Control

I just posted a short on control at my karate-do blog site but realized that it relates to the ken-po goku-i as well. If you read it as follows:

A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions.

You will find that many actually require a person to find self control within themselves in order to control the outside influences we encounter be they difficulties at work or conflict with some poor soul who flips you off and they cut you off on the road to work. There is the connections within alluded to in both the first and second references of Heaven-Earth: Sun-Moon.

As you continue it is control that allows you to choose between either hard and soft, to learn and maintain balance of mind-body-spirit, the ability to control the directions your body moves in relation to specific stimuli from an opponent/attacker, the control one needs to apply martial techniques such as strikes or blows or kicks and to learn and maintain an awareness using the senses with specificity to both eyes and ears. This is a literal reference to martial systems such as Isshinryu.

It seems that in order to participate in an acceptable and moral fashion in society it requires a person to learn control of the self so they can know and act accordingly. To do otherwise creates "friction" and friction causes heat and heat tends to be volatile in human interactions.

Isshinryu's Megami after all represents many facets of the system where the two hands denote a modicum of "control" a practitioner of karate/karate-do MUST find to apply it judiciously in self protection. Considering all the variables of fighting and society this becomes more important.

Yes? No? Maybe? Your thoughts and Idea's?

True "Seeing" for Martial Purposes

In the ken-po goku-i it is said, "One must SEE all sides." In my recent reading of the book of martial power by Steven J. Pearlman I have realized that this also means utilizing "peripheral vision" in combat or just about any endeavor. Pearlman Sensei provides this principal/fundamental in a light not realized by me before that moment.

He provided me with the knowledge that peripheral vs. direct vision in bypassing the thinking mind and accessing directly my training to achieve quicker action should I be attacked. All provided my training included as real a fighting drill/simulations as possible coupled with any and all actual hands-on experiences.

A principal that says peripheral vision is to "Look far to see near, look near to see far." It tells us it increase our reactions. This practice might enlighten all of us to the old stories of martial artists who could end a fight by their kamae with a stare that conveyed strong ability, etc. The blank stare of pheripheral vision utility can be interpreted by an opponent as total non-concern conveying a complete lack of thought toward anything but that opponents total destruction with no opening for him, etc. [total lack of true conveyance of what I mean but hopefully you will still get what I am trying to say]

After all, seeing all sides can mean not only the direct vision being placed no-mind/no-where so that the peripheral vision that stretches at least 180 degrees along with movement to achieve 360 degree views does make sense. Using this can and does allow a martial artist to "see all sides."

TEST: Take a cardboard tube and place it gently over one eye, close the other eye, and this will give you the experience of what it might be like with out your peripheral vision. Take the tube away and then back and then away then what is perceived outside of direct vision becomes more apparent.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Isshinryu-no-Megami Hands - Ken-po Goku-i

Recently a great post was discussing the code of the Samurai, Bushido, and I commented on it where the blogger provided me a wonderful pdf document "Samurai Life in Medieval Japan" from the University of Colorado, i.e. www.colorado.edu, site.

A particular quote I cannot yet post, waiting for copyright permission, provided me some additional thoughts to both the ken-po goku-i as it relates to the pose the Isshinryu-no-Megami, i.e. hands and possible meaning.

The quote speaks of the practice of peace as an art form when referenced the left hand, and the study/practice of the art of war referencing the right hand.

I felt that this can also be related to the Isshinryu-no-Megami hand position, i.e. the left hand held down and open in a fashion to indicate peace/peaceful/or art of peace while the right hand in a fist to represent the combative aspects of the system or the practice and study of the arts of war.

What say ye all Isshinryu enthusiasts?

Seeing - Hearing

The eyes must see all sides; the ears must hear in all directions. I have covered a lot as to what I feel meets the meaning of the line on "eyes." I have kind of talked about hearing in all directions but thought it time to provide a bit on "hearing" in this post.

The first time someone reads the English translation of the ken-po goku-i they tend to think of it literally. Lets say this is a "basic" or introduction to the ken-po goku-i but would be limited if we accepted that as the only meaning of these statements. As an introduction it gets you started and hopefully "thinking."

Hearing to me also denotes hearing all facts, idea's, thoughts, discussions, theories, etc. from all points regardless. It does not matter who they are, what system they practice or if they are considered, from your perspective, right or wrong. Even comments and statements that appear on the surface as something we should immediately discount/discard there is always, "ALWAYS," something within that is or may be true or lead to truth. I call this data mining. You may dig and get dirt and rocks yet somewhere in all that debris is gold. Even a small bit of gold is worth the effort.

