Kyudo no Unko mada Kuso desu… part III

I was of the mind to let this topic slide until the next encounter …however…with the large feedback and some of the content of that said feedback I felt I should touch upon this briefly. Also having  heard from a few others on similar matters which redirected my thoughts back to this topic…I’m dong this for a couple of reasons. 1. No one is talking about this part of Kyudo…yet !  Everyone talks about how wonderful an art this is. and they are right! It is a wonderful Art, however like anything, formal Religion, Art, Politics, Sport, it is the whacked people behind these things, that put the bad slant on it. NOT ALL but enough that there is some taste of bitter and some are more sensitive let’s say than others to the taste. 2. From the comments I am guessing some people think that it is all abut me, I’m the only one seeing, feeling these things. WRONG! 3. Sometimes it is good to rock people’s world. wake them up. Like the wack the monk gives the mediators in Japanese Zen sittings to help them with their enlightenment. Perhaps the smell of this dirty laundry on front street will help with someone’s enlightenment.

There is a Go-Dan who is writing an article for Black Belt magazine. Some of the things I spoke about he is writing about, not the same thing, but in general. I wrote about my experience. I was asked what I thought about his article now after my experience. Do I still think he was too hard. I said, The article was good then, it is good now. However  my opinon had not changed on the modification I suggested. Which was to use more ” tack” on certain areas. Shaolin Tao is one of Compassion.

His words : “The sensei in Japan want you to learn, they want you to feel good about your training experience  and I feel they go out  of their way to make you feel welcome . Not in the United States”. This is a person who has trained here for many years.

Ok, here is another thought from a Go-Dan, a Renshi here in the states not from CA. ” I’m a believer that all forms of Kyudo polish the heart of the participant. Some people who have spent years walking the Way of the Bow seem to not understand any of this. Then again, I wonder, what would they be like if they had spent no time at all on the Path.”

say it together …WoW,

How about a view from another,  a Ni-Dan this time:

“Members of one school are not allowed to practice with the others, and members of one dojo are not allowed to practice elsewhere. This creates an insular culture and inhibits progress, for everyone.”

There is another teacher, who is now considered a “Ronin” he was a senior member in the Zenko clan. This is due to no wrong doing on his part, but someone’s ego got all in a knot, perhaps behind some jealousy …

The moral of this: words from a Go-dan:

“You would think this group would not have politics like other martial arts groups with political problems. It does because we all are human and as long as we are human we will have ego “

One of the biggest challenges, evils, demons we face in this world is ourselves, our egos. This is our largest mountain to climb. I heard the other day at the Extreme Buddhist gathering, the Leader said. “We need our ego, to interact with the world. To do business, etc, etc. However we can not let the ego control us.”

I say, The ego it is a tool for us, we should not be it’s tool or it’s fool…

All this means, if you have a good teacher, be grateful, if you have a good practice, be grateful, Just becasue you are walkingin Sunshine does not mean there are no clouds somewhere. If you are struggling with your practice be grateful you are not alone and yours is not the only Dojo, seek out your spot, if you can not locally, there are things coming, developing, falling in place to help you walk the middle way of Compassionate Kyudo…BuddhaKyudo I’ll call it. (^_^)

Anyway have heart , as I said there are some Kyudo Lotus flowers. I tracked through some mud and muck just in my short time and found some…for now Ganbatte!

Here is the thing as I said before, in my most popular post, Kyudo – life in a small space.  It is about the shot, doing your best shot. Just like life. You have good days, bad days, good bosses, bad bosses, good relationships, bad relationship, but each day, each hour you have to give it your best shot. Deal with the Politics, the haters, the ego, the general BS that life throws at you and still give it your best shot. It is about the shot, not the Kuso. Look for the flower in the desert, the lotus in the mud. Ganbatte, Be the Shin Zen Bi.

Flower In The DesertWritten by Loki

A short story from Loki of the Sioux nation approximately 200 years ago. It is said to have been given to her by a medicine man. This happened many many summers ago. There was a young flower in the desert where all was dry and sad looking…It was growing by itself…enjoying every day…and saying to the sun “When shall I be grown up”? And the sun would say “Be patient”—Each time I touch you,you grow a little”…And she was so pleased.Because she would have a chance to bring beauty to this corner of sand…And this is all she wanted to do—bring a little bit of beauty to this world.One day the hunter came by—and stepped on her.—She was going to die—and she felt so sad.Not because she was dying —but because she would not have a chance to bring a little bit of beauty to this corner of the desert.The great spirit saw her, and was listening.—Indeed,he said …She should be living…And he reached down and touched her—and gave her life.And she grew up to be a beautiful flower…and this corner of the desert became so beautiful because of her.

