Circular Symbolism/Culture

Yin-n-Yang, the symbol is surrounded by a circle. The circle has a few symbolic meanings but one I found to be most connected to jutsu-do is its symbolic representation of a circular path, hara of haragei is of a circular quality. Westerners look at the yin-n-yang in a linear fashion as if a line were drawn from the extreme negative to the extreme positive.

The circle of the symbol, yin-n-yang, represents a circular quality and if you observe it closely all of the symbol is circular in nature where the extreme yin to extreme yang resides on or within that circle which is in constant movement, changing all the time, and results in the movement of the extremes out of that place to various levels of both poles until they reach a balance point and then shift into their opposites. This is the symbolic meaning of the tadpoles and the seeds represented in the center of those tadpoles rotating and changing with each moment, always in movement, always.

Western thought and thinking tries hard to control and classify our practice and training in a linear fashion, a left brain activity while the Japanese and other Asian cultures tend to practice and train in a circular quality, superior. Think of the fundamentals of aikido. [correction or more accurately it involves complex linear motion that may seem circular, but you get my point I hope]

Observe kumite in karate here in the Western hemisphere, it tends to be on a straight line forward and backward. You will observe on occasion one actually moving off that line in a circular move which in a lot of cases, if that person's line is longer, results in not losing for that person. Linear mental activity tends to lock humans in a linear mode that hinders finding a balance that is of nature, circular.

The sun and moon in the gokui inference to the circulation of the blood which is a hint to the bodies energy all travel in a circular fashion. This is an important distinction of that part of the gokui as to the lesson, the teachings of Shimabuku Tatsuo-san as taught by the ancient classics. This is an important distinction and has been a cultural belief that has lasted for thousands of years.

Take a look at the "magic tea room" post on my gokui blog. The graphic I use if you look closely to the center point where the "5" resides is actually the center of the tatami mats that surround it forming a circular quality that is symbolic of yin-n-yang.

Our whole existence as human beings is circular, i.e. birth, growth, aging and death, whereby life itself is circular taking life into and out of existence, that existence we perceive in human form that has a body, mind and spirit connection to nature, the Universe. We are all the same as Heaven and Earth as representative of said Universe.

If we stop "fighting" nature and allow ourselves to enter into the circular path we will find that many aspects that allude our training and learning will suddenly open up to us and help us achieve - enlightenment (which contains proficiency, etc.)

p.s. a thought for those accepting to the circular quality might also be that the yin-n-yang symbol moves only in one direction. This is a symbol and not restricted to the picture but rather should be thought of more like a "sphere" that rotates much like a gyroscope, in all directions and in all dimensions. The rotations go one direction, another in reverse but also in varying floating more chaos like unpredictable directions which is just like life - unpredictable.

Click for large version, and right-click to save and use if you like.

The Magic Tea Room

Click for larger view.

What does this pictorial of the optimal size tea room remind you of? The dash-dot lines were added by me to give you a bit more of a hint to the symbolism here, got it yet? Yes, you have it right, it is the "magic square" often referred to in many ancient writings from China. Think the I Ching and the number 9 as well as 15 totaled by adding any three squares, etc.

Take away the lines I added and you have a 4.5 tatami size tea room. This is just another means to show how things connect even when they appear on the surface to be far and away from such symbolistic connective significance. This is just a continuance of my belief that the study of such things will provide "more" to the practice of these Asian art forms that have inspired Westerners for the last fifty plus years.

Mind-Body Communications

"When experiencing problems in the natural flow of mind-body communications means disruption of the Ki or Chi energies through meridians that transverse our entire forms." The mind-body flow in balance entails both a physical and a spiritual connection that is fostered and promoted through the practice of true martial karate. Martial karate being the form that is traditional in nature or traditionally practiced to combat physical conflicts that result in damage to either party or parties.

When one side is considered exclusive in regard to the other that imbalance results in a mind-body flow interruption that has both mental and physical repercussions to include a spiritual disruption that can and does lead to inhumanity. The mental and physical repercussions are both internal and by affect cause external actions or interactions not conducive to health and wellbeing of any and all parties exposed to or interacting in the event.

The greatest benefit of practice of martial karate is to foster, build and experience a balanced mind-body development that requires constant attention, constant improvement and constant self-reflection toward the overall goals of mind-body.

To See is to Seek

" ... and both the eyes must see all sides as the ... " of the "karate koan songoku watashi," or "ken-po goku-i." We see, we have seen, we see that which cannot be seen and we seek to see. Side be physical and metaphysical, the third eye as developed through hansei, self-reflection, another aspect taught through the gokui in the martial karate art of Isshinryu.

