Earth Sign: one of the five elements in Chinese beliefs. Along with Heaven they both symbolize what is high is of heaven and what is low is of the earth. The Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn).
Taurus - the bull - element is earth - negative - planet is venus
Virgo - the maiden - element is earth - Negative - planet is mercury
Capricorn - the sea-goat - element is earth - negative - planet is pluto
Sun, moon and Earth: Astrological Signs - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_sign
Earth Symbolism: http://symbolism.wikia.com/wiki/Earth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_%28classical_element%29
Earth:
Chinese Earth Symbology: Chinese look upon Earth as a bit more than simply the planet on which we live. The associate Earth as one of five elements. The Greeks also looked to it as one of four elements, i.e. Fire, Earth, Air and Water. They looked to Earth first as our home and origin of humanity. It has certain spiritual traditions that are displayed in such classics as the I Ching where it is represented by the trigram of six broken lines while Heaven is a trigram of six solid lines, the direct opposites.
Earth is a Chinese Astrology symbol. It denotes a type of person who is serious, logical and methodical. One of foresight and deductive powers. They like to keep things in perspective. They are conservative and governed by their own interests. They are of sound reasoning, reliability, discipline and steadiness.
Martial systems can be represented by these traits as by metaphor or symbology. The traits necessary to follow the path to martial prowess are also governed by the traits the astrological Chinese sign of Earth. With out these positive traits and expectations one may achieve a level of proficient physical ability but to achieve a true martial spirit and apply accordingly the physical aspect takes more. The Earth represents what that more is and relates that to the subject of the first line, a person's heart. If these are in a person's heart then they will achieve success in martial practice.
Japanese Earth Symbology: The five elements are also a part of the Japanese culture. They have two ways which one is directly related to the Chinese elements, referred to as "gogyo." The second is a buddhist form called, "godai," with influences from hinduism traditions. We see references in their terse tome of the elements depicted in the Go-rin-no-sho of Musashi Miyamoto.
The element in question is "Chi or Ji" meaning Earth. It is representative of the hard in the world. There symbolism is one of a stone which is hard, unmovable and resistant to change. In the human body it is representative of the bones, muscles and tissues which conduct the life energy called Chi. This version is associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality and gravity as to its effects on us as humans.
It also speaks to the mind for emotional stability and confidence. It usually is indicative of person's who are dogmatic in a belief and resist any change to it regardless. It represents a karate-ka's ability to be aware of their physical presence and the sureness of the actions necessary to apply that physicality.
The typical Japanese stone lantern is a symbol of the Earth element.
American Earth Symbology: The earth is in reference to mathematical symbolism. In the European pectoral of the peruvian man by DaVinci. There is a square, large circle and a man which is symbolic to this first line as the square represents Earth, man represents man and the circle represents Heaven while the space between the top of the square and the circle is exactly fits a scale of the moon.
The square is used in this depiction to square the circle, or to combine symbolically the heaven and earth-spirit and matter - symbolically combined as in marriage. This view gives mathematical correlation's to all the heavenly bodies that have influence on the human.
In American the Earth symbol implies vast complexities. It evokes a desire to "dig into the secrets the earth holds" for a person, for mankind and for the Universe. In a word the Earth symbolizes and is used as a metaphor for life. It is the accommodator as it provides the other elements necessary to man, i.e. water, fire, air. It teaches us that all threads (strings) of life are first woven with the very fibers of the Earth.
It is a unifying force, it reunites tribes, and native soil has begun wars for its importance to human kind. It represents community which is of the survival instincts inherent in all people, we band together as symbolized in the dojo to survive, learn and prosper.
The Earth symbol can depict the four corners or four sides as in later lines directions and sides seen and heard.
See, Hear and Touch - In Lucid Dreams
The activity of the brain during a dream activity, also using imagery or visualization, is the same as during a real event, neuronal patterns of activation that one would require and use for the act, skill or technique can be established in a dream state or through visualization. This is not a complete encoding via these types of mental states but it does encode such skills so they are available for training and practice where the other aspects of martial arts can be encoded for real-world-context applications.
Once we achieve lucid dreaming or if we use imagery in solo practice or training we have a type of control. In lucid dreaming we are now aware of the dream and this allows us a bit of control in how it goes. The same can be said of the use of imagery/visualization. In this light we provide for what we see.
Seeing involves more than just the literal stimuli perceived it also allows us to control a bit of what is seen so we may input a variety of scenario's that we can work out applications in response. This goes for the other senses as well. You should keep in mind for the lucid dream that this state is driven by the mind/brain because the real world senses are no longer sending signals to the brain.
In a lucid dream state we are not unconscious. We continue to experience consciousness with no sensory input. The mind is what actually constructs our reality both in the real world and in the dream world. If not we would not have the capability to visualize. Our minds go right on creating our real world but in a setting where control is achievable to a point.
Reading the gokui the spiritual is mentioned in the first third while the second and third involve the body and the spirit as both are fed by what we see, hear and feel. On occasion you can include smell and taste. In the physical world that experience has inherent dangers while in both the lucid dream world and through imagery/visualization you remove most if not all dangers.
This makes the tools of both lucid dreaming and imagery/visualizations a fundamental step in preparing for real-world-context reality training and practice. Research also shows that the lucid dream is significantly more creative than imagery or visualizations. Seeing the possibilities of the lucid dream state seems beneficial to our training, practicing and teaching of all things including martial systems.
