The lines
of the ken-po goku-i are set from an atomistic aspect simply because it is the
manner in which the brain learns. Its nature is completely holistic and like,
the I Ching, must be in a form that promotes learning and understanding so a
person can see, hear and grasp the nature of a holistic system. The goku-i is a
method to teach us how to be holistic. Its terseness is the best way to convey
its holistic meaning.
KOAN-ZEN
The Americans, in the beginning,
were first presented with the ken-po goku-i. The presentation was in the form
of a silk certificate with the "goku-i" written in Japanese
characters (note that Japanese characters are based chiefly on those
assimilated from Chinese characters). The English translation, approximate, was
presented alongside since most 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 goku-i 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, to find an individual perception and meaning.
The nine lines of the goku-i are
a Zen Koan for the martial arts. It is a sagely saying 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, are perplexing, critical and
concise, somewhat poetic but also a commentary on martial systems.
Again, like a Zen Koan, responses
to the goku-i 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 goku-i but to look for a state of mind as expressed with
each study and finding for the goku-i. There are no traditional answers as will
be seen throughout this book. The goku-i is meant to provide a means to display
the evidence of the system working by what is grasped by the individual each
moment 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 goku-i is finding a qualified teacher who can judge the
depth and breadth of attainment. The goku-i is a dynamic system to seeking an
answer to the goku-i. 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!
TERSE NINE LINES
The nine
lines are terse and of such a nature that a lot of crossover begins when
attempting to put a meaning on any one line. As I write this book I find that
it is convoluted and that seems to be the nature of a holistic tome (karate
koan). As I explain perspectives of each line you will recognize that it bleeds
into other lines, parts of lines and other esoteric and holistic rhythms. This
is unavoidable and a part of moving from atomistic to holistic.
It is
important that the atomistic, the physical teachings of martial systems, be
maintained but drawn into and applied in a holistic fashion ergo the goku-i's
main function: to provide equilibrium to martial systems whereby we learn an
atomistic physical aspect, then supplement it with the holistic, through the
teachings of the goku-i for a wholehearted system that becomes oscillistic, a
functional holistic-atomistic system.
Be aware of
the crossover: learn from the blending of the lines and achieve the oscillistic
practice of martial systems. This is the effort and result this book is meant
to achieve. It is fluid; it is ever changing and it is not meant to be linear
in its path. A single path must branch off into multiple paths that cross over,
blend and then move on as threads intertwine to make up a rope: strong,
flexible and holistic.
The
teachings of the goku-i: a gardener must reach down into the soil to cultivate,
feed and protect the individual plants, bushes and flowers. A master gardener
will fail if they do not step back and take a complete view of the entire
garden. If the focus is so tight that they miss the infestations, the weeds,
and the various animals, they miss the opportunity to protect the garden in
order to smell and admire the entire space. A master gardener knows the
particulars of their craft and has achieved a level of knowledge and experience
that allows for the particulars, such as planting a seed, to overseeing and
protecting all of the gardens plants, bushes and flowers; to achieve, to blend
into a holistic approach to gardening.
The goku-i
is a recipe for martial systems. It provides the important ingredients and then
helps us mix them into a lovely frosted cake for our enjoyment.
One last
point: the nine lines provide an impression of ideologies that are like the
nine chapters in this book. There are nine places that present certain
perspectives and nine lines that remain fixed, but they should be treated as
different each time one experiences them. The perspectives hopefully provide
the reader with a fundamental sense of this concept. It is this doorway that leads
to the end result. The results are different each time, each moment and only
for that present moment.
There is
little I can do to help anyone achieve the rhythm and synchrony that is
inherent in traditional Asian systems but hopefully this book will open the
door and the mind, to allow outside-the-box ideas to enter our culture and our
way.
HEAVEN AND EARTH; SUN AND MOON
The I-Ching refers to the four
significant symbols - Heaven, Earth, Sun, and Moon, where the same references are
made in the Ken-po Goku-i.
In the I-Ching Qian, stands for
Heaven, Kun for Earth, Li for Sun, and Kan for moon. Heaven is also used to
symbolize "emptiness."
Besides Heaven and Earth, Sun and
Moon were the two most important symbols to the ancient Chinese. The sun and
moon up in the sky were the first two natural objects they noticed that display
the principle of yin and yang.
The Sun was a source of heat and
light, or most yang, or the hottest, the brightest. The moon itself had neither
heat nor light; its light was merely the reflection of the sun, or most yin, or
the coldest, the darkest. The waxing and waning of the moon derived the
principle of change and also that of the continuity of change.
Heaven, Earth, Sun and Moon were
the four deities that the ancient Chinese revered the most. Heaven and Earth,
respectively, represent the pure yang and the pure yin (note: In the Looking Glass God by Stiskin,
heaven and earth are symbolic of the ultimate polarity of the created world).
Sun and Moon represent yin within yang, and yang within yin, respectively. The
ancients named these four gua as the symbols of the four cardinal directions -
Qian for south, Kun for north, Li for east, and Kan for west.
If we read the words of the goku-i
we see the connectedness to this belief system in regards to the references
toward direction: hard and soft in extremes as well as the middle ground of
hard and soft.
WHY PROLOGUE - PERSPECTIVES
"People
have habitual ways of thinking, ways that they continue to use because they
have seemed successful in the past." - Richard J. Heuer. This must be
avoided to achieve understanding of this book, this ken-po goku-i.
Why a prologue
when you have an introduction? I decided that the prologue would provide some
important information regarding the natural human traits that would not only
govern how one perceives this book but to provide said information that may
lead a reader to "open the mind" and allow this to prompt possible
change to your beliefs with regard to the practice of martial systems.