See the value of form and style. Seek what naturally comes for the circumstances dictated in any event. Seek the circular path so as to not get bogged down by the form and style. See the mastery of it by seeking the mastery of your weapons and tactics, forget the form and do what is natural in response to the current moment, the scenario and the resulting actions.

See that it is best to seek the non-confrontational of the form of confrontation or interaction. Seek the rules, forget the rules and see the infinite flexibility that is like water.

See the many things, atomistic. Seek the holistic that takes into it the many things, including those inspired by the void within the mind for the moment. What cannot be seen can be the seeker in the way.

The flower is not seen when a seedling. It appears as it breaks beyond the form of the earth allowing it to flower and seek its connection to nature. See and seek and allow the eyes to see all the sides - of life.

eBook - Ken-po Goku-i Progressing

Wow, the process is really involved editing and readying a book for publishing, even an eBook. I wanted to let those who may be interested know that I am about two thirds through the first edit by self. I plan on at least two more before I pass it along to an editor friend of mine who has graciously volunteered to assist.

It is progressing and I have hopes of getting it on to smashwords this year!

Humbleness vs. Entitlement

Humble: 謙虚な Kenkyona
Entitlement: 資格 Shikaku

Humble: 謙虚（けんきょ） / modesty, humility, modest, humble
Entitlement: ?

Humbleness: humility: a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride ...
Entitlement: To have the right to claim something; An individual who is comfortable with an equity ratio greater than that of his or her comparison other.

Often a sense of entitlement is a product of such traits as pride and ego. It is sometimes an unrealistic sense that one is entitled to something that often puts them at a higher social level where they feel superiority. It is a belief in a special sense that one has a right that is greater than another. They tend to see themselves as a "special person."

I quote, "In a casual sense, the term "entitlement" refers to a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit[1]—if given without deeper legal or principled cause, the term is often given with pejorative connotation (e.g. a "sense of entitlement")."

Who is to say that any person's sense of entitlement is either false or not. Do we tend to assign entitlement solely based on some legal or principle cause as stated above or does a false sense come from a lack thereof? How much is connected to a person's self-esteem? When is it normal and when is it a narcissistic entitlement?

Does a complete and utter release of self from all entitlements, perceived or granted, mean one is now of a humble nature? Is humbleness the complete opposite of a person with a sense of entitlement? Can a person truly release themselves from ego, pride and a sense of entitlement either false or not? Is some level of entitlement a human need, requirement for self preservation or survival?

Is it realistic to assume a humble state? I read stories of those who exude a humble nature and at the same time the story itself is a form of prideful validation that the person is humble and unassuming - unassuming? It sounds a bit like Yin-n-Yang where a balance of one extreme or the other denotes a person, their personality and their degree of either entitlement or humbleness.

Is it possible that a humble person is one who just gives up pride, ego and such beliefs simply because they cannot achieve validation that fits them, ergo their sense of entitlement thus causing another form of entitlement, pride and ego, i.e. I am a humble person or cause others to validate them because they now are perceived to be of humble nature?

Thought provoking.

Glass Full?

Ever get the question (a glass with water filled to the halfway mark), "Is this glass half full or half empty?" The answer speaks to the person's view or perception to the world but what if the answer was, "Technically the glass is always full."

Waxing philosophical from a martial art perspective or more accurately a Taoist, Buddhist, Shintoist, Zen view where the void, the emptiness, the area between things is also filling up those spaces. Even the vacuum of space is filling the space between planets, asteroids, stars, suns, etc. which means it is not empty technically.

The glass is always filled with something be it water, milk, beer or just air. It drops back to the quote attributed to Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei at a late night gathering of karate-ka drinking and generally socializing, "all bottles are good, they all serve a purpose." This means that although the beer or ammori is gone from the bottle the bottle still can serve a purpose holding the air that took control of the space within when the drink was removed. That space simply waits for a purpose depending on what it is refilled with ..... ;-)

So the next time someone asks the question simply say, "it is not half full or half empty, it is always full." Guess it is a matter of how one's "sees" it.

Cultural Thing: The Finger Removal Practice

I was reading about the art of tea when I ran across a reference to a story about Yoshitsune, the hero of Arthurian type legends in Japan. In one of the Japanese monasteries, Sumadera Monastery near Kobe, there hangs a tablet that has the following quote after reference to the beauty of the blossoms states, "Whoever cuts a single branch of this tree shall forfeit a finger therefor."

I immediately gave thought to the practice of the Japanese Yakuza where one who has done something that requires atonement to a senior would therefore cut off a piece of the finger. Is it possible that this old Chinese tale inspired this particular act of attrition. When you couple the many influences of China and such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Zen along with the great effort to incorporate such things into the Japanese culture and customs it is not farfetched an idea, is it?

