Guiding A Student's Mental Development
From White Belt to Shodan & Applying Zen Principles into Karate & Life
By Nicholas Lukich, 3rd Dan Shito-Ryu & Jason Armstrong, Ph.D. and
5th Dan
The aim of this article is to explain the process of guiding students through the ranks,
from White Belt (10th Kyu) up to Black belt (Shodan) in the context of Zen principles.
It will touch on the relationship of developing the mind through Karate Do achieve
the best outcomes both inside as well as outside the dojo in life.
A brief introduction to the Zen & the ox herding pictures:
Zen - "What it is cannot be spoken of, and that which can be spoken of is not
it". One cannot understand Zen by simply discussing it or even reading about it.
Zen is an art of self-discovery and awakening which the disciple must experience
first hand. Knowing this, the ancient masters devised a way to explain Zen using
ox-herding pictograms, which represent ten stages of self-discovery and the pathway to
enlightenment. The interpretation of each of the pictures only becomes apparent once a
student has passed the stage which the picture represents. All students are unique
and may require more time at any given stage. Ultimately, there are many possible
paths up the mountain to obtain enlightenment, or "satori," - martial arts is
just one such path. In the true spirit of Zen, the pictures attempt to explain what
cannot be explained.
The ox represents the mind or the self, ego, or pre-conditioned responses. The ox
herder is the practitioner attempting to understand his or her nature and, therefore, his
or her mind. Throughout the series these two entities slowly merge together until
they eventually become one with each other.
In order to overcome others, one must first learn to overcome their inner self. To
the student studying the "Way" (Do) this means overcoming one's own weaknesses.
When guiding a student, it is important to convey to them that Karate is not a
battle with an opponent, Karate is a battle with the self (the ox). Karate is
a battle with one's own physical, spiritual and mental weaknesses. Contemporary Zen
Master Deshimaru points out that the true link between Zen and the martial arts lies in
the fact that both can lead us to the spirit of the way: Because any conflict,
whether it takes place within the body and mind, or outside them, is always a battle
against the self.
When guiding a student up to Shodan it is essential to understand how the student relates
to the path, and how much nurturing or pushing they need to achieve their full potential.
All individuals are different, and this needs to be carefully taken into account.
Guiding a 22 year old male is quite different than guiding a 15 year old female.
The first stage in traditional karate is that of the beginner student, white and yellow
belt (10th-9th). This can be viewed to signify the first Zen ox-herding picture.
In the picture you see the boy wandering the land in search of the ox (himself).
'In the pastures of the world, I endlessly push aside the tall grasses in search of
the ox. Following unnamed rivers lost upon the interpenetrating mountains, my
strength failing and my vitality exhausted. I cannot find the ox...'
The student has now entered onto the path of Do to seek enlightenment, and understand the
self. A quest that was driven by the fact that there is something missing
internally, a void that manifests a need for physical and/or mental development. As
a starting point in one's training where there is much insecurity and doubt. It is
important to guide each student without putting too much emphasis on the technical aspects
of training (of course the basics are required). Kata must be the foundation of
karate training as it allows one to share ancient knowledge, which the greatest karate-ka
of the past and present used to study the Way. At first coordination of different
stances, limbs, hands, and even fingers are all confusing to beginners. It is
important not to be overly serious or hard at this stage, as it will drive students away.
The beginner spirit must be nurtured and reassured that what they are doing is
good. Etiquette, Patience, Respect, Repetition and focus of s!
trength and spirit fused into technique is a key element in guiding students to the
next rank.
The next stage of development for the student is that of the period 8th -5th kyu. At
this stage the student should have around 6-12 months of diligent training. This
stage can be represented by the ox herder discovering the footprints of the ox. For
the student, this is only the tip of the iceberg in self-discovery. This is a
period of great faith, doubt and determination. Fighting (kumite) has begun, and the
rigors of training and mental pressure have heightened, pushing the student beyond what
they thought was achievable. Fluidity and clarity should now start to be present in
technique, and kata should start to feel as the foundation of all karate and fighting/self
defense. At this point, the student understands what karate has to offer, however
training in class is viewed as something separate from everyday life. Karate is only
viewed as "my karate practice time", and integration of karate outside the dojo
has rarely been applied at this stage.