Once we achieve lucid dreaming or if we use imagery in solo practice or training we have a type of control. In lucid dreaming we are now aware of the dream and this allows us a bit of control in how it goes. The same can be said of the use of imagery/visualization. In this light we provide for what we see.
Seeing involves more than just the literal stimuli perceived it also allows us to control a bit of what is seen so we may input a variety of scenario's that we can work out applications in response. This goes for the other senses as well. You should keep in mind for the lucid dream that this state is driven by the mind/brain because the real world senses are no longer sending signals to the brain.
In a lucid dream state we are not unconscious. We continue to experience consciousness with no sensory input. The mind is what actually constructs our reality both in the real world and in the dream world. If not we would not have the capability to visualize. Our minds go right on creating our real world but in a setting where control is achievable to a point.
Reading the gokui the spiritual is mentioned in the first third while the second and third involve the body and the spirit as both are fed by what we see, hear and feel. On occasion you can include smell and taste. In the physical world that experience has inherent dangers while in both the lucid dream world and through imagery/visualization you remove most if not all dangers.
This makes the tools of both lucid dreaming and imagery/visualizations a fundamental step in preparing for real-world-context reality training and practice. Research also shows that the lucid dream is significantly more creative than imagery or visualizations. Seeing the possibilities of the lucid dream state seems beneficial to our training, practicing and teaching of all things including martial systems.
The Noetic Method
Noetic: From the Greek noēsis / noētikos, meaning inner wisdom, direct knowing, or subjective understanding. “Noetic” comes from the Greek word nous, which means “intuitive mind” or “inner knowing.”
I am always fond of the discovery of new ways to express the practice of the martial arts. In the "fringe-ology" book this term took flight and brought another means of describing, metaphors, the practice and balance of martial systems, i.e. the physical and the spiritual.
Noetic refers to capabilities that help me to understand the mind and its inner workings so I may better understand and apply both knowledge and understanding to better myself and those I associate with in life.
To practice the noetic method is to enter into a state of insight, insight into the depths and breadth of the self seeking truth, to illuminate, to experience revelations that are significant and of importance.
In our practice and through the more esoteric teachings of the classic traditions of Asian martial systems we delve into areas of the unconscious hoping for a transformative effect. Its practice will help us achieve other aspects of the martial arts such as knowing our self to include how we perceive and act on "gut feelings, intuition, instinct and hunches."
The way of knowing all this is what the noetic method accomplishes, "the way of knowing." We develop by our "one" effort that comprises its own duality to achieve inner wisdom, enlightenment and direct knowing of subjective understanding. It is clarity, seeing that which resides in the mirror or the understanding of the reflection of the still pond.
I am always fond of the discovery of new ways to express the practice of the martial arts. In the "fringe-ology" book this term took flight and brought another means of describing, metaphors, the practice and balance of martial systems, i.e. the physical and the spiritual.
Noetic refers to capabilities that help me to understand the mind and its inner workings so I may better understand and apply both knowledge and understanding to better myself and those I associate with in life.
To practice the noetic method is to enter into a state of insight, insight into the depths and breadth of the self seeking truth, to illuminate, to experience revelations that are significant and of importance.
In our practice and through the more esoteric teachings of the classic traditions of Asian martial systems we delve into areas of the unconscious hoping for a transformative effect. Its practice will help us achieve other aspects of the martial arts such as knowing our self to include how we perceive and act on "gut feelings, intuition, instinct and hunches."
The way of knowing all this is what the noetic method accomplishes, "the way of knowing." We develop by our "one" effort that comprises its own duality to achieve inner wisdom, enlightenment and direct knowing of subjective understanding. It is clarity, seeing that which resides in the mirror or the understanding of the reflection of the still pond.
Visual Metaphors
It is juxtaposing a picture, a symbol if you will, that suggests a relation between what is being presented in a form that causes the recipient to stand up and take notice. In the world of the martial arts then promotes greater understanding and greater retention, encoding and ability for application.
In the "gokui" the part that speaks of "seeing" all sides this can assist you by allowing the mind to perceive a relation to your personal metaphor system promoting acceptance and learning allowing a greater ability to encode and retrieve for use later. The Sensei must determine several things to maximize teaching. We have discussed some such as determining the persons dominant sense mode where here we determine the person's dominant metaphor mode.
In our society most men relate to life the metaphors of football. In our society it might be said that for females it could be either gardening or the classroom. You don't want to assume but if Sensei actively listens when practitioners ask questions, etc. they can determine such things and therefore maximize translation of teachings to the individual.
When we study the gokui we tend to extrapolate direct and literal meanings. This is another form to hopefully inspire more "out of the box" thinking when studying and applying the gokui to martial practice and then to life. Kinda like plugging into the Matrix to accomplish something then bringing it back out to live it or walk the path in realty.
"I, Chuang Chou, “Dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”
Is there a difference between a dream state, the Matrix, and life, unplugged, and how do we know reality. Sometimes we dream in a very lucid form and it becomes blurred as to dream vs. reality. Hmmm, something to contemplate on don't you think?
