The Brain (The Cortex), The Hexagram and Karate (Ken-po Goku-i)

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The cortex six layers; the six layers of the hexagram; the six layers of karate.

• Karate's Six: lower three is Shin-go-tai. Upper three is Shu-ha-ri.
• Cortex Six: 6, 5, &4 are the upper layer; 1, 2, & 3 are the lower layer.
• Hexagram Six: top three are the upper trigram; lower three are the lower trigram.

Lower is earth and  upper are heaven where the lower is an entry to the lower from the external Universe and the lower draws from our inner Universe to create reality.

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Represents the creative.

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Represents the receptive.

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Represents the Hexagram’s six lines; upper three are our inner world; the top-down cortex path.The lower three are our outer/exterior world; the bottom-up cortex path. The two worlds of realty, Earth, taken in through our sensory systems transmits those signals from the bottom-up to the third line; the creative, Heaven, worlds of our inner reality are extracted from our memories of perceptions of the past experiences, etc., and transmits those signals from the top-down to the fourth line. The outer world signals upon entry trigger the inner world extraction of like-historical perceptive signals from memory where the meeting point allows a comparison, with the inner creative world data dominant status, extracting the outer worlds signals that will fill in and adjust the inner worlds data to create a new whole perception data packet and transmits that whole to the area of our brain the tells us this is our reality, a combination and morphing of the inner world with the outer world to create our world of reality. 

The six layers of karate consist of the top-down model and the bottom-up model, i.e., we use our sensory system to extract data from the teachings, practices and training done and transmit those up to the third line while our inner world extracts any relevant and associated data from our memories of past historical experiences and perceptions then creates a whole that we learn from. The process starts with the beginner’s mind and the outer world data will be pulled in each time, repetitive appropriate training and practice, to continue to fill in the voids/blanks until we reach the next stage. This explains how the shu-ha-ri of training and practice as extracted and encoded from the outer world to make our inner world and finally are wholehearted holistic whole of our realistic created world. Shu-ha-ri being the three represented in the three lower lines.

The upper lines then represent the concept of “Shin-gi-tai.” That which is created and encoded into procedural memory zombie sub-routines consisting of functions that are principled based multiple methodologies where the sub-routine draws on principles and methodologies to create the sub-routine that will get the job done. A culmination and “Integration” that makes shin-gi-tai and shu-ha-ri a holistic wholehearted applicable simplistic encoded program that will run creatively to every situation while being receptive to on-the-fly changes and modifications the outer world of reality tend to impose on our applications of karate and martial arts for self-defense. 

Principles are separate functions; multiple methodologies are separate functions; Type of Forces to apply are functions; the basic senses or sensory system are functions; and all functions are used by created zombie sub-routines where the functions are called by the sub-routine to fit each unique situation so that all can be properly, appropriately and expertly applied to achieve our karate, martial arts and self-defense goals. 

The Cortex Layers: The six layers of the cortex are three lower, bottom-up oriented, layers; the three upper, top-down oriented, layers. The outer world reality data stream as transmitted to the lower first layer at the bottom so the signals are sent upward to the third level while our triggered extraction of like perceptive memories from the input stream of the lower pulls that relevant data and sends those signals from the top down to the fourth line where comparisons and integration of the data occurs thus creating our whole, holistic perceptive reality, inner world. This is then stored into permanent procedural memory for future reference and extraction. 

The actions always begin at the bottom line, i.e., input data streams from our sensory systems; other brain functions called and trigger the top-down data signal extractions input stream from our memories, etc. with the overall layered system working in a bidirectional manner until appropriate whole data patterns form the reality of both the inner and outer worlds so that proper sub-routines are called, functions are triggered and actions taken. 

Mind-sets/Mind-states are triggered, extracted and/or created to fit each moment and situation. The entire process that also connects and utilizes other brain areas to make it all work in an integrated way make up our character, personality and ability to function and live and survive - all of it can be achieved in a matter of micro-seconds, the OODA or the Observe (sensory detection, extraction and submission),. Orient (an attentive focus on the data), Decision (the entire cortex process as described), and Act or Actions as triggered from the OOD to call sub-routines that trigger the functions and apply the action accordingly. 

Herein lies the needs and complexities of study, training, practice, application to experience, and understanding we achieve from our beginner’s mind, initial discovery of the mountain, to the maturity of the process where we can lose sight of the mountain thus developing a discriminate mind and overcoming the obstacles of losing sight of the mountain and finally seeing the mountain again but from a new light, position and paradigm so that we mature and become enlightened and as a result master our lives, our efforts and our various disciplines of life like karate, martial arts, self-defense and the many other ways and means of growth, maturity and mastery. 

You find that the top-down, the bottom-up and the whole of the cortex, the hexagram as it represents live and the universe represented in the I Ching, and the practices of karate as a whole rather then a sum of all its atomistic parts, i.e., the “One!”. 