Preparation For Shodan
A next stage in Japanese karate, depending on which style, is 4th -1st kyu. At this
point the student now approaches most activities in life the same way karate is
approached, and a realization has been reach through outside dojo occurrences that what is
learnt from karate is beneficial in everyday life. This stage is synonymous of the
ox herder seeing or perceiving the ox. This glimpse allows students to better
understand themselves, and where they are headed. For the student it is a true break
through point where they glimpse their true nature, and karate is no longer something they
just do a couple times per week. Study of the Way requires the attitude of a
"beginner's mind". At brown belt much of karate has become habit. To grow
further and push technical and mental limitations it is important the student maintains a
"beginner's mind" i.e. openness to new ideas and willingness to be unbiased by
previously held understandings.
Preparation for black belt is a period of mental development. At the end of this period
the student's spirit of determination will be at levels above that of average people. The
changes in mindset will push the student's physical karate ability to black belt. Mental
and physical development must go hand in hand.
As a karate-ka strives for black belt they must attain a new understanding and attitude
towards kata. The chosen kata must begin to feel like it is a true expression of oneself,
presenting all inner and outer attributes. Therefore, when kata is performed the presence
of ki demands the attention of onlookers. Kata and Bunkai application must be
perfected and explored. Patience, diligent training and self-analysis are what are
needed to move up to the next rank. The period from brown to black belt should be as
long, if not longer, than all other stages combined before advancing to Shodan.
SHODAN - Ox Herding Picture 4, "I seize him with a terrific struggle,' this is
referring to the ego.
The rank of Shodan is merely the beginning of training for the advanced karate-ka.
This represents the ox herder catching the ox and fighting to control it. The
struggle with the self is a continuous battle and the student must always have a noose or
nose ring, controlling the ox in case it becomes wayward. Only after one reaches
Shodan, do they realize how much they do not know. It is at this stage that training
consistently and diligently is crucial to consolidate the rank as well as to continue
growth. It is now that the teaching role begins and the Shodan becomes a model for
all karate-ka. A new path of learning through teaching students is discovered
which ultimately helps the student to grow in new ways.
A Shodan should have experience with tournaments and interactions with other karate-ka.
Training with the same 20 students in a dojo is detrimental to growth.
Fighting and competing with karate-ka one has never met will challenge and push the
growth of the Shodan. However, it must be kept in mind that participating in
tournaments and sport karate is not the true essence of the art. Finding a balance
between learning and trying new things and keeping the art traditional is key.
Additionally, a Shodan should have the ability to combine the hard and soft
techniques to karate, as well as life outside the dojo. Learning when to be firm in
a situation, and learning when to go with the flow is a great asset to have when dealing
diplomatically with seniors, subordinates, co-workers, and people in life. This
diversity of hard and soft in addition to round and linear techniques must be explored in
technique thoroughly as everyone's body is different and it acts as analogy to t!
he above life behaviors. In Zen this concept is often described by comparing the oak
tree and the willow. The oak is known for it's strength, size and longevity.
The willow is known for it's soft, flowing flexibility. In a ferocious storm
the strong oak tree will resist the winds up to a breaking point where it will finally
snap. In contrast, the willow in the same storm will simply flow with the wind and
force, and because of its flexibility, will survive the wrath of the storm. It shows
strength through a different mechanism.
Karate and Zen
Karate can be considered as 'moving Zen' and should always be looked at in such a way that
fosters self-growth and discovery.
The integration of Zen into one's life and work is something that takes much discipline a
lifetime to master. A resource which may help to understand
this process is available at Applied Zen, an organization that teaches the translation of
Martial Arts Strategy and Zen to work and career growth.
http://www.appliedzen.com/index.asp?Sec_ID=190
www.AppliedZen.com
It is important for Dan ranks to read about and experience Zen to further their
development and understanding. Translating lessons from Zen and Karate and applying
their strategies to all of one's life is the ultimate test. For what good is
knowledge and wisdom if it is never employed in situations other than the dojo or
zendo?
Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved.
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