Seishin OR the antithesis of going through the motions
Following a recent grading, I had a conversation with a fellow yudansha about observations from the grading. I had been somewhat harsh following the grading by noting that the quality of the grading had deteriorated from previous efforts. I urged and laid at their feet that the level and quality of techniques, training, effort must improve. Quite simply, what I saw was people doing techniques – which is what we want them to do – but what seemed to be missing overall was that little thing called seishin (精神).
Seishin, roughly translated could mean spirit, drive or essence. Some showed decent form but not much spirit. Some simply recited the kata in the same way one may read a menu, thus no heart and not much effort at all. Others, there was power, but power is still not spirit. It is an elusive quality, but one that I would describe as the very essence of Okinawan karate. One polishes their technique and their being at the same time. It is commitment to training, commitment to one’s art and commitment to oneself in the art all in one - without reservation. And certainly without hesitation.
Now, some, including my students, may balk and be angry at the insinuation of them not putting in the time. So I submit the following as a reference or a guide:
- When and how much have you sacrificed for the sake of training.
- When did you commit to training your mind and body to karate outside of the dojo.
- What have you done to expand your knowledge or understanding of the physical, cultural and ethical aspects of your art.
- How often do you think about what you are doing in a technique, why you are doing it and how you are doing it – in place of simply ‘doing the technique.’
- Is your emphasis on power or proper execution of the technique in kata.
- When did you miss a class and what was the reason for missing that class.
- How do you apply what you learn from class to further your existing base and knowledge and training.
- How do you seek to improve your techniques and execution of same, within or outside of kata, outside of class.
- Have you ever ‘given up’ on a technique or an application or an aspect of class.
All of these things require a commitment of time and energy outside of class. The answer to these questions provide a good base for understanding where you may be in the achievement of spirit. It is what distinguishes someone who does karate from someone has committed to their art.
Let me ask you the following questions: Are you uncomfortable in training? Do your muscles hurt? Does staying in a stance cause you more than a little discomfort but no long lasting pain or injury, but you do it anyway? Without complaining? Without thinking? Do you find yourself losing steam during class or do you see how much you can burn off in a seemingly empty tank? Is your focus on making each technique better or are you convinced that your techniques are great the way they are? These, too, help you understand whether you study karate or whether you are a karateka.
Trust me, if you think that was the best technique and you cannot improve, you are still a million miles from where you need to be. In fact, if that statement is true, you are moving the wrong way from where you need to be to achieve your goal. You need to feel inadequate. Awkward. Uncomfortable. But you also cannot dwell on it.
So let me put it even sharper: seishin is what separates a good karateka from a serious karateka.
Yes, I said it.
You may be good technically; not everyone can replicate and internalize the mechanics of techniques smoothly. Or you may be talented and gifted athletically – traits that lend themselves well to your technique. But, that does not make you a serious karateka.
In fact, if any of this makes you want to quit karate right now, then I have proven my point. The serious karateka won’t waver. They will dig deeper. They may even double down.
Kicking and punching is one thing. And you can get really good at kicking and punching. But, at some point, you need to spend some time reflecting on who you are as a karateka. You need to be able to see yourself as an extension of your karate. It is akin to this scene in that most classic of Okinawan karate movies.
So, while it is not bad to simply be a karate student, you must also accept that you are missing out on some of the most important aspects of your training. And ask yourself: do you really wanna be just like a grape?
So, how do you change? How do you get from where you are now to where you need to be? How do you accomplish the forging of the spirit, the harnessing of the mind and body, the polishing of the self?
It takes more effort. It requires greater dedication – to your training and to your own self-development.
And, in case you are wondering, seishin is not gender or age specific. It transcends cultures. And yes, one can harness that 'spirit' from one area to another in one's life. To think or profess otherwise is self-limiting. Again, nothing stops you from simply training, but why do anything half-measured? If you are going to be on the floor, why not get the maximum benefit? The catch is that it also requires maximum effort.