Extreme Buddhism…

Yawn…

I had been thinking about going to the Berkeley Buddhist Temple today for the co-gathering of the East Bay Buddhist ( Shin Buddhist ) temple founder service. Why, well to see what goes on mostly. I was on Sat night. This sect is different from my Chan group. Then I read that even though their main Buddha is not Shakyamuni , it is Amida they still do not consider him a “GOD” more like Manifested Universal Spiritual Energy. So I was ok with that. Yet this morning I felt, Berkeley do I really feel like the trip. After my morning meditation I thought, yeah step outside your comfort zone and do it.

It was a somewhat cool Sunny Sunday Autumn day. I am always nervous about going into new places and usually being the smallest minority. But I did it. I walked in, got some info and sat down. I few minutes later I felt a tap on my shoulder. A girl asked me was I a member here and some other stuff. I’m thinking, oh am I sitting in the wrong place? However it was cool. It was her first time there also, she was a journalist student from Berkeley doing some kind of writeup about the change in the service or something like that from Japan to America. We chatted a bit, she was from Osaka sort of, same as LZ. She was really from Kobe, but loved Osaka. Her husband to be was moving to the states from Osaka.

We talked for a bit on the modification of things Japanese once it is in the states, then service started. An Oba-chan who was sitting next to me, who had moved in and out a few times I spoke to in Japanese. She shared her “song” book with me. After the  service we chatted a bit she was nice, she said it was very nice to met me. The service was a combined effort of the three temples. There were four ministers who spoke, each one gave a short talk and the whole thing was over in about 1 hour. One talk was on peace, another was on it’s a small world and we all share it we are all one, another was on The three A’s,  the third Sensei wrapped it all up combining the topics.

There was another part to the service later and lunch, but I headed out. I wanted to make it to Kyudo practice, then to the Extreme Buddhist event in the City later. I was pleased with myself for going and stepping out my comfort zone.

On the way home, I have car problems, a water hose breaks, car over heats, I stop, get water, fill up , drive , stop, etc, etc. So much for Kyudo. I limp the car home. This is not a simple hose and LZ has to go to work. Oh well, I adjust my plans and take steps to deal with the situation. That  is all one can do most time is to flow with it…

While in Chinatown last week I came across a poster that said Extreme Buddhism. I liked the graphic however it struck me as some New Age Get some new blood in the mix marketing thing. I invited my Chan sister to come along to see what was Up an spoke some about it at the Chan meeting. Shijie could not make it, and I had considered not going if I needed to miss Kyudo, Then Kyudo was set for 2:00pm so I could make both. Well then the car water hose broke. Anyway to shorten the tale. I went to the Extreme Buddhist gathering. It was hmmm. ok. I hated , hated the music! The leader a woman, Buddhist Priest casual dressed in jeans was in charge. THe stage had a VERY nice Chinese screen with a dragon, There was one chair on the stage with a large vase of flowers next to it. Low key understated, classy. She spoke of many good things and at no time said anything about joining her group. However the playing Rock and metal to meditate really did not do it for me. It fit her style but not mine. The best music was Bob Marley songs during the cookie break!

Anyway, it was good marketing, selling without selling, basically Chan for Middle America. Nothing really ground breaking for people with Meditation practice.  She drew from Yoga, Christian, Zen Philosophy. It was though a good non-Asian intro for those who’ve not been exposed or understood this “Chan” type of thought . Would I recommend it…Well nothing was said about the cost of having this woman as a teacher. She did say it was not easy to be taken as a student. Sounded like good marketing to me. Also bring s to mind, the saying if you have to ask, you can not afford it. The Hyatt Regency is not cheap to rent! Also reminds me of South Park, Cartman had a playground, He said it was not for just anyone, so of course everyone wanted to come.

Would it be worth it…? Depends on the person. Everyone is different…

Drama this , n Chan that..

