The Way

A moral course and a means ...

I Ching; Tao-te-Ching; Ken-po Goku-i; Texts of Taoism; Go-rin-no-sho; Art of War; The Analects; Chinese Book of Life; Chinese Astrology; and many many other ancient classics one uses to achieve the "Way!"

The Way which in Japanese is "michi" which means a way, a road, a street, a path, a lane, an alley, a route, a course, a moral principle and a means. To follow a path as a moral endeavor is to follow some pathway even if it does not have a literal meaning of following a route on a highway or road. Tho this character does indicate that literal meaning the one we as FA/MA practitioners use is to follow a course, a moral principle is involved, and the means by which we do this is the singular practice of the FA/MA.

All the classics I mention all have the same thread throughout of a moral guide to a sage like living of life. They  mention a singular form whereby one promotes a way of living that meets the natural way of the Universe; by the Universe's natural laws which like the laws of physics are non-negotiable and unchangeable; the type of laws which we live with but choose as to its goodness or not-goodness, the law of opposites, the law of duality, the law of Yang-Yin, etc.

No matter which classics are studied the theme through out is the same but the message is conveyed as an individualized viewpoint of either a person or a group. Much like the variety of FA/MA systems we have today even though at their core they all are the same, i.e. striking, kicking, etc. Divergence occurs at the mental levels and those mental perceptions and translations provide the different systems.

I have posted on traditions and classical practice of FA/MA and if I am to understand the mental part these differences in systems is natural and traditional to all the past masters. Change is inevitable because of the human condition but the spirit core of life is the same for all of us even if our expressions seem "different" on the outside. The inner life is all the same; the outer life differs due to individualized expression.

All bottles are good, they all serve a purpose! - Shimabuku, Tatsuo Sensei

To truly see and hear  one must be open and those who trained under the watchful eye of Tatsuo could not truly see or hear him for if they did they would not promote the dogmatic adherence to his demonstrations of old man kata on the 8mm films of the sixties, etc. The doctrine of having to show you practice and know his way of doing Isshinryu as interpreted by Americans who failed to "see and hear" his truth throughout the classical/traditional way of FA/MA are stuck in that rut stifling the growth potential of the practitioner and thus the spirit of Tatsuo's Isshinryu.

In my opinion the No. 1 trait of Isshinryu is its founders desire we not remain stagnate in his original beginnings but to see and hear his message of practice and training he demonstrated through out his teaching years. Forget the vertical fist, the double bone/muscle block, the short stances, etc and remember his spirit of Isshinryu teachings, practice and training.

Kung Fu: I Ching not Chinese Boxing

In a recent post I told of finding a reference to "Kung Fu" where it could have been in relation to Chinese Boxing, i.e. Martial Art. I have since found that in philosophy it could represent/symbolize other aspects so when I went back to James Legge's translation of Hexagram 61 you find Kung Fu as follows:

 

One can interpret this statement, translation, to provide guidance as to the wholehearted practice of FA/MA where one of the results a combatant wishes to achieve is a freedom from the ego and all its trappings, maybe?

Water: Symbol

The symbol of water as depicted in the I Ching denotes gradual advance, like the soaking in of water. In the "Zen" like symbolism of the martial arts water is used to denote strength, flexibility, and the state of one's mind to name a few. The moon reflecting on a still pond, a still water reflects, etc. all present some example of what a martial artist strives for in the practical application of use in combat, both civil and war based.

There is the crystal clarity of pure water vs. muddy water. Water denoting a peaceful practice of tranquility. How water seeks the lowest places. How water is soft enough to flow around all things but can be focused to a point where nothing can withstand its onslaught. Water is one of the five elements of the I Ching.

The stillness of water with purpose vs. being active with meaning/intent. Water is flexible in that it remains a liquid, can become solid as ice, it becomes gaseous as steam, and water except if some cases remains flowing. Water is also that one element that supports and maintains life itself. We are made up mostly of water in our bodies, etc.

Water flows over, under, around all things. It does not jump. Water is water is karate is life is both yang and yin thus not surprising utilized as a symbol for a consummate martial artist or budo-ka.

The I Ching uses water to give a sense of gradual advancement as a natural order to life. The idea of advance/progress is used to teach us that this process is natural and done in a gradual manner with and by successive steps and other conditions as denoted by the particular hexagram. It can be hypothesized by the readings that to do otherwise results in calamity. What this means today is the short cuts many take to achieve the glory of the cool stuff may give immediate satisfaction but for longevity it will open the practitioner to fault and instability of the entire system. To follow proper natural ways is to build strength and stamina while "cheating" leads to weakness and instability.

