The ken-po goku-i, it is posted on almost every single Isshinryu site there is out there and it is posted in almost every book on Isshinryu as well but the question I have is who actually does anything more with it other than maybe read it once in their career/practice. Do you read the gokui? Do you even understand it? Can you provide more than four syllables on each as to what it might/could/may mean? To karate? To Isshinryu?
If you have it in your handouts; if you post it on your walls; if you have it in your web site; if you use it in your blogs; if you use it on your certificates of promotion or you print it out and hand it to new students do you even try to explain it or its importance?
If you don't then all you do is give it a lot of "lip service!"
Influences
Do you find that you are easily swayed by persons you encounter be they strangers or folks that are friends, family or acquaintances? Do you find that when someone states what sounds like a fact to you that you easily shift your actions and/or beliefs? How easily are you influenced by your environment and social encounters?
We are more and more depending on "outward-direction" when we should be relying exclusively on our own "inward-direction." You may not realize it or feel it since we have become more and more dependent, supposedly, on information or digital influences to receive all sorts of data, information, facts, stories, etc.
In this day of constant flow of incoming information that is sometimes formed into a format, writing, spoken, visual, etc., that tends to greatly influence how we think, act, and so on but this overloading and deluge of influences must be tempered with our "inner-direction" or we may get lost and when it comes to life and especially defense this can be a crucial viewpoint.
Karate-do or any "way" is a ritualistic, rhythmic and influential form that allows us to remain in control and to "see/hear" our own inner voices to provide appropriate guidance in either accepting or rejecting the flow of data that influences our minds and actions.
Just consider "ads" and how you react to them. After all outward-direction or outward-influences are designed to trigger our most basic instincts such as hunger, sex, and survival even when none of them actually need to be acted on or triggered.
We have these survival instincts and mind-sets that come from our base survival instincts. Just think of the last time you got angry and had a adrenaline dumb that caused you to breathe shallow, get anxious, experience fear, etc. and when you actually realize what caused it you find that it was not actually a life threatening situation.
We need to keep tabs on our outward-influences/inward-influences and remind ourselves that those inward-influences resulting in inward-decisions are what must remain within our control and let the outward-influences be nothing more that information our inward self accepts after due considerations or rejects completely as not beneficial to us and the changes we live each and every moment.
Last thought, think of it in the context of the ken-po goku-i pome three and four, i.e. the outward-influences are "yang or hard" because of the tense, overwhelming flow of information and stimuli while the inward-influences of the self are "yin or softer/pliant" and the goal is to find that balance point where one does not dominate the other while keeping the self in control vs. being controlled. Karate-do is about controlling the self, inward first to achieve dominance over the mental and physical, then when ready learning to control the outward influences, etc.
We are more and more depending on "outward-direction" when we should be relying exclusively on our own "inward-direction." You may not realize it or feel it since we have become more and more dependent, supposedly, on information or digital influences to receive all sorts of data, information, facts, stories, etc.
In this day of constant flow of incoming information that is sometimes formed into a format, writing, spoken, visual, etc., that tends to greatly influence how we think, act, and so on but this overloading and deluge of influences must be tempered with our "inner-direction" or we may get lost and when it comes to life and especially defense this can be a crucial viewpoint.
Karate-do or any "way" is a ritualistic, rhythmic and influential form that allows us to remain in control and to "see/hear" our own inner voices to provide appropriate guidance in either accepting or rejecting the flow of data that influences our minds and actions.
Just consider "ads" and how you react to them. After all outward-direction or outward-influences are designed to trigger our most basic instincts such as hunger, sex, and survival even when none of them actually need to be acted on or triggered.
We have these survival instincts and mind-sets that come from our base survival instincts. Just think of the last time you got angry and had a adrenaline dumb that caused you to breathe shallow, get anxious, experience fear, etc. and when you actually realize what caused it you find that it was not actually a life threatening situation.
We need to keep tabs on our outward-influences/inward-influences and remind ourselves that those inward-influences resulting in inward-decisions are what must remain within our control and let the outward-influences be nothing more that information our inward self accepts after due considerations or rejects completely as not beneficial to us and the changes we live each and every moment.
Last thought, think of it in the context of the ken-po goku-i pome three and four, i.e. the outward-influences are "yang or hard" because of the tense, overwhelming flow of information and stimuli while the inward-influences of the self are "yin or softer/pliant" and the goal is to find that balance point where one does not dominate the other while keeping the self in control vs. being controlled. Karate-do is about controlling the self, inward first to achieve dominance over the mental and physical, then when ready learning to control the outward influences, etc.
Seeing
We see literally then we see in a figurative sense but what we see internally is most important. Taking a look inside ourselves involves looking inward which brings to mind reference in karate circles of old the term, "third eye." (click photo for larger view)When you see references, especially in the ancient classics, you need to "see" the more modern term in its place. The third eye is supposed to be about the middle of the forehead just above the eyebrows. Does this provide a clue to the modern meaning of "third eye?"
The part of the brain in that location is the "frontal lobe" which involves planning/anticipation; follow-through; impulsive; judgment; reasoning; abstract thinking; smell; motor planning; personality; emotionality; speaking; integration of thought and emotion; self-monitoring. Hmm, if we look at these we realize most of what we do and how we do it comes from this area so maybe, just maybe the third eye is referring to the use of the frontal lobe in meditation, etc. to achieve true seeing into the self.
I may be stretching this a bit to elucidate on the "seeing" we accomplish through the term usage of "third eye" but it makes sense. Yes, seeing or vision in a literal sense in not handled here but we are not talking about literally seeing something but lets say, "spiritually seeing" the self with a critical "eye."
To see in all directions is not just spacial but internal as well. To see ourselves as we truly are is in all probability the most difficult task/goal we have as humans. Karate-do tries to lead us toward this understanding and with the ken-po goku-i studies maybe this is the light that shines on us to allow us to see within, in all directions.
The eyes must see all sides.
Mind Training Technique
Self talk, that is it. What you say to yourself and how you say it affects your body and the body's performance in all we do physically. How your mind approaches every single thing you do, say, hear, speak, listen, etc. either makes or breaks your ability to do everything and nowhere else is this evident than in the practice of karate-do.
Self talk is how you program your mind and your attitudes to achieve strength of will, strength of purpose, strength of heart and should. The words you speak to yourself can create greatness within or it can lessen you. Within us all is the capability to achieve strength and bravery, to grow, to achieve and what we say to ourselves can determine just how much and to what degree of achievement is possible.