Wow…

This is from my dashboard:

Top Posts (the past week)

The Storms continue… 73 views

Kyudo no Unko mada kuso desu… part II 13 views

Friday night Kyudo 8 views

Watashi no Shugyo Renshu 7 views

Heart Chan/Zen @ Berkeley 6 views

Bamboo in the Storm 5 views

The Finger Pointing To The Moon 4 views

Kyudo, Life in a small space… 4 views

So what you may ask. Well, here is the thing…Up until last week my all time consistent top post for the week for months and months has been : Kyudo, Life in a small space. I wrote that a couple of years ago , but still it gets major hits. Last week I posted about the problems I am dealing with, no money, health issues with the family and my hits on that went off the hook. People like to read about other peoples problems I guess. Makes theirs seem smaller, or misery loves company?? I guess that why bad news sells papers??? Yet out of all those readers only a few left a comment, thank you those who did for your show of compassion. Anyway seems people like to read about Drama and people issues more than anything else, at least here.

My other high viewer, though not as big, last week was about Kyudo. I generally get more folks stopping by to read about Kyudo. Very few other than my on-line buds leave comments. But this time, whooohoo, a couple of guys got their Hakamas all knotted up about my experience. My relating of what happened to me. Kind of funny really. Many of their points were valid, but hey. Like the finger pointing to the moon, depending on where you stand the angle is different, but it is still the same moon. Nor is the finger the moon.  I’m telling from my angle. Still thanks guys for saying something, few leave tracks in the sand. Again though it is Drama, controversy that got the draw.–

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So a little update for those who care. My Step father is improving, we went out to see him a few days ago, he was awake and even able to try to laugh at a remark I made about my Mum’s Cooking, in addition to leading a group prayer of thanks around his bed. His improvement made a big difference with my Mum’s attitude. As for the house, it seems to be working out that they can rent for up to 90 days. Another major blessing. That will give them a chance to make ready for a big move to the East Coast where family property is kept up and life will be gentler financially. I still need to deal with my youngest brother’s situation. Thanks again for your well wishes.

_/|\_

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I went to our monthly area Chan meeting on Sat. It had been awhile since I went, do to whatever reason. Today I made a point of attending. One of the elders was in town and attending. I relate well to him. We took him out to lunch at a local Chinese place and got to chat as a small group of “elder” family. It was warm and comfortable. Without any close friends around it was good to feel the “chi” of the group. After lunch we took a stroll around the local park before going to the meeting.

At the meeting we had a long meditation session and practiced a new form of Chakra meditation. I was good for about 45 or so, then lost focus once the soreness kicked in big time on my legs. We had a discussion afterward which I will not go into, but it did help me feel better about some things in my head and heart even though we did not talk about “those things” in the discussion, however for me there seemed to be a message.

It was a long day starting with Tai Chi /Kung Fu class in the morning, ending with a Chan class in the late afternoon.  A day of good blessing.

Coming next Extreme Buddism

The Storms continue…

“May you live in interesting times”, I have heard is an old Chinese curse.

Hmmm let see,

My youngest brother is in a nursing home, some 8 months, he can not walk, he can barely see, getting dialysis three times a week due to diabetes

He has no income.

His roommate is moving out of their apt because she can not afford it alone.

He is in LA.

I am the nearest relative… 7 hours away

My Stepdad is in the hospital recovering from heart surgery last week, he is not recovering quickly

A company took their $4,000 to get their mortgage payment of 3,500 lowered and did nothing.

The last house payment sent in was returned

The bank sold their home from under them

My Mum , 85 yrs old got served noticed she needs to move from their home in 3 wks or get put out.

They are in Sac.

I am her nearest relative…1.5 hours away

Our condo, was suppose to be sold, but the buyer lost his loan due to the slowness of the mortgage company

The law firm wanted another 3,000 to work a deal with the mortgage company so the condo could be relisted for sale

The mortgage company is calling now, foreclosure is on the horizon

My ex-wife sent a note thanking me for the money I sent and reminding I was still behind on payments

My unemployment benefits run out in 3 months….

The company were we have been practicing Kyudo for free is closing down and getting evicted.

Things could be worse…and are worse for many…still

…I would say these are interesting times.

Remember to be grateful

for those moments of joy.

Kyudo no Unko mada kuso desu… part II

Before I go into more, let me do a bit of review, let’s take a ride on the “way back machine” to my beginning contact with the NorCal Renmei. There are basically three Dojo’s here in Nor Cal. By my first contact, I was told, if I could not commit to every practice session then he ( the sensei) did not want to be bothered because after 10 yrs (or whatever) of teaching he was tired of repeating himself to people who could not remember. Nice! Very impressive instructor, reeks of warmth and a fine example of Shin Zen Bi…not!

