[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
You may have noticed the bibliography by now and that is the subject of this final call. How all this can work for you in life and in training/practice is more than can be conveyed here in this series so I would say, "Final Call: Get this book and read it!" There is clarification on what I have presented and a good deal more for you to read and understand.
The ramifications to your life and training/practice are enormous so it is worth the expenditure.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
All Bottles are Truly Good
Part Ten: Training the Mind/Brain (series: The Way of Mind/Brain Trainings; example)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
In most of this series we have discussed many aspects of mind/brain training for life and also within our training/practice of the FA/MA. This section is going to allude to some things you can do in actual training of the mind/brain BUT I implore you to go/wait to the last post of this series or check the bibliography to read the source material for details on this process. I am no expert and remember my postings are simply a way for me to learn and grow and hopefully get the reader to explore MORE.
This involves breathing and visualization with the inclusion of both particular thoughts and verbalizations to achieve change within the brain resulting in a change within the mind or if you wish a change in the mind that will be cause for change in the brain. Note: a little like which came first the chicken or the egg but here the mind or the brain…doah.
Take a breathe [this is in everything you do], "feel" what it is you want, say strength or speed, in your mind. Make it clear and everlasting, your capacity to do this thing. Recall a time when this particular things felt strong and effective. Bring the mind into a sense of this thing along with all the feelings of some past thing that is the same or similar. Feel that thing within your body and mind as you breathe, let it infuse you arms, legs, etc. Bring into you mind a person who has either experienced this with you or on their own in the past and feel their support especially that they believe in you and your ability/capability to do this thing, say have strength. Notice how good it feels and how it makes your body and mind feel. Turn your full attention to that sense of this thing you are working on.
Now, bring an awareness of a challenging situation where this thing you are working on, say strength, is required. Feel solid and confident in your abilities for this particular thing. Allow this challenging situation to be what it is while you continue to feel this thing. Pay attention to all the feelings and thoughts of what you are trying to accomplish.
As you can see I attempted to paraphrase the process described in the book to give you an idea of a process to achieve changes in your brain thus the mind and finally in the body so you can program improved behavioral patterns in life and in FA/MA practice (which means in applying it in life as well.).
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
In most of this series we have discussed many aspects of mind/brain training for life and also within our training/practice of the FA/MA. This section is going to allude to some things you can do in actual training of the mind/brain BUT I implore you to go/wait to the last post of this series or check the bibliography to read the source material for details on this process. I am no expert and remember my postings are simply a way for me to learn and grow and hopefully get the reader to explore MORE.
This involves breathing and visualization with the inclusion of both particular thoughts and verbalizations to achieve change within the brain resulting in a change within the mind or if you wish a change in the mind that will be cause for change in the brain. Note: a little like which came first the chicken or the egg but here the mind or the brain…doah.
Take a breathe [this is in everything you do], "feel" what it is you want, say strength or speed, in your mind. Make it clear and everlasting, your capacity to do this thing. Recall a time when this particular things felt strong and effective. Bring the mind into a sense of this thing along with all the feelings of some past thing that is the same or similar. Feel that thing within your body and mind as you breathe, let it infuse you arms, legs, etc. Bring into you mind a person who has either experienced this with you or on their own in the past and feel their support especially that they believe in you and your ability/capability to do this thing, say have strength. Notice how good it feels and how it makes your body and mind feel. Turn your full attention to that sense of this thing you are working on.
Now, bring an awareness of a challenging situation where this thing you are working on, say strength, is required. Feel solid and confident in your abilities for this particular thing. Allow this challenging situation to be what it is while you continue to feel this thing. Pay attention to all the feelings and thoughts of what you are trying to accomplish.
As you can see I attempted to paraphrase the process described in the book to give you an idea of a process to achieve changes in your brain thus the mind and finally in the body so you can program improved behavioral patterns in life and in FA/MA practice (which means in applying it in life as well.).
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Karate is Meditative
Why would I say this? Karate practice is a form of practice that directs your mind into a type of focus called zanshin or mindfulness. This is a singleness of mind. This is brining your spirit, mind, and body into one whole which is a type of awareness.
This body awareness is meditative in which all the experiences of practice and training come together as a whole and attentiveness is very steady, very focused.
Usually one who achieves this level of mindfulness or equanimity has achieved a type of present moment awareness that stimulates and programs the brain system which is reflected in the mind.
If training and practice are correct and complete then it becomes meditative in nature and that meditative practice is what you use in practice and training to achieve that spirit, mind, body connection to achieve a level of proficiency unachievable in other aspects of life.
This is mind/brain training, this is mokuso, this is present moment, and this is attentive mindfulness.
The kenpo gokui alludes to the meditative practice by inferences to the use of your eyes, ears, body, balance, yin-yang, the body systems to the moon and sun, and the heart to heaven and earth. It is an overall inference to achieving balance within thus equilibrium with the whole world. This is also a goal of meditative practice.
This body awareness is meditative in which all the experiences of practice and training come together as a whole and attentiveness is very steady, very focused.
Usually one who achieves this level of mindfulness or equanimity has achieved a type of present moment awareness that stimulates and programs the brain system which is reflected in the mind.
If training and practice are correct and complete then it becomes meditative in nature and that meditative practice is what you use in practice and training to achieve that spirit, mind, body connection to achieve a level of proficiency unachievable in other aspects of life.
This is mind/brain training, this is mokuso, this is present moment, and this is attentive mindfulness.
The kenpo gokui alludes to the meditative practice by inferences to the use of your eyes, ears, body, balance, yin-yang, the body systems to the moon and sun, and the heart to heaven and earth. It is an overall inference to achieving balance within thus equilibrium with the whole world. This is also a goal of meditative practice.
Part Nine: Training the Mind/Brain (series: Action/Intent)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
This is our next to last entry on this series of training the mind/brain. We desire to have peace and tranquility in life yet we also know that the nature of life is a constant rhythm or flow that is both yin and yang or to be more descriptive up and down, front and back, in and out and other such mundane descriptions which tells us that natures rhythm puts us in a constant state of flux.
This flux is something that can be trained so we can keep the wave as steady as possible. We can reduce the drastic highs and lows to little blips on the line of equilibrium so they rise and fall slightly. This is the goal of this section, to provide you a bit of guidance in finding more on this subject so you can expand, learn and become improved in life.
This is also how we practice the FA/MA. You will notice in the following suggestions that they can be related directly to forms of practice and training in this singular, not exclusive, form of training and practice.
The SNS or sympathetic nervous system and the stress related hormonal system gets your internal protective systems up and running full blast to assist us in our endeavors be they personal opportunities and especially important in avoid threats (remember in other postings on self defense that I push "avoidance" as a primary form of defense, etc.).
In order to reduce stress, etc. you need to enhance your mind-body connection [karate-do I am thinking along with mind/brain training, yes!] and when using that tool you can start by learning to activate the various nervous systems starting with the PNS. The start point or that system that activates the PNS is the ANS. It is considered the optimal entry point into all our systems, i.e. using the antinomic nervous system.
How do we jump start and possible control the systems? This is the question and what I provide here is not the end all of what to do but simply "notes" on what I perceive as the direction to go, i.e. continue research into how it all works. Remember, I am not a brain or mind expert but someone who is trying to learn so I provide this to stimulate your mind/brain into finding more.
Mental activity! Your mental activity has the greatest influence over your ANS system. It is more influential than any other bodily system you have and if you remember I do advocate "visualization" which are those "mini-movies" we run all the time in our mind/brain and this is something you have a lot of control over so it is "one" point of entry into mind/brain training.
There are other forms or techniques of training to control your systems thus controlling how they affect you and your ability to overcome them to some extent improving your life and in the FA/MA improving your abilities to defend yourself. Defense is not just protecting your physical being but a means of defending your spirit-mind-body against many things to include stress which equates disease, etc. Think outside the box on this one cause it means a lot more than you may initially think.
We can take control by instituting mindfulness in our thoughts and visualizations. How we talk to ourselves and the do such actions as "relaxation," "Diaphragm Breathing (really a primary important technique)," "progressive relaxation," "big exhalation (this goes along with diaphragm breathing but still a separate technique necessary especially in highly volatile situations such as street defense, etc.)," "touching the lips (bet you were not expecting this one)," "mindfulness of the body," "imagery," and so on. You are getting the picture by now how important this really is so wait for the next and last installment in this posting series for my recommendation as to a start point.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
This is our next to last entry on this series of training the mind/brain. We desire to have peace and tranquility in life yet we also know that the nature of life is a constant rhythm or flow that is both yin and yang or to be more descriptive up and down, front and back, in and out and other such mundane descriptions which tells us that natures rhythm puts us in a constant state of flux.
This flux is something that can be trained so we can keep the wave as steady as possible. We can reduce the drastic highs and lows to little blips on the line of equilibrium so they rise and fall slightly. This is the goal of this section, to provide you a bit of guidance in finding more on this subject so you can expand, learn and become improved in life.