When speaking to yourself the words and the phrases you say must be positive and reaffirming to enhance your self and the actions of the self. Your body will always follow your mind and what your mind says and believes dictates your physical actions and reactions.
Take conscious control of what you say and think from the moment you awake to the moment you sleep. Even then, before sleeps use your mind, self talk, and imagery to program your dream state to achieve positive outcomes in your dreams. Dreams influence your mental and physical stability.
How you can build and develop mind training technique is to take conscious actions in training and practice. You arrive at the facility and take a moment to meditate and build your visual and mental strategies for practice while you dress and clear out the days events. Those moments when not actually training or practicing you use your self talk to review and revise your actions in the hall and recognize those steps necessary to achieve a more positive outcome.
You use karate-do to achieve a present moment mind where positive outcomes are the norm. This is how one begins to achieve and understand the art of training the mind through mind training techniques.
Self talk is how you program your mind and your attitudes to achieve strength of will, strength of purpose, strength of heart and should. The words you speak to yourself can create greatness within or it can lessen you. Within us all is the capability to achieve strength and bravery, to grow, to achieve and what we say to ourselves can determine just how much and to what degree of achievement is possible.
When speaking to yourself the words and the phrases you say must be positive and reaffirming to enhance your self and the actions of the self. Your body will always follow your mind and what your mind says and believes dictates your physical actions and reactions.
Take conscious control of what you say and think from the moment you awake to the moment you sleep. Even then, before sleeps use your mind, self talk, and imagery to program your dream state to achieve positive outcomes in your dreams. Dreams influence your mental and physical stability.
How you can build and develop mind training technique is to take conscious actions in training and practice. You arrive at the facility and take a moment to meditate and build your visual and mental strategies for practice while you dress and clear out the days events. Those moments when not actually training or practicing you use your self talk to review and revise your actions in the hall and recognize those steps necessary to achieve a more positive outcome.
You use karate-do to achieve a present moment mind where positive outcomes are the norm. This is how one begins to achieve and understand the art of training the mind through mind training techniques.
Ken-po Goku-i Non-Literal View
So many of the Isshinryu, and karate-do, practitioners tend to take the ken-po goku-i as a literal set of terse pome's to guide them in training and practice of karate-do, if they actually use it at all other than a decoration on the training facility walls. The first two are geared more toward guidance in the study of life and the ancient Chinese classics which guide individuals and tribes in a better way so those will not be discussed in this particular posting (later :-).
This is to provide you with "possibilities" when studying the goku-i and incorporating into karate practice. It is my standpoint, my view, my practice and training so take it with a grain and always allow for your personal view, standpoint and interpretation. This is only meant to open the mind and allow for thinking outside the box.
Third Pome
Hard, soft, this can mean striking hard with chinkuchi or it can mean parry a strike by deflection with soft palm parry to the forearm. This is the literal meaning or at least one of them to consider.
Something to consider beyond the literal is the transitions between soft and hard of the mind. Extend this into the soft or hard strategies you utilize in actions. If you are resolute in using karate literally then your mind is hard. If you are open to all the possibilities beyond just techniques then your mind is pliant/soft and allows for this type of action. Somewhere in the middle, equilibrium of soft/hard mind allows you to shift in any direction (fifth pome).
Offense and defense can be either hard or soft as already mentioned. Our body language, what we project in addition to our voice can be either hard or soft and is determined by the tactics used as indicated in our overall strategy.
Our tactics can be karate techniques or simply our way of speaking or reacting to an attacker. Many injuries are avoided; many conflicts are avoided by understanding this before hard acts are committed.
There is a time for our minds to be hard and a time for them to be soft/pliant to allow for alternatives. We can literally "spit/hard" into an attackers face or we can "drink/soft" in the alternatives that de-escalate or avoid conflict. We all have the choice and with knowledge achieve greater tactics, both hard and soft, to achieve our goal on non-violent alternatives to conflict.
Fourth Pome
A person's unbalance is the same as a weight does not always mean literally to be physically unbalanced so they fall to the ground. Unbalance starts with the mind. To get your attacker/opponent to lose confidence in their ability is to unbalance their mind. This results in their minds leaving the moment and start to "think" which distracts and delays allowing you to strike first (remember this could be an opening to de-escalate vs. strike with fist, etc.).
If you are resolute in your readiness and have practiced diligently with present moment awareness you will "see" and/or "hear" opportunity to achieve unbalancing of the opponent in their mind that the rest follows and also becomes unbalanced. Their confidence will leave and allow you to dominate in a positive way.
Do not let your mind succumb and be unbalanced, remain resolute in action and thus through the strength of your eyes, face and mind cause the other to lose or unbalance their mind allowing you to strike first, fast and completely.
Fifth Pome
Changing Directions at any Time does not always apply to the literal change of the body using stance transitions, etc. but can also mean to change the direction of your strategy. You can actually shift from defense to offense or offense to defense as required. The body will change instinctively in regard to whether you are attacking or defending. This also equates to the changes in mental states. Remaining positive and acting positively is paramount and drives how you apply either defense or offense.
Changing the way your body language talks to others is also applicable. If one approaches you with intent to do harm you can change they way your body projects your intent. It is best to find balance in this to not project weakness but still project non-violent intent while at the same time projecting strength of character and strong attitude that causes the other to pause and take another look at the actions they take.
Sometimes this change in direction which equates to the way your body, face, and eyes talks to others can mean the difference between avoidance and peaceful resolutions vs. conflict and injuries, etc.
Sixth Pome
Opportunity does not always mean an opening in another defense to actually strike with intent to injury, etc. Opportunities to those who truly practice the way of the empty hand can be found long before anyone actually comes to blows.
Find the opportunity to strike in a manner that prevents conflict, that is the ultimate goal. A sophisticated defense can prevent the attack thus the attacker never gets the chance to touch you. This is striking before being struck (striking does not have to mean actual striking; striking with words and such to prevent striking is best). Call it a positive defense utilizing your eyes and ears.
We tend to focus too much on the physical strike when other strikes should also be a part of our repertoire of techniques. The technique of the mind is far more powerful than the arm or leg, foot or hand, elbow or knee. One must be taught from the novice level in the fundamentals that to strike with the mind at the first opportunity is far better than resorting to violence.
Seventh and Eighth Pome (Active Seeing; Active Listening)
The eyes must see all sides. The ears must listen in all directions.
Do we take these literally of can we also take them both beyond the literal? When we "see" or "hear" things are we actually seeing it truly; hearing it clearly? Questions that a karate-ka/person must answer in both conflict and life.
