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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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