Focusing on the Goals not the Results Changes Everything!

I apologize for the length of time between posts. This Summer vacation has been particularly busy. In this post I would like to share with you something I experienced during this time.

 

I continue to learn so much from my experiences here in Japan, but now I am learning from people I never imagined I would when I first moved here in 2001. My 6 year old daughter continues to inspire, and amaze me (Pictured to the Left). Later in this post I will tell you something that she said that helped me put things into perspective.

 

One of the things I have been busy with this Year and in particularly this Summer has been preparing for the Chito-Ryu National Championships which was held on August 23rd in Kikuchi, Japan.

I began this year as many people do, by setting a new goal to pursue. Karate-do is a big part of my life and my involvement with the Ryu-ha and Bukatsudo keeps me very busy, but these past few years I have not had a personal goal to strive for. Therefore, I decided at the beginning of this year to compete in this tournament. Not to win, or beat anyone, or even prove myself to anyone, just to compete. These are perhaps the top three reasons why people compete in the beginning of a tournament career, but as we get older and gain more experience, inevitably, our reasons for competing change. This decision to compete was a very personal one and I considered my intentions to be pure and well placed. I simply wanted to live each day leading up to the tournament with purpose and in so doing get in better shape. Since I train everyday with the high school team I decided to focus on conditioning by running 3 kilometres as regularly as I could and spend more time stretching. As usual sometimes life got in the way and I had meetings that cut into my training time or I had to go and pick up the kids from daycare, but I was able to run almost every day, 3 days a week at the least. I felt my body change and the stretching after the run helped to reduce injury while training with the high school team. One thing I didn't do this time was focus on speed training in the last Month leading up to the competition. I will correct next time.

Now to the comment my daughter made while driving home from the Dojo the day before the competition. She asked me "what will change if I win and what will change if I loose?" This made me think. And the answer that I came up with made me laugh because the answer was obviously "nothing." Which I said to her. She then asked me to lose so that I could come home early to play with her in the park. This short conversation helped me to put things into perspective and brought a level of clarity to my training that had not been there previously. I had always felt like I needed to prove something to everyone when I competed, but really the only person I needed to prove anything to was myself. This time, with a different perspective I was able to do much better and learn a lot more. Nothing really changes with the win or the loss in the tournament itself, but rather with how we process that experience and deal with it. This time I knew that nothing would really change in my life either way; my children would still love and respect me for the man I am, my students would still be able to learn from me because I teach from my heart and I would grow as a result of the experience in a positive way because that is how I choose to process it. This lifted the pressure and burden from having to win and freed me from all the stress that comes with it.

The day of the competition I did not focus on winning at all, rather I put all of my attention toward warming up properly and giving the best performance I could give. my self talk was positive and I had confidence in my preparation knowing that all those days when I felt sore and tired but still ran the 3 K would pay off. 

I competed in individual Kata and individual Kumite -75kg (Above is a photo of Kata competition). In Chito-Ryu competing in both Kata and Kumite puts the athlete in the running for the grand champion, 総合優勝 Sougo Yusho in Japanese. I had been so focused on this when I was competing in the past that it clouded my perspective and negatively influenced my performance. This time I had no expectations of winning at 37 years of age and after a 5 year absence from competition I somewhat expected to loose early and go home to play in the park with my daughter. The results however, were far better than I had expected. By taking my focus off winning or beating anyone I was able to internalize better and focus on what I needed to do to prepare and perform. Even though I was not completely content with my performance the results were a 1st place finish in Kata and a 3rd place finish in Kumite giving me the best overall record among the individual male competitors and the grand championship.

(14th All Japan Chito-Ryu Champioships Male and female Grand Champions)

The Basics of Karate-do Are Not Limited to Physical Techniques

I apologize for the length of time between posts. At the beginning of this Month, while in the middle of preparing for a number of projects that I currently have on the go, my computer broke down. To make a long story short, the hard drive needed to be replaced. This means that I lost some of the files that I didn't get backed up in time and I am going to need to start some things all over again, from scratch. This reminded me of getting back to the basics in our training. 'Speed bumps' and 'hick ups', Come when you least expect them and unlike the speed bumps on the road there are rarely warning signs to help you prepare yourself for them.

It seems that no matter how hard we train we can never seem be able to completely prepare for these setbacks. I am sure you will agree that they never seem to come at the times we think they should. However, when we look back, most of us say that they came when they were needed and, as a result, had a positive impact on our training. Or at the very least, took us in a new direction we would have otherwise never gone in. I hope the same will be true in this case as well. That is to say that I hope this small set-back will help me to be able to see new possibilities with regards to the projects that I am involved in now and my preparations can move forward in new and better directions that they may have otherwise never gone in. I am beginning to think more and more that perspective is the key.

