Seeing

Another aspect that brings to mind the seventh sentence of the ken-po goju-i is the question I would ask practitioners, "Do you actively see in all directions?" Ok, this is a bit out of what you might think cause I have been talking of this outside the box labeled, "Literal." It deals again with awareness, active awareness.

When you are scanning your environment are you focused on what you see in that narrow blinder vision, i.e. what you see directly? Marc MacYoung calls this "one-point focusing." Take a moment in your next training or practice session, watch Sensei and then tell me what you see out on your peripheral?

Normally we pretty much ignore anything that leaves this narrow, say twenty degree spread span, but that peripheral area, over twenty and up to 180 degree spread.  Yet, I bet if you were actually fighting on the street that area might be a bit more important. Regardless of whether your fighting or not the ability to avoid relies on what you "see" and "hear" as you move through any area/environment, yes?

When the ken-po goku-i says in all directions don't limit that to what you see in the one-point focus but train yourself and then practice it diligently to perceive what is in your peripheral. If you do it right it will signal your brain if some dangerous issue comes up so you can adjust. It can be like walking to a car in a lot that is somewhat dark at night and your peripheral "sees" something hinkey so you turn and then proceed to avoid and escape to safety.

What Mr. MacYoung seems to be saying don't forget to train your ability to "see" and "be aware of" what crops up as to your entire vision span.

Now, about hearing, the same applies. You should be training yourself to actively "hear" in all directions as well and that would work well with seeing all sides cause if you hear it, don't see it in your peripheral then guess it is coming up fast from the rear.

Now, lets take it one step further. You are scanning but you are really aware so you know that this also means you have to turn your head from side to side so you can register all 360 degrees. Just like driving a car into an intersection. You scan left and right so your full vision and hearing can perceive any danger like that other nut on his cell looking down at his laptop screaming through a red light, oh gosh, maybe I should stop now ;-)

One more thing, if your opponent is closing your eyes are on his then your peripheral will pick up those movements on him that may tell you, Uh Oh, attack coming on, MOVE.

Bibliography:
MacYoung, Marc. "Violence, Blunders, and Fractured Jaws: Advanced Awareness Techniques and Street Etiquette." Paladin Press. Boulder, Colorado. 1992.