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TO
INFINITY AND BEYOND
When
does it end
In
karate, as in any other endeavour, the answer you get to
a question often depends on how you phrased the question.
Some
questions draw simple answers.
Other
questions do not.
Some
questions may even draw the dreaded answer, "ask me
again in three years".
Which
is the answer your Sensei probably thinks will do you the
most good in the long run, since what it really means is
, "go away, train hard, and after years of proper
practice you will probably find the answer for yourself".
Some
answer it seems never come easy.
Now
the other day in the dojo it so happens that I was asked
a very interesting question. It is a question that in my
opinion, very few students truly know the correct answer
to, the question was, "when does a technique end?"
Many
students, beginners, and seniors alike, often make the
mistake of believing that a technique, for example a
gyaku-zuki, ends once the technique has stopped it's
forward motion.
This,
however, is not correct.
While
it is true that the technique it's self may no longer be
"in motion", there is a term in karate called,
"the continuing mind."
In
essence, this refers to the belief that in karate the
"mind" and the "body" must always be
regarded as "one" and as such, inseparable.
Therefore, it is very important for students to
understand that just because the "body" is
finished with the technique, this does not mean that the
"mind" is finished with the technique.
For
example.
While
the physical action of a gyaku-zuki may have stopped just
short of contact with the target, the "energy"
generated by the unity of the body, mind, and spirit,
although unseen, is still actually moving forward. It is
the "mental visualization" or "conscious
belief" that this still "moving energy"
will ultimately bridge the gap that exists between the
fist and the target, that gives rise to the term "the
continuing mind".
Perhaps
one of the best examples of the concept of "the
continuing mind" takes place in the Japanese art of
Kyudo, or archery.
In
Kyudo, or "the way of the bow", students are
taught that they must first "see" the arrow
hitting the target in their "mind". Once they
have drawn back their arrow, and released their grip on
the bow string, and let the arrow fly towards it's
target, they must continue to maintain a conscious link.
It
is because of their belief that their "mind"
and the "arrow" must still remain as "one"
that students of Kyudo never take their eyes, or their
mind, off of the arrow, but instead they follow the arrow
all the way to the target, all the time remaining
mentally focused on the arrow as if "willing it"
straight and true to its objective.
Thus,
when the arrow finally strikes the target, the arrow
still remains a part of the archer, even though they are
now separated by a great distance.
Do
you understand?
This
is a very important concept to grasp.
The
idea that a karate technique of any kind still has
motion, even though it has ceased moving, is very Zen in
thinking.
This
type of thinking reminds us, that in karate, a student's
"mind set" is critical to the out come of any
action.
In
everyday life it is not uncommon to hear a person say
something like, "I am sorry, my mind wandered for a
moment". In karate, as in life, however, a wandering
mind can often get it's owner into all kinds of problems.
This
is why one of the most commonly stressed aspects of
karate is proper "focus".
A
focused mind should be alert, yet so occupied by the task
at hand that it does not have time to think of anything
else, thus ensuring that the student's goal is more
likely to be achieved.
The
simple fact of the matter is that without good
concentration and good focus on whatever they are doing,
it is very easy for a student to injure themselves, or
their training partner, and since you are always
responsible for the health of your partner, or your
opponent, a clear and properly focused mind is very
important at all times.
So
train hard, pay attention to the little things, and never
forget, that just because your technique has stopped,
that does not mean that it has ended.
After
all a continuing mind knows no limit.
Remember
Without
the mind and the body working in
perfect
harmony, proper technique is not possible.
Part
the clouds - see the way.
"The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
of
the human spirit through physical and mental training."
Sensei
Peter Lindsay, Go Dan, (FSKA)
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