We can learn from the yin side of the coin we call karate-do or any "Do" for that matter for they all lead to the truth of life, living, and self improvement, etc.

Just see how many times water is used to convey some meaning and ability to achieve proficient levels of expertise in the combative arts of both FA and MA. After all, symbolism is a way to "teach" others by expressing ideas and knowledge in a way that will allow understanding not to forget the ability to convey that over generations.

Examples:

Water has a universal undertone of purity and fertility. It is also seen as a source of life which in reality it is since we are, as I have said, mostly water and lets not forget that we look to "water" as an indication of life or possible life on other planets. Some mythological stories use water to indicate where live emerges.

Let use also the water flowing as an symbol to represent circulation where the ken-po goku-i also alludes to circulation by saying blood circulates similar to sun and moon.

Taoism, Tao-te-ching, also uses the symbol of water to indicate aspects of sagely wisdom. They let us know that water, unlike most other elements, assumes an form that it encounters to flow in, over, or around objects. It forms with what ever contains it and when unconfined if follows a path of lease resistance and seeks the lowest area.

It also symbolizes to us the innate ability to morph or change. Water was so important to life that whole tribes would create homes adjacent to sources of water.

Water can be symbolic of transformation, the subconscious, fertilization, purification, reflection, intuition, renewal, motion and life to name just a few.

In astrological symbolism the water sing of Cancer symbolizes purity, clarity and refreshment while for Scorpio mystery, stillness and reflection. Pisces is depth, motion and life.

As to the references of the moon and sun of the ken-po goku-i the moon reflecting off water can be reference to the subconscious. The sun and moon circulating deals with the harmony of the cycles.

Water deals with these cycles of life, the revitalization, the generosity and also dreams and visions.

Water as it relates to natures animal life give us a means to add persecutive to our daily lives as can be seen in the Chinese martial traditions which use animals to symbolize fighting systems and styles.

Of current note is water frozen where the crystals seen with microscopes display designs that can be related to many of life's cycles and systems which include our human form. 

As you can see water does symbolize many things not only in the martial arts but in philosophical teachings from all over history and the world. These existed long before we achieved the ability to travel and to get it from the Internet ;-)

Symbolism of Three Stars

In the Isshinryu-no-megami there are three stars. Their meaning apparent is attributed directly to Tatsuo Sensei and his system as derived from three Masters. It is these three that comprise his innovative system of karate-do.

Enter the ken-po goku-i, the key to the ancient practices assimilated into Okinawan culture and customs where three also signifies the three pairs of starts in the Norther Bushel which resides over men's heads recording their acts and passing judgment as to which is detected, i.e. goodness or wickedness. Then there is the three spirits of the recumbent body residing in man, the spirit, the mind, and the body.

Lastly we see the three poisons of human heart, greed, anger, and stupidity. The very essence of understanding as to the Tao is its three things of Heaven, Earth and Man which is symbolized in the I Ching symbols that transcend all the classics in one form or the other. These three are considered the coordinate powers.

"Ken-po Goku-i Three"

person's ... heaven ... earth.

blood ... sun ... moon.

manner ... soft ... hard.

person ... balance ... weight.

body ... change ... time.

time ... strike ... time.

eyes ... see ... sides.

ears ... listen ... directions.

The Meaning of Tao - XII

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will.

[We spend an exuberant amount of time "looking (seeing)" outside ourselves for all the solutions to all our troubles when in reality, as spoken here in the tao-te-ching/I Ching, etc., all our troubles and problems are from within us and all the answers to all these problems come from within us; provided we are ready, willing and able to "listen (hear)" that which is in our hearts. True intelligence, in this interpretation, is one who realizes and accepts that all things of the Universe experienced by the individual is a direct result of that individuals interaction with the Universe and all the differing "ways" that arise from this can be maneuvered into the correct path by that same individual who listens and hears; perceives and sees what is within, the Tao influences the within and provides us all the answers we could possibly seek in our life times.

Americans in particular seem to be drawn toward the type of strength that results in some dominance of others. This is a result of not having the ability to see or hear our hearts from within so we understand that the most difficult opponent we could ever encounter is us, the person within each of us. This is why it is coupled together here in this quote because they are intertwined. They are the two sides of the coin called "man or humans."