Earth, Moon, Sun and The Stars
Fringe-ology, an excellent read. In the part on Astronaut Edgar Mitchell epiphany in space the following quote spoke to me:
Returning to Earth from the Moon, "He felt the Earth, the moon, the Sun, and the stars. He felt his own relationship to all these things. He even felt the blackness in between them. The borders of flesh and bone disappeared. He felt the sensational tremor in his own being extending out into space. He felt no distinction between himself and the nothing of black space. He suddenly experienced life - with no distinctions at all."
Astronaut Mitchell was not the only astronaut to experience this but he is the only one who pursued it and still does today well past 80 years of age. Remember the two movies, "The DaVinci Code and The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown?" In The Lost Symbol the organization at the start of the Noetic Sciences is based on Mitchell's actual creation of such a place called, "IONS or Institute of Noetic Sciences."
Here a person actually experiences the effect and state of being we all talk about but seldom walk in that state, "one with the Universe." It is a state we can achieve and one method that is being tested by Dr. Andrew Newberg of Penn State Medical in his "Neurotheology" teachings by testing those who have achieved that kind of state through "Meditation."
It is coincide (do-n-side) or coincidental that I came across this particular subject and quote while readying myself to write an eBook on Smashwords about the ken-po goku-i which in its own right touches on this "oneness or wholehearted" enlightened state we strive for in the martial arts or any such singular practice.
Personally, I plan on doing some more academics on IONS and Neurotheology for my practice and meditation. Yes, I will be posting on this but you already know that, yes :-)
Returning to Earth from the Moon, "He felt the Earth, the moon, the Sun, and the stars. He felt his own relationship to all these things. He even felt the blackness in between them. The borders of flesh and bone disappeared. He felt the sensational tremor in his own being extending out into space. He felt no distinction between himself and the nothing of black space. He suddenly experienced life - with no distinctions at all."
Astronaut Mitchell was not the only astronaut to experience this but he is the only one who pursued it and still does today well past 80 years of age. Remember the two movies, "The DaVinci Code and The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown?" In The Lost Symbol the organization at the start of the Noetic Sciences is based on Mitchell's actual creation of such a place called, "IONS or Institute of Noetic Sciences."
Here a person actually experiences the effect and state of being we all talk about but seldom walk in that state, "one with the Universe." It is a state we can achieve and one method that is being tested by Dr. Andrew Newberg of Penn State Medical in his "Neurotheology" teachings by testing those who have achieved that kind of state through "Meditation."
It is coincide (do-n-side) or coincidental that I came across this particular subject and quote while readying myself to write an eBook on Smashwords about the ken-po goku-i which in its own right touches on this "oneness or wholehearted" enlightened state we strive for in the martial arts or any such singular practice.
Personally, I plan on doing some more academics on IONS and Neurotheology for my practice and meditation. Yes, I will be posting on this but you already know that, yes :-)
Faces: The Many Faces of Fu-Manchu
We humans assume many "faces" in life. We have one when we are alone, another when with a loved one, then there are those other faces we put on when we are at work, on vacation or in a very stressful encounter. We also change faces constantly when we are in a primary face. In a stressful encounter the exchange can change a face from easy conversation to irritation and if it escalates into a "war face (courtesy movie "Full Metal Jacket.")."
Our many faces are an intricate part of us, our personalities (those vary with the facts too) and our communications. The words we use are supplemented and dominated by face and body language, i.e. the many faces can achieve aggression or deescalation.
Our perceptions will be skewed to the face we put on or shift into from moment to moment. How we see things, how we hear sounds and what we feel are also driven by face resulting in our primary faces deflecting those sights, sounds and tactile/kinetic energies, data and perceptions.
Much like misdirection of the mind by magicians, our minds will misdirect those we encounter by the face we assume directly influencing the person or persons perceptive filters as fed through the lenses of the eyes, the microphone of the ears and the tactile input of the skin.
Face can change by proximity to persons/humans, their face projection and the make up of the environment. I am reminded by the clever computer graphics that can morph many faces depending on the ad and associated implied meaning of the admen.
This all begs the question, "How we lose face?" In face loss philosophy we then need to know, "which fact" is lost and the importance of that face in the scheme of all the faces we use from moment to moment.
I then began to freely associate this ideology with that of the ken-po goku-i with the following results:
Heaven, Earth, Sun and Moon are referenced so I started to think of the many phases (faces) of the moon. The cycles it travels through similar to our travels through life provide the face, i.e. waxing or crescent moon; waning or crescent moon; waning gibbous with three quarters moon, etc. This changes as the moon changes in relation to the position of the Earth and the Sun. The moon by this proximity and from influences of the Sun and Earth result in an affect on humans, nature and the Earth itself, i.e. tides, etc. This can be looked upon as the faces and influences of the moon.
The faces we see of the Sun come at sunrise through mid morning, noon, mid-afternoon and finally the face we see reflected by the sunset. The varied influences of the sun are by the intensity of its light, heat and radiation dependent on its location across the sky. The shadows as well are dependent on that position and present a set of different facts as that changes. We can perceive this through the needs of artists and photographers for that "face" provided by the sun's position changes the face of the portrait taken.
Then we can see within the other references to humans in the gokui that hard-n-soft can be displayed in the face we assume and speaks to those viewing the face as to a disposition, etc. The balance or lack thereof, the eyes, the skin (flushed, white or pale, etc.) and how they manifest and display control our "face" and thus the perceptive filters of those we encounter.