We know that it is a custom for Yakuza so say the different cultural writings in English - translated. We don't know the origin of the practice or if it actually extended from the feudal era of great influence to Japanese culture and beliefs. It may be that even the Japanese, specifically Yakuza, know of its origins but it is an idea as to a possible source, yes? 

Additional Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza

Yubitsume [Yubitsume (指詰め, "finger shortening")], or the cutting of one's finger, is a form of penance or apology.

This article alludes to its origins in swordsmanship: "Its origin stems from the traditional way of holding a Japanese sword. The bottom three fingers of each hand are used to grip the sword tightly, with the thumb and index fingers slightly loose. The removal of digits starting with the little finger moving up the hand to the index finger progressively weakens a person's sword grip." Is it possible the idea still comes from the origin above?

It also stated, "The idea is that a person with a weak sword grip then has to rely more on the group for protection—reducing individual action." This falls into some of my studies in that one who is a bit of a rogue or individualist is not complying with Japanese culture, i.e. the group is everything and to embarrass the group, etc. is taboo. If a swordsman did something not group approved, etc. then to do this ensures in a most physical way they must remain a member of the group where group decisions and actions have to have a group consensus, etc. It would also speak to the samurai in question as a reminder that death is there when one does not conform to the group. This does make some sense I think.

Remember, all things are to be considered with caution. I kind of like my hypothesis tho :-)

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yubitsume

Taoism, Confucianism, Zen-ism [it has been a while, yes]

Buddhism, Shintoism and Zen-ism of Japan, greatly influenced as were the Okinawan by their interactions with the Chinese. The Chinese directly and indirectly were of great influence on both cultures. It is this that brings me to recommendation of "The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura."

The Ken-po Goku-i is that short terse reference/inference to these past/present great treatises of life but meant to be used in conjunction with the practice of karate-jutsu-do. As I read this wonderful book on the art of tea I am finding symbolism, reference and connections to practice of jutsu for the physical and great guidance for the philosophical or spiritual - the heart in wholehearted.

It is through the oldest culture of Asia and possibly the world that is the "cornerstone" to any endeavor, discipline and art be it karate-jutsu-do, cha-do or of everyday life in the pursuit of enlightenment. Pursue the studies of these ancient classics and you as a karate-jutsu-do adherent can start with the "gokui."

Tea

In my search for knowledge through the goku-i I have studied many views. Not until today have I come across a better expression of the many facets of a custom, culture and belief system. This is the "first" piece I would recommend be studied for it will connect everything into one cohesive understanding - a beginning.

This is something, similar to the go rin no sho and I Ching, that warrants many readings of which my first is occurring in the present. I can feel that my studies warrant a re-read from time to time just to open the door a bit wider and gain increased understanding.

First, I discover a greater depth and breadth to kata. Second, I lean of specific terminologies that transcend the narrow functions of the dojo allowing for a wider view of life. Third, it provides the results from the origins, i.e. Confucianism, Buddhism and Zen-ism.

Let me introduce you to "The Book of Tea" written by Okakura Kakuzo Sensei. Reading his background leaves me not doubt as to his ability to convey sometimes mystically enshrouded customs, cultures and beliefs of a society. This lead into a culture that gave birth to such as martial arts is illuminating.

I place this here as it is a philosophy illuminating understanding as in the ken-po goku-i is to karate-jutsu-do.

Bibliography:
Okakura, Kakuzo. "The Book of Tea." Dover Publications. New York. 1906, 2010.

Yang-Yin Symbol

Take a look at it sometime, a close look. Often when I present some philosophical meanderings I refer to three, heave-man-earth, etc. but is there a "third" part of the symbol?

You have the "white half" then the "black half" and then the "two smaller white and black" within the other white and black halfs. It is referred to as the Yang-Yin symbol with only two descriptive words, "yang and yin." So, is there a third?

Yes, there is. I can think of two right off the top of my head. Yang (obvious), Yin (again, obvious) and void (not so obvious). How is void symbolized in the symbol? Ever notice that the majority of the symbols are enclosed in a black line that forms a circle? The circle denotes a few things but it is a "third part" of the symbol.

If yang-n-yin balance out it becomes the full circle but as nature, universe, intended the smaller white and black in the yang and yin fields are a seed that give birth to the next cycle keeping the cycles, rhythms and patterns constantly generating new birth-life-death of the myriad things of the great Tai Chi, the one.

Submissive-Assertive-Aggressive (Heaven-Man-Earth; balance)

I really do see the number three a lot of late. Heaven-Man-Earth, fundamentals-Kata-kumite, etc. so when I read or study something and this "three" rears up in my face I gotta pursue it a bit.

It seems to me that these three fit into the world of martial systems.