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KEN-PO GOKU-I: The Tao of Karate and Martial Arts

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It is the inner world and it governs our perceptions of the outer world and it governs changes that arise in the outer world when the inner world, the Tao, makes comparisons then fills in any blanks from the inner worlds accumulated data input from the senses of our mind and bodies. It may not be measured or defined because it runs as a zombie procedural memory driven set of sub-routines that is in need of constant change and updates through the input of the outer world to the inner world where the sub-routine is removing the fill-in’s so that more reality oriented data can fill in and complete the sub-routines that in time become in need of changes rather than change and corrections. 

The Tao, the inner world of our minds that is run as a subconscious autonomous sub-routine ergo the label of zombie sub-routines, is where we understand as the place, deep in our deepest reaches of the mind, resides our inner awareness, and our undifferentiated knowledge accumulated from our very genes to those sensory data inputs called experience. It is this inner world in which things are measured and defined and governs change  that seems hidden within our inner worlds that accompanies our very existence. 

As our sensory data is input and processed it creates that incomplete image that gets filled in by our inner world, the Tao, to create a whole “one” image of the outer world. This is the basis for human studies, human understanding and a repetitive effort to input data over and over and over again in the learning processes so that multiple learning exposures to the outer world will fill in the fill-ins of the inner world that in the end create the comprehensive and completed images of the outer world that makes living, interacting and changing to the outer world. A complex dichotomy that allows us to be influenced by the Tao or the Inner World of sub-routines. We can call this as the intuitive knowledge and understanding of the Tao as the unifying principle that brings the unconscious Tao into conscious awareness. 

The process of data sorting and mining is so that our inner world called the Tao can “hold to what is essential and let go of the trivial, incorrect or the filled-in data from our inner worlds. Herein lies the concept of the “Void,” that space within the lies between the lines of code in our procedural zombie sub-routines, where the origins of our thought processes are able to be perceived. Thus we encode that which says, “We hold on to what endures, endures through trial, test, validation and reality-based proven experience(s).”

Mokuso is that tool of the external outer world where we practice to “Keep Still” that is the trigger to meditation, for through the processes of becoming perfectly quiet and detached from the cares, trials and tribulations of the external world our internal worlds can become detached from our cares, trials, tribulations and negativity to find that empty space, become still and let the inner world, the Tao, provide is the sagely guidance to live our lives. That still place and stillness that allows the void to empty itself and plant the seeds, to germinate them to grow, of our actions that can exist to the given moment and situations. 

It is the manifestation and stimulation of the stillness in the Tao, the minds inner world, that provides us the references to the principles that are constant and therefor endure to manifest, when needed and necessary, as zombie procedural sub-routines of the inner world to the manifestation in the external world from the Tao, the inner world. 

This is why karate and martial arts ways teaches us to first, look within and listen within to connect naturally and instinctively to our subconscious and unconscious zombie sub-routines of procedural memory to act accordingly to our teachings and so on. 

As stated by Lao Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching, “Few things under heaven are so instructive as the lessons of the stillness, the silence in the void, or as beneficial as the fruits of meditative contemplation.” He also teaches us, “Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub; it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges. We make a vessel from a lump of clay; it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. We make doors and windows for a room; but it is the empty spaces that make the room livable. Thus, while the tangible has advantages, it is the intangible that makes it useful.” 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Yin-Yang?

There is always room for JELLO

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I have made a lot of statements and comments and OPINIONS about the various kinds of karate and martial arts there are but I have to say with a strong conviction that regardless of my thoughts, comments, statements or OPINIONS on those different types, “They all are great, they all serve a purpose and as long as they all meet the goals of their participants - IT IS A GOOD THING!

I may be of the mind that karate is a civil model and system for self-defense and I may not feel other models or systems do or do not meet that standard, which is my standard, but in truth and regardless of history, intent, essence, etc., Traditional, Classical, Modern, etc., Karate is all good, very very good.

In my rendition of the meaning behind Tatsuo-san’s statement of, “All bottles are good.” …  “All of them serve a purpose, to hold what they were intended for.” Applies to karate past, present and possible future. All bottles (forms, models and systems) of karate are good. All of them serve a purpose, to do what they were intended to do. There is no best bottle, karate, all bottles, karate, are good.