Hard-n-soft can infer such emotional states as to face such as "anger-n-love, hate-n-like, etc." We show our unbalance as well by the "fear, anger, frustration" we experience, face. Then we show our balance by the "love, pleasure, excitement and affection" we experience, face.
If we lose face, which one? If we lose face, how does it affect our whole "one self" and does a connection to the other faces cause as much damage? These and many other questions are to be asked when you encounter others as to the "face" and more importantly as to others affect on you as to your "face," which ever face that may be at that moment in time.
This type of perspective as to "face" may alleviate the perceived loss of said face into a manageable form allowing you to accept and believe that losing face might not be all that important in the overall scheme of life. Lets not forget that what we perceive through our perceptive filtering is also greatly influenced by the "face" we assume in any given situation. Does the face you wear blind you to the truth or to something that could tell you to take a different tactic or strategy?
If we assume an angry and offended face does that shut down our ability to objectively assess any given situation to "see" or "hear" the other person? How can we deescalate or avoid if our angry/offended face is in control? Isn't this just another "way" for the monkey brian to take over driving the bus?
Hmmm, questions-questions-questions but of course that means possible "answers-answers-answers."
Ken-po Goku-i and Bottles
This post is an attempt to analyze the ken-po goku-i as it might, may, maybe connect to the quote, "All bottles are good; they all serve a purpose." Let me begin by presenting both to you, first the gokui (used to represent or reference "ken-po goku-i" for brevity).
My Version: "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 tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction."
Bottles: "All Bottles are Good. They all served a purpose." - Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei Post #19411 dtd Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 11:26hours.
I have presented in a previous post what I belief is the purpose of the gokui and now want to present some fundamental facts as to the origination of the bottles quote.
Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei taught Marine and other military on Okinawa so we talk about our service members. Shimabuku Tatsuo said, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." This story came from me but it was his quote. - Advincula A. J. Sensei Isshinkai post #27618
On many an occasion after a dojo workout we would have a drink or two with Shimabuku Sensei. On one occasion, several American students at the Honbu Agena Dojo we were drinking. Some were drinking beer while others were drinking Awamori a potent alcoholic beverage indigenous to and unique to Okinawa.
...
Shimabuku preferred awamori and at this event, some Americans were mixing awamori with pine juice (Pineapple soda). Shimabuku asked us which bottle was best. Some picked up beer bottles while others awamori bottles and one or two who did not drink alcohol picked up the pine juice or other soda bottles.
Shimabuku stated, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." While he never said why he asked the question about the bottles, I thought he was relating it to karate styles, that all styles of karate were good.
Now, is there a connection? Yes, on a high level both are a philosophical expression of what we do, practice and train in a martial art. Is this the extent of it? Maybe, but it may just be the key to the door that allows us to exit the box and enter into the world, the Universe, the Great Tai Chi or Tao.
Lets also make an assumption that the place, time and beliefs of Tatsuo Sensei influenced all he did and that would be indicated by his spiritual experiences. Those experiences were influenced by the Chinese Classics, i.e. I Ching, etc. This is a limited view in the vision of Tatsuo Sensei. Does it extend into the entire martial systems? Yes, Chinese influences permeate all the Asian communities in the Pacific and by migration of its people brought it all to the America's.
This seems significant to me. Some thing that lasts famine, wars, political influences and other such things for centuries means it has some significance. It is hard to ignore and we should not do so. I believe that is why you see some form of the gokui in a variety of historical data presented in many individual systems of martial practice.
The I Ching provides a self-consistent and powerful framework that allows us to classify our interactions and allows us to examine some of the implications of a particular kind of interaction. We choose bottle we wish to use and suits us out of all the available bottles. I chose the bottle Isshinryu for my FA/MA practice while others chose Goju, Shorin, etc. All are good and all serve a purpose regardless of the choice we make as to which bottle is best.
The Chinese say that when we consult the book we first see the images and those images require adaptation to the user's society and background, and to the particular situation. How much more unique can it get, choosing the bottle provided by the book to give you knowledge and understanding so you may "choose" correctly, for you.
By the bottles metaphor we can learn that it may be teaching us that we must be open to all things for they all serve a purpose. Then when we view the gokui we can begin to see beyond the literal and start to perceive many more facets of practice, training and life within its terse and fluid tomes or pomes.
Even at this point we begin to understand that both are related and in all likelihood were born through a long history of life practice both physical and spiritual. This is the great Tai Chi, the Yin-n-Yang, the In-n-Yo and the balance to achieve in any of our singular actions with intent to find balance.
It speaks metaphorically to us the concept to learn that "all bottles are good" and we should learn both and use what works for us as individuals.
My Version: "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 tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction."
Bottles: "All Bottles are Good. They all served a purpose." - Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei Post #19411 dtd Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 11:26hours.
I have presented in a previous post what I belief is the purpose of the gokui and now want to present some fundamental facts as to the origination of the bottles quote.
Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei taught Marine and other military on Okinawa so we talk about our service members. Shimabuku Tatsuo said, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." This story came from me but it was his quote. - Advincula A. J. Sensei Isshinkai post #27618
On many an occasion after a dojo workout we would have a drink or two with Shimabuku Sensei. On one occasion, several American students at the Honbu Agena Dojo we were drinking. Some were drinking beer while others were drinking Awamori a potent alcoholic beverage indigenous to and unique to Okinawa.