Some folks are a bit timid or submissive in attempt to avoid conflict. They sometimes reach a point in that life where they want to seek out the means to overcome and create a more assertive life - karate classes can be what springs into their imagination and they seek out instruction.

Some folks tend to lean toward a more aggressive life style only to discover just how dysfunctional that can be along with all the stress driven repercussions one can encounter as an aggressor. To temper such things they may walk by a dojo, see all the pajama clad folks shouting "kiai" and punching and kicking and grappling all of the floor. They say, hey I like to mix it up and this looks like fun. In many cases once they are immersed in the system they find it a bit calming and tend to temper, no pun intended, their heated lifestyle into a more assertive form with less-n-less need to be aggressive.

Some folks walk that middle road but can't seem to bring themselves out of an assertive style to accomplish some goals that need a bit less assertiveness and a little submissive mix or a little more aggressive mix to achieve some goals. You might think that always being of an assertive nature would be a balanced way but in reality one needs to be mostly an assertive style with a smidgeon of either submission or aggression to bring about a state conducive to a good life. They find that in their karate training then can branch out and get all three so they learn to mix and match accordingly.

Too much submissive or aggressive tends to be off kilter causing more problems then one might think that style would gain but remaining in the middle is a bit boring and unproductive in many cases. A good balanced martial system provides the tools to teach one to achieve a fluctuation, as need, between a bit of one or the other mixed with a bit of assertiveness to achieve an enlightened balanced state - healthy to physical-mental-spiritual balance, don't you think?

One Wholehearted Way? or ?

We have brains, hopefully. Our brains tend to work in certain ways, generally, according to cultures, times and locations. Our brains quantify everything our senses perceive in the world. It is integrated into every single facet of human life. It is a part of the function of our brains like DNA to life itself.

Our brains encode, it takes information and places it into units of quantity. Along with language influences of the brain we, the brain that is, assigns numeric labels to allow us to understand concepts such as 1, 2, 3, etc. We even assign emotional effects value as numbers. Numbers are symbolic and perceived as lucky or unlucky, i.e. 13 to most Americans is perceived as unlucky. You won't find a thirteenth floor in hotels, etc.

Such beliefs are passed down from father to son, mother to daughter, family to family, and generation to generation. Beliefs are based on myths and the more frequent they are repeated the more difficult they are to ignore, change or get rid of.

Numbers, we give greater value and credence to numbers as they grow. "Five" bucks is of greater value than "one" buck. We see larger numbers as if they validate our belief that the greater the number the more impressive it is so it just goes to say that our thought that having five black belts is of course a greater achievement than one black belt. Having five or six different styles or systems in our resume for martial arts has the ability to "impress" others as a greater achievement than just "one system."

Once this is established then it is a race to see how many and how fast you can accumulate black belts, styles or systems and of course trophies. We are programmed by our brain functions to assume greater of any thing tends to mean "more."

Here endith the lesson ;-)

Christmas Wish List Karate Justsu Do

Recently I read a blog that had the most excellent list for Christmas and it got me to thinking of what I would like or wish for Christmas, for me and for all karate-ka.

Here is my list:

1. The true essence of Okinawan Karate Jutsu Do be experienced, embraced and practiced by every single karate person in the world.

2. The true spirit of Okinawan Karate Jutsu Do be experienced, embraced and practiced by every single karate person in the world.

3. The entire karate community joins hands and comes to a mutual understanding that spans the reality gaps that exist and achieve true enlightenment toward a system that embraces the uniqueness all styles and branches for a wholehearted community of karate-ka.

I could ask that this be also the 2012 New Year's resolution that all karate-ka in all parts of the world embrace for all time. Oh yea, and world peace would be kind of cool too.

Gokui-Zen-Koan?

In the beginning the Americans were presented with the ken-po goku-i. The presentation was in the form of a silk certificate with the "gokui" written in Japanese characters (note that Japanese characters are based chiefly on those assimilated from Chinese characters). The English translation, approximate, was presented along side since Americans do not know or understand Kanji.

This presentation is reminiscent of a Zen Master presenting a "Koan" to a disciple. Like the Zen Koan the gokui also is a kind of "story or dialogue," a method of self questioning, a statement that inspires one to think, consider and contemplate. Like the koan it is not readily or literally understood, it is not considered rational except in its "appearance" or literal meaning.  It is in need of the individual's intuition, the instincts created through study and meditation, both physical and motionless.

The nine lines of the gokui are a Zen Koan for the martial arts. It is a sagely sayings to teach. It was born of the larger and more complex documents, the I Ching and others. It consists of a grouping of words that underneath the obvious that are perplexing, critical and concise words somewhat poetic but also a commentary on martial systems.

