HIS Karate-Do

We often think of rules as restrictive or confining, but rules can also provide us with freedom. Rules provide for us a canvas which is limited by its size, but unlimited in how we may fill it. Kata provides us with this same canvas to express ourselves within its confines. At the very basic level, we do this technique, this many times, and in this way. However, no karateka is exactly the same. Therefore, we express movement differently due to interpretation, application and physical capabilities. The true expression of kata comes after endless (not mindless) repetition and effort. A technique becomes “your” technique. A kata becomes “your” expression. It’s not that I have reached this ideal, but I just wanted to share some thoughts on kata that will hopefully help you with your journey.

I was around 4 or 5 years old when I first heard my dad say the word, “horizon”. When they explained to me what that meant, I asked, “You mean that straight line that’s the farthest I can see?” After my dad confirmed that was correct, I followed up with, “If I had super-strong binoculars, could I see the mainland?” My dad replied, “No.” I then asked, “Why?”, and so would begin the usual question after question session, ultimately followed by silence, because by then, dad had other, more important, things to do. That’s one of the first things in life that I can remember so perplexed me, because my child logic made me so sure that the only limit to what I could see on the horizon, was the magnifying power of my eyes. This was before I learned about the curvature of the earth and that the most powerful telescope wouldn’t allow me to see more than 10-20 miles (depending upon how high a vantage point I was at) due to the “dropping away” of the earth as the distance increased. Anyways, I was talking to my friend John the other day, about his “obsession” with running every [...]

Wow, a new year… 2007 is already here! I think it’s an appropriate time to come up with a prayer request list of what I’d really hope for every member for this new year: —I pray for good health for each member this year…that you might continue to have the physical giftings that allow you to enjoy the fellowship, vibrant exercise, and fellowship of a good workout amongst your fellow karateka. —I pray that you might overcome the inevitable frustrations, interruptions, and distractions that come in life, to be able to invest a portion of your week to learning and sharing the way/path of karate-do with others. —I pray that we never take for granted, the blessings and opportunity of having such a wonderful place in which to conduct the ministry sessions, as well as the nice group of folks who have been called to our group. —I pray that each of us might have the discernment and patience to learn the unique lessons of life, or universal principles that can be gleaned from meaningful practice. —I pray that each of you approach the practice of karate-do in a balanced way: 1) that you seek self-improvement through all of the [...]