You won’t get rich doing it. You won’t necessarily become famous.
But, trust me, the benefits in who you become far outweigh any extrinsic benefits that you may achieve from your training.
Seishin, roughly translated could mean spirit, drive or essence. Some showed decent form but not much spirit. Some simply recited the kata in the same way one may read a menu, thus no heart and not much effort at all. Others, there was power, but power is still not spirit. It is an elusive quality, but one that I would describe as the very essence of Okinawan karate. One polishes their technique and their being at the same time. It is commitment to training, commitment to one’s art and commitment to oneself in the art all in one - without reservation. And certainly without hesitation.
Now, some, including my students, may balk and be angry at the insinuation of them not putting in the time. So I submit the following as a reference or a guide:
- When and how much have you sacrificed for the sake of training.
- When did you commit to training your mind and body to karate outside of the dojo.
- What have you done to expand your knowledge or understanding of the physical, cultural and ethical aspects of your art.
- How often do you think about what you are doing in a technique, why you are doing it and how you are doing it – in place of simply ‘doing the technique.’
- Is your emphasis on power or proper execution of the technique in kata.
- When did you miss a class and what was the reason for missing that class.
- How do you apply what you learn from class to further your existing base and knowledge and training.
- How do you seek to improve your techniques and execution of same, within or outside of kata, outside of class.
- Have you ever ‘given up’ on a technique or an application or an aspect of class.
All of these things require a commitment of time and energy outside of class. The answer to these questions provide a good base for understanding where you may be in the achievement of spirit. It is what distinguishes someone who does karate from someone has committed to their art.
Let me ask you the following questions: Are you uncomfortable in training? Do your muscles hurt? Does staying in a stance cause you more than a little discomfort but no long lasting pain or injury, but you do it anyway? Without complaining? Without thinking? Do you find yourself losing steam during class or do you see how much you can burn off in a seemingly empty tank? Is your focus on making each technique better or are you convinced that your techniques are great the way they are? These, too, help you understand whether you study karate or whether you are a karateka.
Trust me, if you think that was the best technique and you cannot improve, you are still a million miles from where you need to be. In fact, if that statement is true, you are moving the wrong way from where you need to be to achieve your goal. You need to feel inadequate. Awkward. Uncomfortable. But you also cannot dwell on it.
So let me put it even sharper: seishin is what separates a good karateka from a serious karateka.
Yes, I said it.
You may be good technically; not everyone can replicate and internalize the mechanics of techniques smoothly. Or you may be talented and gifted athletically – traits that lend themselves well to your technique. But, that does not make you a serious karateka.
In fact, if any of this makes you want to quit karate right now, then I have proven my point. The serious karateka won’t waver. They will dig deeper. They may even double down.
Kicking and punching is one thing. And you can get really good at kicking and punching. But, at some point, you need to spend some time reflecting on who you are as a karateka. You need to be able to see yourself as an extension of your karate. It is akin to this scene in that most classic of Okinawan karate movies.
So, while it is not bad to simply be a karate student, you must also accept that you are missing out on some of the most important aspects of your training. And ask yourself: do you really wanna be just like a grape?
So, how do you change? How do you get from where you are now to where you need to be? How do you accomplish the forging of the spirit, the harnessing of the mind and body, the polishing of the self?
It takes more effort. It requires greater dedication – to your training and to your own self-development.
And, in case you are wondering, seishin is not gender or age specific. It transcends cultures. And yes, one can harness that 'spirit' from one area to another in one's life. To think or profess otherwise is self-limiting. Again, nothing stops you from simply training, but why do anything half-measured? If you are going to be on the floor, why not get the maximum benefit? The catch is that it also requires maximum effort.
You won’t get rich doing it. You won’t necessarily become famous.
But, trust me, the benefits in who you become far outweigh any extrinsic benefits that you may achieve from your training.
Comments