Becoming a Karate-Ka
By: Isaac J. Patient
The Zen
symbol above is known as the Enso. A
Japanese word meaning “Circle,” the Enso is not a character but a symbol. It is
simplistic in nature; and yet, it embodies a moment in which the mind freely
allows the body and spirit to create.
There is a belief among Zen Buddhists that the drawing of this extremely
difficult “simple” design will “Fully reveal the character of the artist
drawing the Enso.” The same can be said
for your karate training.
When the
Enso is painted with an opening in the circle it can express that the Enso is
not separate, but a part of something greater. Again, this is something that
can be said of your karate training.
Your
karate training will contain many cycles and phases - which makes the Enso a
very good image to have in mind as we discuss the stages.
First we should
define what a Karate-ka (Kara Tay Kah
) is:
The Term Karate-ka, as it appears
in Kanji, would represent “A person who studies karate”. However, there should, for the sake of this
article, be a distinction between a casual practitioner of karate, and a
Karate-Ka.
A Karate-Ka here will be defined
as: Someone who contains an internal desire to push themselves beyond their
mental, physical and spiritual boundaries; someone who has the self-discipline
to push themselves by attending class and training at the dojo/home even when (especially
when) the mood does not strike them. They are people whose self-control allows
them to tune their bodies without the constant need for justification in the
ring, those who to some extent are willing to face fear over and over. A Karate-Ka willfully forfeits their egos in
an effort to fortify their spirit and resolve.
Below
is an example of a dojo kun. Each ryu (style)
may have their own version with different verbiage. Many Dojo Kun’s (Training Hall Rules) contain the same
message. These outline expected behavior and attitudes.
“The Five Precepts of a Karate-Ka”
1. Constantly observe courtesy,
etiquette and respect. (Morality)2. Cultivate a strong body, a gentle heart and a focused mind. (Peace)
3. Develop sound and prudent judgment. (Common Sense)
4. Endeavor to train with patience and humility. (Development)
5. Never forget the spirit of first beginnings. (Dedication)
This
leads us to the Dispositions of Training:
These
temperaments are likely to affect us all at some point; although, each person’s
interpretation may vary from what is outlined in this piece. These dispositions, or temperaments, may be
experienced in any order. It is safe to say that within your first year of
training most people will have gone through each segment at least once and,
most likely, in the order they appear below. As we make our way up the
mountain, these “plateaus” will continue to affect us. There is no set time frame or order in which these
will take place. To add an analogy: It’s like reading a book, you will get
through chapters much quicker by taking fewer breaks; and much like the “choose
your own adventure” novels we read as a kid, you determine your path in Karate.
Your teacher is but a guide and it falls to the practitioner (student) to
determine the rate and consistency in which you progress. The shortfall to this
analogy is that unlike a book, Karate-Do, or any Budo for that matter, doesn’t
have a “last page”. For many practitioners, of any rank, these periods can
easily become hurdles. Regardless of the reason we began training, or why we
continue to do so, it is important for us all, Sensei and student alike, to be
conscious of these stages. It can be easy to be overcome by any one of these
phases: especially when they are accompanied with a drastic change such as
getting married, death of a loved one, getting a new job, moving, or getting
laid off, etc. It, at this point, is easy to begin self-justifying and
bargaining with ourselves psychologically, reducing the initial importance we
placed on our training. The first thing
to remember is we must always make time for our training inside and outside of
the dojo. It is important, however, that this be done in a manner which
combines and flows within our life. It should never be disruptive or intrusive.
At times it may even be necessary for us to temporarily interrupt our training
because of life’s demands. In this situation, the key is to not allow life to
irrevocably replace the time and space for your training in your day or your
mind.
We have all had moments in our
lives when we just didn’t want to go to work, get out of bed on a cold morning,
do the dishes etc. In the end, the task was completed. I bring this up because the
feelings that these moments illicit will have a common theme within the main
subject of this article. It is important to have that idea as I discuss with
you the following.
They
list below is a very simplistic categorization. Human emotion and thinking is
extremely complex. However, this should suffice as a guide to help us identify
and react, acknowledge and overcome these phases of maturity in our journey up
the mountain. Again, there is no time limit to any of these dispositions, nor any
specific order in which you will experience them. The point is, it is important
to not be conquered by them.
Stage 1: The Beginner’s Spirit.
In
this stage everything seems new and fresh. We are excited, ready and willing.
We are an empty tea cup waiting for knowledge.
We practice; we train; we ask questions.
