Category Archive

Training/practice takes different shapes, different time. It had been a long day for me, nothing stressful just long, doing misc stuff. I was not up to going out late to Shisuks for practice. This was one those telling moments of what path you take on things, your spirit. I was not up for going , but I did. Part of training is just doing it.

The class had more students attending than cars, in the lot. I was a bit surprised. I bowed and entered. I headed to the back to put up my jacket and stuff then went back on the floor. I was checking out a few picture and getting a bit loosened up when Mae comes up with her orders from Shisuk, we are to practice Chen.

Nice!, I wanted to go over some Chen parts I knew I was missing so this worked out well. I thought Shisuk would have me doing breathing and silk weaving drills. I was pleased it was Chen tonight.

Chen is my favorite of the Tai Chi Chuan sets I have learned. I enjoy the feel of strong yin and yang flow, with the fa jing and the Spiraling chi. As I wrote that I flashed on a thought of trying to send that spiraling chi to the arrow next time I shoot. Maybe I am thinking too liner when I shoot. Just something to test… Away I digress.

I am pleased to be able to learn Chen from Shisuk, who can relate how things work and the crossover with our mantis techniques. He teaches heavy heavy basics, as well as where and how the power travels, the expanding spirals, the expansions and contractions of the body and chi flow. Balance, being centered, rooted, yet flexible. A bamboo in the storm…

I will miss my elders when I go to Nihon. I am blessed to know them and learn from them…Life will provide me with new Elders to learn from. Perhaps I have already met them…

Chen style for me is more like I’m doing Kung Fu and not just ‘motion zen”. This Chen, Shisuk is training me with, will be the advanced level training for my students under the Japanese Program. Yang 24-beginners, Chu 24 Palm-intermediate, Chen 24 - advanced. This will be in addition to other practice training, but these will be the forms for the foundation of the Tai Chi Chaun Path along with some Zazen. I think these give a good balance on training, rather than just a long 106 movement form few would practice. This way even if they picked just one form to learn and practice, and drill and digest and make it theirs… it would be a worthwhile path, for any age, even more so an active, heath wise senior, or middle age seeker!

So how was my practice tonight,　ままをを! Some parts I felt better with because I have been practicing. I try to remember what I was told last time, and watch the girl I am following, with Shisuk watching me. He corrects her in Chinese , I listen, and correct myself. The lady I am following has gotten amazingly better with her Tai Chi in the last few years.

It was a short session, Shisuk needed to leave on time. So when the Lady I was with needed to leave, I left as well. It had been a while since I had trained with the WC school on a regular basis. They all said, WoW so short, you should stay. I thanked them but needed to go. It was their class time, another time for me, if it is in the Tao.

There is not a correct word for what I wanted to say so i made up the Katana for it. So on with the post.

I had Kyudo on the brain lots lately. (For those reading from somewhere non-english that meant I’ve been thinking a lot about Kyudo) I really enjoyed the lesson with the guy and got me reading some more on Kyudo from others. It is so much about connection with the mind sitting and being still and the non-duality in movement. Maybe I’m finding it more interesting because of the connection I see with Ch’an and Shaolin fist. Yet is this missing so much in most classes. With the Tiger school it is right there in your face. Not hidden down some side path you may subtle across like a secluded stream. Or something made reference to like an old story. Meditation is part of this style, it is the medium of Kyudo. This Kyudo is a Motion expression of our meditation. Kung Fu to Ch’an exactly ! Tai Chi to Ch’an, Yoga to Ch’an.

The other part of this is after meeting with Instructor S. ( InS) I could see Kyudo here as a foot in the door to Japan Kyudo. Part of my golden years study plan in Japan. Ceramics, Kyudo, Zen. I do have a foot in already from meeting with the Master there in Osaka. Which is where we will be living, how about that for the Force working. However anyway I would like some proper training, as not to embarrass myself.

Meanwhile back here in the states now… I had contacted the other person recommend by InS. From the first email contact, I did not feel, compatible vibes let’s say, from Instructor E. So after a couple of brief exchanges about time, I was pretty much told, if I was not willing to full comment to Kyudo practice on a regular basis, he did not have the patience to deal with that type of student. Not those exact words, but with that meaning. Also explained that in his 35 yrs of doing Kyudo and 10 yrs teaching, it was harder and more time eating that thought, he did not like the frustration of dealing with someone who came once in a while.

Hmmmmm.