This is also how we practice the FA/MA. You will notice in the following suggestions that they can be related directly to forms of practice and training in this singular, not exclusive, form of training and practice.
The SNS or sympathetic nervous system and the stress related hormonal system gets your internal protective systems up and running full blast to assist us in our endeavors be they personal opportunities and especially important in avoid threats (remember in other postings on self defense that I push "avoidance" as a primary form of defense, etc.).
In order to reduce stress, etc. you need to enhance your mind-body connection [karate-do I am thinking along with mind/brain training, yes!] and when using that tool you can start by learning to activate the various nervous systems starting with the PNS. The start point or that system that activates the PNS is the ANS. It is considered the optimal entry point into all our systems, i.e. using the antinomic nervous system.
How do we jump start and possible control the systems? This is the question and what I provide here is not the end all of what to do but simply "notes" on what I perceive as the direction to go, i.e. continue research into how it all works. Remember, I am not a brain or mind expert but someone who is trying to learn so I provide this to stimulate your mind/brain into finding more.
Mental activity! Your mental activity has the greatest influence over your ANS system. It is more influential than any other bodily system you have and if you remember I do advocate "visualization" which are those "mini-movies" we run all the time in our mind/brain and this is something you have a lot of control over so it is "one" point of entry into mind/brain training.
There are other forms or techniques of training to control your systems thus controlling how they affect you and your ability to overcome them to some extent improving your life and in the FA/MA improving your abilities to defend yourself. Defense is not just protecting your physical being but a means of defending your spirit-mind-body against many things to include stress which equates disease, etc. Think outside the box on this one cause it means a lot more than you may initially think.
We can take control by instituting mindfulness in our thoughts and visualizations. How we talk to ourselves and the do such actions as "relaxation," "Diaphragm Breathing (really a primary important technique)," "progressive relaxation," "big exhalation (this goes along with diaphragm breathing but still a separate technique necessary especially in highly volatile situations such as street defense, etc.)," "touching the lips (bet you were not expecting this one)," "mindfulness of the body," "imagery," and so on. You are getting the picture by now how important this really is so wait for the next and last installment in this posting series for my recommendation as to a start point.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Dojo: Groups: Societal Band of Brothers/Sisters: Cliques: Factions: Clans
We hear the word clique and we understand that it is a specific group of like individuals who have banded together for a purpose. The band or group labels themselves "us" and all others as "them."When you begin to really delve into the training of the mind/brain you will discover that our world of "humans" are instinctually programmed by nature to form groups. It is this protective instinct that causes us to band together as the group provides protection.
Even if we don't intentionally join a group, such as a style and/or dojo in the FA/MA, to find protection that instinct still influences us to join anyway. What we do is seek out a group or groupings that our intuitions say are comfortable, protective, to us and after an initial gathering to see if we and they fit into our ideologies we join.
Even if we join a group for a specific purpose, i.e. lean a FA/MA for defense/protection, etc., the intuition/instinct is still active and after a time we conform to that group and become a member. Now it is "us" and "them" where we see them as a threat on a very deep subconscious level even if on a conscious level we don't. This is natures gift to help us protect ourselves.
What happens in a style, even a fractured style or what I call "factions" we are still groups who see other groups as a possible threat or as I have said already, us vs. them.
When we see the fractured view of all our styles groups we are to understand that to change the way that particular group thinks and acts from the outside is impossible. Until we can change their view of those "outside" the group as now a member of that group, i.e. a them that becomes "us" member, you will be unable to influence change within that grouping.
In Isshinryu we have many factions or groups who have their own distinct beliefs and anyone who refutes those beliefs even if absolutely "factual and correct" will be unable to cause a change in that groups beliefs. This bond of the group is so strong that even when one member "sees" and/or "hears" the truth of it they will instinctually let it go from their mind and revert to the groups way.
The only way to bring about "universal change" in something like this is to achieve a change to all groups where they perceive everyone and every group as a member of a world group where we all see each and every human as a part of that family and thus change perceptions from an us vs. them to everyone and every group as an "Us!"
Part Eight: Training the Mind/Brain (series: PNS/SNS)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
PNS or Parasympathetic Nervous System and the SNS or Sympathetic Nervous System are systems of the brain that keep us alive in lethal environments. We need them both and you will find in what follow that breathing keeps these two systems working in our favor.
Breathing, inhaling and exhaling fully, both energizes and relaxes. It first activates the SNS and then the PNS, back and forth, in a gentle rhythm. It gives you a feeling of centeredness and aliveness much like an athlete gets when they are in the zone. The SNS and PNS are the go and stop of the human mind/brain/body working in harmony.
PNS systems provide a baseline of ease and peacefulness while mild SNS activation causes us to experience enthusiasm, vitality, and wholesome passions. When the SNS system spikes it is to deal with demanding situations. This works in our favor when we run into situations that cause fear, etc. such as dangerous situations, etc.
When we perform mokuso with deep rhythmic breathing we create a peaceful mind and bring ourselves into a state of ease. This is how we can clear out our minds/brains of all the mess of he day and then allow for mindfulness and concentration toward our practice and training.
When danger comes at us and the brains systems start pumping the adrenaline and such into our systems then the ability to cause slowed, deep, rhythmic breathings can help us to remain in better control of our natural instinctive systems of protections allowing the training to take hold and "act!"
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
PNS or Parasympathetic Nervous System and the SNS or Sympathetic Nervous System are systems of the brain that keep us alive in lethal environments. We need them both and you will find in what follow that breathing keeps these two systems working in our favor.
Breathing, inhaling and exhaling fully, both energizes and relaxes. It first activates the SNS and then the PNS, back and forth, in a gentle rhythm. It gives you a feeling of centeredness and aliveness much like an athlete gets when they are in the zone. The SNS and PNS are the go and stop of the human mind/brain/body working in harmony.
PNS systems provide a baseline of ease and peacefulness while mild SNS activation causes us to experience enthusiasm, vitality, and wholesome passions. When the SNS system spikes it is to deal with demanding situations. This works in our favor when we run into situations that cause fear, etc. such as dangerous situations, etc.
When we perform mokuso with deep rhythmic breathing we create a peaceful mind and bring ourselves into a state of ease. This is how we can clear out our minds/brains of all the mess of he day and then allow for mindfulness and concentration toward our practice and training.
When danger comes at us and the brains systems start pumping the adrenaline and such into our systems then the ability to cause slowed, deep, rhythmic breathings can help us to remain in better control of our natural instinctive systems of protections allowing the training to take hold and "act!"
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Part Seven: Training the Mind/Brain (series: Consequences)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
There are both physical and mental consequences to due diligence for self defense. What I am trying to say here in mind/brain training is the training itself must not carry over into moment by moment of daily life. There is a time to practice and a time to not practice.
Clarity, we can train and practice to achieve the knowledge and experience to achieve some semblance of control of such things as discussed in this series yet once we accumulate the knowledge and experience we NEED to let it go.
The human body will use its instinctual ability to use what you have learned and then provide you signals so you can become alert and mindful of some situation that needs your attention. To keep your self on high alert at all times when outdoors means you will suffer both physical and mental consequences.
To keep the types of stimulation going over long terms results in health problems such as those associated with the gastrointestinal, immune, cardiovascular and endocrine. Then there are the mental consequences such as anxiety and depression. The physical manifestations:
1. Gastro: ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and constipation.
2. Immune: colds and flus, slowed healing, and vulnerability to infections.
3. Cardio: hardening of the arteries and heart attacks.
4. Endocrine: diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, erectile disfunction, lowered libido.
Beware of the distance you take training and practice. Never lose site that in all you do there are opposites that must be brought into balance. To remain in one side or the other for extended periods results in many effects to health and well being not to mention over extending the training benefits.
If you go all out say in "shugyo" then also take the time after to release the effects. It is like drinking a cup of coffee daily. You drink one cup of coffee you have to balance that out with at least one cup of water, sometimes two to one to keep your level of hydration balanced.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
There are both physical and mental consequences to due diligence for self defense. What I am trying to say here in mind/brain training is the training itself must not carry over into moment by moment of daily life. There is a time to practice and a time to not practice.
Clarity, we can train and practice to achieve the knowledge and experience to achieve some semblance of control of such things as discussed in this series yet once we accumulate the knowledge and experience we NEED to let it go.
The human body will use its instinctual ability to use what you have learned and then provide you signals so you can become alert and mindful of some situation that needs your attention. To keep your self on high alert at all times when outdoors means you will suffer both physical and mental consequences.
To keep the types of stimulation going over long terms results in health problems such as those associated with the gastrointestinal, immune, cardiovascular and endocrine. Then there are the mental consequences such as anxiety and depression. The physical manifestations:
1. Gastro: ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and constipation.
2. Immune: colds and flus, slowed healing, and vulnerability to infections.
3. Cardio: hardening of the arteries and heart attacks.
4. Endocrine: diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, erectile disfunction, lowered libido.
Beware of the distance you take training and practice. Never lose site that in all you do there are opposites that must be brought into balance. To remain in one side or the other for extended periods results in many effects to health and well being not to mention over extending the training benefits.