Hearing is actively listening to the environment, to people, to media, and to anything that will give up the gold. You may have to dig a lot but perseverance and diligence will get you plenty.

I titled this post seeing and hearing because an intricate component of actively listening is to use your eyes to see all sides. Sides that are not visually obvious. In active listening the eyes must see all sides of the body language and facial expressions to determine the sincerity of the speaker, etc. If you watch a DVD both hearing and seeing comprise discovery of those tidbits of gold that panning pull out from water and other stuff as it flows past on the pathway of discovery.

If you are participating in a budo dojo then your ability to see and hear, everything, from Sensei or any other senior is critical to learning. The brain needs constant reinforcement to encode correct data to memory and seeing/hearing is the only way coupled with questioning. Maybe this is why Tatsuo Sensei said little and passed along the ken-po goku-i, much like discussed in my post on the old masters instruction method it becomes a matter of self discovery.

Think of it this way, what will be retained longer? Your own discovery and acceptance OR because Sensei said it was so? Something to think about ...

Blog Adjustments

Just to let you know that all my blogs have been "moved" into one account. I had them set to particular email accounts that would differentiate each accordingly but for efficiency I transferred all four blogs to the one main account so you might see some of my profile stats different, i.e. now under isshin.do.karate@gmail.com mail account, etc.

Everything else remains intact as do the actual historical postings, etc.

Thanks,

Charles J.

The "EYES" Must See

I can be stubborn where once I learn something that really resonates with me with emphasis on my practice of karate-do I tend to resist any attempts to refute that premise even when it is incontrovertible truth. I have since found that this is a crippling trait that I now try to avoid at all costs. It assumes that my findings are the final answer when in reality all answers are subject to "change."

In this light the ken-po goku-i's reference in line seven also can mean to "see" truth; to "see" beyond our limited understanding of things; to "see" that all idea's and answers to all things are subject to the same laws that govern the Universe, i.e. constantly changing; fluid. We must "see" ourselves for what we truly are so that we don't color our view with preconceived notions and idea's that we tend to make intractable so we remain inflexible; a path to disaster and stunted growth both personal and in martial training.

Seeing all sides is to "see" all sides. Don't limit your interpretation and application of this to just what you literally see to all sides of your physical presence. Step outside the box, see all sides!

Extra Words Ken-po Goku-i

The first line of the gokui is "A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth." The kanji that goes along with it is depicted in the graphic you see to the left side of this post.

My question is, "Where did the other English translation words come from?" What I am saying is this, "is this really the translation of the characters and if it is how did they determine that person and heart would be the same, and how is it the same, as heaven and earth. There is nothing notable to indicate that the person who wrote these characters originally meant it to be some comparison.

That comparison even if correct is not apparent, is it? This makes me wonder what exactly the Ancients intended when they provided the ken-po goku-i. I suspect, as stories are told, that because a good part of it was conveyed verbally and taking in to consideration the level of education for those who wrote things like the bubishi and lets not forget the environment, customs, and beliefs of those in that particular time will have an effect as well.

Maybe this was the ultimate purpose so that it would remain fluid so as times and people changed the meaning would change accordingly. The only hiccup here for me is the need to know the intent and meaning of those at their time so that I can utilize it to convey meaning to my time and meaning.

Isshinryu-no-Megami Hands

One hand is open and one is closed into a fist. What is the symbolism of this? The right hand is closed to represent the hard aspects of our style. It also suggests that we have the ability to defend ourselves if required. The left hand is open to represent the softer aspects of our style. It represents peace and tells us that we have no weapons and we strive to avoid trouble.

In the book, "Japan: Strategy of the Unseen", by Michel Random the quote I am referring to is as follows: "The open palm of the Buddha’s represents the Extended, the Infinite. A closed fist represents only itself."

The open palm as stated above tells us that our training is not a goal but a life long endeavor that is never over or you could say infinite in its nature for training and practice takes us all the way to our transition to the Tao.

The closed fist represents only itself might suggest that lost path, the closed mind, the trap that our ego puts on our mind and thus into our bodies. If we close our minds to the possibilities of what life and practice have to offer then we close ourselves to the possibilities that are afforded to us in our journey to enlightenment.

The open hand and closed fist also represent the "in-yo" or dualism of nature that must become one or the Tao of life. All things begin and end with one.