Man/humans can only understand the minds of all humans by first understanding their own mind. There is no other way and karate-do, like many differing ways, provides us the fundamental tools to achieve this wholehearted way of the human (persons) heart.]

The Meaning of Tao - XI

... the man of skill is a master (to be looked up to) by him who has not the skill; and he who has not the skill is the helper of (the reputation of) him who has the skill. ...

[Immediately I get the sense of Sensei-to-Deshi relationship; the teacher to student; as alluded to in karate-do and budo where that relationship is a fundamental of the way of the empty hand, etc. It extends into the tori-to-uke relations when practicing the more combative aspects where trust is only achieved through the ongoing relations developed only in time, practice-practice-practice. No where else except in those environments such as military, police, prison officers, firemen, etc. does this type of relationship develop deeply and with a strong bond as all these must trust and rely on each as brothers/sisters who "have your back" or in the case of karate-do/budo where mistakes can result in injuries or more.]

Understanding Meaning of Ancient Texts - Philosophy

Recently I found a reference to "kung fu" in the Taoist texts translated by James Legge where I assumed that it referenced the physical practice but now am understanding that it may mean a lot more.

I recommend you read the article which was first posted by Dojo Rat at this location. I am providing his link which also takes you to the actual article here as well, "Kung Fu for Philosophers."

I believe that this can be translated into any "art form" when the intent is improvement of one's life in general. I found a good deal that although referenced Kung Fu still applies to my practice of Isshinryu.

As I would suggest here it all has relevance regardless of the topic specificity and that this type of discovery when taken with openness and a tiny bit of skepticism leads to greater understanding.

The Eyes ...

The moral of the story - your body (and your car) goes where your head (or your vision) goes. - Mokuran Dojo "Cowcatcher and Vision"

Parker Sensei conveys a point that also corresponds with the teachings of the "Ken-po Goku-i" at least for those who study Isshinryu. I often witness when persons are "doing" kata that they do not use their eyes. I have also heard Sensei explain that your using instinct to turn into an attack which I find a bit discerning. Why? Because no one ever has or will ever develop "instinct" that actually "sees" an attack with out the eyes being involved.

What may be occurring is someone who appears to be "seeing" the attack with out the eyes is actually seeing the attack from a peripheral aspect. Does this mean a practitioner and/or a person in self defense should not turn the head and look/see, better not or you will get your clocked cleaned.

I use a term, "Chakugan," which in a nutshell means to set your "eyes" on your opponents eyes or just your opponent. This assists in proper focus of techniques and targeting. In the adrenaline dump effects of fear of violence it also assists the proponent in overcoming the limiting effects in the body, i.e. narrowing of vision, etc.

Maybe if Tatsuo's so-called first generation practitioners actually listened to him when they got their silk certificates they would have understood this and so many would be utilizing chakugan/eyes in kata and in fighting, etc.

The Meaning of Tao - X

He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished.

[A person's unbalance is the same as a weight. The fourth tome of the ken-po goku-i where the Tao-te-ching validates the philosophical reference by saying one who does not firmly plant his feet to the Earth can be easily unbalanced causing them both physically and metaphorically fall as if by heavy weight.

Display comes in many forms but one such form is the belt system. They say here that one who does not proclaim themselves in a egoistic fashion has more respect that one who touts his accomplishments.

Asserting views seems to indicate one who remains close minded and insists dogmatically to push their own agenda when Tatsuo and the various ancient texts express the greater need to be open, honest and to make changes when proven incorrect.]

The Meaning of Tao - IX

Chapter 14. I. We look at it, and we do not see it, and we name it the equable. We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it the inaudible. We try to grasp it, and don not get a hold of it, and we name it the subtle. We take these three qualities and we blend them together and obtain The One.

[The three qualities as One make us human, person, while the others refer to the "eyes" and "ears" which are also referenced by the ken-po goku-i. This also alludes to an understanding that if we are closed to seeing, i.e. not seeing it or reality, and/or we are not hearing, i.e. not hearing truth, we are blocking the true tao/Way. If we open our minds and truly see and hear within grasp the Way of the Tao and achieve the wholehearted oneness Tatsuo inspires us to achieve by the physical practice of Isshinryu and the spiritual practice of ken-po goku-i.]

Eyes and Ears

"The eyes must see all sides. The ears must listen in all directions." In the "Writings of Chung Tzu" it is said, "When men possessed and employed their (natural) power of vision, there would be no distortion of the world. When they possessed and employed their (natural) power of hearing, there would be not distractions in the world."