...
Shimabuku preferred awamori and at this event, some Americans were mixing awamori with pine juice (Pineapple soda). Shimabuku asked us which bottle was best. Some picked up beer bottles while others awamori bottles and one or two who did not drink alcohol picked up the pine juice or other soda bottles.
Shimabuku stated, "All bottles are good. They all served a purpose." While he never said why he asked the question about the bottles, I thought he was relating it to karate styles, that all styles of karate were good.
Now, is there a connection? Yes, on a high level both are a philosophical expression of what we do, practice and train in a martial art. Is this the extent of it? Maybe, but it may just be the key to the door that allows us to exit the box and enter into the world, the Universe, the Great Tai Chi or Tao.
Lets also make an assumption that the place, time and beliefs of Tatsuo Sensei influenced all he did and that would be indicated by his spiritual experiences. Those experiences were influenced by the Chinese Classics, i.e. I Ching, etc. This is a limited view in the vision of Tatsuo Sensei. Does it extend into the entire martial systems? Yes, Chinese influences permeate all the Asian communities in the Pacific and by migration of its people brought it all to the America's.
This seems significant to me. Some thing that lasts famine, wars, political influences and other such things for centuries means it has some significance. It is hard to ignore and we should not do so. I believe that is why you see some form of the gokui in a variety of historical data presented in many individual systems of martial practice.
The I Ching provides a self-consistent and powerful framework that allows us to classify our interactions and allows us to examine some of the implications of a particular kind of interaction. We choose bottle we wish to use and suits us out of all the available bottles. I chose the bottle Isshinryu for my FA/MA practice while others chose Goju, Shorin, etc. All are good and all serve a purpose regardless of the choice we make as to which bottle is best.
The Chinese say that when we consult the book we first see the images and those images require adaptation to the user's society and background, and to the particular situation. How much more unique can it get, choosing the bottle provided by the book to give you knowledge and understanding so you may "choose" correctly, for you.
By the bottles metaphor we can learn that it may be teaching us that we must be open to all things for they all serve a purpose. Then when we view the gokui we can begin to see beyond the literal and start to perceive many more facets of practice, training and life within its terse and fluid tomes or pomes.
Even at this point we begin to understand that both are related and in all likelihood were born through a long history of life practice both physical and spiritual. This is the great Tai Chi, the Yin-n-Yang, the In-n-Yo and the balance to achieve in any of our singular actions with intent to find balance.
It speaks metaphorically to us the concept to learn that "all bottles are good" and we should learn both and use what works for us as individuals.
What is the Ken-po Goku-i?
I would begin this post by saying that it is NOT any particular theme, it is not something that will be anecdotal and it will not be stories on how I attained my "insights" into the Isshinryu system. There is no definitive topic to the gokui (will use this to represent ken-po goku-i for brevity) but my posts on the subject are my personal interpretations.
I would also stress emphatically that the recent publication with this title is not what I perceive is the meaning and function of the gokui. This is not about ego, pride, self-esteem or commercialized stories to promote and put my self on any type of pedestal. It is not about self-absorption, self-promotion or self-driven ego building see how great I am stuff.
Phew, now that I have that out of the way I want to present a short description of what the Isshinkai tells us the gokui is.
First a statement from me personally:
Now the statement from the Isshinkai:
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 themind, 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. - Advincula, A.J. Sensei, Isshinkai Moderator.
I have come to firmly believe that this description is only the beginning. It is a wonderful beginning for a fledgling academic studying the ancient Chinese Classics. You will notice in this explanation that the definition is not really the element of the gokui but rather a way to clinically define it as a starting point for the new person entering this philosophical keystone to martial systems.
The essentials, the philosophical principles, of a system which can be martial or any other concerted effort into some system of training, practicing and living. It is the "heart" of the wholehearted system I practice and refer to as "Isshinryu." No form or system that speaks to the physical, mental and spiritual of a person is just about kicking, punching and grappling. It is not just about trophies, accolades or validations but rather about the self and what that self's potential has for them. It is unlimited.
Some of the incidentals that also assist us to discover within ourselves the meaning of the gokui is a perceived close correlation between the code, the I Ching, and Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine deals with the cycle of life forces (the blood), time, and the relationship of man with the forces of nature, etc. It seem that the gokui is a road map for behavior, harmony with oneself, harmony in relationships with others, and nature, as well as a roadmap for training/living karate-do.
It must be expressed at this point the fluidity of the gokui. This fluidity is a result of first, its terseness and second, its source or its original. It is meant to transcend things and allow any time, place or peoples to interpret it in a positive way allowing the mind to reach the depths of intuition and inspiration giving back insight and those things that lead to enlightenment.
In addition as I have stated in previous posts, "The work of art (in this case the gokui) is always produced by a certain person in a certain time and place, and it is always related to its author's other works, his contemporaries, his sources and traditions, his intellectual, political, economic, and aesthetic climate. Background materials that can help the modern reader grasp the ideas or catch the flavor of a literary work of the past serve a valid and necessary purpose." - Damon Knight, "Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction."
Both these last two statements should provide the reader the idea, in general and on a fundamental level, what the possibilities are regarding the gokui. This post is an attempt to define, explain and inform one as to its basics and to inspire more through practice, training and studying.
