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Monthly Message: July 2001
Mind Over Matter
Fellow Karate-ka:
The self discipline required in Goju ryu Karate Do is a step by step
process that is acquire over years of training. It starts with the very
first class that the student participates in with the realization that
this traditional martial art is hard on the body physically. One's
endurance must be built up in order to make it possible to do the
rigorous exercises of the standard two hour class. This is the first
battle of the new student's mind in karate training.
Secondly the traditional student must learn proper respect or "reigi" if
they are to be successful in their journey of karate. Knowing who, why,
when, where, and how to practice this etiquette of humility is a
learning process that every student battles with because of the way we
are taught by parents, friends, family, leaders, and the culture in
which the student is raised in. Dojo etiquette must not be strayed from
as respect for all seniors and juniors is always required. Additionally,
the new karate student must realize that humility and respect works and
is required in everyday dealings in life outside of the Dojo.
The third battle of the mind that the karate student encounters is one
of learning basic karate skills. "Basic" punches, blocks, kicks, and
stances must be learned correctly over years of training. "Basics" are
relentlessly drilled over and over every karate class. They appear in
many combinations and a variety of required stances in order to form the
reactions necessary in karate training. These basics are then put
together in the fourth battle of the mind that the student faces.
The fourth battle of course is that of "Kata" training. This is the most
important part of Goju Ryu Karate Do. Kata includes basics learned and
applied in many different ways. Kata is the practice of dancing the form
of fighting many opponents, of learning how to apply and develop the
basics already learned. Kata never changes, but the student's skill
level does and is adjusted with the many techniques and basics within
the kata itself. This is perhaps the toughest mind battle that the
student has. No one can start with full knowledge in kata. Basics must
be honed to perfection over a long period of time. After execution of a
basic black done one way for months, a teacher may move the student to
the next step of the black which may seem to be a change but is actually
the next step in learning the block correctly. This is done with all
techniques and basics throughout karate. All the basics are found in the
kata. Thus, the honing of a student to a razor sharp karate student is
an ongoing continual process that never ends.
The fifth battle of the mind deals with the realization that karate is a
life-long pursuit and only begins with the Shodan level or first degree
black belt. There is no such thing as mastery; only constant training.
The only competition is with one's self and no one else. The true
student of karate, the karate ka, learns this through time, training,
and complete trust in their Sensei. There are no arguments or class
interruptions. There is only emptying of the mind of unessential garbage
in order to fill it up with information that your Sensei passes on to
you.
In summation you must realize that the fight is within you. I know of
very few stories of karate students fighting on the outside of the Dojo
for protection or self defense. These are usually stories of kyu levels
who have not learned the true meaning of karate yet. Karate was
developed to train one's mind, body, and spirit. Notice that the word
"mind" comes first.
This is the way.
Sensei Dave
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