We can also say that the open hand represents the state of mind we must all maintain in our practice as well as in our lives. To keep our minds open to all of life's possibilities and use the singular practice of the way of the empty hand as our guide in reaching out to the stars.

Lastly, I also feel it signifies the maxim of soft-to-hard:hard-to-soft applications. I believe this is symbolized because it provides a maxim that applies to all technique applications depending on the targeting. A punch involves the closed fist and punching with the fore-knuckles, i.e. karate punch, and a strike involves the open hand such as a slap to the head, an open handed back hand to the face, or the use of the open hand, the elbow, the forearm or both elbow and forearm. The soft-to-hard:hard-to-soft maxim means use a hard, fist, against soft targets; a soft, strike/slap, against hard targets.

Bibliography:
Sutrisno, Tristan, MacYoung, Marc and Gordon, Dianna. "Becoming a Complete Martial Artist: Error Detection in Self Defense and the Martial Arts." Lyons Press. Connecticut. 2005.

Why study the Chinese ancient classics?

We practice Okinawan Karate, yes? So, a good question is why would we want to study the ancient Chinese classics? In a nutshell to understand the customs of the Okinawans and especially the fighting arts of karate we would want to study the classics because Okinawan's are a product of the Chinese influences and they also studied the classics, the customs, the courtesies, etc. of the Chinese.

The Chinese as to historical data received the greatest influences from them and worked diligently to assume and practice them in a unique Okinawan fashion.

With out going into more depth I would express my answer here through my study of Isshinryu karate-do. Isshinryu is a fairly young Okinawan system but the creator, Tatsuo Shimabuku Sensei, did study the classics such as the Chinese I Ching and Bubushi, which is a tome on Chinese boxing.

He also presented early practitioners a copy of the ken-po goku-i on silk in kanji/English. The significance here is it is derived from his studies and influences from earlier masters of Okinawan karate who also derived these from the study of Chinese classics with an emphasis on the Chinese version of the bubishi.

Do you have to study them to practice/learn/instruct karate in any of its forms? No, you do not yet I firmly believe to achieve greater depth and breadth and understanding and applications you should study them. I firmly believe they are the Yin side of that coin, yang being the physical practice of karate. It will provide guidance and balance in your studies and practices where they will become most influential when you actually take up the instruction of karate-do.

Something one who studies a martial system should consider. You might want to remember that even the Japanese studied the classics and then incorporated what the felt was pertinent into their customs, etc. Everything Japanese/Okinawan were influenced by Chinese connections.

Shaolin Ch'an Buddhism

"... a form of Buddhism that emphasized on self cultivation through seated meditation ... 'Dhyana' in Sanskrit or the investigation of one’s mind is called “Ch'an” in Chinese. The Japanese later pronounced it as “Zen”. ... a series of physical and breathing exercises. ... These movements—derived from Indian yogic practices of hatha and raja—were classified according to the 18 main animals in Indo-Chinese iconography, and evolve into Shaolin Gungfu. ... While the practice of Ch’an points directly to the mind, and emphasizes self-awareness and self-motivation, the practice requires self-discipline. ... To the the student of Shaolin Gungfu, it should be similarly emphasized that the introduction of movements and breathing exercises are entry points to develop self-discipline, and concentration that is required to begin the investigation of one's mind to seek wisdom ... " - Traits of Ch'an Buddhism

This post is one more step that provides me many more hours of thought and analysis as to my practice and what it may mean or could have meant to Tatsuo Sensei. As I continued to connect dots in my studies I came across a reference to the "Ch'an Buddhist" practice of the Shaolin monks where it is believed our roots to martial systems from Chinese influences originate.

As I continued to research the topic I read a few sources that described the practice of Ch'an Buddhism in many ways that I believe are relevant to my practice and the intent/spirit of Tatsuo's teachings via references us to the ken-po goku-i.

The fundamental thoughts of Ch'an Buddhism seem to follow my past studies in one area of the "Tao-te-ching." Many of the traits mentioned here seem to fall right into what many martial systems of Okinawa and Japan teach/instruct as to the opposite, esoteric, side of the coin - Martial Art, Budo!

Although it began with emphasis on seated meditation, think mokuso, it does go on to how a series of physical and breathing exercises, the lohan of Chinese boxing, to achieve a more enlightened state of living. It exemplifies the way to self-awareness, self-motivation, self-discipline, mindful awareness, and so on. All of these I have posted on in the past as a part of my practice.