Next, I go by to see another Sensei ( 2 of 3).  I spent the afternoon practicing with him. He seemed nice enough. Helpful. However when I ask him via e-mail about the requirements for a kyu (which is one step above nothing) ranking, I am totally ignored. Ok, not really a big deal, but… that did not leave me with a good impression…made me feel blown off,

Ok, next school. I ask about visiting a class. I am told because my email address has “Zen” in it, I would be better off going to another school ( were I first  started Kyudo) because they ( his school) teach the True Budo form of Kyu-do. None of this shoot for enlightenment stuff. I should look elsewhere I’d be happier. I went to visit anyway. Later i was told, by the main Sensei they already have two or three new students and there was no time for another, maybe next year.

On Page 9 of the Kyohon * this is the Bible for the AJKF) it states:
Kyudo is not simply a way to create well-being and train the body, but a way to bring enhancement and cultivation to your life… we, as practitioners of Kyudo, who are expected to master such virtues as discipline, modesty, gentleness, self-restraint, and reflection through the shooting, can realize these qualities in our own life.

hmmm, I seemed to have missed this in my contacts so far…

Ok , on to SoCa. The So Cal group was very welcoming. It was a most pleasant change from the other contacts. I spent the weekend practicing with them at several venues. They were pleasant. I enjoyed the added “Zen” touches from the Sensei. However they had internal issues, which I will not go into and there was an internal split somewhat later. One of those somewhat common Martial Art things…anyway the “Zen” Sensei is basicly a Ronin from the Renmei Daimyo …sad.

But wait… there is more. I found out later there another chapter of the So CA Renmei Group. I never met this Sensei however I did read some of the correspondence to one of my Tanuki bothers, which was not very heartening about the open-mindedness of the very “serious” members of the AJK who says “We are more serious about AKR Kyudo and making sure that it is practiced accordingly.”…Wow!

“When one door closes …another opens”

At this point I am pretty feed up with the Renmei in CA. I figure to just practice and  give up any thought of joining, testing, the like and if need be do things the long way once in Nihon. Shortly, I am contacted by a friend who says. Well I told you about the BS there, I figured it was best to let you find it yourself. There is another way. The Kyudo Alliance is about welcoming people and advancing the Art of Kyudo without the Political Unko. Also via them you can test , go to Japan to train whatever, because the head of the Alliance is the highest ranking Renmei member in the states. You can attend seminars, whatever including the upcoming one in January. You will still need to join a group, but that can be worked out. Shortly after I receive an email from another Ranking Sensei who is also a founding member inviting me to train at his school and attend seminars. He too is concerned about the current stat of affairs with stateside Renmei and says I am welcome to train with his group. He also states that the Senior , the leader, the Highest ranking State-side Dan is a breath of fresh air. Wow! finally The lotus blooms. I am delighted and amazed.

The Lotus flower in Chan /Zen is a symbol of purity, enlightenment. The Lotus itself is considered special as it grows out of filth and muck to bloom into a beautiful flower that has risen above the yuk and muck.

but wait there is more.

Meanwhile, after the big let down from the letter from the SO CAL person about how closed the upcoming seminar was and feeling their superior attitude, I had written to the Sensei I had practice with one afternoon in Nor Cal. I asked him about training with him reguarly, he was my final hope for Nor CAL and the Renmei entrance…I thought. He is now the President of the Nor Cal Chapter. I asked about training with him, now that I was located closer to him and had all my equipment, ( I did not before). I was not expecting to hear from him once again, like the last time. However I figured, why not give it one more shot. I was not too surprised when I did not receive an answer for a day. However I was really shocked this evening when I did receive the answer that I was welcome to come train with him! Whoa shock! another Lotus

So things have sorted out. The Lotus Flowers have risen from the muck.

There is a piece from the Tao Te Ching that I can not recall right now, but it sorts out to, after being in the dark , you are more grateful for the light.