If you go all out say in "shugyo" then also take the time after to release the effects. It is like drinking a cup of coffee daily. You drink one cup of coffee you have to balance that out with at least one cup of water, sometimes two to one to keep your level of hydration balanced.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Isshinryu, Kanji, Kenpo Gokui: "The House That Tatsuo Build"
It "may be" prudent for a practitioner to relate the naming of Isshinryu by its founder, Bushi Tatsuo Shimabuku Sensei, to the Kenpo Gokui thus the ancient texts such as the I Ching and the Mysteries.
This is an exercise in knowledge for to conduct such experimental analysis may assist me, and maybe you the reader, with understanding not only the gokui as it applies to our style but to the founder and thus Okinawa, culture, etc., in general.
Symbols and symbolism is used a lot when dealing with the gokui, I Ching, and Mysteries and we can find relations in the Isshinryu system such as the gokui and the me-gami. Kanji are pictures or symbols that can have a variety of meaning depending on its usage. The kanji characters used in Japan and Okinawa come from the Chinese. Apparently the Chinese have had great influence with all things Asian and more so with Okinawa through out its colorful history.
Bushi Tatsuo Sensei expressed his desires that his students search out the meaning behind the gokui and mentioned many times to learn about others, others culture, and others beliefs, etc. This is one of my attempts to come to a better understanding of Isshinryu, the gokui, the classics and of Okinawa.
I believe through this endeavor we come to understand the importance of what Bushi Tatsuo Sensei taught and hope that we all can use this knowledge so we may come to understand our world, those who live in it, and thus become one world family where we all understand the meaning of "us" vs. "me and I" so we can care for our family and understand our family.
ICHI:
I pulled the character for "one" from the kanji used to name the style called Isshinryu. This is represented by our English characters of "Is" which I will take as a prefix for the entire word. Normally the character by itself represents the English characters of "Ichi" which is translated as "one" but is that the end of it, no.
This is why I stress in my writings that the use and understanding of the characters used to represent various things and aspects of the practice of Karate-do are so important to assist us, as Americans, in our understanding of what we practice and teach but also to understand those who created and passed on to us their ancient practices in the fighting/martial arts.
The dictionary of Kanji for Ichi or "Is:"
ICHI; ITSU; hito-; hito(tsu)
hi; hajime; osamu; makoto; susumu
ONE, unity, first
onetime, once
make one, unify, become one
Isshun: instant, moment
All in one, everything, the whole, one and only, sole, exclusive
Isshin ni: wholeheartedly, with one's whole heart.
If you have spent any time in the study of the kenpo gokui kanji and its English translation you will immediately see connections in just the words. I believe that Bushi Tatsuo Sensei though his years of practice and studies along with his devout belief in the ancient classics, etc. took that time to come to realize how we are all "one" in the Universe and with such deep understanding created a style with tons of symbols and symbolism within it that only those who devoted the time and effort would come to "see" within the words, kanji characters, practice and so on the deep meaning and connectivity he wanted us to discover, understand and pass on.
Everywhere though out my studies there are direct, indirect, and still more to be discovered connections to the "one" spoken in the character for "Is." Sensei, I believe, wanted us to discover that "one" that connected us to the Universe. The definitions above show that directly by "once," "make one," "unify," and "become one."
I believe to "isshin ni" or to give "one's whole heart," we must practice "wholeheartedly." The first precept tells us that each of us as individuals, i.e. person or man, must discover what it is and means to be the same as the heaven and earth. In order to discover and understand this we have to take on the acquisition of knowledge of the culture of both Okinawan's and the Chinese.
Everywhere in practice, training, the gokui and all its brothers, i.e. kata no gokui, etc. and the classics we see references to heaven, earth, and man. As stated by Advincula Sensei through a posting on the Isshinkai,
"(14483) AJA: All the codes apply to all the kata but certain codes apply to certain Philosophy or characteristics of each kata. As stated before, the kata Kusanku, the opening move is symbolic for Heaven and Earth. Heaven and Earth in Chinese Philosophy means The Universe or the Whole World. This symbolically means world peace to get along with others in the world (World Peace). As the move starts at the top (Heaven) and ends at the bottom (Earth) and chops forward (Man), it is the triad Heaven, Earth and Man or unity."
The triad of Heaven, Earth and Man" refers to "unity" which you can now see is also in the description/defining of the usage "Is" for our name, "Isshinryu." Also as stated in a commentary of the I Ching (stated by Advincula Sensei on Isshinkai Yahoo Group):
~ Confucianism. I Ching, Great Commentary 2.4.13
Based on Confucianism and the three powers, Heaven, Earth and Man, is all about social order. In the world of man (human beings) our structural patterns in society our based on education of what we are taught and learn. Confucianism is based on education. In Isshin-ryu we have the teachings of Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei through the symbol of Isshin-ryu No Megami, The Kenpo Gokui, and Dojo kun.
Which I also include a relationship of the naming and name to the gokui and thus to the I Ching where through out talks about Heaven, Earth, and Man.
SHIN:
HEART
Shin; kokoro; -gokoro; mune
makoto; mi
Heart, mind, spirit, feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
Shinshin: mind and body.
Shinchu: heart, mind, true emotions.
Kushin: pains, efforts, hard work.
Koshin: filial devotion [affection]
HEART, center, core
HEART of a matter, vital point.
HEART, mind, spirit, should; thoughts, idea's.
attention, mind, interest.
When I started to seek out the connections of everything Isshinryu I was totally startled at the length and breadth of his knowledge and implementation of the style. No where else is this more evident than when you delve into the characters which turn into symbols/symbolisms of our system of karate-do. If we just settle for the English word, "Heart," we will miss plenty as can be seen on the surface when reviewing the above meanings of the character used for "Shin."
Just look at one word that falls under "shin," which is "kokoro." Kokoro means, loosely, "mind, heart, spirit." If we take a look at the gokui we see references to different aspects of the mind, heart, and spirit such as "eyes seeing," "ears listening," and "a person's heart." Take the literal view and then discover through study and practice the more esoteric connections.
Even in all the views of shin can we see where the direct and indirect meaning is to bring all of it into "one" such as the "unity" of mind, body and spirit. Our physical practice does this as well as our spiritual. The gokui alludes to that bringing together as one by its inferences to creating a balance or equilibrium which can be thought of as "one." This also brings to mind Bushi Tatsuo Sensei wishes for all of us to come together as "one" though the practice of Isshinryu where we learn about our fathers in the fighting/martial art of karate-do.
I can also derive from this that he also meant for us to go beyond his teachings. Every one of us that teaches and taught hope the most for our students to stretch beyond us and become more so we build a better family of Isshinryu'ests and a better family of the world. If we practice and teach wholeheartedly, with true spirit, mind and body, with thoughts of "us" to include Okinawans and the world, to find our center and connect it to others, to create a core of practitioners who can convey this to our brethren regardless of style, race, creed, cultures, etc. then we can truly say we practice the spirit of Bushi Tatsuo Sensei Isshinryu.
RYU:
FLOW: CURRENT: STYLE
RYU; RU; naga(reru); naga(re)
naga(su); -naga(su)
nagashi
STYLE, way, mode, manner, form, fashion.
school, style, system
ryuha: school
ryugi: school, style, system, method
Isshinryu no: in the style of Isshin.
Jikoryu: one's own style, one's way of doing things.
Here is another reason I find the language and especially the characters of Asia so descriptive and wide range in nature which I find superior in describing the intricacies of the Asian Fighting/Martial Arts. If we limit our understanding of it by the English translation we limit our capabilities. Using the language/characters to discover the possibilities opens many doors where we would have missed out if not for Bushi Tatsuo Sensei and his creation of Isshinryu.
To me and to my studies the word and character "ryu" leads to so much more such as describing our system as a way, mode, manner, form and fashion. It includes the direct and indirect meaning of each descriptive word and takes it beyond just being a school.
In English we limit our understanding by the word and our perception of that word. A school is somewhere you go to receive instruction in a particular subject which is regulated for groups by a syllabus and a limited form of grading and testing for knowledge and understanding. When you see that word "school" you relate it to "schools" as we attend learning such things as reading and writing, etc. Math and Geography and so on when to enter into an agreement to practice a far reaching form as karate-do is between two individuals where much more is required to achieve proficiency such as the tori-uke, sensei-deshi, etc. relationship which goes beyond merely attending a classroom where one lectures and one studies and then takes a written test, etc.
As you can see by this short writing of the title, "Isshinryu," as well as its many ways of understanding thus opening many doors to knowledge and understanding that we should look outside the box and discover many wonderful aspects of this Asian Okinawan Fighting/Martial Art we call Isshinryu.