Again, like a Zen Koan, responses to the gokui will differ with each practitioner. Different systems and Sensei demand different responses as to meaning and application to the system itself as practiced by an individual. It is fluid in nature and presents answers to questions that will vary by the circumstance, person and moment in time.

The idea is not to gain specificity to the gokui but to look for a state of mind as expressed with each study and finding for the gokui. There are no traditional answers as will be seen throughout this book. It is meant to provide the practitioner a means to display the evidence of the systems working by what is grasped each moment by the disciple as they follow the path presented, the many paths of a martial system.

The greatest obstacle to Americans who study this simple, concise and complex koan called the gokui as to a qualified teacher of the gokui who can judge the depth and breadth of attainment. The gokui is a dynamic system to seeking an answer to the gokui. It is an object that seeks the object with a relentless seeking of itself - man seeking the answer to the self. To break through the obstacles of the mind!

Click for larger view.

Is it real or is it memorex?

Remember the old ad, dating myself, about the new memorex cassette tapes to promote their reliability and reality based quality? I have been studying how the mind works as it relates to reality and how that also relates to our beliefs. I highly recommend the book and am providing to you the reader the below graphic to demonstrate that what we see is not always what we might believe.

The question then arises, how do we know what we see in reality based fights, violence or just plain everyday occurrences is real or matrix mind perceptions. The book inspires some interesting and thought provoking questions for each of us.

This is a large graphic of many interesting illusions so click on the picture to view the whole.

Let me know your thoughts, etc.

An eBook: Goku-i eBook Progressing

Just to let interested folks know I am moving forward nicely with the eBook on the Ken-po Goku-i. I am slowly processing all my past posts and articles on the subject as well as integration of current knowledge into the book. Once I get a general layout done I plan on working on the editing of content to clean it up some and update those older writings.

Once integration, editing and layout issues are in a very rough state I have plans to pass it along, in pdf format, to several courageous volunteers to read and provide comments, corrections and critiques so I can continue to rough draft <some number as I go past the initial one>.

I am enjoying the process. I am working to be a writer so that when I retire I can write fiction. I have some outlines and other such notes started for an idea I had while meditating a while back - progressing well.

This eBook is a good start in that direction so I can get things like flow, continuity, meaning, etc. in order before I attempt to put fiction in place. I have all the material so I can focus on the fundamentals/basics and practice, practice, practice. Most important I can train my ego to allow that my writing is going to need lots of tough skin ability so my ego and pride don't hinder my desires as a writer.

Anyway, just wanted to give an update to those who may be interested.

Regards,

Charles

Dojo Kun, "Kun"

家訓 - derived from translating the Japanese word "kun" where it means "family precepts"

特訓 - derived from translating the Japanese word "kun" where it also means "intensive training, special training."

The common character to both is the "訓" which by itself means: give lessons, teach, instruct, guide or lead (training).

This just might be the true meaning behind dojo kun. Dojo kun could mean a place of intensive or special training according to the family precepts, these being the insight of the Sensei as it might relate to a family sense and a household both of which are a dominant cultural system of the Japanese.

It might be that this is the intent that was lost in the disparity between the belief systems of American vs. Okinawan's or Japanese. This is a possibility worth consideration.

As shown above the common character also gives further credence to this possible meaning since insight from Sensei is a lesson that is taught through Sensei's guidance and leadership.

Is this possible? Please comment constructively and let me know your views.

Dojo Kun (dojo precepts from Sensei): Sensei insight through leadership and guidance; family/dojo precepts. ????? hm, thought provoking .....

Dojo Kun, Ken-po Goku-i and Isshinryu

First, go to Michael Clarke Sensei blog and read his post on the "Dojo Kun." Then return here to read my thoughts on the subject.

The dojo kun for Isshinryu seems to have received the interpretation of a code of conduct for the dojo. When I consider the content of this dojo kun I begin to question its authenticity as to being inherited from the systems founder Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei. I say this for a few reasons.

First, references in the kun (short for dojo kun; brevity purposes) to budo, God and Faith, smoking and drinking tend to convey a more American and/or Military perspective. As far as I can determine Tatsuo Sensei was not a Christian or other religious affiliation that would teach about God. I can see where this might be perceived when he talked of such things as the gokui but wonder a bit about this point.

Second, it would appear that like many urban legends the composing of the dojo kun is or has a rhythm and feel of an American and/or Military influence. I know that Tatsuo Sensei actually composed copies, in Kanji, of the ken-po goku-i but as to the dojo kun in the honbu dojo I suspect that it was created and posted by the leadership of the deshi or senior military attendees.