The path gets interesting from here…

to be continued

Kyudo no Unko mada Kuso desu…

It was said, “a Rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. ” The Tao says that for every yang there is a yin, it also applies to this statement and could be phrased “a Bull Dung by any other name would still stink”

I am finding out there is a lot of BS that goes on with-in Kyudo organizations I have come across. Stuff that they say they are above. There are two factions basically in the states those that say Kyu-do is the way and those that say Kyu-jitsu is the way, ok three, those including the Japanese that say there is no separation.  Like Zen/Chan, Chan is one not two. There is no duality. duality, separation, “our correct way” is about ego. Maybe it is just an American thing, we like to add our own BS to things. However, human nature is human nature and the Japanese  most likely have their own form of BS as well. Anyway, there are those that say building spirit, raising one’s dignity, is what Kyudo is about. Yet even with in the ranks of these “higher” types there is still the regular, human ego, this is “the way”  Unko.  Being fair, this is the same BS that goes on within some ranks of Kung Fu , Karate, Religion, Zen,  basically anything that people let their ego’s get control. Some get on some power trip. Er ah, hmm oh, yeah then there are those that say shooting is what Kyu-do is about, it is a Martial Art, we teach it as such, in it’s Pure state. “We are more serious about AKR Kyudo and making sure that it is practiced accordingly.”

Something  I have heard from my Kung Fu Shifu’s and Sisuks,  in my pursuits of skills, “there is something to be learned from everyone and anything, any path”. No one style is better than another, this is just our style, our way. Maybe that is just their Shaolin Chan humbleness influence or maybe it is just me dong the same thing, saying “our way” is best. hahahaha.  However, seriously though all things, all groups have Yin and Yang, good and bad, sometimes one out weighs the other.

Here in the states as said there are two main bodies of Kyudo and sadly within both I hear about backstabbing and political issues, Jeez. How tiring is this. I guess the thing that is most disheartening about this is,  the ones talking about dumping the ego, being ‘pure”, shooting pure, are blinded also with their own image as much as the one who are martial . Do not aim at the target aim at yourself…then there is, we are the marital way the true way..the true Budo, …oh please.

What is it Jesus said about the log in your own eye!

Chan is one , not two.

All life is one, not two!

Kyudo is one not two!

So what has me all bent out of shape and on the rag….

Well I can not go into details because that in some cases would be betraying a trust. Which is kind of Ironic because in some cases  and in a way this is about a trust betrayal. It is also about “clicks”, for my non-American readers a “click” is an exclusive club or group of people. Who if you do not think just like them, you can not play with them. The other reason it is speculation on my part from info gathered. So I do not want to slander people.

Basicly, I’m very disappointed at the close minded clicks of people who think they are the true way and look down on everyone else and think their Unko does not stink. I just want to shoot better and not get stuck in the muck! I do not want to deal with someone’s ego trip or Political BS,  I have plenty of that with our government.

I will say this, Karma, people Karma! You do crap , you will have to walk in it someday.

sigh…

…end of rant

This post may not make sense, but I feel better writing it.  (^_^)

It is not over yet, I’ll be back…

…and now back to our regular programing

Friday Fu @ Shifu’s…Oct 09

I arrived just a bit behind the approx start time, due to a late start and some phone issues. Again Fong Sisuk was there, I guess he is making it a regular monthly stop now. Nice. When I arrived they were already working on the Wooden dummy training partner. Fong Sisuk was showing the difference between doing the application on the training dummy and doing it with a live person. Most of it had to do with “closing”, as in closing the arms or hands. How the skills are directly transferred with a small adjustment for because working with a movable person.

Even though I brought along my weapons bag, I just watched and absorbed what was being said instead of practicing my weapons forms.

After a while he went into knife defense. He stressed how the knowing the application is only a small part of doing the technique when dealing with a knife. It is the accumulation of training that makes the techniques work, Strength, timing, etc. things that come from working with multiple weapons, partners, etc. KNOWing one’s style’s basics and being able to perform them well. It is NOT just about knowing a few knife defense applications. After that, we went through several defense technique stressing not only hands positions, but footwork and body placement. Knife work is a high art not to be taken lightly, you get one chance to make it work…

After a few rounds and explanations of training, we broke for food and chit chat. In the past when Sisuk visited, he would take off about this time, these days he has been staying and hanging with us. Sharing some stories about Sigung and his own training history with him. even though Eng Shifu is his elder, Fong Sisuk was with Sigung longer and spent more training time with him. Fong Sisuk is regarded as the youngest Shifu of the 8th generation the Northern Shaolin Tai Chi Praying Mantis style. So it is always interesting to hear his memories of the grandmaster.

Usually we go home after eating, tonight Fong Sisuk starting talking about various weapons, that Shifu had there at the school. He mostly gave a demo and some history on the spear halbard and tell of how dangerous a weapon it was. Not a interesting form to learn  or see, because it is all in the application.