There is always room for karate, all kinds of karate and all kinds of martial arts. They server a purpose and just because they don’t match up with my view of karate does not diminish their purpose and benefits, we all benefit from such a wide range and variety of karate practices and martial arts practices, regardless. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

The Gokui: breathing methods are either hard or soft

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Michael Clarke Sensei of the Shinseidokan Dojo blog provided the following quotes in his recent article, read it HERE, that inspired another view of the ken-po goku-i, in the old version stated as, “The manner drinking (inhaling) and spitting (exhaling is either hard or soft,” and my version, “breathing methods are either hard or soft,” have a new meaning I didn’t think of till his mentioning of inhaling and exhaling, etc., see the quote next:

“The learning of karate is at first a little like inhaling; everything new comes rushing in. At some point you have to exhale, to allow your karate to flow outward from inside. At that point you'll know if you have been breathing oxygen or stale air. The history of karate is fractured and imperfect, it contains fewer 'masters' than some would have you believe, and more heroes than you can imagine. The famous get noticed, the heroes...not so much. So, be particular about the past that you accept, or you may find yourself reading about the people who wrote history, but not the people who made it.” - Michael Clarke Sensei of Shinseidokan Dojo

When I think of inhaling I think of a soft or yin aspect but for this one I would make a stab at learning karate as hard and that to learn, like Clarke Sensei would insinuate, learning karate is hard but you have to take it in, wholeheartedly, to truly learn karate. As he often writes karate is also about what you put out as it is influenced through karate practice matters, exhaling as yang but rather a softer side when in reality it is a soft side or yin because once you achieve proficiency of your practice and training things become easier … BUT …

When I contemplate hard and soft, inhaling karate then exhaling experience, knowledge and understanding of karate while also contemplating the difficulty in teaching or passing along karate I see the dichotomy of yin-yang or hard-soft where both intertwine to make for the holistic wholehearted essence that is karate. 

One reason I advocate the study of the goku-i as well as other philosophical and theories such as yin-yang, zanshin and shu-ha-ri, etc., is that it is a mutual yet separate effort that makes for the one whole that is karate. It is how the yin-yang of principles applied to multiple methodologies that as yin are that which are hidden but crucial to the foundation of karate while karate itself is the outward manifestation, i.e., inhaling to the inner in learning while exhaling to the outer in practice, training and applications. 

In short, the concept provides another way to see your karate, to make it a deeper and wider study of a universe of possibilities derived through the study and practice of such an eclectic form of body, mind and spirit development. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Void - Universe - Gokui ……….

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In my continued studies concerning the void. Martial beliefs use the void to denote emptiness, the space between "Things." 

It may turn out that what we think of as void actually is not, like the black of space the void consists of "Some Thing." 

The black of space that surrounds all perceivable matter we humans can see is filled.

What I am considering is the theory of Black Matter and Black Energy filling in those areas we see as the black of space - "The Vacuum."

When studying the "Theory Principal," of the sub-principal of "The Void," we think of the rhythm and cadence, etc., that resides between our actions and thoughts like the space, voids, between the notes in music that form that music.

The reason I venture down this path is due to a strong connection between karate and martial arts to the ancient Chinese classics studied by practitioners where the "Universe" is connected via principles such as yin-yang and so on. Granted we can always assume the ancients didn't know of or even understand such concepts but that would be a huge mistake.

The mere fact they created such symbolism grants them the leeway toward the knowledge. Such as the great tai chi from a singular great start point referred to as the "One," where some action, think Big Bang theory, created duality, I.e., yin-yang, that resulted in myriad thing, the cosmos, represented by the eight trigrams then further to the 56 hexagrams used to Devine the myriad things of nature, life and human existence.

Start by continuing to accept the void for what it currently is then add in that it is not truly a void but a substance that is as real as the principles of the mental, physical and spiritual actions manifested in karate and martial arts, the glue that makes it all work.

The material of the void likened to the strings that connect every aspect of the entire universe from the interstellar cosmos down to the very substances that are our very DNA.

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Kengaku [見学]

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The characters/ideograms mean, “Inspection; study by observation; field trip.” The first character means, “see; hopes; chances; idea; opinion; look at; visible,” the second character means, “study; learning; science.”

‘kengaku’ literally meaning to ‘look (見) and learn (学)’ or perhaps better translated as ‘study through observation’.

Other meanings according to the characters used:

[建学] foundation of a school

[研学] Study

[兼学] Concurrently studying the teachings of two or more different schools or sects. 

In a martial discipline we study fundamental principles even in a philosophical sense such as the sub-principle of yin-yang. Yin is the softer side while yang is a harder side so that one trains, practices and studies both physically and mentally. In simpler terms one actually studies and learns from “Doing,” while on the more yin side one actually studies and learns from “Observation.” When you begin you will be provided a, “Dojo Kun,” and one of the precepts is about seeing all things in all directions. 

Kengaku from the ken-po goku-i is about seeing all things in all ways to include our studies of others while practicing and training martial arts. It is especially and critically important for the new student who first comes to observe then joins but then continues that observation “Seeing” so they continue to learn and grow, to improve.

One of the more cultural aspects of martial arts in Asia is the acceptance and understanding that in all dojo one is, “Expected,” to come to practice and observe even when unable to actually participate on the dojo floor. The concept in the Asian culture of, “Shi-kata,” is based upon such observations so that harmony may be maintained by avoiding such disturbances that can come from questioning things. 

Kengaku is about the observation of your dojo-mates be they senpai or kohai or sensei so that one may improve from understanding those perceptions and perspectives displayed through a physical manifestation in things like basics, kata, drills and even kumite. 