This book
is not about belief - yours, mine or anyone's. It is about the possibilities
that one can gleam from a generic tome to a path in martial practice. It is a
collection meant to promote thought. Not my thoughts, yours.
It is not
about assumptions or expectations. It is about change of all kinds beginning
with a simple discipline that can and does build on a "whole system."
First, it
must be understood that humans have limitations. It is the effort of this
prologue to provide the reader with some of the human limitations that may or
may not affect how the goku-i is perceived, interpreted, and accepted or
rejected as to its premise.
All beliefs
are derived from individual perceptive processes. They are shaped by personal
relationships, societal influences, and educational and spiritual pursuits.
Once a
belief is accepted or established, humans tend to challenge any belief outside
theirs and will tend to invalidate them even when they see, hear and grasp
contradictory evidence. Know this; you will tend to take what is provided; if
it goes against your grain, you will want to dismiss or disparage it. If you feel
this, stop and take a moment. The intent here is to provide a point to consider
with an open mind and without personalization or perception of forced change.
Know that
what you may feel is simply human survival instincts. These instincts will tell
you that this is an effort to change those beliefs. It says you will use what
would be a propensity to reject any and all things that refute or cause you
pause in your current belief systems, especially regarding martial arts.
Know this hesitancy
is simply human nature; perfectly natural. It is not a matter of the world out
there or the world we hold within; it is about knowledge and the possibility of
change for the better.
Neurologically
speaking, our brains are programmed at a seemingly DNA level to hold prejudice
as a part of our nature. It then has a propensity to reject any belief that is
not in accord with ones own view, perceptions and beliefs.
I wish you
to understand before you begin that human nature speaks to us saying that it
does not matter what the facts are, for if they don't support a personal belief,
they are dismissed. No matter what we feel, see, hear, think or do, it is all
processed by our individual brains and thus builds our reality within, not out
there in the real world.
In this, one
needs to understand that every person has an innate need to build moral,
spiritual, and scientifically-based beliefs that we use to explain our
Universe. It is what I perceive from the scientific studies as a fundamental,
essential component of the brain.
Beware of how
our brains work; it can make the difference as you read this book.
ASSUMPTIONS - PERSPECTIVE
It is also
worth remembering that human assumptions are seldom accurate but they reduce
through belief our fear and impart certain values that help us achieve group
cohesion, which means survival. It is worth remembering that each person has
the biological ability to stop detrimental or derogatory beliefs and generate
new, more positive ones in this process - this is important to remember.
New ideas,
as I propose in this book can assist the open minded into change that literally
alters brain circuitry and, by that change, the way we behave and what we
believe - to our betterment.
Knowing the
brain's propensity to resist change opens us to the ability to change, but in
an accepted and conscious manner. This is the hope I have for this book.
GET IT FAST - PERSPECTIVE
It is my
hope to circumvent the natural tendency to want quick, efficient solutions that
require little effort, they don't exist. There are no quick, efficient
solutions to any truly beneficial process.
EXTRAS
We have a
propensity to believe that other people's values are misguided.
Prejudice
seems to be rooted in human nature. The human brain has a propensity to reject
any belief that is not in accord with our own.
New ideas
can change the neural paths in the brain. They can change what we believe and
thus our behavior - the goal of the goku-i.
We will automatically
assume we hear truth when it appeals to our desires and fantasies.
We have a
human propensity for effortless, quick and efficient solutions to our goals and
strategies.
We are born
with a natural tendency to trust what others say, but cannot take the time
necessary to question every single piece of information our senses send to our
brains.
Anger,
bitterness, contempt, hostility and depression are serious compromising
emotions detrimental to health and well-being.
RHYTHMS - PERSPECTIVE
There is a
rhythmic frequency/wave in all things. 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 that are also a rhythm. We find that those
rhythms in Nature, Earth and humans is once again connected by threads that are
frequencies/waves/energies that are either in 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 humans is a type of organization and that equates to
our human behavior. The goku-i is one method to re-introduce us to natural time
over industrial time.
Research
results in this area tell us, initially, that the self is deeply ingrained into
and part of, rhythmic synchronic processes. Processes such as the person's
heart and the blood circulation symbolize the energy of life that is naturally
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 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 rhythm. This
rhythm/personality is unique to each human/person. The tenant of martial
practice, both classical/traditional with Zen influences, to achieve balance of
self and find the human rhythms that originate from our center, "hara",
or the center of self. We have to have balance and 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.
CONFUCIUS
Confucius
taught that human survival is dependent on social order. It is by the creation
and support to the clan, tribe, society that we survive. When humans gather
together and create a unified social system this strengthens the individual,
one, into a whole of many, still one, that is greater than the sum of all its
parts, building a strong whole that gives security, protection and human social
connectivity.
The goku-i
teaches the martial artist, through the direct influences of the physical. The
mental and physical, the spiritual, crates a stronger whole resulting in a
wholehearted effort that carries over to society, the group or the dojo for a
stronger foundation giving the practitioner and the dojo strength, security and
cohesiveness.
Confucius
taught that this is achieved by knowledge through people's efforts to become
educated. The mind leads the body and in reciprocity the body, through physical
effort, teaches the mind. This process teaches flexibility. The need and
ability to change. The mind is flexible, as is the body, as is the spirit,
allowing change to bring about the one wholehearted human experience promoting
life, serenity and enlightenment.
The martial
system, in tandem with the goku-i, is the yang-yin whereby individuals learn
the lessons of nature, the Universe, to achieve a greater, stronger and more
secure whole. That is how life began and how life will continue.
