Dec 24, 2012

Merry Christmas.... (And it's message in Kyokushin term).

Hi Everyone,

I still can't believe how quickly a year flies by.

We want to thank people who wish to remain anonymous but has continually supported me personally and Honbu.  You all have been struggling with your own definition of what truth is and I really appreciate that you  shared them with us, aside from being in separate organizations. That we had the chance to speak, the emails sent to us and as we wrote to you individually, it truly educated us and made us even more aware what is abundant and what is lacking in Kyokushin-Kai  today.

Thank you for embracing us  while we visit you overseas. I know some had bad experience in the past and it is hard to separate the "sloppy information" or gossip shall I say, to what actually really is.

Thank you for sharing with us all your love and dedication to Kyokushin Karate. Sosai always, always, always, had tremendous sense of gratitude that people trained his Karate, all over the world.

Sometimes, he would sit in his office late at night, just gazing at the 「極真」Kyokushin World Map . He said it was hard to believe that his karate extended beyond, ethnicity, religion and into so many countries!!!! He sometimes chuckled how some belittle him and said he was insane for wanting to publish an English version of his karate text book, thru a publisher in New York City! He said it only took a few who believed in him and most importantly, he believed in himself.

Today I want to share a little about (asteya) non- stealing.


When my father's idea of karate was hardly accepted or acknowledged (after he won the first all japan karate championship in Kyoto after WW2) he did what yogi's refer to as "non-stealing" . (Asteya, non-stealing, is one of the moral codes we practice along with the physical postures).
He educated and learned and self- taught himself by choosing a perfect teacher, Musashi Miyamoto as well living masters of karate and other budo.

He made himself competent by training, learning and self- inquiring. He made his own method and
system of karate and how the class ran within an hour and a half of training. He named it Kyokushin Karate and referred it as the society of "Ultimate Truth" on his Dogi or uniform. He trained his students, picked one's he felt was dedicated enough to share his teachings and expanded with hopes of his karate helping the individuals as well as people around them. He made many mistakes along the way and each time he fell, he brushed off the dust and moved on. He became so competent to handle his teachings that eventually, the word Kyokushin became synonymous with being the
strongest karate. Actually, that was the slogan of his movies based on Kyokushin and it's evolution.
His work exceeded the norm of success and became a brand.

Today, people use the brand but not all are competent. When any teaching is handled wrongly it leaves a ripple effect of negativity with the students. It scars them, scares them and inhibits their growth. Some prostitute the naming, the teaching worse is some do it intentionally. That is their incompetence that is hurting the essence, devaluing what Sosai and his original students had dedicated their life to.

My father's belief is so strong that even after his departure from this world, he is still leaving a strong message and influence.

Let's pray from this Christmas onwards to have his guidance so we may become competent as he
wishleads us to be.

Let's  represent his karate in a way that uplifts everyone, for that is what his karate stood for. (Not for selling and buying dans and shopping from group to group. Thank you ) .




Dec 19, 2012

Thank you.

In case I don't get to come back here and wish you all a very Merry Christmas, please let me wish you all Happy Holidays.

"A hundred times a day,

I remind myself that my inner and outer life
Depend on the labor of other people,

Living and dead,

And that I must exert myself
In order to give in the full measure I have received
And I am still receiving."

Albert Einstein.


Thank you so much for supporting Honbu. Even personally, I have been touched by so many
gracious gestures.

Have a great rest of the year!

Blessings,

K

Dec 15, 2012

Two Promises.

Hi guys,

Just sharing some thought here....

During my annual yoga conference and semiar where the instructors are being "re-evaluated" so to speak by senior teachers, I was given these wonderful advice.

1) DO NOT EXPECT FROM YOUR DAILY PRACTICE. Whatever we do, start each practice as the first and last practice, with no expectation. My teacher said, don't think oh, I did this better yesterday, or oh I am more flexible or  stiff today etc. Our mind is like a drunken monkey he said. lol. Needs lots of training to keep it still.

2) DO NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR YOUR PRACTICE. Don't think oh "I " did this and "I " did that.

What the hell is "I " anyway??? he said. Which was funny in a serious sort of way, because it was very true!


Have a great training or practice today!!!!

Om, Osu




Dec 13, 2012

Bloom.


"AND THEN THE DAY CAME
WHEN THE RISK TO REMAIN TIGHT IN A BUD
WAS GREATER THAN THE RISK IT TOOK
TO BLOOM."- Anais Nin

I came across this quote while I was visiting the States this year at a small shop downtown NY. I thought it was so sweet and it resonated a little with where we were heading, I felt, as an organization. I don't really like to say organization because often it is misunderstood as it being binding. It actually is not. Just like learning any art, musical instrument, yoga postures etc, we all learn the disciplinary side first. Without the discipline, there would be no real and true interpretation that you can express. It will bring chaos and confusion with out it. I feel very fortunate now to witness people rising from the chaos, which they originally had no control over, and embracing the responsibilities to benefit the whole. 

Interestingly my husband left for NY this morning. The up and coming Branch chief, Raul Dueno organized the trip for Kancho Suzuki. Raul, who has been training a long time and who has watched the birth of Kyokushin karate in New York is taking a step forward showing love of Sosai's Kyokushin Karate. It still astonishes me to this day, to witness how pervasive and influential my father was. It really touches my heart.

Nov 29, 2012

An end of a beginning. A beginning of an end.

This year was crazy!

Getting officially married to Suzuki after 17 some years is for one. The ups and downs we shared as family and building , protetcing Kyokushin was always our singular focus.

It was especially challenging when people who have no idea what is going on spread their opinion as if it is truth or blatantly lies about us.

But this also showed us that their take on other's are just as prone to delusional and flailing opinion... Lol.

So I learned to let it slide by. It was also great because it gave people the chance to once again speak to us in person.

It also taught us a great lesson. This whole process gave us the chance to know who we truly are and how we are utterly dedicated to Sosai 's Kyokushin, whether it is by our own choice or not.

I feel time is changing now in Kyokushin. The whole atmosphere is moving towards some form of "conformity". Being fake can only get people so far when something more deep, solid and truthful starts to arise.

Not all is  receptive to this change understandably, as this may not serve their own goal. But taking a step back and re-examining how the work is shifting, I think Sosai is directing it in the way he sees fit.

When things fall apart, there is only but one way- to go back up again, stemming from the same foundation.

I don't know why but I just feel it in the air.