As nature permeates all things with the Tao, the gokui permeates all activity of a person injecting an energy, a custom, a symbol and the inspiration necessary to live it - the Ken-po Goku-i (for my system it is referred to as the "Isshinryu no gokui.")
My rendition of the ken-po goku-i:
I would also stress emphatically that the recent publication with this title is not what I perceive is the meaning and function of the gokui. This is not about ego, pride, self-esteem or commercialized stories to promote and put my self on any type of pedestal. It is not about self-absorption, self-promotion or self-driven ego building see how great I am stuff.
Phew, now that I have that out of the way I want to present a short description of what the Isshinkai tells us the gokui is.
First a statement from me personally:
(Authors Note: The "gokui" is fluid. There is not right or wrong, good or bad, and yet their is duality and the one. Take the gokui in all its forms and translate it into a meaningful translation for your life and practice of karate-do. Let it remain fluid so as you grow it grows. The meaning today may lead to another more profound meaning tomorrow. - C. E. James)
Now the statement from the Isshinkai:
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 themind, 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. - Advincula, A.J. Sensei, Isshinkai Moderator.
I have come to firmly believe that this description is only the beginning. It is a wonderful beginning for a fledgling academic studying the ancient Chinese Classics. You will notice in this explanation that the definition is not really the element of the gokui but rather a way to clinically define it as a starting point for the new person entering this philosophical keystone to martial systems.
The essentials, the philosophical principles, of a system which can be martial or any other concerted effort into some system of training, practicing and living. It is the "heart" of the wholehearted system I practice and refer to as "Isshinryu." No form or system that speaks to the physical, mental and spiritual of a person is just about kicking, punching and grappling. It is not just about trophies, accolades or validations but rather about the self and what that self's potential has for them. It is unlimited.
Some of the incidentals that also assist us to discover within ourselves the meaning of the gokui is a perceived close correlation between the code, the I Ching, and Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine deals with the cycle of life forces (the blood), time, and the relationship of man with the forces of nature, etc. It seem that the gokui is a road map for behavior, harmony with oneself, harmony in relationships with others, and nature, as well as a roadmap for training/living karate-do.
It must be expressed at this point the fluidity of the gokui. This fluidity is a result of first, its terseness and second, its source or its original. It is meant to transcend things and allow any time, place or peoples to interpret it in a positive way allowing the mind to reach the depths of intuition and inspiration giving back insight and those things that lead to enlightenment.
In addition as I have stated in previous posts, "The work of art (in this case the gokui) is always produced by a certain person in a certain time and place, and it is always related to its author's other works, his contemporaries, his sources and traditions, his intellectual, political, economic, and aesthetic climate. Background materials that can help the modern reader grasp the ideas or catch the flavor of a literary work of the past serve a valid and necessary purpose." - Damon Knight, "Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction."
Both these last two statements should provide the reader the idea, in general and on a fundamental level, what the possibilities are regarding the gokui. This post is an attempt to define, explain and inform one as to its basics and to inspire more through practice, training and studying.
As nature permeates all things with the Tao, the gokui permeates all activity of a person injecting an energy, a custom, a symbol and the inspiration necessary to live it - the Ken-po Goku-i (for my system it is referred to as the "Isshinryu no gokui.")
My rendition of the ken-po goku-i:
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 tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction.
An eBook .....
I am considering a book. An eBook to be exact. There is a means of
publishing on a site called "smashwords" so it spurred my creative
juices. I have several years of material that I would pull together into
this book so wondered if this blog's members and readers would be
interested if I publish it?
I really appreciate the response and any comments on the idea. I wanted to break away from the typical book on techniques, etc.
Respectfully,
Charles J.
I really appreciate the response and any comments on the idea. I wanted to break away from the typical book on techniques, etc.
Respectfully,
Charles J.
Seeing - Once Again
To "see" doesn't mean just to register images; it means to interpret. - Damon Knight, Developing Your Talent as a Writer; Learning to See
When you walk in a meadow, see a tree - what do you see? Some might say, "I see a tree." Some might say, "I see an oak tree." The point is not only what you see but how you interpret that tree. Some might say, "The huge oak with its many knots and wide branches shifted and swayed with the afternoon breeze while impressing nature with its strength, health and breadth over the land under the shadow of its heavy branches filled with leaves cluttering and caressing one another as many mothers to their younglings."
Yes, a bit much but I want to get the point across. Seeing a tree is one thing but seeing it and interpreting what you see into more than just a simple tree is something unique and special. It tells us a story and in karate-do what we see in our environment and how we interpret what we see matters.
Today I was reminded just how complicated interpretation is and that interpretation involves seeing, interpreting and knowing what you see is vital. So many video's are made of folks on the streets that it becomes a witness and a threat. I have viewed two today that I misinterpreted completely because I don't have full knowledge of the incident and I have no experience as a professional interpreting the events that were recorded.
I viewed the video, I attempted to see the event and I judged - too quickly and incorrectly. I was lucky a professional provided me much needed feedback on the events that once explained opened my eyes to seeing that his interpretation was far superior to mine and rightly so.
I then viewed another video of a violent encounter between two reported street members. I came to realize that avoidance is so much more important. Violence is unforgiving. I actually thought the person who received the most damage that he was dead or at the very least would suffer a lot of physical complications later on.