(Karate-do Written in Kanji by the Author, 2015)

冷静と集中 (Rei-sei and Shu-chu)

Introduction

冷静と集中 Rei-sei and Shu-chu. These are words you will begin to hear more and more often, the longer you are around Japanese practitioners of karate-do and Japanese athletes in general. You may hear them during everyday training sessions and most definitely, you will hear them during competitions, often being yelled by the coach and other athletes as advice during the match. In this post I would like to discuss the meaning and importance of these terms in our karate-do training. Personally, I feel that these terms are not limited to competition, although they are necessary for achieving high level performance. Achieving a state of rei-sei can therefore, be very beneficial to our training and in our daily lives. Furthermore, I believe these terms are closely related to and can help us to better understand such terms as 残心 Zanshin and 無心 Mushin and the metaphorical use of the term 崩す Kuzusu; to breakdown or destroy in the context of mental attitude.

 

集中力

Let's start with the more commonly used term, 集中 Shu-chu. As I said in the introduction, you will often hear this being shouted at athletic meets in Japan no matter the level of competition or the age of the competitors. This term means to concentrate or, as in the case of training and competition, paying attention to the details. When we train, we must train with purpose 目的 Moku-teki; we must have goals 目標 Moku-hyo, that set the course of our training to take us in the direction we want to go. I am sure that you are all already aware of this and set appropriate goals for yourself and your students. The problem with achieving the goals set often lies with motivation levels. How do we stay motivated to train everyday and strive for something which doesn't seem to get any closer no matter how hard we work? How do we rise above the confusion especially in the heat of battle? The answer may lay in the term Shu-chu or rather our level of shu-chu ryoku. By adding the kanji for power 力 Chikara, Riki or Ryoku we can see that our successes in training and in life are often a direct result of our ability to notice and take care of the finer points, the small stuff, the details. So how can we build up our shu-chu ryoku? There are some techniques that have been practiced in Japan for generations one of which involves a candle and time.

 

The challenge is to sit and gaze into the light of the candle without moving until the candle burns out. It is said that the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi often practiced this form of concentration building exercise. This exercise is not very dramatic and may seem easy to do, but I know what you are thinking, in today's fast paced world who has the time to sit and watch a candle burn? However, when we think about the time spent in front of the T.V. or the computer it would seem that we could easily make the time. So I challenge all those who wish to strengthen their concentration to light a candle and watch it burn until it goes out. You can start small and work your way up like weight training. Start with a birthday candle and then move up to a slightly bigger one and then a bigger one and your concentration is sure to increase, or so they say.

 

Like with 座禅 Za-zen, Seated Meditation, in the beginning our mind is running wild, unable to settle and relax. This is the same in the candle exercise, but the longer we practice the more control we can attain. Soon you should be able to settle your mind more quickly and eventually achieve a state of relaxation and mental clarity. Finally, it is said that you will be able to increase your levels of concentration while staying relaxed but focused even without the candle. But, in the words of Levar Burton, "you don't have to take my word for it." Give it a try and see for yourself.

 

冷静

The next level of this state of relaxed, alert concentration may be referred to as a state of Rei-sei. This is the ability to keep one's cool; Cool Judgement or a Calm Attitude. In the case of competition, this is one of the most important things needed to win. Athletes in this state can pull out the win no matter what the circumstances may be. They come from behind and find a way. They make the key play in the clinch and don't lose composure over the course of the match. Some may call this state "being in the Zone" or in a state of "flow." I have seen many times, athletes crack under pressure. In fact, I have been the athlete that cracked under pressure. I have also seen some athletes who never loose their cool and maintain this state of rei-sei throughout the competition. Using the analogy of the flame again, this time think of the temperature of the flame. What is the colour of a flame burning hot?

 

 

守破離 (Shu Ha Ri)

A blog such as this, inevitably must deal with the topic of 守破離 Shu Ha Ri because it is a very important concept which is deeply rooted in the Japanese society and the martial arts. In this post, I would like to share with you my views on this sometimes controversial subject.

 (Shu Ha Ri written by the Author, 2014)

 

Let's begin by taking a look at each of the kanji in the aims of accurately describing the phases or stages in the process of  growth known as "Shu Ha Ri."

 

Alternate Readings of the Kanji and Interpretations  

守 Shu (守るMamoru) refers to 'protecting' the way as it has been passed down through the generations. We do this by doing what we are told regardless of whether we are able to recognize if it is right or wrong, at this stage we must simply following orders.

破 Ha (破るYaburu) refers to the stage where one can begin to think on their own. It is possible, at this stage, to begin to develop personal interpretations of the traditions and in so doing 'break away from' the tradition and begin developing one's own way of doing things.

離 Ri  (離れるHanareru) refers to 'distancing' oneself from the traditional way. At this stage one begins to do things their "own way."