When we see or hear something most times we see the surface or hear the words but in almost all cases this is a cover that does not always convey truth. We see someone with a scowl on their face as they approach us and we might think that this guy is going to attack us. But if we truly "see" beyond the obvious we may determine that they are totally consumed with some thought and simply pass us by. We must see everything which means not only the facial expressions but how the eyes convey messages. We also have to see the body language that goes along with the face and eyes. We must see beyond the outer veil and into the inner truth to truly understand. Our imaginations will take us to the extreme so we need to temper it with knowledge and true active seeing.
This goes along with actively hearing. Sometimes the words are driven by the monkey brain which tends to send out anything and everything with out thought. This can be driven by some anger or fear but the words themselves may not be indicative of true meaning of the person. This is where active hearing must be coupled with achieve seeing so they both can be analyzed to determine the true meaning behind the words spoken and the body messages that are unconsciously provided by the person.
So, the pome of the goku-i, numbers seven and eight, must not be restrained in practice and training by the literal perception but taken beyond literal meaning and encompass the underlying information that will truly provide you with what is really necessary to overcome vs. the obvious and imaginations of the monkey brain.
To "see all sides" of the story, the body, the voice, the face and eyes, and truth will be seen. To "hear in all directions" is not just hearing sounds but hearing the subtleties of the persons spirit and the truth will be heard. Both will provide totality of any situation allowing you to practice the art of avoidance. To see and hear the truth allows you to provide appropriate actions, verbal and body language, to de-escalate vs. actions requiring the use of karate techniques.
The true art of the empty hand. A sophisticated defense can prevent the attack thus the attacker never gets the chance to touch you. This is striking before being struck (striking does not have to mean actual striking; striking with words and such to prevent striking is best). Call it a positive defense utilizing your eyes and ears.
This is to provide you with "possibilities" when studying the goku-i and incorporating into karate practice. It is my standpoint, my view, my practice and training so take it with a grain and always allow for your personal view, standpoint and interpretation. This is only meant to open the mind and allow for thinking outside the box.
Third Pome
Hard, soft, this can mean striking hard with chinkuchi or it can mean parry a strike by deflection with soft palm parry to the forearm. This is the literal meaning or at least one of them to consider.
Something to consider beyond the literal is the transitions between soft and hard of the mind. Extend this into the soft or hard strategies you utilize in actions. If you are resolute in using karate literally then your mind is hard. If you are open to all the possibilities beyond just techniques then your mind is pliant/soft and allows for this type of action. Somewhere in the middle, equilibrium of soft/hard mind allows you to shift in any direction (fifth pome).
Offense and defense can be either hard or soft as already mentioned. Our body language, what we project in addition to our voice can be either hard or soft and is determined by the tactics used as indicated in our overall strategy.
Our tactics can be karate techniques or simply our way of speaking or reacting to an attacker. Many injuries are avoided; many conflicts are avoided by understanding this before hard acts are committed.
There is a time for our minds to be hard and a time for them to be soft/pliant to allow for alternatives. We can literally "spit/hard" into an attackers face or we can "drink/soft" in the alternatives that de-escalate or avoid conflict. We all have the choice and with knowledge achieve greater tactics, both hard and soft, to achieve our goal on non-violent alternatives to conflict.
Fourth Pome
A person's unbalance is the same as a weight does not always mean literally to be physically unbalanced so they fall to the ground. Unbalance starts with the mind. To get your attacker/opponent to lose confidence in their ability is to unbalance their mind. This results in their minds leaving the moment and start to "think" which distracts and delays allowing you to strike first (remember this could be an opening to de-escalate vs. strike with fist, etc.).
If you are resolute in your readiness and have practiced diligently with present moment awareness you will "see" and/or "hear" opportunity to achieve unbalancing of the opponent in their mind that the rest follows and also becomes unbalanced. Their confidence will leave and allow you to dominate in a positive way.
Do not let your mind succumb and be unbalanced, remain resolute in action and thus through the strength of your eyes, face and mind cause the other to lose or unbalance their mind allowing you to strike first, fast and completely.
Fifth Pome
Changing Directions at any Time does not always apply to the literal change of the body using stance transitions, etc. but can also mean to change the direction of your strategy. You can actually shift from defense to offense or offense to defense as required. The body will change instinctively in regard to whether you are attacking or defending. This also equates to the changes in mental states. Remaining positive and acting positively is paramount and drives how you apply either defense or offense.
Changing the way your body language talks to others is also applicable. If one approaches you with intent to do harm you can change they way your body projects your intent. It is best to find balance in this to not project weakness but still project non-violent intent while at the same time projecting strength of character and strong attitude that causes the other to pause and take another look at the actions they take.
Sometimes this change in direction which equates to the way your body, face, and eyes talks to others can mean the difference between avoidance and peaceful resolutions vs. conflict and injuries, etc.
Sixth Pome
Opportunity does not always mean an opening in another defense to actually strike with intent to injury, etc. Opportunities to those who truly practice the way of the empty hand can be found long before anyone actually comes to blows.
Find the opportunity to strike in a manner that prevents conflict, that is the ultimate goal. A sophisticated defense can prevent the attack thus the attacker never gets the chance to touch you. This is striking before being struck (striking does not have to mean actual striking; striking with words and such to prevent striking is best). Call it a positive defense utilizing your eyes and ears.
We tend to focus too much on the physical strike when other strikes should also be a part of our repertoire of techniques. The technique of the mind is far more powerful than the arm or leg, foot or hand, elbow or knee. One must be taught from the novice level in the fundamentals that to strike with the mind at the first opportunity is far better than resorting to violence.
Seventh and Eighth Pome (Active Seeing; Active Listening)
The eyes must see all sides. The ears must listen in all directions.
Do we take these literally of can we also take them both beyond the literal? When we "see" or "hear" things are we actually seeing it truly; hearing it clearly? Questions that a karate-ka/person must answer in both conflict and life.
When we see or hear something most times we see the surface or hear the words but in almost all cases this is a cover that does not always convey truth. We see someone with a scowl on their face as they approach us and we might think that this guy is going to attack us. But if we truly "see" beyond the obvious we may determine that they are totally consumed with some thought and simply pass us by. We must see everything which means not only the facial expressions but how the eyes convey messages. We also have to see the body language that goes along with the face and eyes. We must see beyond the outer veil and into the inner truth to truly understand. Our imaginations will take us to the extreme so we need to temper it with knowledge and true active seeing.