Ahhhh, ken-po goku-i, our ability to open the mind to allow truth to be seen and heard. Distortions of truth come from the refusal to truly see and hear. This is the minds pension to allow the ego to instill the stories of comfort, the stories we tell ourselves to accommodate that which provides us comfort and distance from stress/fear and those myriad things that bring them about.

Tatsuo provided us the key, we must be willing to accept all we see and hear when we open the gate to truth and reality. We decide to remove the ego's distorted view of the Universe and to allow our natural ability to see and hear in the present moment. We take this on wholeheartedly bringing us to a "oneness" that is the system of the physical and spiritual, Isshinryu karate-do.

A clever and inspiring soul this person called, Tatsuo!

The Meaning of Tao - VIII

The Taoism of old occupied itself with the belief that the breath or vital force was the way to manage longer life. ... They go on to say, "The Way of Heaven = The Heavenly Tao," which is exemplified by man. ... Finally the Tao says, "The gates of Heaven is a Taoistic phrase for the nostrils as the organ of the breath."

[In the goku-i the first tome talks of Heaven; the I Ching and other ancient texts also expound on Heaven, Earth, and Man in a variety of references. This particular passage in the Tao-te-Ching leads us to understand that references to heaven in the translations is far different from our perception. In this last quote it carries to full circle since breathe is vital to longer life and at the end Heaven is connected to the nostrils for that same breathe.

Breathing is a "key" in life and especially within the fighting/martial art applications. Health and all we are internally start and end with breathe. Breathing can influence the heart and its beating. Longer and deeper breathes can cause the heart to beat slower. Breathes can influence aspects of the body where it causes changes in the brain/mind and the mind then leads the body to react to this change either in a positive way or negative.

Negative effects are when suddenly surprised the breathe becomes shallow and quick causing stress and sometimes fear while a positive effect is you recognize it instinctually thus breathe slower, deeper, diaphragmatically, resulting is changes that reduce the stress and fear and allow for clear thinking processes, etc.

Breathing is connected to all of the body and mind in so many ways that one needs to study this long to achieve a modicum of knowledge but for FMA/MA practitioners all you need to know is when the adrenaline dump hits practice to breathe slower, deeper, and diaphragmatically.]

Dual Certificates

Dual Certificates were presented to the early practitioners who trained in the honbu dojo of Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei. Tatsuo provided them two silk certificates, one for the rank and one with the ken-po goku-i.

No one then and not many now truly understand the significance of that presentation. When you couple it with his wishes that the person not use the rank half until they practiced and trained for at least fifteen years you can get a good idea of his intent.

Tatsuo as a sumachi, etc. who studied the Chinese Ancient texts, etc. understood that after the "one" or the great "tai chi" came to be that every thing of the Universe consisted of a dual nature.

I believe he in his own way was trying to teach those leaving so early in training that there was more, so much more they must learn and this presentation was a clue to that end. Those who found the clue would then understand the spirit of his system while those who missed it would merely remain fighters.

This graphic depicts my viewpoint on this matter. George Breed Sensei provided these graphics of his certificates which I used on my web site and blog with his permission. Please see George's Warrior blog site for the originals and their post on them. (click it for larger view)

The Meaning of Tao - VII

An illustration of the Tao by Lao Tzu, "There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it."

[A maxim of the fighting/martial arts. In one form or another we all have heard this told to represent the hard and/or soft of practice and training. The goku-i refers to hard and soft in the third tome, "The manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard." This direct reference is also indicative of Yin-n-Yang or in Japanese, "in-n-yo."

Indirectly the other tomes of the goku-i such as balance, shifting, strike/not-strike, see and hear, etc. all come from the basic tenant of Yin-n-Yang but only in less extremes of soft and hard. The many levels, i.e. extremes poles to all the variances and degrees of intensity to the actual balance or that equilibrium we strive to achieve in our Way of the Empty Hand.]

Water (tao)

Lao Tzu used water as his favorite symbol for the Tao. He states in the Tao-te-Ching, "There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that  are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it; - for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed. Everyone in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice."

The ken-po goku-i provides us the thread to this lesson by its references, both implied and actual, to the hard and soft of practice. The tome, "The manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard."

Just goes to show that the lessons did not stop with the first black belt. It was then that Tatsuo provided the black belt, the honor and trust of fifth or sixth dan, and a copy of the ken-po goku-i. The three gifts he provided back in those days was not lost on all who received them but sadly most did gloss over the gifts and assumed the trusted ranks long before Tatsuo intended.

