Shu Ha Ri -n- Di Ren Tian

I am going to assume that all the readers of this post already know and understand the concept of Shu Ha Ri or is it shu-ha-ri or shuhari, whatever. Anyway, on he wiki I found a page that provides some information on Shu-ha-ri and at the very bottom it provided the Chinese equivalent. When I read the explanation of the Chinese version the bell started to ring as to the ken-po goku-i.

Di, the Chinese character represents "Earth" basics or fundamental principles if you will. This level is to experience movement at a fundamental level. A bit less of an explanation yet if you view the fundamental principles of the martial systems it will ring a bit better.

Ren, the Chinese character represents "Human" ready to learn. This might even equate to Sho-dan. It too is a middle area where some go and remain in this Country (my opinion here).

Tian, the Chinese character represents "Sky/Heaven" no conscious thought resulting in moving/flowing like the elements. A stage or higher level from many, many years of practice/training.

Where this connects for those who are familiar with the Isshinryu version of the ken-po goku-i are references to Earth, Human, and Heaven. You will also notice if familiar with I Ching that these are the three components of the Hexagrams. They also name representations of trigrams and even the lines.

Those who have read the history of Okinawa will see that this comes about from the huge influences of the Chinese over their entire history. Karate may be Okinawan but it was born from the Chinese martial influences. Look at it this way, Kenpo/boxing is the father and the I Ching is the mother and the child is Okinawan Karate. Once China-hand to now Empty-hand. Evolution, something fierce and unstoppable, nature and its nature.

Another view, humans learn from those teachings of nature which is a marriage of the Heavens and the Earth. The Sun, the moon, the other planets and the entire universe exert some influence against one another providing the balance that makes life possible, human beings or all living things of the Earth.

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