This goes along with actively hearing. Sometimes the words are driven by the monkey brain which tends to send out anything and everything with out thought. This can be driven by some anger or fear but the words themselves may not be indicative of true meaning of the person. This is where active hearing must be coupled with achieve seeing so they both can be analyzed to determine the true meaning behind the words spoken and the body messages that are unconsciously provided by the person.
So, the pome of the goku-i, numbers seven and eight, must not be restrained in practice and training by the literal perception but taken beyond literal meaning and encompass the underlying information that will truly provide you with what is really necessary to overcome vs. the obvious and imaginations of the monkey brain.
To "see all sides" of the story, the body, the voice, the face and eyes, and truth will be seen. To "hear in all directions" is not just hearing sounds but hearing the subtleties of the persons spirit and the truth will be heard. Both will provide totality of any situation allowing you to practice the art of avoidance. To see and hear the truth allows you to provide appropriate actions, verbal and body language, to de-escalate vs. actions requiring the use of karate techniques.
The true art of the empty hand. A sophisticated defense can prevent the attack thus the attacker never gets the chance to touch you. This is striking before being struck (striking does not have to mean actual striking; striking with words and such to prevent striking is best). Call it a positive defense utilizing your eyes and ears.
Seventh Pome
The eyes must see all sides. The eyes must not be fooled by our minds. We may observe one thing but our imaginations will sometimes carry that to an extreme causing our monkey brain to kick it with exaggerations that will lead to misunderstandings that result in conflict.
We sometimes take the most direct route in this particular tome of the ken-po goku-i, seeing the obvious but forgetting to "see" the extent of one's imaginations. It is said, "One should not be misled by bad phenomena which meet one's eye." (quote from Kazumi Tabata Sensei)
Misled by our own minds thus strengthening the idea and need to train the mind/brain to differentiate the myriad things we "see" in our lives as well as in training and practice.
Knowledge must be the tempering of the steel forged by our observations and imaginations so that truth and clarity is "seen" in all we do, this is important and maybe the most important aspect of the ken-po- goku-i's seventh pome.
We sometimes take the most direct route in this particular tome of the ken-po goku-i, seeing the obvious but forgetting to "see" the extent of one's imaginations. It is said, "One should not be misled by bad phenomena which meet one's eye." (quote from Kazumi Tabata Sensei)
Misled by our own minds thus strengthening the idea and need to train the mind/brain to differentiate the myriad things we "see" in our lives as well as in training and practice.
Knowledge must be the tempering of the steel forged by our observations and imaginations so that truth and clarity is "seen" in all we do, this is important and maybe the most important aspect of the ken-po- goku-i's seventh pome.
Ignoring the Inner Self
When you practice/train, do you make any efforts toward that inner self to bring about change and thus improvement? One of the basic fundamentals of a FMA is its ritualistic base. It is an age old belief that rituals are what form the habits we live every day. In time and with the rituals of life we develop ingrained habits or ways we live, etc.
Aristotle said it, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,then, is not an act but a habit." We all know that simply performing something in a ritualistic manner doesn't do it. Take performance kata, it is ritualistic in that performance but it does nothing in that way to promote changes nor the ability to defend and protect if attacked.
If we want the ritual of kata to benefit these area's as well as others not mentioned then that behavior must have a "meaning" to the person practicing. If the person does not "believe" nor do they "truly have the convictions" that make the kata work in these instances then they are truly worthless. In reality the benefit or detriment of kata practice is not the kata itself but the person and their inner convictions. Much like the concept of "giri or burden hardest to bear" if you don't feel it, you don't have it; conviction!
Ben Franklin was known for his busyness and his technique which bears out the above is that he would first take a look inward to get the reasons he wanted to change his habits. He looked at both the positive aspects and the negative. Looking only at the positive is out of balance to what needs to be done. Create inner equilibrium that results in absolute convictions. He had to decide and create the inner conviction first before performing the ritualistic behaviors that brought about inner change.
If we wish to accomplish the maximum in our practice then we need to stop looking at the physical first and turn inward toward the mind and brain. Train them first, create the goals we wish to accomplish first, give our selves the absolute conviction of our inner beliefs and then tackle the exterior/physical to achieve the goals.
It is also important to track these convictions and have reminders long after you achieve the goals which is another reason why the ritualistic practices such as we discuss here are necessary. Just saying you will do it does not get it done. Simply going through the motions does not get it done either. Kata also provides through its continued diligent practice the reminders to the mind and brain of the goals set by the convictions of the individual. Ergo, why such things are the "tools to a better way of living."
Aristotle said it, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,then, is not an act but a habit." We all know that simply performing something in a ritualistic manner doesn't do it. Take performance kata, it is ritualistic in that performance but it does nothing in that way to promote changes nor the ability to defend and protect if attacked.
If we want the ritual of kata to benefit these area's as well as others not mentioned then that behavior must have a "meaning" to the person practicing. If the person does not "believe" nor do they "truly have the convictions" that make the kata work in these instances then they are truly worthless. In reality the benefit or detriment of kata practice is not the kata itself but the person and their inner convictions. Much like the concept of "giri or burden hardest to bear" if you don't feel it, you don't have it; conviction!
Ben Franklin was known for his busyness and his technique which bears out the above is that he would first take a look inward to get the reasons he wanted to change his habits. He looked at both the positive aspects and the negative. Looking only at the positive is out of balance to what needs to be done. Create inner equilibrium that results in absolute convictions. He had to decide and create the inner conviction first before performing the ritualistic behaviors that brought about inner change.
If we wish to accomplish the maximum in our practice then we need to stop looking at the physical first and turn inward toward the mind and brain. Train them first, create the goals we wish to accomplish first, give our selves the absolute conviction of our inner beliefs and then tackle the exterior/physical to achieve the goals.
It is also important to track these convictions and have reminders long after you achieve the goals which is another reason why the ritualistic practices such as we discuss here are necessary. Just saying you will do it does not get it done. Simply going through the motions does not get it done either. Kata also provides through its continued diligent practice the reminders to the mind and brain of the goals set by the convictions of the individual. Ergo, why such things are the "tools to a better way of living."
In Search of Kenpo gokui
I have studied all that I can find on the "kenpo gokui" that is possible via the Internet. I have also viewed and/or read books on the subject of which there are very, very few; especially in regards to Isshinryu. What I have discovered is dismal and to tell the truth even at the most complete place, a yahoo group dedicated to Isshinryu and Tatsuo, there is very little on it that is not cryptic and short.
Here is what I could find on the Internet with the only link that provides more than just the exact wording of the eight precepts, i.e. the ken-po goku-i blog site.