Kengaku is considered one of those mental disciplines that provides the practitioner a discipline uniqueness toward learning that involves or encompasses one sitting in a meditative state of mind alert and aware of what is transpiring during training even when not actually participating, an observer. This provides the practitioner with a study that is challenging and used to enhance and supplement hands-on tactile and visual study and practice. 

It is not about perfection but about improvement and this presents the practitioner the opportunity to also participate not just physically but through such observations of others while they practice. This is just one meaning from the goku-i when, “seeing all directions, etc.”

When I tell folks about Kengaku I instill in them that this concept is at the heart of practice, training and most important of all the actual applications. It is an attitude and mind-set/state toward constant improvement through observation: observation of self through media and mirrors; observation of others both senior and junior; observation of the actions and deeds as modeled in the dojo; observation of individual interpretations; observation of the application of the fundamental principles that are the foundation of all martial disciplines, etc.

Kengaku is another more esoteric terminology meant to convey a sense or essence toward study, practice and application of martial disciplines regardless of symbolism, system or style designations or even personal interpretations for to master a martial art is to make it your own from a diligent, disciplined and philosophical means. 

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Read Also: "Kengaku"

All Bottles Are “Truly” Good

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They are all good provided they all utilize all principles to achieve each bottles goals. Look at systems and/or styles as the different bottles as can be seen represented or symbolized in the graphic created and shown herein. Systems and styles are simply unique human signatures toward a unique perspective and perception of application of principles toward a goal of defense, i.e., fighting, combatives and self-defense, etc.

In truth there are not real systems or styles that create separate applications but simply principles applied in a completely and human unique way, a way that allows distinctions to make each creator seem unique and special. A complete and total human distinction unrelated toward the physics of human bodies in application of power and force to achieve a fighting, combative and defense goal of conflict and violence. 

Every single one of the so-called systems or styles is a slight variation of human application of principles that has only one requirement in that the principles cannot be compromised in application or it lessons the system or style in its applied efficiency in power and force to attain one’s goals. The actual principle of physiokinetics that drive such unique signatures is, “Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc.”

To further express how all bottles are good you remove the distinction of each bottle representing a different system or style and you represent it as six unique bottles to represent the principles of, “Theory” and “Physiokinetic” and “Technique” and “Philosophy” and “Self-defense” and finally “Chemical Cocktail.” Each of these bottles transcends any and all human perceptions and distinctions that make for systems and styles over principle based combative systems and the best part of principle based distinctions is it covers a complete system rather than just a focus on techniques based training with just enough physiokinetics to make it look good in the performance of the competitive dance of kata competition, etc.

All bottles are good transcends the original distinction of the obvious and book cover representation of systems or styles such as, “Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu or Isshin-ryu, etc.” This is not meant to degrade or denigrate or dismiss such distinctions but to stretch the mind to consider the deepest meaning and the very essence of such practices and disciplines, going past symbolic representations of descriptive ego based naming conventions. 

All those systems and styles have great value in distinquishing the effort and achievements of the men who created them into long standing models to be shared in a unique tribe like group dynamic driven way. The very fact that such men of distinciton could create is awesome but to allow that to overshadow the core of such disciplines, the principle based discipline, toward an ego boosting way would not be true to the men who created them and to those who would practice and pass down to others those systems and styles.

Passing it down becomes critically important to the system or style history and meaning because to remove such foundational supportive aspects of those same systems tends to degrade the system or style over time as passed form hand to hand. To truly pass down the complete and holistic system or style of a founder is to embrace it from the very seed of its birth to the full spread of its entire roots, base, branches down to each and every leaf on the tree we would name and label as, “Isshinryu, Gojuryu and Uechiryu and so on ad infinitum.” 

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All Bottles

“All Bottles are Good” is a maxim used in Isshinryu as quoted from a group socializing with the Isshinryu founder, Shimabuku Tatsuo. When I saw the following photo from the group, “Steampunk Tendencies,” I said, “All bottles are Truly Good. ;-) “

See my graphic above and fill in the names to the appropriate bottle
as you would see that person-bottle ;-)

Finding Balance in Martial Practices

Caveat: Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.

I practice both “Chi Gong,” and “Tai Chi Chuan.” Both have contributed heavily toward my martial practice. It comes down to “How you practice kata.” There is no one way to use kata. Like the softer practice of shorin kata vs. the harder sanchin like practice of goju kata. It all depends.

You mention kata as a balance exercise, that too depends on what you mean by balance. In a literal sense not but two short years ago I was struck down with a “Vertigo” attack. Man, that vertigo was really bad and it took me another two years to get my balance back (very close to back to the way it was but not totally back). I can tell you that my kata, my tai chi and my chi gong exercise/practice are the only reason I got 99.9% of my balance back.

You see, when such things happen it changes your brain so I had to reboot and reprogram my brain and body to reacquire my physical balance. 