The thing is I understand what he was saying, his way of saying, it was not my way. His philosophy on teaching is a bit different, and other areas no doubt. With that in mind, and the chi that I am picking up from his letters, it is a bad fit for a teacher /student relationship. I thanked him and said I would not add to his frustrations. Sumimasen.

So , I’m thinking, driving 1 hour to a class is not so bad once a month, I do/did it with Shifu’s classes. If I get what I need out of it, at my speed, that is more important to me that I enjoy it. The guy, who is a higher rank I went to first is looking better. Kind of sad though, I was hoping I could be friends with this closer guy, Instructor E. I think he speaks some Japanese fairly well. I was wondering if his wife is Japanese. I asked about if spoke Japanese in the intro letter, but I was ignored for an answer. For the best no doubt, if our chi clashes via email it will surely be inharmonious live.

Another part of this Kyudo brain is the retreat coming up. I am really looking froward to it. I know that it is not in Japanese training now to have the Zazen as part of the Kyudo training , but I like how the Sensei has them combined. Along with it being at a Zen temple and farm in the mountains, makes it even cooler. I would stick with just this style if I was staying here in the states. I like the non-duality approach to Kyudo. For me it no difference with Kung Fu and I understand that from my Ch’an practice. However it s a different style Kyudo being taught in Japan and that is where I am going. For now though I can just learn about shooting, like Zen beyond a style. Like Tai Chi, and Praying Mantis understanding the principals behind the motions, understanding the mind and spirit is more important than what style it is. As with Zen the style does not matter, it is about the journey.

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Source Material: Dan and Jackie DeProspero

Much has been written about the philosophical connections of kyudo. Perhaps most known is the book Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel. In his book Mr. Herrigel sets forth his experiences with kyudo in the 1930’s. It was a beautifully written account that has been translated into many languages, giving people worldwide their first glimpse of the art. Unfortunately, the book was very one-sided in its description of kyudo as a Zen art and is responsible for a lot of the current misconception that kyudo is a religious activity.

While kyudo is not a religion it has been influenced by two schools of Eastern philosophy: The previously mentioned Zen, a form of Buddhism imported from China, and Shintoism, the indigenous faith of Japan. Of the two, the influence of Shintoism is much older. Ritualistic use of the bow and arrows have been a part of Shintoism for over two thousand years. Much of the kyudo ceremony, the attire worn by the archers, and the ritual respect shown for the equipment and shooting place are derived from ancient Shinto practice.

The influence of Zen, on the other hand, is more recent, dating back to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) when the warrior archers adopted Zen as their preferred method of moral training. Zen’s influence on kyudo became even greater in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when Japan, as a whole, experienced a period of civil peace. During that time the practice of kyudo took on a definite philosophical leaning. This is the period when sayings like “one shot, one life” and “shooting should be like flowing water” were associated with the teaching of kyudo. Because of its long and varied past, modern Japanese archery will exhibit a wide variety of influences. Today, at any given kyudojo (practice hall), one can find people practicing ancient kyujutsu, ceremonial court games, rituals with religious connections, and contests of skill. The key to understanding kyudo is to keep an open mind and realize that any style of kyudo you see or practice is but a small part of a greater whole, and that each style has its own history and philosophical underpinnings which make them all equally interesting and important.

“The correct practice of Zen centers on ellimination of all attachements, including attachment to the correct practice. The True Follower of Zen, simply does Zen”…TaMo

A few days ago, maybe a week … or so, I thought about looking into other Kyudo schools in the area. There were several I found all linked to a Federation or Assoc. out of Japan. I figured why not check it out. There were a couple of things I noticed in Japan that were not happening when I attend the current class. I wanted to see where there was a difference.

It was a beautiful Sunday , warm Northern Ca day!! Wow great, Hills are covered with sades of green, and splashes of spring flowers. I have been, I think more grateful for these moments of clearity. Maybe the sitting is changing my mind… I digress

It was a pleasant hour drive in light traffic to meet the instructor. There were parts of the sky that looked like rain. I got a real sense of being back in Hawaii with all the green mountains and clear to dark skies I got to enjoy. I arrived at his house on time and meet his wife. He was playing the flute, and reading the music. I was impressed and for a flash I thought hmmm flute lessons. I did snap back to Kyudo after the flute was put away. They instructer S and the wife, seemed nice. I meet the cats, they were very shy. I was told that if the weather was good, he taught at the park and rec center, if it was not. We would shoot at home.