The kanji provided at the top of one source of the below copy of the Isshinryu Dojo Kun if translated, working on this, may just be a title for the dojo kun or it may be similar to the terse kanji of the gokui (brevity again for ken-po goku-i).

Another source gives us a picture of kanji that is believed to be the dojo code of conduct, dojo kun. It is translated into English but since the snapshot of the kanji is difficult to actually read it is not easily verified as accurate. I also found the kanji for the gokui to lack accurate translation to English where a good deal of latitude was taken in its translation which I also question since those who filled in the holes are and were not so immersed in the culture of Okinawa, etc. that they could do so with any impunity.  In this source they go so far as to add a signature in typeface only of Tatsuo Sensei.

Please understand, I am questioning things for the sake of study. It is not meant to say that either source or anyone in Isshinryu is either right or wrong regarding either the dojo kun or the gokui, it is a matter of study and personal philosophies and perceptions only. Meant to inspire comment and thought.
The closest I have come to any kind of translation of "code of conduct" into Japanese is actually "kodo kihan" which translates into "code of conduct." This does not say that dojo kun is not actually coduct but the word kun does not show in the two translator programs I use.

Dojo of course refers to a martial arts training hall. I cannot extrapolate code or honor or conduct that translates from either word, dojo or kun or both together. When I run into this type of disparity I tend to doubt the validity but do so with a bit of caution and allowance for the greater disparity toward an ability to understand Japanese or Okinawan dialect, customs and meanings. Often kanji literally loses its original intent and meaning when absorbed by such disciplines and budo or martial arts or any art form. I have discovered this when I ask the Japanese business person I frequent to translate a word for me or a phrase.

This is why I felt something when I read Mr. Clarke's understanding as to the meaning of the dojo kun. I suspect his assumptions as to meaning being one that is not set in stone, rules, but rather open and fluid information conveyed from Sensei to his Deshi, if you will allow me those terms. Much like the gokui it is a primer, a key, a cornerstone that is associated with the dojo and with the dojo's master. If it inspires and leads then it has done its job. If it ends up as dogmatic doctrine, rules, specifics that control and stifle the dojo then it needs to be visited and studied many more times.

Could this also be the answer to the question, "why are there so many definitions of the kun and gokui?" As I travel this path I am of the understanding, for me, that this is true and in lieu of wondering simply study the one you possess and let it smolder in the unconscious. The unconscious will speak to you and let you find your philosophy of both the kun and the gokui.

The more I learn, the more I study, the more I investigate the more I see that Clarke Sensei hits the nail on the head. The differences as seen in the snapshot on this post indicate that it is truly a personal thing most often provided by the dojo, system, Sensei.

Click to see full version - it was a larger graphic created by C.E. James ;-)

Okinawa Remembered

Take a cultural type tour of Okinawa that gave birth to many of our current systems of karate. This site is nicley provided for those who have not had the pleasure of a personal visit.

Okinawa Remembered

Rhythms

The gokui's first line is the keystone to all the lines. It in part represents the Universe's rhythm. There is a rhythmic frequency/wave in all things and the Heavens and Earth along with the second line of the Sun and Moon denote the rhythms of the Universe and thereby all those  connections of nature are also a rhythm. Then we find that those rhythms in Nature, Earth and humans is once again connected by threads that are frequencies/waves that are either synchrony or not.

Then we add in time. Not just the literal time we constantly view on the watch we wear but in nature's time. Time to human's is a type of organization and that equates to our human behavior. The gokui's is one method to re-introduce us to natural time over industrial time.

Research results in this area tell us, initially with room for changes, that the self is deeply ingrained into and part of rhythmic synchronic processes. Processes such as the person's heart and the blood circulation symbolizing such things as energy of life coupled with nature's rhythms and synchronicity. The rhythm that portrays natural organization of life or nature is a basic design function of human beings. This organization with rhythm's results in human personalities. Therefore current research says that rhythm is inseparable from process and structure.

Our personality traits may find their foundation on rhythm, nature's or natural nature rhythms. This rhythm/personality is unique to each human/person. The tenant of martial practice, classical/traditional with Zen influences, to achieve balance of self and they are finding that human rhythms come from our center, hara, or the center of self. We have to have balance or self-synchrony.

Body movement is precisely synchronized with a four-level hierarchical series of rhythms which are shown in studies through wave analysis that provides intervals/rhythms of 1-3, 4-7, 8-13, 14-24, and 25-40 per second.

Zen Buddhism, Japanese and Martial Systems

First, I am not a zen master. I am not even a zen practitioner although I attempt to learn and live up to that path in my practice and training. Recently I have come across more information regarding the Asian mind, time and Zen. I wanted to take the time to pass along that information here not to say I know or that I am the expert in this but rather to provide more so that one may change beliefs in this one way or another.

