Enduring Spirit Forum

First, do no harm

It is the essential foundation of medicine for a doctor, and, I feel, instructive to a matial artist, as well.

When a surgeon contemplates cutting into the body to relieve an ill, there is much examination that must first be done, how much less the martial artist, when confronting an illness in society?  From the description, I deduce that the party is somewhere between the checkout counter and the door.  There is no lack of observers to the incident, of which I am only one.  Would this incident be best resolved with, or without my involvement?

One possible resolution is this:  I ask the participants if they have seen my own child, small, about so high, passing their way.  The existance of the child is not so important, but the opportunity for the participants involved in the altercation to think of someone else besides themselves is.  Not a cure to the diseases of society, but a spot treatment of the symptoms, perhaps.

     In Kyokushin every question is answered with osu. Every greeting is Osu. Every instruction or question in class, is answered by "Osu" instead of "yes" or "I understand". When performing kihon waza (basic techniques) in class, each technique is often accompanied with a loud "Osu". When practicing jiyu kumite (free fighting) in class and your opponent lands a good, hard technique, you say "Osu" to acknowledge your opponent's skill. As a measure of respect, knockdown fighters at a tournament bow and say "Osu" to the front, to the referee and to each other, before and after the fight.

     Osu is a combination of the words: Oshi which means "Push", and Shinobu whihch means "to Endure". It means patience, determination, appreciation, respect and perseverance.

     Kyokushin training is very demanding. You push yourself until you think you've reached your limit. First your body wants to stop, but your mind keeps pushing you. Then your mind wants to stop, but your spirit keeps you going. You endure the pain. You persevere. That is Osu.

     Kyokushin karate is not learned overnight. It takes years to properly learn the fundamentals. The basic techniques are performed thousands of times (ren ma – "always polishing") until they are done by reflex or instinct, without conscious thought (mushin – "no mind"). It's easy to get frustrated by doing the same thing over and over again, especially when progress seems to be slow. To overcome that frustration and continue training takes patience and determination. That is Osu.

     The ultimate devotion needed to live Kyokushin's way is Osu.

     The spirit of Osu as described by Shihan Cameron Quinn of Australia in his book The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama:

     "There is a saying in Japan, "Ishi no ue ni sannen." Translated, it means "Three years on a rock." This saying symbolizes the need to persevere at all times. It is one of the most important philosophies in Kyokushin karate.

     Kyokushin is an art offering many things according to the immediate and long term aims of the trainee. Ultimately, one realizes that transcending the kicks, the punches, and the kata, there is a special spirit in the heart of the participants. It teaches them to face the demands of daily life with a mature and enduring attitude. A budo-ka is not easily shaken by the blows of adversity, realizing that for a person to draw near to their true potential, a never-say-die spirit of perseverance is required.

     This strength of character develops in hard training and is known as osu no seishin (the spirit of Osu). The word Osu comes from oshi shinobu, which means "to persevere whilst being pushed". It implies a willingness to push oneself to the limits of endurance, to persevere under any kind of pressure.

     The single word Osu captures most accurately the ultimate in what the art of karate, particularly Kyokushin, has to offer. One who is truly able to manifest the spirit of Osu in every word, thought, and action may be regarded as wise and brave. Training should first and foremost be approached in the spirit of Osu. One's daily life, and the responsibilities it holds, would be more completely lived if addressed in the spirit of Osu.

     Even for the beginner, who is conscious of his lack of training and does not necessarily want to face the demand of training, it is enough merely being aware that through perseverance and the will to continue, there comes great physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional gains. All that is needed is that special determination."

I have lost many people in my life. Each time that occurs I am forced to face my own mortality. It causes me to understand that life is short. You never know which moment will be your last. Will this be my last Christmas with my family, or my last Thursday? I try each day to tell those I love that I love them. I try to remind myself that each choice I make, and each word I speak may be the last words I speak or last action I take toward someone. I have been on the recieving end of the last words I heard from someone I love were ugly or harsh. I remember those words often, and although I know he didnt mean them....They were the last. I do not want that to be the legacy I leave with one I love.

So, just as I contemplate my own mortality and how it touches me. I must see how it touches those I love, or those who love me.

Treasure each moment!

Sometimes staying on the path can be very difficult. I have found it is helpful when you surround yourself with others who desire to stay on the path as well. We can encourage, support, and hold one another accountable.

One of the things I have learned about this path over the years is this: Sometimes just being ON the path has to be enough for the moment. We cannot always expect to be moving forward on the path. Sometimes we sprint down the path, other times we walk at a leisurly pace. Then there are times when we have to simply stand still and fight ourself just to remain on the path.

The path is the journey, and I walk on!

Don't do something permanently stupid just because you are temporarily upset.
 
You cannot allow your emotions to control your actions. Doing so will lead you into doing many things which have permanent consequences. It is not wise to take an action that carries with it permanent consequences, simply because you are angry, jealous, hurt, or prideful.
 
Always think rationally before you act. Control your emotions instead of allowing your emotions to control you. Think about all the possible consequences BEFORE you take action, then you are able to make a wise, sensible decision. Rash actions lead to unwanted consequences. Bohdi Sanders ~ http://www.facebook.com/The.Warrior.Lifestyle