It is my hope that everyone who reads this short post comes to realize the importance of what Bushi Tatsuo Sensei desired of his practitioners and that it encompasses so much more than mere rank, trophies, and power. I hope it opens the door to a desire to reach beyond the fundamentals of Isshinryu, the physical and takes you into a greater world, a greater Universe.
This is an exercise in knowledge for to conduct such experimental analysis may assist me, and maybe you the reader, with understanding not only the gokui as it applies to our style but to the founder and thus Okinawa, culture, etc., in general.
Symbols and symbolism is used a lot when dealing with the gokui, I Ching, and Mysteries and we can find relations in the Isshinryu system such as the gokui and the me-gami. Kanji are pictures or symbols that can have a variety of meaning depending on its usage. The kanji characters used in Japan and Okinawa come from the Chinese. Apparently the Chinese have had great influence with all things Asian and more so with Okinawa through out its colorful history.
Bushi Tatsuo Sensei expressed his desires that his students search out the meaning behind the gokui and mentioned many times to learn about others, others culture, and others beliefs, etc. This is one of my attempts to come to a better understanding of Isshinryu, the gokui, the classics and of Okinawa.
I believe through this endeavor we come to understand the importance of what Bushi Tatsuo Sensei taught and hope that we all can use this knowledge so we may come to understand our world, those who live in it, and thus become one world family where we all understand the meaning of "us" vs. "me and I" so we can care for our family and understand our family.
ICHI:
I pulled the character for "one" from the kanji used to name the style called Isshinryu. This is represented by our English characters of "Is" which I will take as a prefix for the entire word. Normally the character by itself represents the English characters of "Ichi" which is translated as "one" but is that the end of it, no.
This is why I stress in my writings that the use and understanding of the characters used to represent various things and aspects of the practice of Karate-do are so important to assist us, as Americans, in our understanding of what we practice and teach but also to understand those who created and passed on to us their ancient practices in the fighting/martial arts.
The dictionary of Kanji for Ichi or "Is:"
ICHI; ITSU; hito-; hito(tsu)
hi; hajime; osamu; makoto; susumu
ONE, unity, first
onetime, once
make one, unify, become one
Isshun: instant, moment
All in one, everything, the whole, one and only, sole, exclusive
Isshin ni: wholeheartedly, with one's whole heart.
If you have spent any time in the study of the kenpo gokui kanji and its English translation you will immediately see connections in just the words. I believe that Bushi Tatsuo Sensei though his years of practice and studies along with his devout belief in the ancient classics, etc. took that time to come to realize how we are all "one" in the Universe and with such deep understanding created a style with tons of symbols and symbolism within it that only those who devoted the time and effort would come to "see" within the words, kanji characters, practice and so on the deep meaning and connectivity he wanted us to discover, understand and pass on.
Everywhere though out my studies there are direct, indirect, and still more to be discovered connections to the "one" spoken in the character for "Is." Sensei, I believe, wanted us to discover that "one" that connected us to the Universe. The definitions above show that directly by "once," "make one," "unify," and "become one."
I believe to "isshin ni" or to give "one's whole heart," we must practice "wholeheartedly." The first precept tells us that each of us as individuals, i.e. person or man, must discover what it is and means to be the same as the heaven and earth. In order to discover and understand this we have to take on the acquisition of knowledge of the culture of both Okinawan's and the Chinese.
Everywhere in practice, training, the gokui and all its brothers, i.e. kata no gokui, etc. and the classics we see references to heaven, earth, and man. As stated by Advincula Sensei through a posting on the Isshinkai,
"(14483) AJA: All the codes apply to all the kata but certain codes apply to certain Philosophy or characteristics of each kata. As stated before, the kata Kusanku, the opening move is symbolic for Heaven and Earth. Heaven and Earth in Chinese Philosophy means The Universe or the Whole World. This symbolically means world peace to get along with others in the world (World Peace). As the move starts at the top (Heaven) and ends at the bottom (Earth) and chops forward (Man), it is the triad Heaven, Earth and Man or unity."
The triad of Heaven, Earth and Man" refers to "unity" which you can now see is also in the description/defining of the usage "Is" for our name, "Isshinryu." Also as stated in a commentary of the I Ching (stated by Advincula Sensei on Isshinkai Yahoo Group):
~ Confucianism. I Ching, Great Commentary 2.4.13
Based on Confucianism and the three powers, Heaven, Earth and Man, is all about social order. In the world of man (human beings) our structural patterns in society our based on education of what we are taught and learn. Confucianism is based on education. In Isshin-ryu we have the teachings of Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei through the symbol of Isshin-ryu No Megami, The Kenpo Gokui, and Dojo kun.
Which I also include a relationship of the naming and name to the gokui and thus to the I Ching where through out talks about Heaven, Earth, and Man.
SHIN:
HEART
Shin; kokoro; -gokoro; mune
makoto; mi
Heart, mind, spirit, feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
Shinshin: mind and body.
Shinchu: heart, mind, true emotions.
Kushin: pains, efforts, hard work.
Koshin: filial devotion [affection]
HEART, center, core
HEART of a matter, vital point.
HEART, mind, spirit, should; thoughts, idea's.
attention, mind, interest.
When I started to seek out the connections of everything Isshinryu I was totally startled at the length and breadth of his knowledge and implementation of the style. No where else is this more evident than when you delve into the characters which turn into symbols/symbolisms of our system of karate-do. If we just settle for the English word, "Heart," we will miss plenty as can be seen on the surface when reviewing the above meanings of the character used for "Shin."
Just look at one word that falls under "shin," which is "kokoro." Kokoro means, loosely, "mind, heart, spirit." If we take a look at the gokui we see references to different aspects of the mind, heart, and spirit such as "eyes seeing," "ears listening," and "a person's heart." Take the literal view and then discover through study and practice the more esoteric connections.
Even in all the views of shin can we see where the direct and indirect meaning is to bring all of it into "one" such as the "unity" of mind, body and spirit. Our physical practice does this as well as our spiritual. The gokui alludes to that bringing together as one by its inferences to creating a balance or equilibrium which can be thought of as "one." This also brings to mind Bushi Tatsuo Sensei wishes for all of us to come together as "one" though the practice of Isshinryu where we learn about our fathers in the fighting/martial art of karate-do.
I can also derive from this that he also meant for us to go beyond his teachings. Every one of us that teaches and taught hope the most for our students to stretch beyond us and become more so we build a better family of Isshinryu'ests and a better family of the world. If we practice and teach wholeheartedly, with true spirit, mind and body, with thoughts of "us" to include Okinawans and the world, to find our center and connect it to others, to create a core of practitioners who can convey this to our brethren regardless of style, race, creed, cultures, etc. then we can truly say we practice the spirit of Bushi Tatsuo Sensei Isshinryu.
RYU:
FLOW: CURRENT: STYLE
RYU; RU; naga(reru); naga(re)
naga(su); -naga(su)
nagashi
STYLE, way, mode, manner, form, fashion.
school, style, system
ryuha: school
ryugi: school, style, system, method
Isshinryu no: in the style of Isshin.
Jikoryu: one's own style, one's way of doing things.
Here is another reason I find the language and especially the characters of Asia so descriptive and wide range in nature which I find superior in describing the intricacies of the Asian Fighting/Martial Arts. If we limit our understanding of it by the English translation we limit our capabilities. Using the language/characters to discover the possibilities opens many doors where we would have missed out if not for Bushi Tatsuo Sensei and his creation of Isshinryu.
To me and to my studies the word and character "ryu" leads to so much more such as describing our system as a way, mode, manner, form and fashion. It includes the direct and indirect meaning of each descriptive word and takes it beyond just being a school.
In English we limit our understanding by the word and our perception of that word. A school is somewhere you go to receive instruction in a particular subject which is regulated for groups by a syllabus and a limited form of grading and testing for knowledge and understanding. When you see that word "school" you relate it to "schools" as we attend learning such things as reading and writing, etc. Math and Geography and so on when to enter into an agreement to practice a far reaching form as karate-do is between two individuals where much more is required to achieve proficiency such as the tori-uke, sensei-deshi, etc. relationship which goes beyond merely attending a classroom where one lectures and one studies and then takes a written test, etc.
As you can see by this short writing of the title, "Isshinryu," as well as its many ways of understanding thus opening many doors to knowledge and understanding that we should look outside the box and discover many wonderful aspects of this Asian Okinawan Fighting/Martial Art we call Isshinryu.
It is my hope that everyone who reads this short post comes to realize the importance of what Bushi Tatsuo Sensei desired of his practitioners and that it encompasses so much more than mere rank, trophies, and power. I hope it opens the door to a desire to reach beyond the fundamentals of Isshinryu, the physical and takes you into a greater world, a greater Universe.
Part Six: Training the Mind/Brain (series: Alarms)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
Something happens! It does not really matter which, i.e. emotional vs. physical, as both draw on a lot of the same neural stuff as the physical pain one might feel in a situation, i.e. getting hit or attacked, etc.