With some other chatting on misc topics, Sigung’s intense training session in his later years. His stressing knowing the qualities of Mantis in combat being likened to the I-ching and it’s changing dynamics, being able to flow and adapt with those changes.  Soon we ended the evening as it was getting late. There is a certain ego coolness, and responsiblity in being a Shifu, but it there is a fun factor that comes in when just being a student and hanging out with classmates. Perhaps more pronounced to me with having few friends, and none to just hang with regularly.

I was pleased after it all that I only have a 45 min drive now instead of and hour plus, even late at night. Sweet! No more sessions until after the holidays. This was the last Friday Fu until 2010.

and now for something completely different…Halloween

I have never been a big fan of Halloween. Teaching kids to go out an beg for candy. Too much sugar, bad for health and teeth, etc. The sicko with putting “stuff” in “treats’ to hurt or kill. The Vibe of evil, death etc. Yeah I need to lighten up. It is though just my opinion maybe something left over from a bad childhood memory…even LZ says Halloween is weird.

Anyway… as I drive around the island, I notice that some people here are really into Halloween. I have never seen such effort put into the houses for it. Today while on the Motorcycle. I took some picture for my 4 or 5 maybe I’m up to 6 readers now…

This was built over several weeks

You can see the rest of the pictures HERE:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041784&id=1318695816&l=2b3ce7333b

Booooooooooo

The Finger Pointing To The Moon

One of the things we learn in Chan is not to place so much value on labels, names, not to get lost in them. eg: God, Allah, Jehovah, Buddha. Names are just a way of putting something in a box, in a sense of limiting something. The Tao Te Ching says, that “The Tao that can be named is not the True Tao”. As an Artist I tend to think more with one side of the brain, you know the left and right brain thing. I tend to see things at times more in a broader sense  and not analyze things so much. I purchased a small Omeyage (gift) for the Tanuki Dojo a small ornamental set of Swords and brought it in on Sunday. One of the Sempai, seemed as though he could not mentally accept it as simply a decoration, a trinket. It had to be “something” it needed a purpose. I heard ,” it seems to be a letter opener to me”, I heard this several times.  Is this a joke or serious I was asked? My response was, it is like Monday’s. Like Monday’s he says. Yes, Monday’s are not good or bad, they just are, it is how we interpret them that make it good or bad. Monday’s just are. These swords, like Monday’s are whatever you want them to be…

In Kyudo terms perhaps my Sempai, was missing part of his Kyudo lesson and focusing too much on the “mato” (target) and not the spirit of the shot. In Zen terms, getting lost on the finger pointing to the moon, and missing all the heavenly glory

It makes me wonder why labels are so important to people. He his White, Black, Christian, Jew, Buddhist. The storm is bad, it blew down this house , that tree, ruin the floor.  It also brought much needed water for crops, drinking, it gives life and takes it away…The storm just is, we interpret it into something . Perhaps it is just our human need to organize things, life, the universe…perhaps what we perceive as a sense of control of things. We can not control it, but it we label it , in our minds it gives us some sense of control by limiting it with the label.

Names, labels have their place, their need, but sometimes we get too lost on the Finger Pointing to the Moon.

The storm continues…

The storm had past several days ago, but there was still talk of it, some good, some not so good. In Temple Sunday, Rev Sensei spoke of the storm and how it cleared the air, it was good for life. He also remarked on how our spiritual life can be like a shower for our lives, washing away the negative energy like the storm washed away the smog and bad air. A spiritual life is needed to refresh our spirit, like the earth needs a cleaning storm to refresh the earth.

I went to Kyudo practice Sunday afternoon. Results of the storm were also present, this time in not so positive way. We practice in an old warehouse, some of the windows are broken, which is how the Tanuki enter. There was a plan to cover these broken and open windows with plastic, alas it was too late. During the Typhoon, the rain came in…big time and damaged the floor. It did not ruin it, but it is no longer pristine as before for having a pool of water sit on it for a day or so. We have a work plan this weekend to cover the windows. A bit like closing the barn door after the horse is gone, but it will save the rest of the floor from further damage.

Sunday practice at Tanuki was different, somewhat of a challenge. We share the space with a company, we are in the loft. There were workers there this Sunday, doing their thing. Sadly their thing included playing NPR radio..loudly! The only peace that was there had to come from inner peace and mindfulness. It was a test of focus and mindfulness to shoot. It was not a bad practice , just different. In a way good training as one of my former Sifu’s said, one can not alway go sit and face a wall to find calmness and focus. In the real world one needs to be able to tune into that at any time, under any conditions…