Is there actually an accurate translation of the ken-po goku-i?

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I wonder all the time which of all the translations are accurate to the kanji passed to us as the "ken-po goku-i." Let me begin by what is provided just for the title, "ken-po goku-i."

Ken means "fist." Po means "law." But doe it really mean that when you look at the kanji. I will use the translation from the AJA tribe which has not apparent kanji characters available for the title. I have one copy of the silk certificate where you can extrapolate the approximate characters but since it is written by hand and the clarity is questionable who can tell for sure.

First, the block and hand written versions in the accompanying graphic have no kanji for the title of ken-po goku-i. In the silk certificate you can see at the far right four characters that would fit the "ken" "po" "goku" "i" translation. Since they are written in what I would call "freehand or cursive style" it is hard to determine the exact characters.

Some may ask the question, "Why bother?" Well, from my perspective if we are to study the system completely we must study the ken-po goku-i but to do that we must find the "correct and accurate" translations of the characters. If you compare these three you can at least determine with some accuracy the block characters to the free hand of the silk certificate and be pretty positive they are the same.

This reminds me of the study of the I Ching, did the translator's get the character to English right?

I have two kanji sites I will use to try and determine the meaning of the characters. Also, I have humbly asked a Isshinryu practitioner who is currently stationed on Okinawa to see if he can get a more accurate translation from the Okinawan Isshinryu practitioners, etc. Petty Officer 2nd Class Andy Sloane, Go-dan Isshinryu Karate-do.

1 - http://www.saiga-jp.com/cgi-bin/dic.cgi?m=search&sc=0&f=0&j=&g=&e=&s=&rt=0&start=1&sid=1256767060_65568
AND
2 - http://translate.google.com/#en|ja|

Another issue is that these characters have more than one meaning when taken separately which also convolutes the translations and overall meaning. Take the character for "heart" which is used  in the Isshinryu kanji as well, it is " 心 ."

1 - heart: 心 = mind, spirit, heart, a soul, a thought, will, a mood, a feeling, sincerity, consideration, sympathy, the core
2 - heart: 心 = heart, mind, core, wick

As can been seen there are several ways to interpret the kanji. Another issue as will be seen is that when you translate the English versions of the kanji translations through the google translation module you find that the characters that are provided in the silk, and other, certificates don't translate to those English versions - none of them.

Note: The thought just occurred to me of another road block to understanding martial systems with my emphasis on Isshinryu and Ken-po Goku-i. Humans, my theory, tend to "stop" when they first perceive an answer they feel is what they are looking for in relation to their experience and understanding to that point. It is the same when reading we come across the very first thing that seems to answer our inquiry according to our perspective and view then we "stop." This may also be why the translations don't gel, we got what seemed like the stuff we seek and never took it beyond that point. My experience to date, a hard lesson still trying to work past, indicates that we need to go beyond our acceptance and seek out more knowledge for that additional knowledge will change our views, knowledge, and perceptions.

Back to the title, ken-po goku-i. The first part, ken, is 拳. I have viewed it in both 1 & 2 to find that it, the kanji character, matches the one in the silk certificate. It means, "fist." The part, "po," has been provided as "law" in most translations. I found in both 1 & 2 the same character as the silk, "法," which means "law" in both.

We can translate the first two title characters as, "拳法," as "fist law." So, this seems to translate to "fist law for ken-po." Yet, does it really. What happens when you put fist and law together in 2. You get, "拳法," which seems to work, in this case. I also reversed the translation in 1 and got back the same, which often is not the case, of "Kenpo."

Here is where things get a bit muddled, the goku-i part in both 1 & 2 don't match to the two remaining characters in the silk version of the graphic so we must do a bit of hunting to find the correct translations. How do we do that? First, what is the English translation found on various sites:

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a. essential principles or essential points which become, "essential = 必須 and point = 点," no match. As a matter of fact, which adds to the confusion, when the characters are copied and placed in the reverse they translate to "required." Interesting, yes! Essential principles is, "essential = 本質的な and principle = 原理. Neither translate properly and in reverse, "本質的な原理 = essential principles." Do we start to "see" how convoluted it all is and that translations are very difficult if we don't know and understand the author's intent as to the time, place, customs, and beliefs of that person and time and country!