Since it was questionable on the weather Instructer S (IrS) deciedes we will stay at his place and shoot. Ok,…I’m thinking garage, in the back yard.. nope.. in the living room, Whoa, He has the equipment and, so after a few mintues of assembly we are ready to shoot with the Makawara Straw target. I am intrigued so little space can be use.

IrS is a knowledgable guy, 6 Dan certified in Japan. I pickup some interesting tips and corrections. There was only the two of us. He checked me out to see what how little I know and were my weakness are to be worked on. I do a couple of shots. He gives me some tips. I also ask about how to do the proper entrance to the floor and I am shown. We work mostly on my draw and grip. after some explaining and my identifing some of the same things Shisuk had said about when doing Tai CHi, what I was told sunk in more. I could relate it to something I was doing and was told to practice more of anyway by Shisuk. I also related some of how the bow grip , is similar to a mantis grip in Kung fu. One of the differences in this style, there is not much, is that they start the draw from high in front of the face. Where are thee other style starts more from an angle and tlit. I remember now Onii-san from the tiger school Said about one is the fighting or warrior style the other is the court style. I am more comfortable with the court style. It is the same as a Tai Chi opening. My body already flows to that position.

I was also run through some of the three kneeling positions and explained the sitting one. It was painful and interesting. I will need some losing up, interestingly again in another spot Shisuk tells me I need for my Tai Chi to improve, more horse stance. Hmmm ok, so I really need to work on those drills Shisuk showed me, I get a two win thing happing.I understand how Tai Chi helps my Mantis & Shaolin Fists. I did not expect it with the kyudo. Not only with the flow of the breath and chi but also the expanding end contraction of the body use of the body structure to be totally in the shot as in total in to a push or a punch Having that structure in place to support the push , the punch , the draw, starts in legs, the feet…

So over all, after I relaxed ( I’m nervous, with new people) the lesson was very good. I was shocked when I was told there was no charge!!! Whooa!! With me not working I was not going to insist and ruin his gift. So I just said that you & bowed. He said he enjoys teaching people the art Kyudo. I was impressed with his heart. My Japanese side said I need to do something for him, a gift… Too bad he lived so far, I thought to myself. I could come more often… the gas right now,…och…I was informed there was another dojo, of his style organization in my area I should look him up.

Hmmmm…cool

I was welcome to come back anytime…arigato

So which school do like better? Not a matter of like better. There is clear wisdom in walking a path that is mirrored in Nihon…with Nihon to be your path…ね

…however for now:

The True Follower of Zen, simply does Zen”…TaMo

What I did find lacking in this class and I also found in Nihon is there is no meditation in the opening. I had heard this was something the Sensei from the Tiger school added in. No matter. I am glad I found that one first it gave me a direction to go with my Kung Fu Class and training. It really helped my mind focus on adding that part into my class and training. I enjoy doing the meditation before doing activity , Yin before yang. I am also looking forward to the Retreat at the Zen Center, with the Tiger group. Even though the princess will be there and treat me like a invisible person, the style of Zen mediation practiced there is different from the one I practice, the style of Kyudo is different from the one I may end up doing…No matter

The True Follower of Zen, simply does Zen”…TaMo

I got this word from Rick Matz’s site One of my favorite blog stops.

Shugyo (修行) may be defined literally as “conducting oneself in a way that inspires mastery”. While the meaning of the kanji used in “shu” was originally translated as ‘using a brush to strike away the dust that obscures the viewing of a persons original elegance’, the combined kanji of “shu” and “gyo” (carrying out, walking along) is now generally translated as simply “severe or austere training”. The kanji rendered for this version of “shugyo” is most commonly associated with Buddhist asceticism, and most notably, the “shugenja” (修験者, ascetic mountain-dwelling monks).

Ok so what does this have to do with me… Well I finally got the notice about the Kyudo retreat:

Kyudo Program @ Sonoma Mountain Zen Center
First Shot Beginners: May 15 (evening) – May 18, 2008
Intermediate: May 14 (evening) – May 18, 2008
The contemplative practice of Kyudo, when taken up with patience and attention to detail, is a dynamic way to balance the body, focus the mind, and open the heart. When a student lets go of goals and expectations, Beginner’s Mind is revealed. The physical aspect of Kyudo is inseparable from its spiritual aspect. The form
provides a subtle mirror of the mind throughout the movements and continues with the arrow’s release. In this retreat, beginners will receive training in the basic Kyudo form, called “The
Seven Coordinations.” Intermediate students will review the basic shooting forms and have the opportunity for long distance training
and practice, including formal group shooting. The retreat will take place at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center, Genjo-ji, which is under the guidance of Jakusho Kwong-roshi.
It is an integrated residential program that, in addition to kyudo training, will include morning and evening zazen and periods of work practice. Meditation instruction will be available. This provides a unique opportunity for Kyudo training within the container
of Zen Practice.