Here is how it works (kinda):
1. The source of your reaction starts:
2. The amygdala sounds the alarm where the brain does a few things.
a. The thalamus sends a "Go" signal to the brain stem which releases a stimulant through out the brain.
b. The SNS sends a signal to all your major organs and muscle groups making them ready for either flight or fight depending on the final analysis by the brain.
c. The hypothalamus which regulates the endocrine system tell the pituitary gland to signal the adrenal glands to release a bunch of stuff to include the adrenaline solutions that really get the body going.
3. Your brain is now on "total alert."
4. Stress harmonies are running rampant through out your entire body.
5. Your heart rate increases.
6. Your eyes dilate.
7. Blood is pumped directly to the larger muscle groups.
8. Lungs dilate for increased air exchange (You can now hit harder and faster).
9. Immune system is suppressed to reduce inflammation if wounded.
10. Stress reactions are pumped up to stimulate the amygdala more leading to more and it cycles.
11. Reproduction (sex) is dumped.
12. Digestion is dumped (mouth gets dry and you get constipated).
13. Emotions are intensified getting ready for action (you focus on the negativity and thus react intensely setting you up for fear and anger).
14. You are so pumped you lose control of actions (unless trained for it yet the control is at least reduced).
15. Your ability to appraise, your ability to provide proper intentions and your priorities go down significantly (your take on the situation is different than your assessment after ergo why some think they were defending themselves when in reality they were fighting).
So, in the end the goal is to train and practice so you overcome a lot of natures defense mechanisms or at least control them to some extent to act properly or as close as possible to defend in lieu of fighting. Where we get into trouble is ignoring these factors by ignoring training of the mind/brain in our fighting/martial/self-defense practice/training. This is a serious flaw to todays martial art world especially when they say they teach, "Self Defense!"
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Something happens! It does not really matter which, i.e. emotional vs. physical, as both draw on a lot of the same neural stuff as the physical pain one might feel in a situation, i.e. getting hit or attacked, etc.
Here is how it works (kinda):
1. The source of your reaction starts:
2. The amygdala sounds the alarm where the brain does a few things.
a. The thalamus sends a "Go" signal to the brain stem which releases a stimulant through out the brain.
b. The SNS sends a signal to all your major organs and muscle groups making them ready for either flight or fight depending on the final analysis by the brain.
c. The hypothalamus which regulates the endocrine system tell the pituitary gland to signal the adrenal glands to release a bunch of stuff to include the adrenaline solutions that really get the body going.
3. Your brain is now on "total alert."
4. Stress harmonies are running rampant through out your entire body.
5. Your heart rate increases.
6. Your eyes dilate.
7. Blood is pumped directly to the larger muscle groups.
8. Lungs dilate for increased air exchange (You can now hit harder and faster).
9. Immune system is suppressed to reduce inflammation if wounded.
10. Stress reactions are pumped up to stimulate the amygdala more leading to more and it cycles.
11. Reproduction (sex) is dumped.
12. Digestion is dumped (mouth gets dry and you get constipated).
13. Emotions are intensified getting ready for action (you focus on the negativity and thus react intensely setting you up for fear and anger).
14. You are so pumped you lose control of actions (unless trained for it yet the control is at least reduced).
15. Your ability to appraise, your ability to provide proper intentions and your priorities go down significantly (your take on the situation is different than your assessment after ergo why some think they were defending themselves when in reality they were fighting).
So, in the end the goal is to train and practice so you overcome a lot of natures defense mechanisms or at least control them to some extent to act properly or as close as possible to defend in lieu of fighting. Where we get into trouble is ignoring these factors by ignoring training of the mind/brain in our fighting/martial/self-defense practice/training. This is a serious flaw to todays martial art world especially when they say they teach, "Self Defense!"
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Part Five: Training the Mind/Brain (series: virtual reality)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
Did you know that according to the two neuroscientists that our brain "simulates" our world. They indicate that each of us lives in a virtual reality generated by our brains. It is close enough to reality that it keeps us from bumping into things.
If true then the fact that our ancestor could run simulations of past events to build on our learning so we can prevent reoccurrence. It promotes the survival instinct. This is why knowledge is important and although our minds/brains through our senses constantly updates our programming both conscious and unconsciously we still need to learn about things we have not experienced before the occur in real life.
We can use our past to simulate future events so our sensory-motor sequences will be ready for immediate action. Our brains are actually larger allowing us to have new and improved simulators increasing the benefits it provides for survival.
So, visualization, simulations, role playing, training, practice, etc. etc. all provide input for our simulations in our virtual reality of the brain/mind allowing us to prepare and survive. Ain't it cool? Does this mean we really are a part of a "Matrix?"
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Did you know that according to the two neuroscientists that our brain "simulates" our world. They indicate that each of us lives in a virtual reality generated by our brains. It is close enough to reality that it keeps us from bumping into things.
If true then the fact that our ancestor could run simulations of past events to build on our learning so we can prevent reoccurrence. It promotes the survival instinct. This is why knowledge is important and although our minds/brains through our senses constantly updates our programming both conscious and unconsciously we still need to learn about things we have not experienced before the occur in real life.
We can use our past to simulate future events so our sensory-motor sequences will be ready for immediate action. Our brains are actually larger allowing us to have new and improved simulators increasing the benefits it provides for survival.
So, visualization, simulations, role playing, training, practice, etc. etc. all provide input for our simulations in our virtual reality of the brain/mind allowing us to prepare and survive. Ain't it cool? Does this mean we really are a part of a "Matrix?"
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Part Four: Training the Mind/Brain (series: The Feeling Tone)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
In my study of the Kenpo Gokui I have been taken to many sources of information that I hope will expand my knowledge and proficiency in my life. Since Bushi Tatsuo Sensei was greatly influenced by his beliefs I also find the teachings of such as Buddhism inspiring in practice and life. In the Buddhist belief there is something they tell us of the "feeling tone" which is produced by the amygdala.
This tone is broadcast by the amygdala widely through out the brain/mind/body. It tells the brain as a whole what to do each moment whether it is to approach food as a pleasant experience, to avoid a place or person because of unpleasant intuition, or to move away from a snake curled up on the ground. Simplistic explanation but you get the point of the feeling tone.
You already have a brief idea how the feeling tone works from the last post. But to recap, during the first moment of any encounter your sight will transmit an image to the occipital cortex which handles the visual information which the cortex processes into some meaning. The cortex sends this information two directions, one is the hipppocampus for evaluation of a potential threat or an opportunity. The other area is the PFC where more sophisticated analysis is done. The hippo compares the image to files and then determines immediate action, i.e. jump away from danger. This high priority alert is sent to the amygdala which says "Watch Out!" and tells the flight or fight neural and hormonal system to do what they need to do. Example: you see a shape, you jump back in alarm.
The PFC was pulling information from your long term files to figure out what the shape is and then provides concrete information, provided you have it or the knowledge of it, which says continue to run, fight or relax.
As you can see mind/brain training is a complex issue and requires a lot of academic and practical experiences to achieve levels and actions appropriate to today's world of self defense, fighting arts and martial arts, etc. [Remember: there is a clear separation between these major practices.]
In the spirit of the gokui and the Buddhist view of, "Buddhism encourages to take nothing on faith alone and does not require a belief in God." This means that we must pursue knowledge and truth so that it can assist us in reaching a higher plane of life as referenced in Buddhism's three pillars, i.e. virtue, mindfulness, and wisdom.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
In my study of the Kenpo Gokui I have been taken to many sources of information that I hope will expand my knowledge and proficiency in my life. Since Bushi Tatsuo Sensei was greatly influenced by his beliefs I also find the teachings of such as Buddhism inspiring in practice and life. In the Buddhist belief there is something they tell us of the "feeling tone" which is produced by the amygdala.
This tone is broadcast by the amygdala widely through out the brain/mind/body. It tells the brain as a whole what to do each moment whether it is to approach food as a pleasant experience, to avoid a place or person because of unpleasant intuition, or to move away from a snake curled up on the ground. Simplistic explanation but you get the point of the feeling tone.
You already have a brief idea how the feeling tone works from the last post. But to recap, during the first moment of any encounter your sight will transmit an image to the occipital cortex which handles the visual information which the cortex processes into some meaning. The cortex sends this information two directions, one is the hipppocampus for evaluation of a potential threat or an opportunity. The other area is the PFC where more sophisticated analysis is done. The hippo compares the image to files and then determines immediate action, i.e. jump away from danger. This high priority alert is sent to the amygdala which says "Watch Out!" and tells the flight or fight neural and hormonal system to do what they need to do. Example: you see a shape, you jump back in alarm.
The PFC was pulling information from your long term files to figure out what the shape is and then provides concrete information, provided you have it or the knowledge of it, which says continue to run, fight or relax.