The hand written version has what the author "believes" are the English equivalents but do they, according to the translation of 1, you get:

person 人 - heart 心 - same と同じ - heaven 天 - earth 地

and we can tell immediately that although separately some are verified yet not all and one that does partly has two other characters that are appended, etc. to complete the translation.

If we translate just the English in site 2 we get:

person 人 - heart 心 - same と同じ - heaven 天 - earth 地
blood 血液 - pulse パルス - similar 同様 - sun 日 - moon 月
method 方法は、- hard ハード - soft ソフト - swallows 飲み込む - spit 唾
position 位置 - advance 事前 - pass パス - separate 別の - meet 満たして
body 体 - follow します - movement の動き - proceed 続行 - change は、変更
hand 手 - meet 満たす - empty 空 - suddenly 突然 - enter のように入力します
eye 目 - necessary 必要な - see を参照してください - four 四 - sides 辺
ears 耳 - "should examine" を調べる必要があります - eight は、8つの - directions 方向

Although the core characters, mostly, appear there are still other characters that are added to make the translation work in this site. The first site does not allow for full translations that can be added to this post but if you take a few moments and punch in the English you find some are accurate but have again many other English meanings so which would be correct and/or accurate.

Since I could not find a character for either goku or i I find that the character translation for that part is to be even more "iffy" but maybe Sloane Sensei can provide them from Okinawa.

I took the next graphic from site 1 and find that they "might" be the closest characters using a lot of leeway. They would mean essential points and if they are by some chance correct we get, "fist law essential points," which to my view come close to what I would use as a meaning behind the title of this group of characters.

The mind-body principle [体心]

The ken-po goku-i speaks of the "heart" which is given the character 心 and is also a part of the characters that give us the English translation of "Isshinryu" or "One Heart System/Style." 一 心 流 which if you go a bit further you will find that the character used to denote the "mind" for mind-body is also the one for heart and spirit, i.e. 心 and since these all lead to the human person in relation to the heavens or the tai-chi we can see a connection to the system of karate-do we call Okinawa Isshinryu.

We also then find that in the Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman he has a section on the principle of Body-Mind where I quoted in a previous post on one of my blogs.

The Isshinryu system and its connections to the Ancient Classics as well as the gateway of the ken-po goku-i along side the preaching of Tatsuo Sensei that we Americans must get to know the Okinawans as to customs, courtesies, and beliefs for to do this gives us insight to the systems they created and pass on to us as practitioners.

Martial Arts Functions Because of a Balance of Forces

The ken-po goku-i provides us hints of this principle, under triangulation point principle, in the first two references to the relationship of humans to nature or the Universe's influences which are a balance of energies, i.e. Yin-n-Yang.

We also see references in the manner of our actions being hard and soft as required; the balance of the body in changing direction where this reference to a balance of forces alludes to the shifting of legs with the body weight balanced and transitioned as the legs move into and out of stances along with applicaiton of hand/arm techniques establishing and removing a "third leg balance point" in motion.

A variety of forces are at play and can be referenced into the ken-po goku-i. I have an extended post I am constructing where I will reference each of the principles to the appropriate ken-po goku-i line, i.e. Heaven and Earth, Balance, Eyes, etc.

Since all martial arts function in direct relation to a reference to the "balance of forces" I wanted to stress the first two lines of the ken-po goku-i where the higher plane of references connects us to all that nature or the Universe governs under the rule of opposites and its varying degrees called "yin-n-yang."

Think of a "balance of forces" as a transitional effort that is fluid or constant. The more proficient you as a MA the greater you control those balances where the length of your line in relation to an opponent is that ability to govern you balance of forces vs. your opponents ability to govern those same forces.

Principle of Heaviness

This principle as explained in the Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman can be connected to the ken-po goku-i tenants, i.e. with specificity to, "A person's unbalance is the same as a weight."