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Nice eh, yeah, I thought so. I have decided to spend the next couple of months, April & May in training, Body and Spirit. There are so many things I need to get organized around the house in in my life. From paperwork, cleaning the storage, working on the boat, upgrading software skills, my patio garden, car, sailing time, to my Gung Fu practice. As well as put in some time for serious longer meditation. We are ok for the next 6 months as far as getting by for living. It will be tight but we can do it. There are also a couple of things in the wings that when they land will make things a bit easier. However anyway, I need to train and re-organize. These retreats will help my spiritual part focus. The Kyudo retreat should be very cool. Living on the Sonoma Zen Mtn Grounds, with no distractions from practice, Zen, Kyudo, Tai Chi, writing. I will take my laptop but there is no internet. So I can just write & read in the evenings. Nice. The following weekend is the Heart Zen group retreat oceanside. So more meditation, Tai Chi & writing, although more evening distractions, since we can visit our “buds” in Monterey. All of this is going to be a drain money wise, but, it will be the last for a while. I believe it will be worth it. I may skip my Tai Chi Mantis seminar this year, if needed. Next year we are off to Japan for a final visit before moving, so there will be no retreats or the like for us. This year’s retreats and the next two months are my Shugyo Renshu period. Interesting for me that it pretty much kicks off with Tian Shifu’s visit and ends with the Heart Zen retreat. The weekend following that I am off to give a Kali Seminar @ the San Bernadino Tai Mantis school. That money will be used to pay for the prior retreats. As me Mum would say, God is good!

I’m expecting something to happen around June workwise. I’m not sure what I just have a feeling. Let’s see. So now is my time to “practice” and use this freedom I have been given. I’m suppose to be taking care of something… So I’ll Ganbarimasu in my Shugyo Renshu…Yosh Yosh!!

The next day, Day 2 , Sat. We set off early in the a.m. for a Drive down the coast to Monterey, via Santa Cruz. The time for the day was perfect. It turned into my favorite of the visit. We arrived at our first way point on time, however I was concerned about time, if I was on track. After some inquiring locally about my ETA, I felt more relaxed somewhat. The other problem is Lady Z is now getting car sick.

We stopped for a break and some breakfast for me, as they ate at home before leaving but there was nothing for me. We also picked up some hand warmers for sister. After all that, plus Loo breaks we were off again. Our next stop on the journey is a small town called Davenport. Sorry, no pictures I was focused. There at one time there was a interesting little gift shop which was now remodeled to enlarge the restaurant. That was my planned rest point and time check. We were on course and on time, with a little help from no traffic and speeding … a bit.

We made it to Monterey with about a hour to kill before our planned whale watching trip. The Kobe Crew had never done it before and were REALLY Looking forward to it. Lady Z and I did it before , but on a bigger boat. We were hoping this would be better since we could get closer to the whales when possible. We took a lunch break after checking in with the boat people. There were 4 of us…

Once we all loaded on the boat , which was a small group, we took off for open water. I was a bit concerned about getting sick. Not so much from the sea motion , which added to it, but the fumes of the diesel motor and the motion. It was only about 30 min out from shore when we had our first sightings.

It was near the end of the season, so it was unsure if we would have any sighting. We were lucky and had several.

Sort of spread out into small groupings. But we did spot some a couple fairly near. I got one photo I liked, I would have liked to have done better. It is nice though to have been given one.

I have another shot that is fairly good, lil sis has the same shot on her camera. That was weird seeing that.

The trip lasted about 3 hours. I was ready for it to end , I had gotten at least one good shot, and I was fighting not getting sick. So far I was just ok. I was floating on the edge of going down hill… but still under control. It was a fast, chilly ride outside the cabin on the way back to port. Fast and Chilly but, helping to me to center. Calming my center, when there was the turmoil of the elements and man made power on the other side.