It finishes up with a partial quote on how it all comes to the "one" or "wholehearted" delving into the mind to seek wisdom. To investigate the mind is to investigate it through the actions of the body which includes meditative practices with a greater emphasis on breathing. I have also posted with many references to the practice and use of breathing to achieve goals in karate-do which extend to our daily lives.

In addition they refer to Ch'an Buddhism as it was translated into the Japanese practice of "Zen." Apparently the word Zen is the Japanese pronouncement of Ch'an.

Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ... this begs the question for me, am I actually practicing a version of Ch'an Buddhism?

The Brain and All the Hoopla about Monkey and Lizard Stuff

Chiron Blog by Rory Miller provided a term I had not heard before, Triune Brain. In that light as I tend to do I did some searching on the subject that led me to a site I believe would be beneficial to all readers as it leads you to all the complexities of the brain functions that can either help or hinder our ability to apply karate or any system to self defense/protection, etc.

The site I found the most helpful in my continued understanding of how we work in society is: http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/index_i.html 

It has layers much like Marc MacYoung's web site "No Nonsense Self Defense" so take your time and go through the main topics then click links to continue the journey to more knowledge.

One main point I have derived so far confirms what others with more experience than I tell us about self defense. In a nutshell it is best to enhance our instincts provided by mother nature to achieve a good solid defensive ability. If I have got it right that means "avoidance" is still the 90% rule. Taking those natural abilities that have worked so well for centuries and give it some enhancements that build on it will serve most folks better than simply learning a few techniques and then assuming they will work when needed. News flash folks, us normal folks will not apply these waza but simply fall back on the flight or fight response. Actually, freeze and face the threat then either totally freeze or run like hell or something like this, read the pages and come to your own conclusions.

What I found to be important to this site is it validated the teachings of what I have "seen and heard." It also provides some insights as to how you can enhance your training and practice so you can program how your brain constructs things and hopefully puts it into action when required.

What is the Ken-po Goku-i?

As to Isshinryu, which is the basis and reason for my study of this short terse tome on karate-do:

The "Kenpo Gokui"(Secrets of the Fist Way), taken from the Bubishi's "8 Poems of the Fist." Shimabuku Sensei reportedly received his Ken-po Goku-i from his Goju-ryu teacher, Miyagi Chojun. This document was very important in the development of Isshinryu. Shimabuku Tatsuo would give copies of the ken-po goku-i to his early students.

Advincula Sensei relates information on this as follows:

Isshinryu's Kenpo Gokui is from White Crane. The Kenpo Gokui is the yin while "Kihonteki, kata and kumite" (practiced until they become "one") is the yang of Isshinryu. Tatsuo used the I Ching which influenced his creation and practice of Isshinryu. We can see this in the Kenpo Gokui.

Kenpo gokui is a code which is often called the Pome of kenpo (Karate). The word kenpo is made from two kanji or Chinese characters; ken means "fist" and po means "law". Kenpo means "fist method" or "Law of the fist."

A code is a systematic statement of a body of law. A law is a system of principles or rules that also include a moral code. A moral code is a state of mind that dictates moral practices or teachings, modes of conduct, and ethics. Conduct is the act, manner, or process of carrying on in different situations be it mental or physical. A code is also a system of symbols letters or numbers used to represent assigned (and often secret) meaning(s).

The Kenpo gokui has eight precepts (as does article 13 of Bubishi). Precepts are principles intended as a general rule of action. Action is a function of the mind, body, and/or one of its parts, and can also be the manner or method of performing something. This can be brought about by altering or modifying each precept (much like the I-Ching) to suit a certain situation. Each situation can be dealt with by physical force or with (civility) reasoning. Reasoning means using the mind and drawing inferences or conclusions through the use of reason and or argument. Argument demands reasonable thinking and thought.

The Kenpo gokui is a micro I Ching (Book of changes/wisdom) in the form of a very terse, forty word pome (a pome of wisdom). The very reason it is called essential. The Kenpo goku puts the "Do" in karate for it is the very essence of karate.

The gokui are the "Essential principles of a system". To Tatsuo Sensei these precepts of the Kenpo Gokui were so important that he gave his students a copy written in kanji on silk.

The Kenpo gokui is rich in history and knowing it brings more value to Isshinryu as an art. Karate is not just punching, striking, and kicking; it is about life and harmony. Harmony of Mind, body, and spirit. Harmony of cultures.

This is a set of thoughts as taught in the Isshinkai, a group dedicated to the preservation of traditionally taught Isshinryu by Tatsuo Sensei.