MSIsshinryu: http://www.msisshinryu.com/gokui/
IsshinKai: http://www.isshinkai.net/history05-kempogokui.html
Ken-po Goku-i Blog: http://www.isshinkai.net/history05-kempogokui.html
Hope Yama Dojo: http://www3.telus.net/hopeyamadojo/codes.htm
Kenpo gokui Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=321963387917&topic=12840
WholeHeartedNews: http://www.wholeheartednews.com/kenp-gokui/
Isshinryu.org: http://isshinryu.org/?page_id=49
Isshinryu Karate Klub of Troy: http://isshinryu.union.rpi.edu/8codes.html
Jersey Karate: http://www.jerseykarate.com/isshinryu_karate.htm
No one, not a one (blog excluded), provides any guidance as to the meaning/meanings behind the eight "tomes" of the gokui. It has been preached in some circles as the key to the practice of Isshinryu karate-DO but nadda darn thing is provided in that vain.
One book was written and upon close scrutiny it turned out to be a book of ego trips and egoistic advice on such mundane subjects as tournaments but nothing on the philosophical aspects or even the symbolism represented in aspects of the Isshinryu-no-megami (some call the MizuGami).
Why is this? I can "guess" that it is because no one truly wants to discover the underlying belief system that Tatsuo incorporated into his system through his in-depth knowledge of the ancient classics, etc. We are all to busy stroking our ego's and getting as many accolades, recognitions, ranks, trophies, etc. and find no apparent value in it other than Tatsuo said it was important.
If it is important, I believe it is, then why has no one in America actually endeavored to provide information on this important subject. There is a lot of lip service but where is the guidance from all these so-called first generation students; these old and self-proclaimed "masters" of Isshinryu?
If you know, know anything, are willing to pass along what you know, then make a comment, put in your mail address and I will contact you off line to hear what you have to teach me.
Here is what I could find on the Internet with the only link that provides more than just the exact wording of the eight precepts, i.e. the ken-po goku-i blog site.
MSIsshinryu: http://www.msisshinryu.com/gokui/
IsshinKai: http://www.isshinkai.net/history05-kempogokui.html
Ken-po Goku-i Blog: http://www.isshinkai.net/history05-kempogokui.html
Hope Yama Dojo: http://www3.telus.net/hopeyamadojo/codes.htm
Kenpo gokui Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=321963387917&topic=12840
WholeHeartedNews: http://www.wholeheartednews.com/kenp-gokui/
Isshinryu.org: http://isshinryu.org/?page_id=49
Isshinryu Karate Klub of Troy: http://isshinryu.union.rpi.edu/8codes.html
Jersey Karate: http://www.jerseykarate.com/isshinryu_karate.htm
No one, not a one (blog excluded), provides any guidance as to the meaning/meanings behind the eight "tomes" of the gokui. It has been preached in some circles as the key to the practice of Isshinryu karate-DO but nadda darn thing is provided in that vain.
One book was written and upon close scrutiny it turned out to be a book of ego trips and egoistic advice on such mundane subjects as tournaments but nothing on the philosophical aspects or even the symbolism represented in aspects of the Isshinryu-no-megami (some call the MizuGami).
Why is this? I can "guess" that it is because no one truly wants to discover the underlying belief system that Tatsuo incorporated into his system through his in-depth knowledge of the ancient classics, etc. We are all to busy stroking our ego's and getting as many accolades, recognitions, ranks, trophies, etc. and find no apparent value in it other than Tatsuo said it was important.
If it is important, I believe it is, then why has no one in America actually endeavored to provide information on this important subject. There is a lot of lip service but where is the guidance from all these so-called first generation students; these old and self-proclaimed "masters" of Isshinryu?
If you know, know anything, are willing to pass along what you know, then make a comment, put in your mail address and I will contact you off line to hear what you have to teach me.
Turning Inward
Increasingly more difficult ever day we live in the connected world. "The more connected we are, the more we depend on the wold outside ourselves to tell us how to think and live." - Hamlet's Blackberry by William Powers
What has this to do with karate-do? Karate is a form of practice that requires our undivided attention. An attention that lasts much longer than the mere seconds we experience in the connected world where each new thing seems to drag us away from the last. This takes the responsibility of our inner selves and gives it over to that set of tools that run the connected world where our every move seems to be governed by the little "taps" we receive, i.e. emails, texts, etc.
This disconnection from our inner selves is what karate depends on for its practice and especially self protection. This also applies to our awareness while we walk about our world. If we are busy with connections, i.e. phone calls, texts, surfing, etc., then we will appear to an attacker as an easy victim to surprise attack, etc.
Our brains also do not work this way and it pulls us away from that singularity that promotes productivity, etc. Karate practice takes us away from this world and puts us back in our world where we can let go, relax and re-focus back to the inner self to grow and prosper.
We have to focus on the present, how we're living, thinking, and feeling right now. The connected world is about living, thinking, and feeling in relation to that world and its connection to others in the same world which is not within each of us and the connections real time live person to person provides. Our survival depends on social interactions which are not met in the connected world.
Just like leaving behind the days troubles when you dress for training, we leave it behind us and that is good as we need recharge time away from the hustle and bustle. In the connected world it is imperative we step away, leave it now and then and karate can take us there, refocus us on the inner self, connect us back to the persona social connections that inspire and bring life more alive.
Look at it as mind/brain training and relaxation. Step away and allow the mind to slow down and be itself again. Being connected has its benefits but it does have its down side and that affects our brains and minds taking us away from our nature. We have not evolved enough and if you feel stressed by it from time to time train properly by cutting it off and allowing yourself to be human. You can have both.
Having both means to achieve a balance of life and connectivity. Yin and Yang, achieving an equilibrium that allows you to achieve connectivity and still release it for your benefit. Don't let it control you, you control it thus control your life.
In a fight or self defense it is literally a matter of who controls whom, etc. so if you wish to remain intact, healthy, and wiser then control your world, both inner and outer.
Remember that our social nature, a survival instinct, wants us to feed the human need to connect outward, to answer the call of others for social interactions, as well as the innate need of humans to get time and space apart. Here again the answer is balance between the outward need and inward one.
Bibliography:
Powers, William. "Hamlet's Blackberry: A Practical Philosophy for Building a Good Life in the Digital Age." New York. HarperCollins Publishing. 2010
What has this to do with karate-do? Karate is a form of practice that requires our undivided attention. An attention that lasts much longer than the mere seconds we experience in the connected world where each new thing seems to drag us away from the last. This takes the responsibility of our inner selves and gives it over to that set of tools that run the connected world where our every move seems to be governed by the little "taps" we receive, i.e. emails, texts, etc.
