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Monthly Message: October 2002
Fellow Karate-ka:
Focus (concentration) is of the utmost importance in your training and
achievements in the martial arts. I will discuss different levels of
focus in this message.
It is important to remember that we as students and teachers are
constantly learning new techniques and new ways to build on the
techniques that we already know. In learning these techniques we find
our first level of "focus". This level is the conscience level of
thinking through and repeating what you have been shown or told to do so
your body can copy the new technique. Our bodies need to learn to do the
movements of the new technique and our minds must understand these
movements in order to execute it. We then constantly practice the new
technique over and over until our body and mind pulls the technique up
willingly without much thought. I like to think of this just like
learning a new kata. At first the new moves may be strange and feel very
awkward to you but after much practice the kata starts to improve and
flow better because you have practiced the techniques of the kata over
and over. To look at it another way; think of the first kata you learned
and how strange and awkward you felt doing it. Then think of how much
easier it was to learn your third kata. Our bodies and minds understood
the moves that we had consciously worked on and they came easier to us.
This brings us to our next level of "focus".
Distraction is the number one cause of failing tests and of not learning
new techniques in a timely manner. If you have to perform in front of
your Sensei alone or any other group of people watching you, what is
your state of mind? Are you thinking of people watching you? Are you
wondering how many mistakes you'll make? How about how bad you'll look
in front of everyone? Does someone entering the dojo while you are in
the middle of class cause you to look at them? If these things happen to
you then you have a distraction problem and it needs serious work. At
this level of "focus" you must put yourself only at the task at hand.
The most important thing for you to do is to relax and become engrossed
in the techniques/kata that you are presently doing. This is a higher
level of focusing and requires LOTS of trial and error. Since there is
no such thing as perfection and human beings are not perfect, we must
continually strive to do better and not be too hard on ourselves when we
lose concentration. This does not mean to take a carefree attitude
towards developing this type of "focus", it simply means not to get so
upset at yourself for making mistakes and yet be serious about not
making them. This is also and ongoing process through our martial arts
training.
The highest level of "focus" is fudoshin. This loosely translates into
the "immovable mind". Our minds are the most powerful tool that God has
given us. We can do anything if our mind is on it. Our minds are also
our worst enemy and can stop us cold in our training and progressing in
the martial arts.
You must learn that the concept of "fudoshin" is that your visualization
and focus cannot be distracted or agitated and you will always be
victorious in battle and in life. This is the ultimate goal of your
"focus". To obtain this level of becoming the kata or technique that you
are doing is pure focus or "fudoshin". When you can execute your
techniques in the purity of there meaning by blending your mind, body,
and spirit without any anger, fear and self-consciousness then you've
reached the level of "fudoshin".
Focus is a goal best achieved through constantly using the three levels
of focus described through your karate training. There is no achieving
the fudoshin without first traveling through the other two levels of
"focus". Each technique can reach the level of fudoshin but all
techniques must be developed one at a time. This is but one reason why
there is no such thing as mastering karate. Work on your "focus".
This is the way.
Sensei Dave
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