Now, if you are talking about a balance of mind, body and spirit then that discussion needs about a book or two to just get out the fundamentals. When I think of balance I think of how I balance out many different things especially in martial disciplines such as balance out my attitude with the encountering of conflict, violence and violent conflict. You see, in those areas if my balance is heavy toward the pure physical I might prevail while failing, i.e., win the fight but end up in jail and all that entails. 

If you do a little more research you will find that the traditional masters tended to use kata along with the tools of hojo-undo, etc. to build heath, strength and well-being (all balanced). So the answer is “Yes and No” because they all used other disciplines to maintain strong and capable bodies, mind, and spirits. 

Another balance I can think of is the implementation and execution of martial techniques through a balanced, as in proper proportions as dictated by each unique situation in self-defense, application of physiokinetics. Take that a bit further in the striking arts of karate where we tend to train ourselves out of balance for defense with the focus on the strikes, i.e., the use of the fist to hit or be hit. We tend to lean heavily on our fists because that is what we are and were taught. After all, karate is about the empty hand. The balance is skewed even with the empty-handed reference where we forget that the open-hand strikes are actually superior to the closed fist and so on. 

Balance is one of those things where overall if we don’t achieve balance in martial theory, physiokinetic, techniques and philosophy then we skew our application of it in defense and thus in life. In the last forty years or so I have come to believe that the true nature of our existence is to find “Balance.” You know, a bit like “Yin-n-Yang or better Yin-Yang.” 

Kanreki [還暦]

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

The characters/ideograms mean, “60th birthday.” The first character means, “send back; return,” the second character means, “calendar; almanac.” 

The completion of the twelve-year cycle of the zodiac no less than five times. It is that threshold to indicate entering what I call the “Winter Years” or rather a signal of the approach of old age. It is not an excuse mind you but simply a notification of the many changes that have occurred and will continue to occur to your mind, body and spirit. 

From the Encyclopedia of Shinto: “When a person lives to see their sixty-first calendar year, they have lived through the entire sixty-year cycle of the traditional eto (ten stems and twelve branches) calendar and returned to the same "year" and horoscope sign in which they were born.”

In shintoism one who manages to achieve this feat celebrates by receipt of a red cap, a seat cushion, and a vest called the “Chanchanko,” similar to the one they received as a newborn. It is about renewal, a rebirth to one’s birth year sign. 

Note that there are also signs/symbols of greater ages such as, “longevity celebrations for turning "seventy" (koki [古希]), "seventy-seven" (kiju [喜寿]), "eighty" (sanju [傘寿]), "eighty-one" (hanju), "eighty-eight" (beiju [米寿]), "ninety" (sotsuju [卒寿]), "ninety-nine" (hakuju [白寿]), "one-hundred" (jōju), "one hundred and eight" (chaju [茶寿]), and "one hundred and eleven" (kōju).”

Bibliography:

Nobutaka, Inoue. “Kanreki.” 24 February 2007. http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=1040

Clarke, Michael. “Kanreki … time to start over.” 19 May 2015 at 22:55hrs written Saturday, 16 May 2015. http://shinseidokandojo.blogspot.com/2015/05/kanrekitime-to-start-over.html

The Small and The Large

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

“Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things. As if it were a straight road mapped out on the ground, the first book is called the ground book.” - Miyamoto Musashi

The ground holds the foundation, the foundation those things that make for a complete structure capable of standing the test of time. Only in this way can one achieve master over any discipline. The discipline that is mastered leads to the understanding of many disciplines regardless of content. It allows us to see, feel and hear all the myriad things due to the inter-connectedness of Earh, the ground, the support of the foundation of all disciplines. All rely on how the foundation is laid, it must be laid by knowing, understanding and mastering the smallest of things, the biggest of things, the shallowest of things and the depth of things. All things are built on the foundation and the foundation is built on the ground, the Earth. 

Heaven and Earth denote: Heaven signifies night and day, cold and head, times and seasons, hard and soft, waxing and waning and other phenomena.  Earth comprises of distances (maai, etc), danger, security, open ground and narrow passes, the chance of life and death where man stands on the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness. 

Man is the fulcrum of Heave and Earth where heart relates to the ebb and flow of both. Man, humans, are a microcosm of Heaven and Earth, i.e., heart, blood, hardness and softness, balance and unbalance, directions, when and when not to take the opportunity, seeing all things, hearing all things and the ability to adjust and change accordingly. 

Heave and Earth direct and drive all of nature as to balance and equilibrium and by symbiosis govern that of humans internally and externally according the the yin-yang that is the one wholehearted myriad things of the Universe that was born of the singularity called, “The One.” The One is the Way, the Way is the map of life as laid out in the singularity mono-path that is time, time being the straight road that maps out on the ground of time, the path that one follows that is both small and large.

Alls things are driven this way such as the method and discipline that governs martial prowess and mastery. It is in this “Way” that one achieves success, morality, contentment, peace and tranquility in all the myriad things that comprise life’s roads paved in conflict and violence as in nature from pleasant weather to that which lifts the waves of the ocean to such stature of tidal and tsunami proportions. 

