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.
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
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