You find many variations from system to system even in the splinter groups of the Isshinryu system. Not many actually have any understanding as to its purpose in karate but those who wish to go beyond the mere physical manifestations, to even find more of the physical, can discover many things by the research, investigation, study of the silk certificates.

A couple of notes one should consider when in receipt of the English translation. It was written by someone other than Tatsuo Sensei who provided the kanji versions. It should be understood that the English versions don't connect exactly to the characters for those are more subjective in relation to the times, customs, and beliefs of the person who wrote it, it was written long, long ago by Chinese who passed it down within the system of ken-po or way of the fist.

I found that it can and does provide more than just its minor connection to karate or any other martial system that has it in their teachings. I see that it has connections to the I Ching or book of changes, the tao-te-ching, and other older translated Chinese classics.

I see it as a key that can and does open many doorways revealing many paths with a variety of signposts that when followed lead to more answers and more questions that result in a never ending endeavor to learn, understand and practice both karate and all of life's encounters, etc.

I hope this short and vague answer inspires the reader to seek out, investigate, analyze and understand it and its implications for there is not right answer, only the unique answers for each individual.

I have a blog that posts on this and older, unpublished web pages, that expand on my studies from the beginning to today. Anyone who wishes to read what I have compiled can ask via email and I will try to create a pdf to send to you.

Think of the ken-po goku-i as a seed. You plant it, cultivate and feed it, you let it grow not knowing it it will be a beautiful flower or just another weed. Don't pull it until it presents its true self, you never know. Most gardens are filled with the beauty of nature in flowers, shrubs, and bushes while the weeds are few due to the gardeners constant tending of the garden of knowledge.

Ode to the Ken-po Goku-i

A person's heart likened to the glow of the heavens as they shine upon the earth.
Blood flows along the path lit by the glow of crescent moon seeking the illuminate of sun soon rising.

The manner of man living hard lives made easy from effort of self.
Maintaining the balance of nature same as earth's rocks on the plain solidly adhered to Earth.

Bodies watched from mindful awareness.
Finding time to achieve its internal best.

Eyes seeing all that is there, that is not.
Hearing the heart beat, feeling the flow of energy, expanding within to without.

Enlightened active awareness universally exposed to those seeking the path.
It merely waits for a seeker, a sage, a person of desire.

See-n-hear-n-heart-n-body

Awareness means one should first "see" within themselves and then once seeing must become attentive to what they find with clarity, honesty, and absolute openness for to "see" all that makes up our personalities and perceptions is the only way we can truly discover change and its benefits.

When seeing and being mindful in the present we can actively affect such things as emotional reactions, "heart" rate, blood (circulating) pressure, and cholesterol levels that affect pressure, blood flow/circulating, and the monkey brain.

We must tune in to what our bodies are telling us so we may "hear" how it is working, good, bad, or diseased or any myriad of things that are the effect of such a cause as anger, stress, fear, and more.

We hear our breathe, breathing and thus use our respiratory system to affect our body, mind, heart, and spirit. Breathing is a central control of all the body and mind either experience and/or do. Mindful breathing is one fundamental that allows us to change our genetic and environmental experiences thus shaping and reshaping our bodies, minds, and spirits throughout our entire lives.

The body, i.e. heart, blood, circulation, senses, etc., are often calmed and controlled by first achieving awareness and present moment mindfulness of it and its visualization of effect to the systems brain-body-mind connections promoting either health and clarity of thought or disease and fogginess of thought.

Through present moment mindful meditation of the body and mind one can achieve a level of concentration, focus, active awareness that transcends out of the personal universe to that of the entire universe. This is how one achieves the fundamentals and moves into the higher abilities inherent in all traditional martial artists.

Being mindful is developing investigative skills so one obtains true and clear knowledge of self by recognizing, labeling and observing the body-mind. It must be observation of self which is to be unbiased, not shaded by personal beliefs or attitudes; other words mind-no-mind.

It is this way one achieves behavioral changes that stick and are available in all types of conditions and stimuli such as conflict, etc. To achieve such change a person must develop and cultivate through the ingredients of change, i.e. begin with simple steps; seek out an supportive and motivational environment and then make it habit or instinctual by repetitive practice and training.

We are not fully aware of many habits so "seeing" them and then "hearing" about them in our "heart" and "mind" provide us the first step in being mindful of self.

This is another aspect of what they try to present to all practitioners through the ken-po goku-i.