Our inability to properly make use of our bodies anatomical structure in nature means we misuse our weight and cannot apply our weight to our techniques. It means that we are ineffective in martial applications which can be a loss of heaviness properly applied resulting in our unbalanced body and weight. To achieve balance in our body regarding the bodies mass and weight we cannot apply momentum to techniques and we lose things like proper structure and posture where the triangles become skewed resulting in an imbalance of weight or heaviness and this results in our attacker, if his line is longer, having the ability to apply his heaviness to unbalance ours and we lose the battle.

Our bodies must maintain the principles so that our angles, i.e. Alignments, structures, axis's both major and minor, vertical and horizontal axis control, centerline, triangle guard, posture, proper breathing, etc. all reduce our bodies heaviness for apply technique which allows us to be defeated.

If our heaviness is reduced in this manner the reactions of our applications are turned inward so that those same applications against our attacker are lessened allowing the attackers heaviness to overcome the technique and turn it back inward resulting in heaviness unbalancing our bodies and so forth.

I quote, "Heaviness typically refers to sudden manifestations of weight that manifest our heaviness faster than the opponent can compensate.' It must be remembered that our weight never changes but how heaviness is applied does change accordingly to how it is maintained regarding heaviness balance.

As indicated in the ken-po goku-i inference to yin-n-yang or changing opposites to balance and back all the martial principles work in either a yin or yang form with mixtures that result in efficient and effective martial power.

Caveat Alert - Danger, Danger, Danger Will Robinson

I quote a lot of folks; I allude to their writings; I am wanting to ensure that readers know that the opinions and theories and stuff I post is my opinion, theory, idea's, beliefs, and interpretations of said sources and MUST NOT BE MISCONSTRUED as coming from them or that they are validating/advocating anything I say here on this and other blogs.

I use them as sources of posts where I tend to slide off into my own world, my soapbox monkey brain. I am meandering through this wonderful world of ours, the martial arts, and want everyone to KNOW that this is my stuff and subject to being incorrect; to omissions; to errors of all kinds.

Take it all with a huge dose of skepticism. Nothing is as it would seem yet if has value in your "PURSUIT" of truth and knowledge if only as a stepping stone to greater knowledge.

If you find I am in error; if I am just wrong; if I have omitted; if I have misinterpreted then comment! I can take it! Go ahead and let me know for it means I still can learn and grow and prosper from the wisdom of all who stop by and read my mindless meanderings of martial arts and life.

Mindfulness of Hard-n-Soft

The manner of drinking and spitting (inhaling and exhaling) is either soft or hard. Do you actually remain mindful of your body during your practice? Do you feel and acknowledge when you are remaining soft, i.e. tension is reduced to absolute minimum to ensure energy is not lost within the body yet available for transference to the target, and when it needs to be hard, i.e. that instant tightening of the structure to take momentum and speed, etc. and transfer that energy and force into the target.

The ken-po goku-i on hard-n-soft also applies to our ability to breathe properly. Breathing properly is dependent on many factors such as stance, structure, alignment, pose, and all the various techniques as applied and dependent on applications, etc. Do you remain mindful of not only tension/positive relaxed, i.e. hard-n-soft, as well as how your body alignment, posture and structure are to optimize breathing and reap all its benefits both martial and healthful?

Look at the ken-po goku-i as a short "reminder" list whose purpose, martially, is to remind us daily of all the fundamental principles we should be aware and mindful of at those times of training/practice/application. It is there to remind us that when we practice we should be sensing, feeling, and focused on such things as, "does this particular technique, pose, stance, etc. need to be hard, soft, exhaling, or inhaling to maximize its purpose and effectiveness?

Ken-po Goku-i, to remind and to teach, a door to more in martial systems!

Blogging on Ken-po Goku-i ...

I am asking the question, "Why am I the ONLY person blogging on the ken-po goku-i?" I have searched out on the internet any source that comments on this document yet no one does other than to list the eight cryptic tomes  but me, why?