The smallest and largest of man: humanity or benevolence; uprightness of mind; self-respect; self-control; proper feelings; wisdom; sincerity or good faith. 

Yin-Yang; Peace-War

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

It has been said as a means to introduce the Art of War by Sun Tzu, “He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.” - Ts’ao Ts’ao

This, I believe, is a statement toward the human need to take one side or the other to extremes whereby those who do are doomed to eventual failure. I liken this statement is a simplistic form for the fighting humans experience on a small scale where one-on-one tend to dominate. We as humans tend to lean toward conflict and violence in every aspect of life, from the mundane and simple to the chaotic and complex. The complex being that which spurs on the need for physical violence of the socially driven status seeking ego building form up to the predatory process and resource extreme damage form.

The quote also speaks to the balance one must achieve to survive whether surviving the every day conflicts and violences of the work world to surviving the infrequent, modern times driven, conflict and violence that takes us all the way up to great bodily harm and even death - accident or deliberate. 

This quotes is to be seen like many other quotes as a Zen Koan like story or statement that one ponders and meditates on to achieve a greater understanding of life’s trials and tribulations. A means in seeking a level of enlightenment that evolves man and mans mind toward a more peaceful way where war, fighting and combatives remains available but is not used except in extremes of necessity. 

In the warrior mind-state this also speaks to those who succumb to the mysteries and gratifications found in violent physical disciplines of action without tempering that with the more peaceful nonviolent counter weights of peaceful thoughts and actions. Relying on the strictly physical manifestation of violence toward “others” leads toward a sickness of the mind that will lead toward extermination. Relying on the strictly non-physical manifestations of non-violence toward “others” leads toward a sickness of the mind that leaves us open to extermination as well. No one way is the only way, all ways are comprised of a balance between its symbiotic parts that make it a whole, its hardness as it blends into softness, yin-yang.

When self-defense martial arts of our modern era are discussed they are thought of as merely sport. As such they leave out those principles necessary to make them a combative form of self-defense, i.e., they focus solely on the peaceful self-improvements toward enlightenment. This form discards human nature in conflict and violence necessary for survival even when not at war. It tries to hide that aspect so that we tend to assume and feel conflict and violence are to be removed like a cancer of the body leaving us to rely solely on peaceful measures for survival - that too results in extermination. 

To achieve a true balance of human existence we must embrace our nature, our nature being violent with levels from mere disagreement to out right violence taking life. This requires a blending of both our natural inclination toward a war like acceptance, belief and proficiency of combatives from the lowest level of verbal to the highest of war like combat resulting in great bodily harm and death all the way to those peaceful like acceptance of our nature, belief in the counter weight of peaceful actions and our proficiency to hold peace dear and foremost in our hearts with the reserve of our warlike nature in extreme necessary circumstances and situations. This gives birth to those principles that create appropriate weights that balance out the scales of life such as the principle of “Theory.” 

Theory, as an open minded way where our experiences, practices and training lead to ideas or systems of ideas that explain life’s experiences so that one can explain, understand and develop ways that make it productive and thereby justifies our actions toward a more socially acceptable way insuring survival. 

This gives birth toward a principle called, “Physiokinetics.” The teaching, training and application of those physical needs regarding human survival. These are about human physical health, well-being (also a contributor toward balance between war and peace like actions and deeds) and fitness so when necessary our minds and bodies can act in survival. 

The next principle that couples with the first two creates an ability that can both avoid and deal with (get-r-done) conflict and violence, “Techniques.” Often thought of as those particular physical manifestations of combat, fighting and defense. In truth they are a combination of both war and peaceful actions be they the awareness to detect potential obstacles and support models up to avoidance when conflict and violence are detected to the extreme of violent defense in the name of survival, peace and the social survivability of the tribe. 

The final principle born of this is “Philosophy.” If we as humans fail to create a form knowledge, experience and reality toward the fundamental of our nature toward survival and existence then we fall prey to one side or the other, war over peace over war with no balance to stabilize such things. 

Equilibrium, the balance that creates and sustains both life and the social tribal existence. All this to keep us within the means of survival, i.e., our natural warlike inclination for survival as well as our need for balance with our need for a peaceful resolution to life’s obstacles both natural and manmade required to survive, evolve and reach enlightenment. 

The Way of the Empty Hand

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.)

The “Way.” The way is not easily defined simply because of the many perspectives and perceptions as to what the way is and what it means to a martial artist. It is still an important distinction when defining the practice and training of a martial system. If you fail to train and practice with a mind-set/mind-state as to the actual goals of that effort it could result in unpleasant repercussions, i.e., say you practice toward this more philosophical way while thinking that since karate is also considered a fighting and self-defense system that what you train and practice will actually work in a physical situation, it won’t. 