Tatsuo made the one mistake because he didn't truly understand the mentality of Americans and Servicemen. We didn't take time to understand the source either since we spent the little time there learning the physical and thus never learned the customs and such of Okinawa and the core of their systems of fighting, civil and martial.

Understanding that the goku-i is also a dualistic key to the Way, the actual and direct interpretations along with the other side of that coin the implied interpretations one can achieve  through the study of the ancient classics, etc.

The Meaning of Tao - VI

When your "eyes" see nothing, your "ears" hear nothing, and your mind knows nothing, your spirit will keep your body, and the body will live long. Watch over what is within you; shut up the avenues that connect you with what is external; - much knowledge is pernicious. I will proceed with you to the summit of the Grand Brilliance, where we come to the bright and expanding (element); I will enter with you the gate of the dark and depressing element. there heaven and earth have their Controllers; there the Yin and Yang have their Repositories. Watch over and keep your body, and all things will themselves give it vigor.

[A direct reference to the seventh and eighth lines of the ken-po goku-i with other references that indirectly reference other lines as well. It also gives hints toward a benefit of practice in training to remain aware of the present moment, the now. It seems to me it also tells us how our practice leads to a healthy mind, body, and spirit which benefits from our removing such things as ego, past, and future thoughts that hinder the health and well being of the individuals inner self.

We see that too much focus on excessive knowledge or knowledge that goes beyond what is necessary is the type that leads to harmful effects. This is like taking kata bunkai and assuming that there is more complexity which then adds excessive meaning to the simplicity of kata practice and usage. It tells us that this can be very subtle and if we are not aware and diligent, much like awareness and due diligence in practicing fundamentals, it is harmful, injurious, and/or deadly.

Bright and expanding indicates the sun and its expansion over the world, or earth, as it ascends into the highest point of the sky illuminating all things while the gate of the dark and depressing is of the night and moon where it both hides possible harmful things yet illuminates the still waters of the mind so present moment awareness seeks to see beyond the nights veil by the light of the full moon, enlightening the way.

Thoughts, those of the monkey brain, which tells us the importance of self talk can and does lead to unhealthy effects of the body simply because the body follows the mind but remaining in the present moment with positive self talk is proven to be healthy and enhances our well being providing our lives and bodies with healthful vigor or energy which we sometime refer to as "chi or ki."]

The Meaning of Tao - V

... the antics of the Kung-fu, or system of mystic and recondite calisthenics. ...

[The only reference to date found to directly reference any sort of physical manifestations of the Tao where the translated term, "antics," seems to indicate an adverse view of a martial art and the Taoist beliefs. Yet, it does not actually say one way or another whether this system of physical activity does or does not relate to Tao. It would be interesting to have found further reference to martial arts/fighting arts and the way of Tao, etc.

Then again, the reference to both "mystic" and "recondite" may allude to more than the quote as it stands alone. After all recondite, meaning: "incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge," does have possibility that the translator not having any knowledge or understanding of the art of Kung Fu could not elucidate further as to its relation to Tao and Taoist beliefs. The term does mention a type of wisdom that is both abstruse and "profound" in its meaning and thus relations.

This term also indicates that such knowledge is best known by the "experts" which in this case should/could involve one or many who are experts in Kung Fu and also at least knowledgeable/understanding of Taoist beliefs and Taoism.]

The Meaning of Tao - IV

The old Taoist had no idea of a personal God, when they wrote of Heaven.

[My first demonstrative impression that Heaven in ancient classics may be the English equivalent imposed by translators but in reality may mean something akin to the entire force that split creating the Yin and Yang which creates all the myriad things. It was very apparent that the translators of ancient classics who resided in China were of strong religious background and naturally used the word Heaven to describe what may have impressed them as an all-knowing force that created all things which we tend to attribute to a Heavenly Being, God.]

... there is no idea of Creation in Taoism. ...

[Creation to us is God while creation to the ancients is a totally indescribable force that created the opposites and thus all of us. This is important in order to get it straight as to how the reference is used in the goku-i where the very first tome connects humanity to both concepts of something extra-ordinary, Heaven and Earth with alluding to cycles, rhythms and patterns.]