Seeing things with clarity and properly interpreting events, people and actions is most difficult and can be so misleading - a dangerous mix if you are ever in a violent encounter. Trust me, I will run fast and far if I am lucky enough to see it coming and my pride will not be an issue nor will my ego. It is so much safer.
Knowledge, interpretation and reality seeing - another important aspect of self protection.
When you walk in a meadow, see a tree - what do you see? Some might say, "I see a tree." Some might say, "I see an oak tree." The point is not only what you see but how you interpret that tree. Some might say, "The huge oak with its many knots and wide branches shifted and swayed with the afternoon breeze while impressing nature with its strength, health and breadth over the land under the shadow of its heavy branches filled with leaves cluttering and caressing one another as many mothers to their younglings."
Yes, a bit much but I want to get the point across. Seeing a tree is one thing but seeing it and interpreting what you see into more than just a simple tree is something unique and special. It tells us a story and in karate-do what we see in our environment and how we interpret what we see matters.
Today I was reminded just how complicated interpretation is and that interpretation involves seeing, interpreting and knowing what you see is vital. So many video's are made of folks on the streets that it becomes a witness and a threat. I have viewed two today that I misinterpreted completely because I don't have full knowledge of the incident and I have no experience as a professional interpreting the events that were recorded.
I viewed the video, I attempted to see the event and I judged - too quickly and incorrectly. I was lucky a professional provided me much needed feedback on the events that once explained opened my eyes to seeing that his interpretation was far superior to mine and rightly so.
I then viewed another video of a violent encounter between two reported street members. I came to realize that avoidance is so much more important. Violence is unforgiving. I actually thought the person who received the most damage that he was dead or at the very least would suffer a lot of physical complications later on.
Seeing things with clarity and properly interpreting events, people and actions is most difficult and can be so misleading - a dangerous mix if you are ever in a violent encounter. Trust me, I will run fast and far if I am lucky enough to see it coming and my pride will not be an issue nor will my ego. It is so much safer.
Knowledge, interpretation and reality seeing - another important aspect of self protection.
Parts of a Whole
My desire to write both the blogs and (future) short fictional stories is to express things from the self in a way that folks can see, hear or touch in some direct or esoteric way.
I can't pump determination into a student, and would not if I could. What I can do is try to tell folks what they are in for, and help them acquire the knowledge that makes the difference between an amateur and a professional.
A successful martial artists, like any other professional endeavor, is all one wholehearted thing, not just the collection of the parts. Everything in the martial arts, its parts, fits together, flows together, and harmonizes with a unique personal rhythm. When we talk, teach and write about the components of the whole, when we try to teach you to achieve proficiency of a new skill, you need to know what the components are and how they work.
You try to improve one piece or component at at time - work on form, function and application, for instance, until you make progress; then turn to another aspect and work on that. If you try to learn all of it all at once, you will stifle growth, your progress, ability and proficiency will be stagnated, frozen and paralyzed.
Remember that the sum of all the parts, components, dealt with in practice and training are all interrelated. It is up to you to bring them together into the one whole of the system - and make it work.
You must learn the system your own way, or you won't be able to truly learn it at all. I am not trying to say that a karate-ka can do whatever they please; the karate-ka still has to learn along with the rest of the dojo. I am trying to convey that although the Sensei can tell, show and direct what is necessary to a karate-ka you have to learn the rules, follow them, and the bend (break some) them to fit your uniqueness.
We all have different bodies, minds and spirits - we are unique human beings. Remember that the brain, each human brain is more unique and individual than fingerprints, has a lot of variability. The number and kinds of cells in a given area are different inside every brain. You follow the rules until you get proficient enough to then start to blend the parts into a whole that will be a bit outside the rules and sometimes outside the entire box to best encode the practice and application into mind, body and soul.
Karate or any martial art is not just "one thing." It is a cluster of many things and abilities that are merged in a unique way each and every time they are applied. The components or parts learned are where you find your strengths and weaknesses and that uniqueness in your blending into a wholehearted "one whole system" is where the rubber meets the road. The system your being taught is designed to help you do this and it behooves the practitioner to learn to get the most out of what you have.
The unconscious works better if you don't watch it too closely. Follow the rules, learn them and apply them - then let them go, somewhat by bending and sometimes breaking. Remember, The unconscious works better if you don't watch it too closely.
Rules to Understanding the Way
Long, long ago; far, far away I posted this set of rules. I wanted to re-post since topics of late point toward the way, the path, the road we travel in the martial arts.
The spiritual use of karate-do waza and their integration with the spirit are all important.
The way of the empty hand is intended to lead or guide the practitioner to the attainment of perfection through self-realization, enlightenment, and maturity.
Practitioners develop a sound mind through the development of virtuous character and a sound body through rigorous training. They train the body for health and strength while developing the character accordingly.
I cannot remember if this was mine or a quote from another source. If you recognize it and know the source let me know.
- You must be deadly serious in practice.
- Practice with both your heart and soul with out worrying about theory. True practice is done with the entire body. What you learn with your whole body you will remember for the rest of your life.
- Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism.
- See yourself as you truly are and try to adapt what is meritorious in the work of others.
- Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, whether public or private.
The spiritual use of karate-do waza and their integration with the spirit are all important.
The way of the empty hand is intended to lead or guide the practitioner to the attainment of perfection through self-realization, enlightenment, and maturity.
