My focus in these short articles is to share my personal experience and provide a modern interpretation of each of the 20 precepts, both in the dojo and in life in general. In no way do I claim to have "the" insight to what Funakoshi was thinking when he wrote them. Nor do I think my interpretation is applicable for everyone. With this context, I share my thoughts with you humbly and sincerely. I hope you gain or validate your own personal insights in my writing, and explore how they can benefit you in many aspects of your life.
5. Mentality Over Technique
I have attached links to the other articles I wrote about the Dojo Kun if you are interested:
Our dojo had a grading examination not too long ago. My advice to all of the students testing that day was only one thing, spirit first & technique second.
Examinations are hard, as they are supposed to be. You are "on stage" with everyone watching you. You feel the responsibility to perform well for your sensei, senpai, fellow karateka, friends & family in the audience and so on. You have practiced hard to get to this point and you don't want to fail. You see your fellow karateka practicing hard and nervous as well. You ask yourself a litany of last minute questions and even doubt what you know to be true. We have all been there for various grading exams or other tests in life.
All that being said, your instructors would not have asked you to grade that day if they did not think that you were ready. Testing day is not the time for last minute preparations on kata moves for example. Testing day should be first about your warrior mindset. As an examiner, there is nothing worse than seeing a student go through the motions of their kihon or kata without spirit or energy, whether you know all the movements or not. Preparations should be focused on your mindset, being confident, being respectful and being mentally ready. In addition, if you miss a move or "screw something up", don't beat yourself up or even worse break-down. Develop a strong mindset and this will get you though your examination.
Outside of testing day in everyday training, do not forget to focus on the "why's" behind each of the movements and "how" they are applied e.g. bunkai. I try to think of each kata as being in a real life or death fight. Yes I understand that kata movements do not lend themselves exactly real world applications exactly as you practice them. However if you bring that spirit to each kata, not only your performance of the movements will improve but also your understanding of the kata e.g. where attackers are coming from, when to pause and when to accelerate your movements, different applications of the same technique etc. It is said that you could only perform one kata in your lifetime and still uncover secrets as you deepen your understanding of it. I have experienced this first hand and I am still doing so with a long way to go.
Let's take this outside the dojo for a minute. How many times in a day/week/month are you just going through the motions and not truly present? Have you ever driven to a destination and then wondered how the heck you got there because your mind was elsewhere? How many things do we do on a daily basis just because we have always done them, or were told to do so, and not stopped to think about the meaning or the "why" behind them"? How many things do we pre-occupy ourselves with and worry about that don't really matter in the big picture?
Mentality first, technique second. Or in other words, focus on the "why" before the "what" and the "how". A great example of how the dojo kun is applicable in many aspects of our life.
Since 1988, Way Of Life Shotokan Karate has been committed to teaching traditional karate and values for a modern world. Under the leadership of Norman Smith Sensei, Way Of Life Shotokan Karate instructs hundreds of students at our various locations from beginner to advanced levels of all ages that come from across the New York City metro area. Our unique way of combining martial arts training, etiquette and philosophy with the modern concepts of fitness, self-defense and competition is unparalleled. We ensure your training is vigorous, while maintaining a safe and fun learning environment that encourages students to reach their fullest potential.
Way Of Life Shotokan Karate Do martial arts school is now offically open at 501 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck NY, 10543 serving the local Westchester County communities of New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Rye, Port Chester, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, White Plains and Yonkers as well as the Bronx and NYC metro area.