Some look to ancient classics to determine what it is that makes a discipline such as karate as “A Way.” The Way, from my perspective and understanding, is about using this extremely physical discipline as a means to derive a philosophical moving meditative oriented effort toward combating personal and spiritual daily life struggles. It is taking a formally combative ancient model and using it to achieve more internal growth. This is where such studies as those applied to understanding the terse karate Zen-koan-like ken-po goku-i where it goes beyond the literal and into a more metaphysical understanding through the difficult and disciplined practice of things like basics, kata and types of kumite/drills. 

It is a combination of a diligent physical practice coupled with a Zen like Buddhist oriented contemplative meditative process where our thoughts toward life experiences create an atmosphere where one can “see, hear and touch” truths toward self-improvement, etc. This is how the gokui is to be supplemented by the spiritual-like study of such classics as the I Ching, the Tao Te Ching and the Analects, etc. 

Through the physical leaning and manifestation of fundamental principles such as those listed as physiokinetic principles promote a physical balance, health and well-being allowing the mind to calm and create present moment type of mental processes where one learns to control the ego, the monkey brain emotional roller coaster ride brain, and reduce actions, thoughts and deeds from a pride stance to a morally, honest and humble perspective. It’s goals are to reach a state of living where one lets go of ego or vanity; becomes more open, balanced, peaceful, receptive. 

The uniqueness of the way of the empty hand, as with other martial endeavors, the structure within a dojo where the teacher, student, leader, follower and other useful roles provide optimum learning and teaching processes. Acceptance of such roles inter-connects with the human need and instinct to gather into groups for survival. It allows the sharing of knowledge and creates a personal and group wisdom that also enhances the Way for the individual. It promotes mutual respect, honor and integrity that often becomes a part of those fundamental principles of martial systems should that system also be used toward defense in conflict and violence. 

The Way works to allow the use of win-lose paradigms as a novice level training tool but the gaol is to reach a level where one achieves a win-win group dynamic where all parties leave with growth, maturity and enlightenment. It helps us achieve a way to penetrate the gossamer covers that allow us to see past those illusory barriers of life and to realize our potential as individual toward our potential in the group dynamic seeing opportunity and to have clear unimpeded vision in all the “myriad things of the Universe.” 

The ability through such endeavors contributes in a mental, visual and tactile sense model a means to focus on the now, the present moment, while discarding or ignoring of the past of regret and the fear of the future. It teaches us to remain in the present moment, the now, so we can achieve actions and deeds that are not hindered by fear, anger, or paralysis (the freeze) regardless of whether it is in normal conflict or the battles of physical attacks.

The repetitive practice of things like kata promote a meditative state induced by the many repetitions of basic movements until they are encoded into what some call, “muscle memory,” or to be at the instinctual levels allowing our lizard brain access in states of need and emergency. Balance in motion promotes a mind-set where balance of mind and spirit contribute toward greater contributions to self, the group and society as a whole. 

The suffix often attached to martial systems, i.e., as karate becomes karate-do, that suffix denotes a way of being, being human person who is in balance with others and the group or tribe. The building blocks used is such classical ways, i.e., kata, hojo undo, drills, etcsl are technical methods that open the path, the way, toward strategic and tactical goals to achieve artistic expressions and when properly applied also lead to combative expressions leading toward a more combative application such as civil self-defense (remember this requires distinctions in practice and training).

The way also through this first level of martial arts, i.e., traditional or classical forms, are the foundation, the blueprints, used to achieve a more personal style and creative ability that is applied to self or toward defense in conflict and violence. 

The health and well-being that is a corner stone of a practice in the Way also achieve such things as flexibility, pliability, gentleness, and harmony necessary for mental health and well-being also necessary for group mental cohesive health and well-being. 

The Way also, outside the actual physical applications toward self-defense, provides a direct physical model that creates an environment of struggle, opposition and challenges of positive stresses of the mind and body that provide positive growth and personal resiliency. 

One through the Way of the Martial Arts when properly applied leads to a personal integrity and harmony that promotes personal growth, peace, and a philosophical basis for living a good and full life. It clears the mind for learning and insight, it creates a social learning contract that has mutual respect and integrity as its foundation. It is this focal spirit that allows the individual to break through life’s obstacles and our internally created barriers to create an open minded socially acceptable human being. 

When one takes up the mantle of practicing toward a “Way” they are, in my personal view, trying to achieve what is described herein. The distinction between this and a combative Way or Warrior Way is the translation of these goals from a primary role to that of an inter-connected wholehearted Way as described in the principles that underly all martial combative fighting system, i.e., principle of theory, physiokinetic, technique and philosophy. When that distinction is consciously implemented in training and practice along with the complete realistic way of self-defense then you have that system. 

This is the Way, the Way of the Empty Hand!

Fair Use

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding.)

Wow, like self-defense I never realized what I thought I knew along with that, “I don’t know what I don’t know” thing I am discovering fast just how much I don’t know in martial arts, self-defense and writing. This post is on writing. Writers already have a good idea on the subject simply because of the title, “Fair Use.”

