A recent post on kata brought out the analysis engine when I read comments that said words like, "Lethal, Destructive, destroying partners," and other such insinuations. I don't like insinuations or even more suppositions that lead folks to believe you have to use lethal-destructive techniques to achieve reduced damage and ultimate safety.
This mind-set comes from a misunderstanding of what karate is all about. Yes, it is a system that uses the body to apply a certain amount of damage to a threat but it also has to be tempered with a morality that tempers the human mind-set to use it appropriately and with a modicum of restraint for the regard of another human and society as a whole for it is these two that promote a survival instinct and tribal cohesion to promote a way that is morally right and correct.
The Gokui leads us to those ancient classics that speak of a balance where the human understands the yin and yang of many things and teaches us to strive for a balance that is a belief system of moral behavior, thinking and expression.
If not for this type of equilibrium in karate-jutsu-do the practitioner may succumb to "the dark side" and become just another "Darth Vader or a simple thug" with dangerous ability. It is a difference between righteousness or terrorism.
Think of providing a person with tools of power where the difference between proper use vs. improper is the difference between justice, honesty and morality vs. injustice, dishonesty and moral turpitude.
The gokui is meant to be the weight that sits on the other side of the scales of martial systems - physical weight on one side with morally just belief on the other balancing the person who has the system as a means of protection.
This speaks of that one slippery line between defense and fighting. It is narrow, moving and hard to see in the heat of battle but is the determining factor between defense and the legal ramifications of assault.
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
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