My understanding is that there is "one" person who actually knows about this document but remains silent for what ever reason; is this doing the system and its practitioner's any service/benefit?

Comments?

Ken-po Goku-i Reorder - ROUGH DRAFT

The Eyes must see all sides while the ears must listen in all directions.
A person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body must have the ability to change direction at any time.
The manner of inhaling and exhaling is either soft or hard.
Strike when the opportunity presents itself, timing critical.
A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth so the energy within circulates similar to the sun and moon.

Reorder/Reformed to fit the six lines of the hexagram in relation to the I Ching:

The Eyes must see all sides while the ears must listen in all directions.
The manner of inhaling and exhaling is either soft or hard.
A person's unbalance is the same as a weight.
The body should be able to change direction at any time.
The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.
A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth so the energy within circulates similar to the sun and moon.

I tend to wonder about things. I wondered why the ken-po goku-i were numbered and placed in that order only to realize that it comes from its interpretation to English so those who studied the kanji version as to its order of characters then "assumed" that it should be in that order and like most military types gave them the numbers.

After all, there are no numbers or numbering associated with the Chinese characters. Then you need to think about that order of characters. Does anyone have access to the originals to see if they are ordered then there is how they are written and ordered depending on the time frame of history as well as the customs, courtesies, etc. of the person and people who wrote it, just like the study of the I Ching which is thousands of years old.

I decided that the order then may provide some insight if you connected it, for this discussion, as if it were actually meant to connect us to the ancient classic of the I Ching, debatable and contestable, which uses the hexagram. The hexagram has six lines and the first line is at the bottom which is the opposite of how we laid it out and numbered it. I have provided a re-order/re-write as I perceive it "might" be in relation to the six lines of the hexagram:

Line 6: A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth so the energy within circulates similar to the sun and moon.

[wholehearted practice; spirit-mind-body; energy flow and maximizing through tension control; ]

Line 5: The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.

[positive relaxation; power; speed; posture; balance; alignment; momentum; timing of centerline primary gate; vital area's; peripheral tells; ]

Line 4: The body should be able to change direction at any time.

[posture; stance; transitions; triangle mechanics; body reciprocity; ]

Line 3: A person's unbalance is the same as a weight.

[centerline; vertical to horizontal axis; triangular body mechanics; ]

Line 2: The manner of inhaling and exhaling is either soft or hard.

[hard-to-soft:soft-do-hard maxim; inhaling and exhaling deeply and diaphragmatically; ]

Line 1: The Eyes must see all sides while the ears must listen in all directions.

[see what violence is before it becomes violence; see the opportunity to avoid violence; see the other's intent and see how to deescalate; see the attackers gate and see how to take advantage; see the "tells" in our peripheral vision; visualize the imagery to practice reality based scenarios; ability to see the need to change; ]

In today's general belief of the ken-po goku-i line six, which is combined of the first two lines of today's English translation, are the first two lines which are given, in English, the higher place since it is believed to allude to some spiritual aspect of our practice. This may or may not be true so it is open for debate and/or discussion.

The reason I feel Line 1 has the "eyes and ears" as the beginning is because humans rely on a combination of the two to achieve knowledge, understanding, and mindful awareness. All three of these are required at a most fundamental level to achieve proficiency in life be it the application of martial technique or a spiritual application to ourselves and human kind.

Line 2 deals with not spitting or drinking but to me as inhaling and exhaling. One might say, how can inhaling and exhaling be yin and yang or soft and hard? Well, when we breathe in we take in energy which is yang and when we breathe out we expel bodily impurities which can be soft or yin. The body expands, yang, then contracts, yin. Also you can look at it in application of technique for to take in air, inhale, provides a point where the body releases its overall tension but when you exhale your body will then at one point, that point of impact, tighten to transfer all energy and power to the target, etc. A simplistic explanation but one that will convey the idea behind this step.