This concept of growth was first presented by Fuhaku Kawakami Sensei and later became an important concept in the philosophy of Aikido. The following is a definition of the process given by Endo Seishiro. Aikido master Endō Seishirō shihan stated:

"It is known that, when we learn or train in something, we pass through the stages of shu, ha, and ri. These stages are explained as follows. In shu, we repeat the forms and discipline ourselves so that our bodies absorb the forms that our forebears created. We remain faithful to these forms with no deviation. Next, in the stage of ha, once we have disciplined ourselves to acquire the forms and movements, we make innovations. In this process the forms may be broken and discarded. Finally, in ri, we completely depart from the forms, open the door to creative technique, and arrive in a place where we act in accordance with what our heart/mind desires, unhindered while not overstepping laws."^[1]

 (Quote taken from Wikipedia)

Shu Ha Ri as a Healthy Process of Growth

I feel that the best illustration of this process of growth can be seen in the family unit, although it can also be found in many other facets of our lives. This process can be related to growing from childhood to adulthood in the following ways: It is common knowledge that a new born baby is totally dependant on their parents or care givers. Every child begins their life dependent on the care and guidance of their family. As they grow they begin to develop their own ideas and beliefs, some may even rebel, challenge authority and disagree with rules based on values different than their own, but it is the values, ideals, philosophies, and actions of their parents and other family members early in their lives that deeply affect and help to form their beliefs. This is described in Bronfenbrenner's Eco systemic Approaches to Child Development (1979, 1989) where the "closest level to the child, socialisation within the micro-system is influenced by those who are emotionally and practically closest to the individual" including parents, care givers, and immediate family members. Eventually the child, after growing to adulthood, must move out and live their lives according to the beliefs that they value which have formed over many years as they grew within the family unit. In short they adapt these beliefs to make them their own. Finally, they create their own family and base the values that they will pass on to their children from those they have learnt and adapted along the way.

Homeward Bound (Part 3)

(Our New Home in Kikuyo Town, Japan, 2015)

 

And now that the house is built and we are ready to make our move, we find out that there are a number of superstitions regarding moving in Japan. Some of these are related to 風水 Fu-sui, Feng-shui; "a philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment."

風水
Apart from any mystical implications, Feng Shui may be simply understood as a traditional test of architectural goodness using a collection of metaphors. The test may be static or a simulation. Simulations may involve moving an imaginary person or organic creature, such as a dragon of a certain size and flexibility, through a floor plan to uncover awkward turns and cramped spaces before actual construction. This is entirely analogous to imagining how a wheelchair might pass through a building, and is a plausible exercise for architects, who are expected to have exceptional spatial visualization talents. A static test might try to measure comfort in architecture through a ‘hills and valleys’ metaphor. The big hill at your back is a metaphor for security, the open valley and stream represents air and light, and the circle of low hills in front represents both invitation to visitors and your control of your immediate environment. The various Feng Shui tenets represent a set of metaphors that suggest architectural qualities that the average human finds comfortable. (Wikipedia, 2015) 

Traditional Japanese Calendar 

other superstitions are related to the Japanese calendar which includes lucky and unlucky days to perform such things as moving into a new house or apartment and getting married. Below is an outline of the Japanese calendar adapted from wikipedia

 

English - Common Japanese - Traditional Japanese

January - 1月 Ichigatsu -  睦月Mutuski, Month of Affection

February - 2月 Nigatsu -  衣更着 Kinusaragi, Changing Clothes

March - 3月 Sangatsu -  弥生 Yayoi, New Life

April - 4月 Shigatsu -  卯月 Uzuki, the Month of the Utsugi flower

May - 5月 Gogatsu - 早苗月 Sanaetsuki, the Month of early rice planting

June - 6月 Rokugatsu - 水無月 Minazuki, the Month of Water

July - 7月 Shichigatsu - 文月 Fumizuki, the Month of Literature

August - 8月 Hachigatsu - 葉月 Hazuki, the Month of Leaves

September - 9月 Kugatsu - 長月 Nagatsuki, the Long Month

October - 10月 Jugatsu - 神無月 Kaminazuki, the Month of the gods

November - 11月 Juichigatsu - 霜月 Shimotsuki, the Month of Frost

December - 12月 Junigatsu - 師走 Shiwasu, Running Priests

 

As we can see from the traditional Japanese names for the Months of the Year, there was a very strong tie to nature and the shinto religion. Within the Japanese calendar, which is based on the Chinese calendar, there are series of lucky and unlucky days known as 六曜 Rokuyo or 六輝 Rokki because they are calculated in a series of six days. It is said that they can predict good and bad fortune according to these days and even today people plan their weddings and funerals around the Rokuyo.

 

(Calendar showing the Rokuyo written in black below the date)