Dentist.

My father was meticulous about his teeth cleaning. Brushing, flossing and monthly check up was norm for him, even ducking between his busy schedule.

He always had time for breakfast and most dinners with family, morning Uchideshi chorei (朝、礼) literally translates to morning / courtesy
and always, always brushing his teeth thoroughly after each meal.

There is a ritual my yoga teacher made us all do call Mauna. It means cleansing for a short period of time, like not speaking. This particular one I practiced a lot was to "clear the mouth". Aside from the removing the food debris, gossiping really tarnishes your mind, starting from the mouth.

When yoga practice commences- all students have washed their hands, feet and their mouths. If possible bathing is preferred. But this shows the importance of cleansing certain areas more so than others.... (o^^o)


I was always amazed by how mindful and dedicated he was to even the
most seemingly ordinary things. I guess as the saying goes, cleanliness is godliness (o^^o).

What is Shoshin?

Helloo~

So I was asked what my thoughts are on the meaning of the word
Shoshin" is. The word itself, 初心 is literally translated to "Beginning" and "Heart".

I have heard people ramble on about humility and being humble etc... etc... but I always feel the heart of Shoshin, Beginner, is that spark you feel in your being. That little twinkle of curiosity and the knowing of not-knowing is what makes us feel like beginners. Of course this leads to being humble- understanding with our heart that we are just a beginner is humbling!

Sosai always had that beginners curiosity and zeal to learn and deepened whatever he set his  mind to. Which made him a student forever. And how glorious it that? To be a teacher as well as a student (^^)/.

What is "stealing".

It not only pertains to material things~~~!



One with integrity (the yogi) literally embodies this "asteya" and as a result receives benefits from all sides wherever they go. Asteya has been included as a Yama in many yogic texts, foremost among them the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Though no definition is given an outcome upon its establishment is offered;
  
     "Asteyapratishthayamsarvaratnopasthanam" (PYS II.37)~ Patanjali Yoga Sutra

     When the yogi has established (in him/herself) the principle of non-theft, all treasures attend upon him/her.

Taking a thing not given by its owner or to which one is not entitled, is "steya" or stealing. To forsake such a thing and not to have even a desire to possess it is "Asteya", according to Swami HariharanandaAranya.

How much of this can we incorporate in Kyokushin? I think wholly!