Line 3 and 4 are those positions of balance or equilibrium and the two lines tend to explain simplistically that balance of the body to a point of positive relaxation so it can move quickly and efficiently, i.e. if we remain as tension free as possible with out just turning to jelly on the floor the less tension the less energy is used thus when the tension comes in that one instant the maximum of energy from the entire body is triggered and transferred, if correctly applied, to the target.

I put the reference to striking below that of the spiritual part because one and the other are required for anyone to apply martial technique with character and the moral correctness/conformity  necessary to wield any power responsibly.

We can actually use a bit of leeway to achieve dual meaning for both the intent of the author and our own perspective/intent. The order now according to the lines can be bottom to top as expected by translation of Chinese thought, as much as can be understood by us as neophytes, and then the order from top to bottom which, mostly, forms to the original/numbered English translation.

I have come to believe that it is such a fluid and dynamic tome that when used with such as the I Ching that it can be connected to our modern thinking once we achieve some level of the author's intent so it will blend nicely with our modern martial practice. One reason I am becoming aware and outspoken as to some of the dogmatic doctrines that govern some systems.

I also firmly believe that removing the numbers and allowing it to flow in order and manner of the individual is best. I started to study it in its original English/Military driven form until I began to feel its form was limited/limiting and now have re-ordered it to a fluid style that can change at will to correctly fit/apply to practice which I also feel must be fluid enough to allow efficiency and practice to remain steady to the martial principles that govern all martial systems.

p.s. Yes, I know this also "numbers" the lines but it does associate them to the hexagram and outside this comparison the lines should be one paragraph and in any order that will support learning the system and its principles. All the martial principles can be explained and connected by this short terse keystone to the ancient classics of change/life.

An exercise in the possibilities:

1. A persons spirit is born of the mind and heart.
2. Ki circulates much like the cycles of the sun and moon.
3. Hard and Soft is a matter of inhaling or exhaling.
4. Adaptation is a matter of sensing intent.
5. Mobility is a matter of balance.
6. Strike quickly when intent is determined.
7. Awareness depends on actively seeing.
8. Awareness depends on actively listening.

It suddenly occurred to me why the ken-po goku-i is such a short and terse tome relating to the changes as provided by the I Ching. As I attempt to gather and understand; as I attempt to extrapolate all that is possible inference to my system of practice I find that it is so far reaching, so simplistically complex that it defies at every turn to achieve some definition or explanation of its meaning other than it works individually and separately from any other one individual it reaches heights that any attempt to put into some box lessens the lessons. Therefore these attempts are more a learning process to achieve a whole or wholehearted approach to the practice of my system and thus life itself.

Wholehearted, the one feature of the system of Isshinryu, the ken-po goku-i, and the other ancient classic called the "book of changes."

Line 1: This line is represented by a dragon flying low.
Line 2: The second line is symbolized by a dragon arising in the field.
Line 4: The fourth line symbolizes a dragon getting ready to leap out of the abyss and fly into the sky.
Line 5: This line says the dragon is already fling - a man of great virtue is ready to be a leader.
Line 6: This line says the haughty dragon reaches its limit.
Line 7: This line says that the ancient Chinese believed that, although dragons were the strongest and most powerful creatures, they never fought for leadership.

The rhythm of life energy is influenced by the rhythm of Heaven and Earth while those of human beings are influenced by the sun and moon.

Why are the explanations of the ken-po goku-i seemingly incomplete or non-existent?

I have visited many sites that host the ken-po goku-i to include the Isshinkai web site where few if any actually provide any type of explanation as to its use, purpose, and intent in regards to the practice of karate/karate-do/Isshinryu. This puzzles me a good deal when I have witnessed threads discussing its importance to Tatsuo Sensei and the Isshinryu system.

What does this mean regarding the terse tome of Chinese boxing, etc.?

Even the one book published on the title did not convey anything of value other than the expressing of a person's personal views of karate with little or no reference to the content of the ken-po goku-i.

I even had an opportunity to have a very astute and professional karate-ka stationed on Okinawa seek an answer yet could not find anyone who could elucidate. It would appear that it is up to those who wish to research and theorize but the crux of the matter is whether it works for that person or not.

