We receive instruction. We have no reasoning to believe what we are taught is real, accurate, and truthful. When we establish a relationship in the dojo, Sensei and Deshi, Sempai and Kohai and fellow dojo participants it builds a bond, tribal oriented bond. We become a family that tends to stick together - group protection.
Our associations create a bond, a culture, dojo customs. We come to have certain beliefs about the system, the dojo and the Sensei. This is all a good thing. It is instinctive and natural. We gravitate toward like minds and like activities. Much like the natural survival instincts of history we collect together and form a group that bonds and protects and socializes. We survive together even if we no longer fear lions and tigers and bears.
We, the group, must be careful that our customs, traditions and beliefs don't become mired in dogmatic doctrine with a rigidity that removes any chance of flexibility and change. We must be mindful that all things change and that change is a good thing. If it were not then we would not have the great Tai Chi, the I Ching and the Tao Te Ching - among others.
If we allow our group to become so rigid then we lose site of balance as taught by the Ancients - Nature. It is like the sky above, the earth below and all of the living things - in the moment, present, and moving through time.
That which nature and the ancients teach is nothing is made of stone. All things are headed somewhere. We live in the moment and the moment is a continuous changing moving moment - moment by moment. To achieve balance we accept the moment, the movement, the change. Change means allowing that what we know and knew are not permanent. We must allow our customs, traditions and beliefs to live, breath, and grow - change.
Accept the changes, gain balance and believe - believe in change. Sometimes you just have to let go!
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
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 while the mind must grasp all the tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
I agree. Amen.
ReplyDeleteMr. Martial Arts