Spirit Training

From Masters Magazine

   From the exploits of masters like Myamoto Musashi, Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, to Gichin Funakoshi and the like, the events surrounding these great legends seem to contradict the laws of science and modern rationality. To obsession, they trained their minds and bodies to develop an indomitable spirit and technical abilities to unbelievable levels.

   Karate “spirit training” is not about mystical, smoke and mirrors trickery; it is well grounded in reality. The mind is the major generator of healthy vigor, an enthusiastic disposition, and it is the vehicle of conscious and subconsciously directed energies. This potentially powerful segment of karate training is sometimes neglected; and under the trained eye, something is clearly missing. By contrast, someone who has trained to cultivate both a strong mental spirit and high levels of technical skill can be a very dangerous person. And, when opponents are of equal physical strength and skill, the one who is mentally stronger will win. The differences are strikingly obvious.

   Serious karate training may involve the formation of a “karate life style”. As you train, new paradigms of thinking are gradually formed. Correct karate training is developing and honing a wide spectrum of mental skills and attitudes, both conscious and subconscious; it constitutes some comprehensive and positive character building. At the same time, dramatically effective fighting techniques are sharpened. These, first glance, may seem contradictory, as many things in karate often do. For example; while Funakoshi taught that without a spirit of “peace, there is no true karate,” he also taught that we must train to accumulate powerful karate skills that we would make even “wild beasts tremble!”

   “Spirit training” covers a lot of ground, but no one ever said that karate was supposed to be easy. We often speak of having “fighting spirit” for competition, self-defense, or in combat; when lives are on the line. And when we attend quality training clinics, the more advanced will maintain the humility of a “beginners mind” while grappling with new ways of improving and applying techniques. We feel a “spirit of harmony” as we train with like-minded people and make new friends. These might at times seem highly contradictory. Can you really have an explosive high-spirited, even vicious looking match, and seconds later be a cool, calm, and friendly person? We would say, “of course!” This may not make sense to the new student, but they soon learn that contrasts are inherent in karate. It is the necessary balance to develop the character of the karate student, while reaching high levels of technical ability.

   Webster’s defines “spirit” as a “life-giving force,” or the “animating” stimulant that directs your actions. In terms karate spirit training, “spirit” can be the mindset or disposition you have when you are suddenly attacked; as a bad guy tries to do you in. Karate training is extremely multifaceted; you are learning to focus, magnify, and apply your mental skills, while transitioning explosively and fluidly through your technique. Karate is more than just punching and kicking, it also strengthens your character and integrity; it gives you strength to keep your compass pointed in a positive direction as you face life’s speed bumps.

   Observe and model your own karate spirit after the life-force a tiny green plant that against all odds, grows stubbornly up through the smallest unforgiving crack in rock-hard concrete. And be amazed on any mountain hiking trail, at a small twisted pine tree, rooted stubbornly to a cliff of solid granite; admire its tenacity.

   Karate is far more valuable than just preparing to fight. With correct and comprehensive karate training, we avoid crisis if possible; we strive to calmly and successfully cope with sometimes daunting challenges. Authentic karate “spirit training” is preparing to be a stronger, better human being. New patterns of thinking and behavior emerge through directed mental training and reflection, and from countless experiences on the dojo floor. Our martial art technique is the engine; spirit training is the motivating, driving force: the raging fire in the furnace. Through the beauty of sincere and dedicated karate training, the human being is changed forever.

Rick L. Brewer,

Chief Instructor, Central Illinois Shotokan Karate,

CENTRAL STATES SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO

Regular Columnist, “Karate Insight”, MASTERS MAGAZINE

Spirit Training

From Masters Magazine

Karate, as well as other traditional martial arts, clearly builds a personal arsenal of physical skills designed to create deadly force. With proper instruction and serious traditional karate training you can also stimulate your intellect, acquire an ability to control emotions, improve your integrity and the quality of your character. You successfully animate your own “life forces” at will; spirit training.

Karate is not easy; nobody said it would be. The masters were insistent in stressing that being a good karate student means far more than the just being the big dog on the block. As Funakoshi said, karate is a never-ending process, and “there are no limits.”

For example: There is the spirit that is explosive and highly physically animated in karate technique, and there is the spirit that is calm, contemplative, and educated. We are required to learn to move freely around from each appropriately using control; benefiting from the wide range of mental and physical skills. In the literature, training is to attain a mentally balanced, intelligent, karate spirit, with strong technical skills and enthusiasm for making the most of life.

As far back as Sun Tzu, non-violent mental strength and ingenuity is valued higher than violence and conflict. He is famous for stressing that defeating even one hundred enemies without fighting is supreme. His principles have been historically valued and quoted often throughout traditional martial arts. In Shotokan as many other styles of karate, the proper karate spirit, the very comprehensive karate spirit can be traced through the written “Dojo Kun” (the dojo codes of ethics and behavior) as far back as the 1700s (and probably further) to Sakugawa; a diplomat and body guard for the Okinawa royal family. A student of Sakagura, Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, in the 1800s, was head of security and chief body guard to the king(s) for 50 years. As minister of the royal family he had to be extremely intelligent, courteous, and a master of proper etiquette while performing his duties, at least in his “day job.” He was, at the same time, one of the most respected and feared fighters in Okinawa. Among others, he mentored and taught Yasutsune Itosu and Yasutsune Azato, who are famous in Shotokan as Funakoshi’s instructors. Matsumura wrote his own precepts of proper behavior for his karate students and countless others who can still peruse them today.

Funakoshi was amazingly prolific writing and teaching the “proper karate spirit” for his students and generations to come around the world. Not only did he stress daily training in karate technique, but he was adamant that karateka have a quality mind. He stressed humility, courtesy, gentleness, self-composure, education, courage, health, well-being and much more. Violence was something to be avoided if at all possible. But as a karate student, don’t be overwhelmed by the challenges. Embrace them. Funakoshi’s karate “spirit training” process was always a work in progress that meant long-term accumulated skill sets. Remember that he said, “There are no limits.” He meant karate as a gift for all ages, men, women, and children, to reach out to realize their true potentials and to be highly productive people.

The concept of “karate spirit training,” that is, the virtuous, gentle, modest, being, with the depth of character that also includes the strength and skills to make “wild beasts tremble,” is often emulated and validated in modern times in places you might least expect. Think of the popular early 1900’s President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt whose popular slogan was “Speak softly and carry a big stick!” If you are familiar with US history, behind the statesmanship and warm popularity of this leader, his “big stick” was the full might of his country’s war machine.

We are so very fortunate to have had an outstanding wealth of karate masters who have been instructive in shaping the correct karate spirit through strong and passionate teaching, inspiring statements, and colorful reflections of their own experiences. This past century they have inspired millions of students world-wide. We have been able to train under first generation of incredible instructors who trained directly under Master Funakoshi and his peers. We owe it to this wealth of dedicated energy, knowledge, and instruction, to persevere in the traditions of training in the karate spirit.