As you can see mind/brain training is a complex issue and requires a lot of academic and practical experiences to achieve levels and actions appropriate to today's world of self defense, fighting arts and martial arts, etc. [Remember: there is a clear separation between these major practices.]
In the spirit of the gokui and the Buddhist view of, "Buddhism encourages to take nothing on faith alone and does not require a belief in God." This means that we must pursue knowledge and truth so that it can assist us in reaching a higher plane of life as referenced in Buddhism's three pillars, i.e. virtue, mindfulness, and wisdom.
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Part Three: Training the Mind/Brain (series: amygdala/prefrontal cortex)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
Yang and Yin again. In training our mind/brain and understanding the fundamentals of its workings especially for the flight-or-fight response we need to have a basic understanding of the processes of both the amygdala and the PFC or prefrontal cortex. I use Yang for the amygdala as its effects and purpose are more instant in nature while the PFC is yin as it takes a few moments before it kicks in, etc.
The amygdala and PFC work together, i.e. a balancing act of yang-yin, that provide us the protection against all those outside influences be they docile or dangerous. When we are confronted by situations the amygdala is the device that will initially send signals to the body and mind to instantly react until the PFC can process the information and tell you from the files in your mind whether it is something you must run from or you can relax with, etc.
The amygdala sees something that your mind perceives as dangerous it instantly uses the bodies natural instincts to react which in normal circumstances could mean you jump back from the possible danger. This is good yet in today's self defense we may want to "act" differently to achieve self protection. This is where things get a bit muddy.
In the process of training when someone makes a sudden lunging action toward you your first instinct, the amygdala signals the body, is to jump back away from the danger. In the training process, over time, you can actually reprogram your brain so that if someone sudden lunges at you the result could be a sudden movement to the side in lieu of jumping back, etc. This is a simplification to stress how important it is to train the brain/mind especially for self defense.
The military use the drilling process for training simply because it along with other training reprograms your brain and mind so you react accordingly when encountering a set of situations in combat. It is effective and has been used by military forces though out history.
If your reaction were to step to the side taking you out of the direct approach of someone lunging at you in lieu of jumping back then the PFC has that moment to "see" if it is just someone joking around to see if they could make you flinch or if it is actually an attack where the PFC pulls the response from the appropriate file and you "act appropriately."
This is also the conundrum of self defense for to train appropriately for violent behavior can not always be accomplished so some try to teach/train realistically so regardless of the level of threat you body "acts" instantly even if that training is a signal to act aggressively to protect yourself. This is a difficult and complex issue in self defense and is hugely different from "fighting."
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Yang and Yin again. In training our mind/brain and understanding the fundamentals of its workings especially for the flight-or-fight response we need to have a basic understanding of the processes of both the amygdala and the PFC or prefrontal cortex. I use Yang for the amygdala as its effects and purpose are more instant in nature while the PFC is yin as it takes a few moments before it kicks in, etc.
The amygdala and PFC work together, i.e. a balancing act of yang-yin, that provide us the protection against all those outside influences be they docile or dangerous. When we are confronted by situations the amygdala is the device that will initially send signals to the body and mind to instantly react until the PFC can process the information and tell you from the files in your mind whether it is something you must run from or you can relax with, etc.
The amygdala sees something that your mind perceives as dangerous it instantly uses the bodies natural instincts to react which in normal circumstances could mean you jump back from the possible danger. This is good yet in today's self defense we may want to "act" differently to achieve self protection. This is where things get a bit muddy.
In the process of training when someone makes a sudden lunging action toward you your first instinct, the amygdala signals the body, is to jump back away from the danger. In the training process, over time, you can actually reprogram your brain so that if someone sudden lunges at you the result could be a sudden movement to the side in lieu of jumping back, etc. This is a simplification to stress how important it is to train the brain/mind especially for self defense.
The military use the drilling process for training simply because it along with other training reprograms your brain and mind so you react accordingly when encountering a set of situations in combat. It is effective and has been used by military forces though out history.
If your reaction were to step to the side taking you out of the direct approach of someone lunging at you in lieu of jumping back then the PFC has that moment to "see" if it is just someone joking around to see if they could make you flinch or if it is actually an attack where the PFC pulls the response from the appropriate file and you "act appropriately."
This is also the conundrum of self defense for to train appropriately for violent behavior can not always be accomplished so some try to teach/train realistically so regardless of the level of threat you body "acts" instantly even if that training is a signal to act aggressively to protect yourself. This is a difficult and complex issue in self defense and is hugely different from "fighting."
Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.
Part Two: Training the Mind/Brain (series: Knowledge)
[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]
Knowledge (academics), the first step. If you have not been exposed to what it is or what it does and so on then your brain and mind cannot find it in you when it does occur. This is not to say that all things can be programmed into the mind and thus the brain yet you can train and practice to get close.
In this post on knowledge the idea is simple, take the time to find and study all the topics on a subject before you undertake it in training and/or practice. I simply mean you should do the data mining so you can learn about it by reading, watching, asking questions and for the final analysis do the contemplation on the knowledge you have acquired, in you mind/brain/mind, and either accept it or discard it.
To accept it initially is not the last time you will analyze it, contemplate it, etc. I also say that you should not "discard it" unless it is so blatantly out there it reaches the science fiction aspect. To accept it, initially, means you feel it warrants further consideration and then can implement it into your practice and training.
Seek the knowledge, i.e. academics, first then test it out in practice/training. This means you test it out over time and with effort and intent. If it does not work initially it is not because it is non-functional or not of value but simply means you have not adjusted to this particular form of training and practice.
Give it time, let it brew within, and after a period of dedicated effort if you find it of no value then discard it other wise keep practicing, practicing, practicing.
Knowledge (academics), the first step. If you have not been exposed to what it is or what it does and so on then your brain and mind cannot find it in you when it does occur. This is not to say that all things can be programmed into the mind and thus the brain yet you can train and practice to get close.
In this post on knowledge the idea is simple, take the time to find and study all the topics on a subject before you undertake it in training and/or practice. I simply mean you should do the data mining so you can learn about it by reading, watching, asking questions and for the final analysis do the contemplation on the knowledge you have acquired, in you mind/brain/mind, and either accept it or discard it.
To accept it initially is not the last time you will analyze it, contemplate it, etc. I also say that you should not "discard it" unless it is so blatantly out there it reaches the science fiction aspect. To accept it, initially, means you feel it warrants further consideration and then can implement it into your practice and training.
Seek the knowledge, i.e. academics, first then test it out in practice/training. This means you test it out over time and with effort and intent. If it does not work initially it is not because it is non-functional or not of value but simply means you have not adjusted to this particular form of training and practice.
Give it time, let it brew within, and after a period of dedicated effort if you find it of no value then discard it other wise keep practicing, practicing, practicing.
Training the Mind (series)
I have written/spoken of the importance of training the mind along side the body yet you have to wonder just how do we train the mind. To do this we need to have a basic understanding of how the mind works.First before we go there I want to connect the training of the mind to the kenpo gokui. It is apparent in the gokui and its extensions that all things are in pairs or "yin and yang." So, what is the mind. The mind is that which we create thought a process within our brain. The brain, from my perspective, is the "yang" while the mind is the "yin."
Within the brain we have, a simplistic analysis comes here, the left side that establishes the body as a distinct entity from the world around it and the right side indicates where the body is compared to features in our environment. The left side came to focus on sequential and linguistic processing while the right side specialized in holistic and visual-spatial processing.
It is known that although they are separate halves and the mind and brain are also separate they both function, the brain and mind; the left half and right half, as "one" entity. Yin and Yang as the "one" or the Tao. Here is where we start to see connections to our practice.
In order to train the mind we should understand how the brain works so that we can influence the brain thus change/train the mind. Scientists are now studying this process by connecting two separate processes, i.e. buddhism and neuroscience. The brain is constantly changing and growing so it is believed, and I believe, that we can influence the brain thus the mind. Ergo, training the mind.
If we do this, as we have done with out focus on training the mind, then we can consciously influence our training in the fighting/martial arts.
I plan on doing additional postings on this as I believe we have accidentally gone into training only the "yang" half of our brain and mind in regards to our art. As I have discovered in my studies and training to neglect one half of the whole throws us "off balance" and results in a lack of "one" wholehearted way.
The Elemental Changes
One of my favorite translations of the ancient classics, i.e. the Mysteries, is "The Elemental Changes," which provide additional understanding of the I Ching thus the Kenpo Gokui and my life practice, etc.
As I study it I came across this quote:
"The individual's preoccupation with external displays of force or grandeur leads him to neglect the cultivation of his inner life. Self-importance fills the mind with what is inherently empty."
which brings me to thoughts of today's interpretation of "what is karate" which seems to be misunderstood. Maybe it is being misunderstood by me as well.
I am not saying that the practice is invalid for "all bottles are good; they all server a purpose." Where I feel the loss is the understanding of what the "art" is vs. the "competitive aspects" of today's sporting aspects.