Ø This stage is the beginning of
the circle; it is a very important stage in your training. You must never
forget the feelings and spirit of this stage, as prescribed in the Precepts of
Karate-ka.
Stage 2: The Advanced Beginner.
In
this stage you have made some progression into your training; your commitment
grows and you are willing to commit even further to your training. This stage
is tricky: some practitioners over commit in this phase, and get burnt out.
Ø I have seen many students enter this phase and over commit physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially. It is very important to pace yourself. Set bench marks to help you keep a steady pace. Remember, if you are committed to becoming a Karate-ka then, this is a lifelong study, there is no hurry.
Stage 3: Stagnation and Frustration
In
this stage things seem to be going too slow. You feel like you’re not making
progress and/or that you’re not as good as you thought. You may begin thinking
that it is just harder than you thought it would be and/or it’s just not as
exciting as you would have hoped.
Ø In this stage you must be diligent to not be taken in by a de-motivational process which can push us into stage 4. With enough moxie we can move into stage 5. This stage can be very valuable: I have seen many students take a stronger hold of their progression in this stage. The initiative to study, train, and progress can be a very nice outlet for the frustration of this period.
Stage 4: Confrontation.
In
this stage you begin to question yourself. Losing confidence in yourself, you
will start rationalizing every reason to discontinue training. You find
yourself bored with the repetitious nature. You depreciate all your previous
idea and excitement about training. You mitigate the benefits. Your Ego begins
to self-sabotage. You ask yourself questions like: “How is karate going to help me put food on the table” or “ It’s not like you’re ever going to master this” or “It’s not like you can become rich and/or
famous doing this” It is common for people who enter this stage of training
to abandon their journey. It is easy to avoid this stage but much harder to
escape it should you find yourself in it
Ø This stage is precarious and should be avoided. However, if you find yourself in this stage you must make a serious choice. It is important to remember why you started karate in the first place. Remember that spirit of first beginning.
Stage 5: Mini-Enlightenment.
In
this stage you have made it through one or all of the previous stages and ended
up here. This is where you realize
everything is as it should be and you reaffirm your desire to train. In this
stage we are completing the circle. In this stage you come to the realization
that you are just a beginner no matter what rank, and so of course you should
be frustrated at times. You begin to regain your motivation and have a more
clear perspective of why you continue to train. This excitement seems new and
fresh.
Ø A good example of this stage is recalling yourself from 3 years ago. Back then you had it all figured out, right? We often look back on ourselves with a sort of affectionate sympathy. We have learned much since then. We still have much to learn, but if we only knew what we know now, back then.
This
is the cyclical nature of maturity in Karate-Do, and you may find yourself in one
of these moments at one point or another. What makes a Karate-ka, is someone
who has the stamina and perseverance to withstand these phases over and over. A
Karate-Ka confronts the constant challenges and seeks to perfect themselves,
and never gives up.
Traditional
Budo is not for everyone. It takes a
certain kind of person to stick with it long term. It is long hours of literal
blood, sweat and tears. It takes a
person who through the strain of long hours of training and stressing their
muscles to the point of exhaustion, to the point when you don’t think, you just
do. It takes a person who willingly brings themself to the point of fatigue.
That training causes the mind to clear and brings an understanding of who they
are, what they really want, and what they’re willing to do to attain it. A
Karate-Ka is not satisfied with this brief glimpse of their true nature; they
are a person who seeks to return to this point repeatedly. In that brief moment,
minute changes can be made to your character: perfecting the self, seeking
perfect “form”.
**Special thanks to those who proof read and contributed**
Seo,
Audrey Yoshiko; Loori, John Daido (2009). Ensō:
Zen Circles of Enlightenment. Weatherhill. ISBN 1-59030-608-2.
“Code of the Karate-Ka: David Krieger Sensei:
1. I will train faithfully to
strengthen my mind and body.2. I am willing to endure rigorous training to achieve my goal.
3. As my strength increases I shall seek to cultivate a gentle heart.
4. I will not use my skill outside the dojo except in the most extreme circumstances.
5. At all times I will try to avoid inflicting injury upon another person
6. I will not brag about my skill nor will I use it maliciously
7. I will train with the spirit of humility
“Go Do Shin” (Fivefold path): Seito
Shito-Ryu, Kenwa Mabuni:
1. Never
Forget the Spirit of First Beginnings2. Never Neglect Courtesy and Etiquette
3. Never Lose Common Sense
4. Never Disturb Harmony
5. Never Neglect Effort
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