful with ourselves to achieve enlightenment. Then again, if that ain't your bag then it doesn't matter.]

Deep breaths; the mind is wild, agitated, or distracted, reestablish mindfulness with a few deep breaths. Pull air in strongly and let it out the same way. Make a strong act of will and apply some force to your attention. Reestablish mindfulness, strengthen concentration.

[There is good reason why so many forms of self improvement, i.e. FA/MA practice, meditation, etc., use breathing techniques as a focal point in practice. Breathe controls and affects many parts of the spirit, mind, brain, and body which are all connected. Breathing gives life not only to the body but through the many systems within the body and mind. ]