This disconnection from our inner selves is what karate depends on for its practice and especially self protection. This also applies to our awareness while we walk about our world. If we are busy with connections, i.e. phone calls, texts, surfing, etc., then we will appear to an attacker as an easy victim to surprise attack, etc.
Our brains also do not work this way and it pulls us away from that singularity that promotes productivity, etc. Karate practice takes us away from this world and puts us back in our world where we can let go, relax and re-focus back to the inner self to grow and prosper.
We have to focus on the present, how we're living, thinking, and feeling right now. The connected world is about living, thinking, and feeling in relation to that world and its connection to others in the same world which is not within each of us and the connections real time live person to person provides. Our survival depends on social interactions which are not met in the connected world.
Just like leaving behind the days troubles when you dress for training, we leave it behind us and that is good as we need recharge time away from the hustle and bustle. In the connected world it is imperative we step away, leave it now and then and karate can take us there, refocus us on the inner self, connect us back to the persona social connections that inspire and bring life more alive.
Look at it as mind/brain training and relaxation. Step away and allow the mind to slow down and be itself again. Being connected has its benefits but it does have its down side and that affects our brains and minds taking us away from our nature. We have not evolved enough and if you feel stressed by it from time to time train properly by cutting it off and allowing yourself to be human. You can have both.
Having both means to achieve a balance of life and connectivity. Yin and Yang, achieving an equilibrium that allows you to achieve connectivity and still release it for your benefit. Don't let it control you, you control it thus control your life.
In a fight or self defense it is literally a matter of who controls whom, etc. so if you wish to remain intact, healthy, and wiser then control your world, both inner and outer.
Remember that our social nature, a survival instinct, wants us to feed the human need to connect outward, to answer the call of others for social interactions, as well as the innate need of humans to get time and space apart. Here again the answer is balance between the outward need and inward one.
Bibliography:
Powers, William. "Hamlet's Blackberry: A Practical Philosophy for Building a Good Life in the Digital Age." New York. HarperCollins Publishing. 2010
The MOON
The blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon: MoonIn karate we attempt to train ourselves so that our minds are free from distractions that would interrupt swift action. The Japanese call this a Zen practice of being like the moon and water. We should notice that this is also represented by symbolism in the Isshinryu-no-megami, i.e. the troubled waters at night, etc.
The Zen Buddhist use two terms, i.e. "tsuki-no-kokoro and mizu-no-kokoro" which mean "mind like the moon and mind like water" which is explained by Dr. Schmeisser in his book as, "The mind should be placid and calm, but quick as light, just as the moon loses no time producing its reflection in still water." (page 122, chapter 13 on "Psychological Balance."
The end result intended for karate practitioners is the ability to quiet the mind so that the brain can retrieve appropriate responses from both RAM and Main storage memory. This means the more rapid memory provides the initial response while it spends a moment to retrieve the appropriate response/action from main memory where your practice and training hopefully stored it for use. The quiet mind allows the process to be quick, almost instantaneous while if the brain/mind is polluted by thoughts of the past, future, or self talking to yourself if you are not totally frozen which consumes needed processing to both instant and long term stored memory. Much like a computer CPU being absorbed by junk processing slowing the access to both RAM and the Hard drive, stored memory, etc.
How you train for this is also a very difficult answer to provide. The FMA methods of practice and training, hopefully and if done correctly, i.e. taught adequately, should provide a means to experience and thus train the mind to short-circuit the ego driven monkey brain chatter and access the side of the mind/brain that experiences the non-verbal, non-ego way of thinking which is referred to as no-mind or non-thinking, etc. This is referred to as the internal feeling of two ways of "seeing."
Upon more understanding of the references to this phenomena in Dr. Schmeisser's book on page 124 it infers, to me anyway, that training must achieve a balance of both "sights" so that the monkey brain chatter is controlled by the passive and verbally silent side to achieve appropriate access and action.
It is tantamount to the left brain causing the body to move its individual parts and the right brain takes over a bit more in this inference to achieve movement without the centralized left brain controller. It makes the left side an impartial and relatively silent witness that seems to stand apart from the action but in reality is controlled by both in lieu of the normal left brain dominance, etc.
I quote, "In karate-do, the actual learning of the new technique is handled by the left brain; the practice or performance of the art is under right brain control."
Bibliography: Schmeisser, Elmar T., Ph.D. "Advanced Karate-Do: Concepts, Techniques, and Training Methods." St. Louis: Tamashii Press, 2007.
The "EYES" Have It!
The Eyes must see all sides.
Literal and metaphysical aspects apply. In karate power is necessary, along with lots of other variables, to achieve effective karate technique. In the practice of karate the "eyes" become a significant factor.
Literally the eyes are required to "see" and thus "assess" before action is involved. This is practiced in kata by "looking or seeing" before committing to a move such as a parry or strike. The "eyes" provide decisiveness in application of the technique. Before the brain can determine which technique or tactic to take it must perceive the problem.
Next, the "eyes" provide a focus for that same technique. Look with determination and resolve at the target, which is the opponent. Put your eyes dead on their shoulder/head area and lock on with the facial and body language that speaks of determination and resolve. The direction of the gaze, eyes, will also provide additional focus toward the target area. Try it, hit the heavy bag while gazing at it directly then try it again with the eyes down, left, right, up at the sky or what ever and see if things don't go hinkey.
The "eyes" also provide stability to the body. Eyes turning toward the target provide a line of embarkation for the body and the weapon of choice so it starts the physical process that provides power, speed, and such to hit. Eyes must point to the opponent and target, in general, to achieve maximum effectiveness.
If you don't put your eyes on target then you lose focus, that of seeing what is occurring and what effectiveness the weapon, hand or foot, etc., will have on the target. It the eyes lose direction and focus then the ability to protect and defend; utilize good solid technique effectively; will suffer.
The eyes truly must see all sides, all sides of the spatial arena, all sides of the opponent, all sides of the effectiveness of action, and all sides of any situation.
It's All Academic Anyway
You know what, no matter what I post, what others post, what anyone thinks. This blog posts stuff from my perspective sometimes alluding to what is right and what is wrong, what is correct what is incorrect, etc.
But,. in the end we are Americans and what we do with our fighting forms is our business. What this blog and others hope to do is let folks know that outside our own it can be perceived as one thing or another, both good and bad and as long as "You know; You are aware: You don't care" then go for it, have fun, do your thing but my only caveat is to make sure you are completely up front and honest in what you do.
Sometimes what you DO NOT SAY has more impact that anything else, be aware and have fun.