Regardless, have fun and remain open minded. "All bottles are good, they all serve a purpose." - Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei Okinawan Isshinryu Karate-do.

Ken-po Goku-i - a very important document in the development of Isshinryu

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Reading a statement on the web concerning the value of the ken-po goku-i or the "Secrets of the Fist Way," taken from the Bubishi, is reportedly what is stated, a very important document to Tatsuo Sensei's efforts to create his own system of Okinawan karate-do. Is this true?

Now, as to the source of this statement I have to say that there is no reason I can fathom to refute this statement yet in my efforts to learn and understand I can not say emphatically that this statement is true/truth. Why?

In all the efforts to research the matter there has been absolutely nothing said, written, documented, passed down, passed along to anyone, American or Okinawan, that states its purpose and value to karate-do. We can infer a lot from our studies yet nothing to verify, validate, or explain it or its purpose other than this one statement.

Andy Sloane Sensei who is stationed on Okinawa and active in Isshinryu had this to say about my question: "This is not anything I've been able to come across in my research, and there are precious few senior Okinawan 1st-gen students left who even MIGHT be able to answer this.  It appears, though I could be wrong, that Tatsuo Sensei did not give out silk diplomas until after the Agena dojo opened in late 1957.  I would just have to guess that Tatsuo Sensei felt it was important enough to give it to them so much so that he had an English-language translation drafted by someone to assist in their understanding of the deeper meanings of their training. ... and ... he also stated as to the English-language translation ... y the way, you do know that the kanji for the precept 'The body should be able to change directions at any time' does not actually say that, right? Likewise, the kanji does not say 'The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.'"

Sloane Sensei has dedicated a lot of energy and effort to clarify various teachings of the Isshinryu system so I do consider him and expert in Isshinryu History, customs, and courtesies.

Personally, I find the ken-po goku-i, in its original/exact English form with Kanji, a valuable document in many things not just karate-do. I find its connections to the I Ching and other Ancient Chinese Books, etc. of even greater value. If nothing else it has taught me to seek out things way outside the box for both martial practice and other aspects of living this life of human being.

Now directly answering the original question, no one can say that it was or was not a very important document in the development of Isshinryu. We can theorize all we want yet Tatsuo Sensei is gone and since he cannot answer the question and his son, Kichero, cannot answer the question either then there is NO ONE who can validate the statement.

I can say if I wish, "The Ken-po Goku-i was directly responsible for influencing Tatsuo Sensei in his development and practice of Isshinryu!" I can also say, "The Ken-po Goku-i was NOT directly responsible for influencing Tatsuo Sensei in any way, form, fashion, etc., in his development and practice of Isshinryu!" Either way, can't prove the statement as either true or false, period!

Evaluate the Ken-po Goku-i

Line 6: A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth so the energy within circulates similar to the sun and moon.
Line 5: The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.
Line 4: The body should be able to change direction at any time.
Line 3: A person's unbalance is the same as a weight.
Line 2: The manner of inhaling and exhaling is either soft or hard.
Line 1: The Eyes must see all sides while the ears must listen in all directions.

It occurred to me that even if we remove the numbers and let the terse tomes of the ken-po goku-i free float that if we arrange then in another way that they would actually fit the defining lines of the I Ching's hexagram's.

We can look at it another way as well. The first two lines of the originally numbered tome were of Heaven and Earth in relation to a person's heart while the sun and moon reflect the persons circulation of energy as referenced by blood circulating in the body. Those two stand alone and can be represented by the two line of the four, that comprise the eight trigrams, and that make up all the hexagrams. 

I began at the bottom as does the hexagram of the I Ching when divining and interpreting meaning. The reason I began with eyes and ears will be explained further in a later post or reordering of the tomes. I moved to breathing which is of higher importance since that feeds both the body and the mind. Then about the body. Then the line five and six equates to the mental training necessary to properly apply martial arts in life.

Just another interesting view of the ken-po goku-i.