As long as those who participate in that particular practice understand and are not misleading themselves or deluding themselves then it is just fine. If not, then there is a problem.
We should reflect on our inner selves to balance out our lives and thus through our practice. Do neglect one in favor of something egoistic in nature is detrimental or "empty."
"The petty man worships rank and title. In his arrogance, he parades his symbols of authority, mistaking them for moral authority itself."
How do you perceive this tidbit of wisdom from the Mysteries?
As I study it I came across this quote:
"The individual's preoccupation with external displays of force or grandeur leads him to neglect the cultivation of his inner life. Self-importance fills the mind with what is inherently empty."
which brings me to thoughts of today's interpretation of "what is karate" which seems to be misunderstood. Maybe it is being misunderstood by me as well.
I am not saying that the practice is invalid for "all bottles are good; they all server a purpose." Where I feel the loss is the understanding of what the "art" is vs. the "competitive aspects" of today's sporting aspects.
As long as those who participate in that particular practice understand and are not misleading themselves or deluding themselves then it is just fine. If not, then there is a problem.
We should reflect on our inner selves to balance out our lives and thus through our practice. Do neglect one in favor of something egoistic in nature is detrimental or "empty."
"The petty man worships rank and title. In his arrogance, he parades his symbols of authority, mistaking them for moral authority itself."
How do you perceive this tidbit of wisdom from the Mysteries?
Writing to Learn
I am attempting to collect, cooallate, and contribute to the Kenpo Gokui, i.e. its eight precepts as well as the accepted meanings with an addition of my own thoughts and feelings in my practice.
What a mouth full. I wanted to bring together all the data on it from the Isshinryu karate world and then provide my comments from my study of it and its associated texts, i.e. I Ching, Mysteries, etc.
One reason I am not posting as much here except for some quotes and comments. I don't know when it will be done but those of you who are practitioners of the fighting/martial art of Okinawa Isshinryu may be interested in the final printing so I will let you know when I am done.
I know I commented on some previous publication regarding the gokui and Isshinryu which was not the most glowing of views but I felt they missed the boat entirely.
Don't get me wrong for my attempts are not to say that I have it down pat or am the all knowing of the gokui and practice YET I am trying and hope it brings more to the table so I can continue to grow and learn.
What a mouth full. I wanted to bring together all the data on it from the Isshinryu karate world and then provide my comments from my study of it and its associated texts, i.e. I Ching, Mysteries, etc.
One reason I am not posting as much here except for some quotes and comments. I don't know when it will be done but those of you who are practitioners of the fighting/martial art of Okinawa Isshinryu may be interested in the final printing so I will let you know when I am done.
I know I commented on some previous publication regarding the gokui and Isshinryu which was not the most glowing of views but I felt they missed the boat entirely.
Don't get me wrong for my attempts are not to say that I have it down pat or am the all knowing of the gokui and practice YET I am trying and hope it brings more to the table so I can continue to grow and learn.
Gokui and Self Defense/Fighting
In my view fighting and self defense require the study of the kenpo gokui and through its influences the other ancient classics to include such as the I Ching and the Mysteries.
In order to achieve the level of intuitive maturity to tell the difference and to achieve proficiency in the controlling of the emotional ego to act according to each specific situation requires the knowledge and understanding the gokui can take us as practitioners of karate-DO.
We all to ofter let, especially the male species, our egoistic development lead us into situations that can lead to prosecution and jail if not serious injury or death.
Another reason to practice the whole in lieu of those specific parts that are cool. Bypassing the important to achieve ego gratification can lead to dangerous life choices.
Study the Kenpo Gokui and if you don't practice the FA/MA then study the classics. You will not regret it.
In order to achieve the level of intuitive maturity to tell the difference and to achieve proficiency in the controlling of the emotional ego to act according to each specific situation requires the knowledge and understanding the gokui can take us as practitioners of karate-DO.
We all to ofter let, especially the male species, our egoistic development lead us into situations that can lead to prosecution and jail if not serious injury or death.
Another reason to practice the whole in lieu of those specific parts that are cool. Bypassing the important to achieve ego gratification can lead to dangerous life choices.
Study the Kenpo Gokui and if you don't practice the FA/MA then study the classics. You will not regret it.
Intuition
# instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
# an impression that something might be the case; "he had an intuition that something had gone wrong"
# intuitive - spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency; "an intuitive revulsion"
# intuitive - obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation
I am now referring to a survival instinct we all tend to ignore. In a self-defense/self-preservation training hall we should focus actively on the mental training necessary to face attacks/assaults.
This is not done. It is something that should not be ignored. Recommendation: Read, "The Gift of Fear."
http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Survival-Signals-Violence/dp/0747538352/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270585491&sr=8-1
Recommendation: Read, "No Nonsense Self Defense" web site.
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/
Intuition is something similar to the gokui and its lead in to the ancient classics, i.e. the I Ching and Mysteries. It is also in the same group of things most fighting/martial arts training either ignore of have absolutely no clue as to the value.
I use the gokui to take me to the more esoteric values of my life practice and in that same light have learned that Intuition is one of those subjects of great importance that is intricate to the use of self defense, i.e. avoidance. Avoidance uses intuitive capabilities to use natures device in warning you of dangerous situations BEFORE you enter into the danger zone.
The same site above along with many other sites, books, DVD's, seminars, etc. can be found that will provide the prerequisites of self-defense. This is similar to the gokui of Isshinryu which is that "key" to open many other doors to life's practices via the singular form of practice called karate-do.
In addition there are mangy ways to develop your awareness, i.e. intuition, such a one form of meditation that has the sole purpose of making you "aware" of your life, etc.
As you will find in your search for knowledge and training the many ways and sources of self-development that will be intricate to your practice of self-defense other than what you may practice, right or wrong, in the fighting/martial arts.
# an impression that something might be the case; "he had an intuition that something had gone wrong"
# intuitive - spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency; "an intuitive revulsion"
# intuitive - obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation
I am now referring to a survival instinct we all tend to ignore. In a self-defense/self-preservation training hall we should focus actively on the mental training necessary to face attacks/assaults.
This is not done. It is something that should not be ignored. Recommendation: Read, "The Gift of Fear."
http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Survival-Signals-Violence/dp/0747538352/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270585491&sr=8-1
Recommendation: Read, "No Nonsense Self Defense" web site.
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/
Intuition is something similar to the gokui and its lead in to the ancient classics, i.e. the I Ching and Mysteries. It is also in the same group of things most fighting/martial arts training either ignore of have absolutely no clue as to the value.
I use the gokui to take me to the more esoteric values of my life practice and in that same light have learned that Intuition is one of those subjects of great importance that is intricate to the use of self defense, i.e. avoidance. Avoidance uses intuitive capabilities to use natures device in warning you of dangerous situations BEFORE you enter into the danger zone.
The same site above along with many other sites, books, DVD's, seminars, etc. can be found that will provide the prerequisites of self-defense. This is similar to the gokui of Isshinryu which is that "key" to open many other doors to life's practices via the singular form of practice called karate-do.
In addition there are mangy ways to develop your awareness, i.e. intuition, such a one form of meditation that has the sole purpose of making you "aware" of your life, etc.
As you will find in your search for knowledge and training the many ways and sources of self-development that will be intricate to your practice of self-defense other than what you may practice, right or wrong, in the fighting/martial arts.
Sheep - Sheepdog - Wolf
Borrowed from Col. Grossman's analogy in his book "On Killing."
What makes us either sheep (ordinary folks), sheepdogs (soldiers, firemen, police, prison guards, etc.), or wolves (criminals, predators, rapist, etc.)?
There seems to be perceived influences or labels put on those who become wolves so what makes a person a wolf? Some say it happens in child hood yet in the book, "The Gift of Fear," the author alludes to the fact that we all are the same but something occurs that causes us to go to one of the three categories.
It would seem, from my view so far, that regardless of the influences in childhood something else causes us to go one way or another. In the book on fear both the author and some of his examples had the same type of childhood experiences yet he became a force for service to society while the other became a predator.
Is it some genetic thing that says to a person who suffers great things that they end up becoming someone who contributes to society or causes them to go the other direction and become a bad thing in society?
Then again what can cause someone to be a little of all three, a sheep, a sheepdog and a wolf? Are there folks like this who run the middle of the road so to speak?
What are you and what caused you to go the way you go? If you can answer that question are you truthful to yourself or is it just the "story" we all seem to tell ourselves as each event occurs in life causing us to change so we remain comfortable in our skins?
I was a Marine. Does this mean I was a sheepdog? I have had thoughts of doing things that are not acceptable in our society, does this mean I am a wolf? I am also one who has stood by and had no reaction, does this mean I am a sheep? Which one at any one time says I am what I am?
I taught karate and self-defense. Am I a sheepdog? Is this why I study karate and the ancient classics (Kenpo Gokui - I Ching - Bubishi - The Mysteries) not to exclude the recent books on fighting and self-defense, to achieve some level of all three or to become more of a sheepdog than the other two?