But,. in the end we are Americans and what we do with our fighting forms is our business. What this blog and others hope to do is let folks know that outside our own it can be perceived as one thing or another, both good and bad and as long as "You know; You are aware: You don't care" then go for it, have fun, do your thing but my only caveat is to make sure you are completely up front and honest in what you do.
Sometimes what you DO NOT SAY has more impact that anything else, be aware and have fun.
New Web Site
Greetings and Salutations all ... I have changed my personal karate web site. It is brief and to the point in some ways and DOES NOT talk about specifics unless in response to questions that are specific.
I wanted to get away from the type of web site that puts up a ton of pictures of some person doing karate or talking about Japanese karate terms or talking about technique performance and correctness, etc. YADDA YADDA YADDA
What I tried to do was put on information you may not find on any other karate web site especially one on Isshinryu.
You will find the link if interested on this blog page somewhere.
I wanted to get away from the type of web site that puts up a ton of pictures of some person doing karate or talking about Japanese karate terms or talking about technique performance and correctness, etc. YADDA YADDA YADDA
What I tried to do was put on information you may not find on any other karate web site especially one on Isshinryu.
You will find the link if interested on this blog page somewhere.
Way of Life
Karate-do or "way; empty hand." Often you hear someone say that they practice karate as a "way of life." Poppycock! Nothing and no one person could or should be the focus in the way you live your life.
A way of life is what the individual lives and they should rely upon themselves to achieve a better way of life. Projecting onto others or other endeavors such as the practice of karate, martial art, flower arranging, tea ceremony, etc. is not healthy nor is it true. Like many things in the practice of karate/karate-do/karate-sho this is misleading semantics and literally cannot be true.
No activity such as this can or does lead to a better way of life. This is tantamount to saying to yourself that there is no way in the world you could possibly achieve a better life with out either a person, persons, organizations, society, etc. or some external activity providing it. It cannot be done, it is not possible, it takes the free will and open minded individual to bring about change within themselves.
No one else and no other outside source can give you a better way of life. This is an internal thing! If you achieve a better way of living then you and you alone changed yourself, that is it, just you. Your mom didn't do it nor your dad and neither did anyone else in your life. They may have provided some insight but in the end it is still you and you alone that decides to change or to become a better person leading a good life, a better life, a way of life.
When someone says they practice karate/karate-do/karate-sho as a way of life actually means they use the practice to help validate the thoughts and idea's you gather yourself so you can make a better decision as to what it is you and you alone wish to incorporate into yourself to live better, to be a better person and to lead a better life. No one can dictate to you what that is or how to achieve it. They can mentor you, they can provide information to evaluate and either assimilate or discard, they can only do this and only you can make the decision to change.
Karat-do is a "WAY" to open the mind and teach us there are no limits to what we can achieve and that is why they say it can "help us" to achieve greater self confidence, etc. but understand that it cannot "GIVE US" self confidence, only you can decide if you can or cannot increase it.
Education, experiences, interactions with others in society; those things you "see," "hear," "feel," "touch," "taste," etc. with the unique gift nature provided to assess, evaluate, decide, assimilate or discard to create our OWN life and way of living it. Everything else including the practice of karate are simply the tools you, you alone, decide to use to achieve your goal of a better way of life.
Education: the studies you do such as reading and understanding the various classics that are possible ways to live you can incorporate, if you choose. This includes both the physical and esoteric practice of karate, etc. All are a part of educating yourself.
Experiences: those we have living life, associating with others and being attentive/observant, that which we learn by "doing" such things as karate, etc. to include your travels to other places, people, customs, and courtesies and so on.
Interactions: those you experience with your parents, brothers and sisters, school mates, teachers at school, work, vacation spots, social groups, other places and activities where you are interacting with others which includes the tribe/group dynamics of karate practice/training.
All those external things that you are able to bring into yourself through sight, sound, touch, feelings, etc. are contributors to your decision to assimilate or discard to achieve better ways of living life.
So, in lieu of saying, "I practice karate as a way of life," you might say, "I use karate to achieve a way of life."
A way of life is what the individual lives and they should rely upon themselves to achieve a better way of life. Projecting onto others or other endeavors such as the practice of karate, martial art, flower arranging, tea ceremony, etc. is not healthy nor is it true. Like many things in the practice of karate/karate-do/karate-sho this is misleading semantics and literally cannot be true.
No activity such as this can or does lead to a better way of life. This is tantamount to saying to yourself that there is no way in the world you could possibly achieve a better life with out either a person, persons, organizations, society, etc. or some external activity providing it. It cannot be done, it is not possible, it takes the free will and open minded individual to bring about change within themselves.
No one else and no other outside source can give you a better way of life. This is an internal thing! If you achieve a better way of living then you and you alone changed yourself, that is it, just you. Your mom didn't do it nor your dad and neither did anyone else in your life. They may have provided some insight but in the end it is still you and you alone that decides to change or to become a better person leading a good life, a better life, a way of life.
When someone says they practice karate/karate-do/karate-sho as a way of life actually means they use the practice to help validate the thoughts and idea's you gather yourself so you can make a better decision as to what it is you and you alone wish to incorporate into yourself to live better, to be a better person and to lead a better life. No one can dictate to you what that is or how to achieve it. They can mentor you, they can provide information to evaluate and either assimilate or discard, they can only do this and only you can make the decision to change.
Karat-do is a "WAY" to open the mind and teach us there are no limits to what we can achieve and that is why they say it can "help us" to achieve greater self confidence, etc. but understand that it cannot "GIVE US" self confidence, only you can decide if you can or cannot increase it.
Education, experiences, interactions with others in society; those things you "see," "hear," "feel," "touch," "taste," etc. with the unique gift nature provided to assess, evaluate, decide, assimilate or discard to create our OWN life and way of living it. Everything else including the practice of karate are simply the tools you, you alone, decide to use to achieve your goal of a better way of life.
Education: the studies you do such as reading and understanding the various classics that are possible ways to live you can incorporate, if you choose. This includes both the physical and esoteric practice of karate, etc. All are a part of educating yourself.
Experiences: those we have living life, associating with others and being attentive/observant, that which we learn by "doing" such things as karate, etc. to include your travels to other places, people, customs, and courtesies and so on.
Interactions: those you experience with your parents, brothers and sisters, school mates, teachers at school, work, vacation spots, social groups, other places and activities where you are interacting with others which includes the tribe/group dynamics of karate practice/training.
All those external things that you are able to bring into yourself through sight, sound, touch, feelings, etc. are contributors to your decision to assimilate or discard to achieve better ways of living life.