Don't Hide Behind Dogmatic Doctrine

Dogmatic: A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true [a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative]. Doctrine: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group [a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative].

Isshinryu as followed in modern times seems to be caught up in this dogmatic doctrine that one must remain exact, true, and unwavering in the way the system is taught as thought derived from those original exacting instructions from Tatsuo Sensei. So much is barricaded from progress due to some nature to put the system so far up on a pedestal that in the end it results in stagnation.

Stagnation for both the practitioner and the system when the ken-po goku-i's teachings provide insight into the need to reach beyond the bare bones or fundamental teachings of a novice and allow for practitioners to reach up into the realm of expert and maybe even master.

This post will fly straight into the face of those who are stuck in the doctrine that had the best of intentions yet ended into a doctrine that is dogmatic, stifling, stagnating, and limiting. My personal search has led me to believe that for this system grow beyond the seed that remains requires a strong individual who will break away and find truth and understanding.

All the keys are in the ken-po goku-i and many, many other writings and teachings if one will just look over the wall erected by unintentional misunderstanding to "see" and "hear" all that is there for the taking.

Seeking Self-Awareness: Mindfulness of Awareness of Self

We as practitioners who wish to become more must first look within to achieve complete and open knowledge of ourselves, to see all the good and all the bad, in order to achieve what one might call, "enlightenment or an enlightened state." In thinking of this aspect of training and practice I came across a quote in a book that describes the process well:

"In order to understand the larger truths, you must first accept the smaller truths about yourself. This requires sacrifice. We live our lives hiding from the things that displease and discomfort us. We reinvent ourselves and our history, constantly placing things in a light most favorable to us. It is the nature of mankind to do this. Mostly, our deceptions are small ones. But they gather weight through numbers, and having them revealed all at once can be crushing. As well, there are larger truths that, exposed, seem more than we can bear, and so we hide them most carefully.

Truth will assault you as surely as an ordinary metal blade. It will have impact and cutting edges. Knowledge and acceptance of what is coming are your best defense. You can do what you need to do to protect yourself and adapt."

I feel that this is true. I feel that we all tell ourselves stories and as we experience and/or retrieve memories our minds instinctively perceive those that may cause us pain and suffering so the mind "adjusts" our memories accordingly. My research into this tells me one thing, "This is normal human nature." It is not to be perceived as something "wrong" but should be accepted so we can grow and become more ... by acceptance and discovery we can meet these head on and by this remove them from affecting our intent and actions.

Scanning

To scan is to apply both conscious and unconscious awareness to the environment your body resides in at any one moment in time to achieve EWS capabilities which contribute immensely to our ability to perceive and determine when to "avoid" things that might put us into harms way.

Karate/karate-do + Ken-po Goku-i (yang + yin of martial systems) teaches us to use our body-mind to achieve something unique in our practice and life. A core teaching of both is the use of both "eyes and ears" to see and hear many things both literal and figurative as our minds interpret what is seen in scanning so we may act accordingly with out resorting to a somewhat ineffective, for our time, instinctive reaction to stimuli, etc.

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Take a look at the associated graphic. I use it to help "see" how both "eyes and ears" are used in scanning. These are useless if one has not attained adequate knowledge of what to encode in the brain so the mind can evaluate its perceptions and translate them to useful data to act on. As can be seen, the eyes have both direct and peripheral vision while the ears have a much larger area to hear sounds that would trigger the eyes and head to rotate in the right direction for gathering more pertinent data to evaluate. All this when trained properly; when educated properly provide almost instantaneous responses/reactions/actions necessary to "avoid; deescalate; remain aware."

Using your imagination and training to rotate the head to the left and right provide your eyes, both direct and peripheral + hearing, a full three hundred eighty degree area coverage. If something is detected to the absolute rear by hearing an peripheral vision the body can turn ninety degrees either way to verify data before acting, if time permits.

Give this some serious consideration. After all, in my view, this scanning is actually the first physical training fundamental that provides the art of avoidance its best chance of success.