The Meaning of Tao - III

The Tao of Heaven means the Tao that is heavenly, the course that is quiet and undemonstrative, that is free from motive and effort, such as is seen in the processes of nature, grandly proceeding and successful without any striving or crying. ... There is the Tao of Heaven, and there is the Tao of man. Acting without action, and yet attracting all honor, is the Way of Heaven. Doing and being embarrassed thereby is the Way of man. ... Acting without action, - this is what is called Heaven. Heaven thus takes its law from Tao. ... Vacancy, stillness, placidity, tastelessness, quietude, silence, and non-action would be found to be3 their characteristics, and they would go on to the perfection of the Tao.

[Many of the descriptive here parallel the aspects one who follows the way of the empty hand strive to develop and enhance. We simply derive guidance from the ancient texts, this is also the way. We can see some hints as to what the ancients meant by Heaven/Heavenly, etc.]

Ancient Texts: "Heaven"

In every single Chinese text, i.e. Tao-te-ching, I Ching, etc., there is always a reference to heaven. As I mentioned the ancients did not have a singular god with any ideology that Heaven is this place all go after death where some utopia type existence is believed. I have been studying these ancient texts for a while along with my practice and study of karate-do which as the Yin half the study of the ken-po goku-i along with its connections to those same texts. I have come to an initial conclusion as to what heaven is in this context.

There is the physical and there is the non-physical; Yang-n-Yin. One cannot exist with out the other much like up-n-down; good-n-bad; hard-n-soft and so on. When they mention heaven-n-earth this duality also must be as one will not exist with out the other. Neither will exist if not for the great tai chi or the Tao.

Where I want to focus as to try and explain the totality of heaven in the texts I would prefer to give my views as to how that works with humans, mankind, persons, etc. We directly deal with the physical but with out the non-physical we would be no more than animals. It is the heaven aspect as I perceive it that gives us that unique "thing" which makes us human. It also makes us non-human for with out the ability to be both you cannot be "one human."

Heaven deals with that which constitutes a "spirit" within each of us. Not as in ghost type spirit but that innate quality that makes us either human or non-human with all the variations that fall between the two extremes. Simply stated heaven in humans can be either "love" or "hatred." After all we all experience both to one extent or the other.

To truly adhere to the ancient texts teachings of "heaven" we must find those aspects/qualities that promote love, love of self; love of others; love of mankind; love of nature; love of the entire Universe.

We learn to kick and strike with karate efficiency and deadly intent. The difference between brutality is this aspect spoken of as our relation to heaven, listening to heaven, and letting heaven guide us. This begs the question, what are the traits that cause this heaven influence to guide us to the proper path?

I will now list those adjectives that I believe help us to "begin to understand" what the ancient classical texts are trying to teach humankind, for over a thousand plus years.

Benevolence
Filial Piety
Respect
Loyalty
Honesty
Rectitude
Courage
Honor
Goodness
Righteousness
Good Faith
Virtue
Equanimity
Gentleness
Economy
Balance
Proper Attitude
Attentiveness
Acceptance
Kindness
Morality
Civility
Patience
Tolerance
etc...

These are what is meant by influence of heaven; and all the other references lead to a "pattern of behavior; the actions we take; the example we set; the deeds we perform." A good beginning.

The Meaning of Tao - II

We have the phrase, "Heaven and Earth," used for the two great constituents of the cosmos, owning their origin to the Tao, and also for a sort of final power, acting in harmony with the Tao, covering, protecting, nurturing, and maturing all things.

[We are constantly reminded that Heaven and Earth are a significant part of the Way. It is mentioned constantly through out the texts and is the first tome of the ken-po goku-i of Isshinryu Karate-Do. It has been and is now the "first" tome spoken, written, and characterized as a intricate part of the way, the great Tai Chi, etc.

We do not want to mistakenly believe that the ancient Chinese meant all references to Heaven to be related to our modern perceptions of "Heaven." It is not the same and it takes a bit of study to come to any non-conclusive interpretations of the texts especially when you have to consider that the spiritual background of the interpreter influences his or her interpretations. My view is that references to "heaven" have nothing to do with some religious dogma saying we all will live happily in heave at the end of our lives here on earth.

I don't wish to provide, at this time, what I feel is their intent when writing of "heaven and earth" in the ancient texts as I believe that is something each of us has to find through their own studies. This was/is the intent of Tatsuo when he presented the ken-po goku-i to his first students in the late fifties, i.e. Marines and other military folks. I believe he felt that we each have such uniqueness that to provide a "static interpretation" to us would hinder our growth and knowledge thus limiting our practice of the way of the empty hand.]