June 22, 2018

"Edge of the back foot straight!!" Sensei yelled from the hall before he even entered the dojo. It was actually sort of humorous that he knew our mistakes before even seeing us that evening. Everything in the beginning was about creating perfect structure. I'm sure many can relate to the relationship we all had with the shinai in those days. Then in 2000 I met a teacher who said, "Rick! No more form!" It was troubling to a degree, I must admit — sort of like letting go of the dock. It was at that moment, however, that my karate connected with something much deeper, or maybe the word "intimate" is better. It was as if I went from being a noun to a verb. Karate became more about a relationship I was having with the occurrence of life than about creating a picture. In the alchemy of that paradigm was my unique individuality. Yes, like any relationship, you could call it "chemistry." Another thing seemed to change. I began to feel my practice was alive — a sort of celebration, a type of testimony of my life. My technique got softer, more continuous, and intention driven, all characteristics of a type of connection with the moment. It was as if every day something was changing, sort of the way life changes from day to day. I traded an element of constraint with a dynamism that was free to evolve with an ever-changing internal dialogue. I have learned that this is a quality that should be encouraged - at least on a personal level in my own practice.

I love Funakoshi Sensei's adoption of 5th Dan as the highest grade. It speaks volumes. At that level, no two individuals’ karate can truly be compared, because at that point it is uniquely you. After four or five decades of practice, is there any relative comparison to be made? Find the beauty of your karate, be hungry for that authenticity, honor that quality in another, and live in the connection and celebration of the moment.

Karate, life - it is all the same.

Is there any better way?