Do we need to be a bit of the wolf to be a good sheepdog? Is this why we attach the philosophical aspects to our training through the study of the Kenpo Gokui. Do we know the differences?
What makes us either sheep (ordinary folks), sheepdogs (soldiers, firemen, police, prison guards, etc.), or wolves (criminals, predators, rapist, etc.)?
There seems to be perceived influences or labels put on those who become wolves so what makes a person a wolf? Some say it happens in child hood yet in the book, "The Gift of Fear," the author alludes to the fact that we all are the same but something occurs that causes us to go to one of the three categories.
It would seem, from my view so far, that regardless of the influences in childhood something else causes us to go one way or another. In the book on fear both the author and some of his examples had the same type of childhood experiences yet he became a force for service to society while the other became a predator.
Is it some genetic thing that says to a person who suffers great things that they end up becoming someone who contributes to society or causes them to go the other direction and become a bad thing in society?
Then again what can cause someone to be a little of all three, a sheep, a sheepdog and a wolf? Are there folks like this who run the middle of the road so to speak?
What are you and what caused you to go the way you go? If you can answer that question are you truthful to yourself or is it just the "story" we all seem to tell ourselves as each event occurs in life causing us to change so we remain comfortable in our skins?
I was a Marine. Does this mean I was a sheepdog? I have had thoughts of doing things that are not acceptable in our society, does this mean I am a wolf? I am also one who has stood by and had no reaction, does this mean I am a sheep? Which one at any one time says I am what I am?
I taught karate and self-defense. Am I a sheepdog? Is this why I study karate and the ancient classics (Kenpo Gokui - I Ching - Bubishi - The Mysteries) not to exclude the recent books on fighting and self-defense, to achieve some level of all three or to become more of a sheepdog than the other two?
Do we need to be a bit of the wolf to be a good sheepdog? Is this why we attach the philosophical aspects to our training through the study of the Kenpo Gokui. Do we know the differences?
Personal Safety; Before Self-defense
The kenpo gokui alludes to the I Ching which in turns tells us that correctness is a hallmark of a good person. In that light I wanted to use this to lead into the fact that for me I must tell you that although Isshinryu has many values for both the fighting arts and life that it also tells us through the gokui that correctness and accuracy are important.
In that light I am telling you that Isshinryu and Karate are not meant as a modern day self-defense method, it is a fighting method. If we are to include teaching of self-defense then we have to do it correctly. This means differentiation in Isshinryu is karate and self-defense is something totally different.
Lets look at self-defense as "personal safety" and ... [Note: the link below has many other postings on this topic and you MUST read it all if you wish to be accurate and truthful when you say your Isshinryu and/or karate training provides self-defense.
If you are serious about learning self-defense then I would put to you that you have a means of doing so with out resorting to any kind of physical action. This blog site I am recommending is providing information in regard to personal safety.
I recommend reading it very much!
In that light I am telling you that Isshinryu and Karate are not meant as a modern day self-defense method, it is a fighting method. If we are to include teaching of self-defense then we have to do it correctly. This means differentiation in Isshinryu is karate and self-defense is something totally different.
Lets look at self-defense as "personal safety" and ... [Note: the link below has many other postings on this topic and you MUST read it all if you wish to be accurate and truthful when you say your Isshinryu and/or karate training provides self-defense.
If you are serious about learning self-defense then I would put to you that you have a means of doing so with out resorting to any kind of physical action. This blog site I am recommending is providing information in regard to personal safety.
I recommend reading it very much!
The Subtleties of Self-Defense
I always felt that I had a good handle on knowledge and use of Self Defense until I read both "Meditations on Violence" and "The Gift of Fear." I also was led to the below links on the Internet which really opened my eyes to the true meaning of self-defense.
I am also now painfully aware of the legal ramifications to any action I might take in defending myself if attacked.
Let me stress that what I was taught and what I taught do not fill the bill for self-defense. I am here to correct that and to make sure anyone who reads my stuff is taught that self-defense is a complex issue and anyone who desires to protect themselves from violence, etc. MUST LEARN the ENTIRE spectrum of self-defense.
I also must say emphatically that when you read the books above you MUST REMEMBER that you can not gloss over the facts as to the perspective of the author. You might be inclined to miss aspects of their prose because something they say inspires you and causes you to MISS the context will get you into trouble.
What I am saying is never lose site as to the perspective of the author. You might misunderstand by not remembering that the author is a peace officer, prison guard, military, etc. so the law as to force and self-defense my be skewed in your mind and from your perspective.
So, read those books and within those pages the below links are provided and you should go to them and learn what "real" self-defense is and the many subtleties are as to what constitutes SD and ASSAULT, etc.
If you are a Martial Arts Sensei and teach Self-Defense DO NOT ASSUME YOU WERE TAUGHT CORRECTLY OR KNOW ALL YOU "NEED" TO KNOW to prevent crossing that line or as one blog post says, "It doesn't go in the wheelbarrow."
Here are recommended sites on Self-defense for your REQUIRED reading pleasure:
What is self-defense? and Good Self-defense.
These two links have several links within each post for further review. I suggest reading them all.
Notice on the left, "In This Hub:," the topics are excellent.
I am also now painfully aware of the legal ramifications to any action I might take in defending myself if attacked.
Let me stress that what I was taught and what I taught do not fill the bill for self-defense. I am here to correct that and to make sure anyone who reads my stuff is taught that self-defense is a complex issue and anyone who desires to protect themselves from violence, etc. MUST LEARN the ENTIRE spectrum of self-defense.
I also must say emphatically that when you read the books above you MUST REMEMBER that you can not gloss over the facts as to the perspective of the author. You might be inclined to miss aspects of their prose because something they say inspires you and causes you to MISS the context will get you into trouble.
What I am saying is never lose site as to the perspective of the author. You might misunderstand by not remembering that the author is a peace officer, prison guard, military, etc. so the law as to force and self-defense my be skewed in your mind and from your perspective.
So, read those books and within those pages the below links are provided and you should go to them and learn what "real" self-defense is and the many subtleties are as to what constitutes SD and ASSAULT, etc.
If you are a Martial Arts Sensei and teach Self-Defense DO NOT ASSUME YOU WERE TAUGHT CORRECTLY OR KNOW ALL YOU "NEED" TO KNOW to prevent crossing that line or as one blog post says, "It doesn't go in the wheelbarrow."
Here are recommended sites on Self-defense for your REQUIRED reading pleasure:
What is self-defense? and Good Self-defense.
These two links have several links within each post for further review. I suggest reading them all.
Notice on the left, "In This Hub:," the topics are excellent.
Remember This
Remember that this blog site is just information. I don't profess to be an expert at anything nor does the fact of posting make the content anything other than possible truth and/or factual.
I like to learn so I write, so I can learn. I like doing it here so I can get feedback, nothing more, nothing less.
Take this blog site with a huge grain of salt, read it if you like, then decide for yourself if it applies or if it is just "crap."
I like to learn so I write, so I can learn. I like doing it here so I can get feedback, nothing more, nothing less.
Take this blog site with a huge grain of salt, read it if you like, then decide for yourself if it applies or if it is just "crap."
The Perfect Circle
When one studies the I Ching one cannot help but be introduced to the symbol of the "yin and yang" which is enclosed within a "perfect circle." In our understanding of that symbol it has become known:
"End and beginning are connected in a seamless cycle, so that above and below make a perfect circle. Examine the patterns of dragon and tiger [constellations of the eastern and western sky]. Plot their revolutions with regard to the seven regulators [the sun, the moon, and the five planets]."
Every myriad thing of the Earth and Man are composed of a beginning and an end. The life cycle much like constellations, the sun and moon, the flow of blood and the cycles of chi are patterns that are reflected by one another that are plotted by the Tao and if we allow it to guide us then we connect and live contently.
The symbol of the Yin and Yang are encompassed/enclosed by the perfect circle! The sun is a perfect circle of light. The moon is a perfect circle of subdued light for the darkness. The Earth is also a perfect circle where Man resides.
The Tao as the totality of Being is drawn as a circle. Also, the circle, as in Greek philosophy, is regarded as the embodiment of perfection in that nothing can be added to it.
End and beginning are connected in a seamless cycle, so that above and below make a perfect circle. Examine the patterns of dragon and tiger [constellations of the eastern and western sky]. Plot their revolutions with regard to the seven regulators [the sun, the moon, and the five planets].
As for the grinding of the circle and square [Heaven and Earth] against one another, the mutual opposition between hard and soft [yang and yin]; by rule, abundance enters decline and what ends is born again. There is filling up; there is emptying out. If flows or stops; there is not constancy.
Bibliography:
Nylan, Michael. "The Elemental Changes: The Ancient Chinese Companion to the I Ching." Albany NY, State of NY Press. 1994
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)