Let me begin that I feel strongly Americans are at a great disadvantage due to ignorance. In Isshinryu circles it is known that Tatsuo Sensei spoke often of the importance of learning the customs of Okinawa to really understand its karate. I believe this more today then ever before. I have to add one caveat tho, that we must learn of their customs but also we must first change our beliefs to allow for understanding. We have to get into their minds, their time and their time as to the other more esoteric understanding of time. If we continue to fool ourselves that our assumptions and expectations through our personal perspectives, beliefs and experiences we will miss the whole boat.

"The tremendous possibilities that lie ahed if the human race can be weaned from its fascination with technology and turn its attention once more to the study of the human spirit." - Chapter six.

What I am gaining slowly from this and other aspects of my studies is we are driven past our spirit as it relates to the spirit of the heavens, earth and nature is detrimental to our overall health and well being. The speed and complete disconnect from nature's timing, rhythm and beat is causing such distress that humans are suffering for it. I believe this is true. This is why I am presenting the next regarding a view of the Asian mind and it through Zen Buddhism beliefs.

Zen utilizes the "koan" as a teaching tool Koan are sayings or quotes that are given to disciples as a teaching tool. They are meant to take these koans and mediate on them until the key is released in a natural way. These koans seem to be convoluted, confusing and illogical, but they do have a deep meaning and in order to understand that meaning, to discover that key is to understand in which context that koan is to be understood. It is in the context.

The koan is a basic teaching tool of Zen practitioners. This teaching and learning process depends on the use of models, practice, and demonstration (note, this is how many art forms are taught such as martial systems.). Words only distort Zen (this may be one reason why Sensei tend to not use words in teachings).

Zen is very high on the context scale and the communications for Zen is very, very fast. In order to understand the context one must understand the history, background and customs of Zen. In order to begin that understanding you must start with a few facts about the Japanese.

Japanese are raised in and live in a close-knit, highly contextualized social context life. This is why there is no questions, no explanations, and this is why outsiders such as Americans find their methods difficult to understand and accept.

In Japan, the discovery of self is directly linked to the full realization of the basic social laws by which one's family, relatives, friends, neighbors and countrymen live. The American "M-time or one-thing-at-a-time" mode is a type of silo'ing or put it into a box type method that is the opposite. Examples follow.

In our country we look at most martial systems as a sport. Archery, an art in Japan, is viewed as a sport here. In their country it can be a sport, but it is also a spiritual-philosophical ritual. This is considered a discipline that trains the mind. The Zen part drives the Japanese tradition of a spiritual exercise regimen that is designed to train/expand the mind. This is the method to get into the rhythm of the unconscious. This is the method to remove all the obstructions that block our free and direct access to that unconscious.

In the art of Archery it is to achieve a blend of the practitioners to the arrow to the bow to the string and then to the target as not separate entities but rather a unified process - the whole. Americans train for skill while the Asian trains by emptying the mind and removing the self and all the self's baggage. The same is true of how they perceive time. Time springs forth from within, the self and it is not an imposed time. Zen tunes us to nature. In that light in lieu of "its noon so its lunch time" they eat when the body says it time for sustenance. They sleep when the body says its time to rest.

In Zen the thoughts that run willy nilly in our brains interferes with our consciousness. It is a form that teaches to think naturally and unconsciously where Americans tend to think logically and analytically which leads us to dogmatic beliefs, creeds and codes, and philosophies while Zen orients toward form and context.

In Zen it is to achieve dissolution of ego and they use the meditation process to bypass the influence of conscious thoughts. This is geared to take those monkey driven feelings of success or failure  and consciousness of self and make the dissolve or at the very least provide for control to the extent that they no longer drive the person.

In Zen swordsmanship the Zen part is the removal of any feelings about either life or death. Truth to the Zen practitioner is all encompassing and yet the very essence of self. Paradoxical to say the least.

Our brains here in our country tend to reside and rely on the left side which is a low-context side, ultra-specific (this tends to explain why we go to the atomistic and tend to ignore the holistic).

The Asian culture believes in the concept of "hara." This is a part and parcel of Zen as well, the two are intricately blended. Hara is a logic of context and "of action" and not limited to word paradigms.

Art, in Japan, is a Zen discipline where you can say such arts as flower arranging, calligraphy, archery and swordsmanship are tied to it thoroughly and completely. This is what makes them arts in lieu of just a sport or discipline. As such all of them are high-context oriented.

Asian art has four elements which the reader will find familiar - hara, MA, intuition, and michi (the way).