I made assumptions about how I use materials from the sources I am studying. As I got closer to completing my effort to write a book on martial arts I started to research writing and publishing. Since I do use quotes, etc., from my sources books I realized that at a “minimum” I needed to give them credit but just found out that “may not” be enough. 

Like the self-defense world, the world of writing is chock full of stuff that effects how you write especially when you publish. Note that publishing includes blogging and even FaceBool Wall posts. I will use one quote here for what I perceive is nonprofit educational purposes, i.e., mine and the readers who may want to write themselves. The quote is, “Fair Use is an “affirmative defense — the defendant copier has the burden of proof to show that Fair Use applies. Essentially he says, ‘Yes, I copied the work—but I am allowed to because my copying is Fair Use.’” - Excerpted/quoted from “What Every Writer Ought to Know about Fair Use and Copyright by JOEL FRIEDLANDER on FEBRUARY 8, 2010”

When I read the quote, it reminded me of all the quotes in all the books on self-defense where it is painfully and comprehensively explained that self-defense is an “affirmative defense.” Then upon considering all the ways one can find themselves outside the “Self-defense Square” I then realized that this is the same in the “Fair Use” arena. Granted, there is more and I have not researched it enough yet but it does make for a cautious approach to my writing especially if my book is going to be published for money.  

What I am saying is that my book is going to take a great deal more time in the editing stage. I have used my references to learn and to pass along that learning in an attempt to educate other like minded folks but I NEED to make sure that I am well within the “Fair Use Square (to borrow a bit from Marc MacYoung’s version of SD Square).

My ultimate goal in writing the book may have been altruistic in nature but the fact that it might infringe on my reference/source authors does not sit well with me. I respect and admire their work and do not want to even hint at some infringement even if they don’t really care because all my efforts are toward “getting it right.” It is a slow learning process but that is what I intend. 

The last thing I want to do is break copyright of these most excellent authors but that would include the fair use aspects in writing. I need to study about copyright and fair use then develop a check list to guide me toward creating a book that will, hopefully, provide some guidance to those martial artists out there who, like me, went so long training, practicing and teaching under a cloud of ignorance and misinformation with a strong emphasis toward the self-defense domain. 

Stupid is as stupid does says Forrest Gump and like him, I need to not be stupid and not do stupid. In closing I would like to express the following, “If I have written anything that misuse your materials let me know the post/article with your concerns. I will do one of two things, first I will correct the mistake or, second I will remove the post/article completely. 

Lessons learned: If you have a desire to write regardless of the venue, i.e., magazine articles, blogging, FB entries, books, etc., you really need to learn about writing completely, fully and as comprehensively as possible, i.e., start with copyright law along with fair use law and requirements so you don’t misuse and misrepresent what you write and what your sources “worked so damn hard and diligently to produce.” My mistake here comes under that misquote I use, “You need to learn what it is you don’t know you don’t know and DON’T MAKE ASSumptions!”

Thanks and have a great day!

Note: I immediately went to the Google images page to find a cool looking graphic to associate with this post then I stopped and asked, "Am I using this under a fair use thing? Is it copyright infringement? Do I need to ask permission? Does the use pass the four rules of fair use? Questions, questions, and more questions. I will use avoidance this instance until I acquire more knowledge on this fluid subject. 

Zen-like Quote Koan

“ … I yearn for a world in which competing ideologies are kept in balance, systems of accountability keep us all from getting away with too much, and fewer people believe that righteous ends justify violent means.” - Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind

As I have stated previously I tend to think of quotes as Zen-like koans. The quote alone holds no weight but the contemplation of that quote is of possible considerable weight. It should lead you somewhere, the where being individualize and a destination unique to that individual. Its ongoing contemplation should bring about different meanings that change as the individual changes. It is not a matter of deliberate and unchanged meaning but a way to inspire and achieve greater thoughts leading to a better understanding. 

I came across this particular quote koan while reading the book by Jonathan Haidt, “The Righteous Mind.” My initial impression is that it provides us a different way of thinking about mankind and the differences that are mankind, human diversity. It may not be better or best but it does, for me, leave the windows and doors open to any breeze blowing. 

OR

Maybe it is just bullshit to keep humanity mired in ignorance and stupidity so we can remain dependent on our need for conflict and violence. It allows the nature of humanity to be stuck rather than free with wings to take to the sky in freedom, learning and enlightenment. Then again, maybe not. 

OR

Maybe it does not have meaning outside of the obvious and therefore exists only to enable the stupid and ignorant to keep on doing the stupid and ignorant crap humanity seems to do over and over and over again, never learning and never growing and never changing except in the most rudimentary and simplistic ways that disguise us from truth and reality. Then again, maybe not. 

Regardless, think of this quote as a Zen-like koan and see where it leads. The destination may be a good place, then again, maybe not.