So, in lieu of saying, "I practice karate as a way of life," you might say, "I use karate to achieve a way of life."
Sudoku, interesting trivia ;-)
I have been studying the I Ching and other Chinese classics and just the other day I purchased a Sudoku book for my wife and noticed a similarity which got me to wonder, where did the sodoku idea originate.
The following graphic shows a sudoku puzzle and the other is the "magic square" in the I Ching, interesting!
The following graphic shows a sudoku puzzle and the other is the "magic square" in the I Ching, interesting!
Click for larger view!
Soduko: has nine magic squares within a larger magic square!
Magic square: has nine squares with the same numbers found in the sudoku puzzles smaller squares, etc.
Magic square: has nine squares with the same numbers found in the sudoku puzzles smaller squares, etc.
Additional Education, The Classics, etc.
I have posted on various classics I study but one that is seldom written about and is available is the Oriental Classics; Sources of Chinese Traditions where the book is of Several Great Philosophers of Classical China seldom mention except maybe in the interpretations of such notable translators as James Legge, etc.
There are three more philosophers that kind of fell between the Confucius classics and those of Mencius. The books are, "Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu."
Master Mo wrote in a reference "Mo-ist" school of philosophy while Master Hsun and Master Han Fei were studied out side of a "school" of philosophical study.
The University of Columbia Press has a translation of these books by Burton Watson. The one that was compiled into one hard bound edition was published by the University in 1967 and is listed in Amazon, see link below. I managed to get a copy that was at one time a part of a library, i.e. library edition. It is worth the effort to find copies of all three philosophers as the add and validate the translations of Confucius, Mencius and such as the I Ching, Chuang Tsu, etc.
Title: "The Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu" translated by Burton Watson. ISBN: 0231025157 Columbria Univ. Press March 15, 1967.
There are three more philosophers that kind of fell between the Confucius classics and those of Mencius. The books are, "Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu."
Master Mo wrote in a reference "Mo-ist" school of philosophy while Master Hsun and Master Han Fei were studied out side of a "school" of philosophical study.
The University of Columbia Press has a translation of these books by Burton Watson. The one that was compiled into one hard bound edition was published by the University in 1967 and is listed in Amazon, see link below. I managed to get a copy that was at one time a part of a library, i.e. library edition. It is worth the effort to find copies of all three philosophers as the add and validate the translations of Confucius, Mencius and such as the I Ching, Chuang Tsu, etc.
Title: "The Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu" translated by Burton Watson. ISBN: 0231025157 Columbria Univ. Press March 15, 1967.
I Ching - more ...
I would first stress two items before the post. First, I am the author of this blog and wish to emphasize that you should always remember that the posts are written from my own standpoint. Two, that you take the following information, each seperate item, on its own and remember that no one point of view is defined by this data, it remains fluid in accordance with the person who is studying it.
We have the six trigrams divided into two groups, yang and yin. The trigrams with "one" undivided line are the "yang." The trigrams with "one" divided line are the "yin."
Together they all constitute the "six children" or "three sons" and "three daughters."
In utilizing the trigrams for the I Ching you find the numerical values by counting the lines. The divided lines will count as "2" and the undivided lines as "1."
_____ _____ 2
__________ 1
_____ _____ 2
for the numerical value of "5."
In addition the following also applies:
____ ____ indicates 2 or more subjects
____ ____ indicates 2 or more subjects
________ indicates 1 ruler governing 4 subjects or more ...
____ ____ indicates 1 subject serving 2 rulers
________ 2 rulers striving together for
________ the allegiance of the one subject
____ ____
____ ____ Line 5 & 6 are Heaven: Husband
________
____ ____ Line 3 & 4 are Earth: his wife
________
________ Line 1 & 2 are Man: their son
When the yang line is in a even space it is not appropriate and indicates what is bad.
When the yin line is in an odd space it is not appropriate and indicates what is bad.
There are five "points" in regards to the lines of a hexagram/trigram:
1. The time.
2. The position of the line.
3. The quality of the line.
4 & 5 The mutual nearness of lines and the responsive relations of lines [these two are significant in relation to the first three points]
The fifth line of the hexagram is almost always the place of honor and authority to the hexagram.
In reference to Heaven it is represented/symbolized by all "animals," moving creatures.
In reference to Earth it is represented/symbolixed by all "plants," things that stand and do not move.
Heaven turns their heads to the sky while Earth has roots to the ground.
The sixth line is understood as having "no place" at all.
In numerology the "Heaven" is round, its circumference is 3x's the size of its diameter thus the number for Heaven is "3."
In numerology the "Earth" is square, its circumference is 4x"s its length or breadth; 2 pair of equal sides thus the number for Earth is "2."
We have the six trigrams divided into two groups, yang and yin. The trigrams with "one" undivided line are the "yang." The trigrams with "one" divided line are the "yin."
Together they all constitute the "six children" or "three sons" and "three daughters."
In utilizing the trigrams for the I Ching you find the numerical values by counting the lines. The divided lines will count as "2" and the undivided lines as "1."
_____ _____ 2
__________ 1
_____ _____ 2
for the numerical value of "5."
In addition the following also applies:
____ ____ indicates 2 or more subjects
____ ____ indicates 2 or more subjects
________ indicates 1 ruler governing 4 subjects or more ...
____ ____ indicates 1 subject serving 2 rulers
________ 2 rulers striving together for
________ the allegiance of the one subject
____ ____
____ ____ Line 5 & 6 are Heaven: Husband
________
____ ____ Line 3 & 4 are Earth: his wife
________
________ Line 1 & 2 are Man: their son
When the yang line is in a even space it is not appropriate and indicates what is bad.
When the yin line is in an odd space it is not appropriate and indicates what is bad.
There are five "points" in regards to the lines of a hexagram/trigram:
1. The time.
2. The position of the line.
3. The quality of the line.
4 & 5 The mutual nearness of lines and the responsive relations of lines [these two are significant in relation to the first three points]
The fifth line of the hexagram is almost always the place of honor and authority to the hexagram.
In reference to Heaven it is represented/symbolized by all "animals," moving creatures.
In reference to Earth it is represented/symbolixed by all "plants," things that stand and do not move.
Heaven turns their heads to the sky while Earth has roots to the ground.
The sixth line is understood as having "no place" at all.
In numerology the "Heaven" is round, its circumference is 3x's the size of its diameter thus the number for Heaven is "3."
In numerology the "Earth" is square, its circumference is 4x"s its length or breadth; 2 pair of equal sides thus the number for Earth is "2."