Practitioners develop a sound mind through the development of virtuous character and a sound body through rigorous training. They train the body for health and strength while developing the character accordingly.
I cannot remember if this was mine or a quote from another source. If you recognize it and know the source let me know.
Symbols and Metaphors - the stories ....
In China the past and history was not passed in a narrative form but only stories.
The rulers of the China Shang Dynasty pondered cracks in turtle shells. They actually believed they could hear their ancestors voices as the shells cracked. To our minds the cracks mean nothing but to the creative thinking those cracks/cracking gave the interpreter a place to stand outside the rigors of logic, to dream, to allow their minds to associate freely and make new connections. The turtle shells cracks were referred to as the Oracle's Bones and the oracle bones comprised a regular practice of a stable society, a dynasty, that lasted hundreds of years. - Peter Hessler, Oracle Bones
The ability to stand outside the box. The box that is considered the logical view of the world. Leaving the box allows us to dream beyond mere logic and allows us to stretch our minds and spirits so the mind can associate freely in the Universe and make new connections. Connections not present, connections that seem to come spontaneously from a mystical source and connections that create new and exciting ways or "paths."
Is it possible that Tatsuo Sensei, as a academic of ancient classics and of the spiritual aspects of fortune telling, etc., passed on to us the ken-po goku-i much like the ancient Chinese study of the oracle bones to free our minds so we can see and hear new connections?
As I study these esoteric forms of the way of the empty hand I find more and more "connections" that come freely in my mind seemingly from a source that feels like some mystical source, could it be this ability to freely associate all the knowledge I have acquired to make new theories that once vetted become facts?
If it improves my practice. If it improves my ability. If it improves my way of life. It has to be a good thing. It becomes a new connection that builds my values and beliefs in a positive way and in my singular practice of karate-jutsu-do I am freely and spontaneously (mostly) building on this.
Metaphors and Symbols tell us a story. The talk to us in a way that allows our minds to leave the logic of the material world so we may dream of the possibilities and make new beliefs, customs, metaphors and symbols for the next generation. Is this why the second and third level of application is meant to also leave behind the box of basic strict adherence for a freer form that is derived from dreams that become reality?
If not for the dream of new lands we might have missed all the excitement of the journey that makes our society what it is today. We might still be in the dark ages. Passing from the dark to the light came about from the dreams and connections that were born outside the box and grew into reality, yes?
The rulers of the China Shang Dynasty pondered cracks in turtle shells. They actually believed they could hear their ancestors voices as the shells cracked. To our minds the cracks mean nothing but to the creative thinking those cracks/cracking gave the interpreter a place to stand outside the rigors of logic, to dream, to allow their minds to associate freely and make new connections. The turtle shells cracks were referred to as the Oracle's Bones and the oracle bones comprised a regular practice of a stable society, a dynasty, that lasted hundreds of years. - Peter Hessler, Oracle Bones
The ability to stand outside the box. The box that is considered the logical view of the world. Leaving the box allows us to dream beyond mere logic and allows us to stretch our minds and spirits so the mind can associate freely in the Universe and make new connections. Connections not present, connections that seem to come spontaneously from a mystical source and connections that create new and exciting ways or "paths."
Is it possible that Tatsuo Sensei, as a academic of ancient classics and of the spiritual aspects of fortune telling, etc., passed on to us the ken-po goku-i much like the ancient Chinese study of the oracle bones to free our minds so we can see and hear new connections?
As I study these esoteric forms of the way of the empty hand I find more and more "connections" that come freely in my mind seemingly from a source that feels like some mystical source, could it be this ability to freely associate all the knowledge I have acquired to make new theories that once vetted become facts?
If it improves my practice. If it improves my ability. If it improves my way of life. It has to be a good thing. It becomes a new connection that builds my values and beliefs in a positive way and in my singular practice of karate-jutsu-do I am freely and spontaneously (mostly) building on this.
Metaphors and Symbols tell us a story. The talk to us in a way that allows our minds to leave the logic of the material world so we may dream of the possibilities and make new beliefs, customs, metaphors and symbols for the next generation. Is this why the second and third level of application is meant to also leave behind the box of basic strict adherence for a freer form that is derived from dreams that become reality?
If not for the dream of new lands we might have missed all the excitement of the journey that makes our society what it is today. We might still be in the dark ages. Passing from the dark to the light came about from the dreams and connections that were born outside the box and grew into reality, yes?
New Line for Ken-po Goku-i
It just came to me last night. When I added my view or additional line to the gokui for touch sense I didn't catch that I now had "nine" (9) lines vs. the previous eight (8).
I realized this has some significance to me. Nine lines can be divided into three sets. The question I am researching is, do those three sets relate to the three primary pillars of the I Ching, i.e. Heaven, Man, and Earth? Much like hexagrams where the three sets of two lines, i.e. the sets of trigrams, also represent or are symbolic of Heaven-Man-Earth.
I can also now look at those three lines each of the gokui to see if they too will relate to the I Ching in this fashion.
I realized this has some significance to me. Nine lines can be divided into three sets. The question I am researching is, do those three sets relate to the three primary pillars of the I Ching, i.e. Heaven, Man, and Earth? Much like hexagrams where the three sets of two lines, i.e. the sets of trigrams, also represent or are symbolic of Heaven-Man-Earth.
I can also now look at those three lines each of the gokui to see if they too will relate to the I Ching in this fashion.