Hara links the individual to nature, the universe, man-earth-heaven. MA is a space-time concept and a meaningful pause, interval, or space. Silences in Japan shout the deepest feelings while in American culture it says "embarrassment or dead time. Intuition come from long, deep study and experience. It is the distillation of a theme, an emotion, idea, or object. Michi implies devotion to discipline and the perfection of one's art. The American view of michi is the limiting belief in "technique."

In a short quote, "The Zen artist, after years of disciplined exercise, experiences the object with his whole self and then lets the object draw the picture using the ink-brush as a tool. There is seemingly no conscious effort on the part of the artist to direct the brush. As was true of the Zen archer, the object - the brush - and the artist are part of a single, unified, integrated process. The Japanese, in order to develop his art, must center his efforts on self-knowledge and ultimately on enlightenment. The greatest efforts are made to still the mind and to eliminate the ego, which is subject to the frailties of praise, success, failure, and lack of recognition. "

Japanese arts come from and grow from within and not influenced a great deal from the outside. American art tends to focus on the aesthetic context or on the object itself or both than using the arts to gain insight to the self, the inner workings of our psyches.

Another unique aspect of the Zen practitioner is the view that any failure is seen as merely insufficient effort in the physical discipline, work and dedication to the task or art at hand. It also places a huge demand on the individual.

The Japanese act comes from three centers, not one as we tend to think of it: the mind, the heart, and the hara. Mind is for the business end, heart is for family, friends and home, hara is what one strives for in all things - balance as a whole.

The heart you can depend on; the mind is fluid, chaotic and always in flux. It takes the hara to bring the other two into balance, equilibrium, the whole. If we are to understand context of Asian's to understand our martial practice as a classic/tradition then we must also understand "tate-mae," "honne," and "suji." Tatemae is a sensitivity to other humans, the public self; honne is a sensitivity to that private self; suji is a situation significance to an event.

We Americans also can divide people into an "us" or a "them or othering." The Japanese Zen aspect does do this to an extent in that honne and tatemae is an "us and them." The exception while Americans have shades of gray in us or them the Japanese Zen aspect has nothing in between honne and tatemae.

One last aspect is "giri" or that obligation which a Japanese can incur  during their lives with a "requirement" to repay that obligation. The Japanese have a meeting of the "heart" and Americans have a meeting of the "minds." One last note of significance is in our country we tend to spar with words to show superiority or greater intelligence. In Japan, they will synchronize their "breathing." Now, I would love to learn more about that part and maybe my continued studies will lead me to that one.

Remember, this is my view as to my current studies. My studies are fluid. They will change as I gather in more information and knowledge. This post is meant to give the reader more information as a key to prompt opening a door, a door to more information gathering and to hopefully inspire the reader to open the mind and truly seek out the customs of Okinawa from their perspective, perception and belief systems.

Bibliography
Hall, Edward T. "The Dance of Life: The Other Dimension of Time." Anchor Books. New York. 1983, 1984, 1989.

Not a Reflection on Origin Posts, Periodicals or Books

Just want to let anyone know who reads my posts that an extracted quote and attached comments by me are NOT to disparage the original source post and it is not to refute or otherwise make a statement that the original source post is right, wrong or other. It is just that sometimes a specific quote out of the context of the original source post, periodical or book triggers a thought, an idea and a topic for a post here - it is not personal and not any of the above.

If you feel otherwise let me know and I will make sure I don't extract quotes in or out of context from your blog, periodical or book - send me a private email at my blog email account and I will stop.

Thanks,

Charles James, esq. :-)

Why Ken-po Goku-i Philosophies are Important

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.

Earth

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.

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.

Visual Metaphors

What is a visual metaphor, it is the representation of a person, place, thing, or idea by way of a visual image that suggests a particular association or point of similarity. This is similar to both the written and spoken word but from the point of visual - seeing. It can be seen a lot in "advertisements" in ads for magazines and in newspapers but also through the televised commercials.

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 :-)

Faces: The Many Faces of Fu-Manchu

Long ago in a distant galaxy there was this very old movie, "The Face of Fu Manchu," circa 1965 starring Christopher Lee. This image reminded me of "Facing Violence" with its references to "losing face." This seemed so important that when I thought of it and the image of the movie came into mind it spurred me to write this post.

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.

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:

(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.

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.

Parts of a Whole

This blog, like other blogs, is a message in a bottle. I know who I am and what I understand, but I can only guess who you are and what you understand - the people who are going to pop the cork on the bottle and read the message. (redacted from the similar quote in the book by Damon Knight.

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.

1. You must be deadly serious in practice.


2. 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.


3. Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism.


4. See yourself as you truly are and try to adapt what is meritorious in the work of others.
5. Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, whether public or private.
                                     

One's initiative and attitude determines the degree of skill, knowledge, spirit, and how they are integrated within the self, within Karate-do.

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?

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.