Next on our plan after WW is to visit our friends the “Tokyo Delgation” . We were all going to hook up for dinner. We headed over to their home for the meeting and a drink. We were very please to find brother in law could find his peeble Beach golf something , via our friend. Great timeing as well as they had 30 minutes to make the store, which was near. perfect!! Brother- in-law is all smiles now…

We band up and head out for dinner, we are now SIX. We go by this small family owned Italian place. It is full but we wait just a short time while a table is cleared up and prepared. We drop by Cost Plus for a quick look around. To kill the wait time. Dinner was excellent. Not really heavy but good flavor and fresh tasting.

After dinner whilst waiting for a couple of deserts a call comes in from a friend of the TD’s . She is another Japanese connection from Osaka and her husband. We agree to met up at the lounge at the Hotel and check out this Jazz band. It was only a short drive over, we are now 8. The Kobe Crew, The Tokyo Delegation, The Osaka Connection, and the Zen Clan.

The band was excellent we hung out with wine and chatted for awhile, before we got the hint it was time to leave.

A whale of a day…

With a title this you know it has to be epic…

The big event for us this year, which we have been waiting on for some 4 years, was; the visit from the Kobe Crew. Lady Z’s sister and husband finally made it here from Kobe Japan. We all have been excited about this for weeks on end. They have tried to make it over several times but something unpleasant always came up. We all were delighted fro them ot make it. I was intent on doing whatever was needed to have their needs taken care of for the visit. I needed to repay in a small way the kindness they showed when I came to Japan the first time to visit them. When I fell ill they helped and the many times of help since then with the family affairs in Japan and other visits.

Mother had made the trip now it was their turn. There was some family drama a couple of weeks before they arrived. We were concerned events would again require a postponement…

However this time they made it! They were under a very short time schedule so we had a lot of things to fit in a just a few days, less than a week to be exact. This was going to be a rush…

I picked them up at the S.F. Airport having borrowed my cousin’s SUV for the visit. That was a REAL blessing, thanks cuz. ANywHoo we head from the airport to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.

note* there are more pictures of all on another of my sites. If you can access on. The Photo album is here:

http://zenkazi.multiply.com/photos

A most excellent and beautiful energy spot. All the flowers, and the water a delight for the eyes and spirit.

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Or next stop which I had planned out was the Palace of Fine Arts, built in 1915 I believe for the Pan-Pacific Faire

or Expo I have been there several times now but it is always an visual event.

They are slowly renovating inside the dome. I must see that when it’s done. Hopefully before we go to Japan…

Next stop, this is a great path I worked out. Seeing much stuff all on the way home in a smooth round about road.

I was quite pleased with myself at the route. Anyway I degress with my ego

The Golden Gate Bridge. It is a amazing sight when it is partly covered with fog. I wanted to get a shot of that. There was major fog in the morning, however now it is returned to it source.

We can however enjoy the clear sky and the great northern Ca weather . We gather views from many sides to savor the visual meal spread before us.

That is followed by the desert of finally arriving home for a rest, a meal and some wine.

Nice…

For now a somewhat short post maybe… I may come back later and make/add some changes to this…

The rain on Friday turned into a major ordeal. We were without power for most of the evening, once I arrived home. That along with some in-harmonious companion energy made for …hmmm lets say challenging most of the weekend.

Marriage is alot like doing zazen at times…maybe all the time actually, some days are better than others!…zen heheheh

My zafu came on Friday I’m liking it. I have no plans on taking to the group sittings, but for home, prefect! Much nicer to have one nice cushion on the floor, than a small stack of several.

I went to Zen practice on Sat. It was pouring rain at first but cleared up for the ride home. The meeting was somewhat small because of the storm and the room was very cold. However it was still a good session. We did one finger Zen practice. which helps develop concentration. A simple explanation is, first you hold up one finger and concentrate on the tip for about 3 or so minutes. Then someone in the circle holds up their finger and everyone concentrates on that, and change to another person every min. or so. Also since it was a small group more time was spent on doing meditation than explaining what/how to do it.

It was interesting hearing some of the Chinese view on the New year 2008, year of the rat. 8 is a fortunate number in Chinese culture. Big thing in China with the Olympics, is the torch being lit at 8:00 on the 8th day, in the 8th month in the year of 08″, see the 8 pattern, it is a big deal. I wonder about in Japan about the number 8. I do know 4 is not or maybe it is just the way it is pronounced in counting, so it is changed. Oh well, I digress. It was also interesting to speak with one of the group about Zen and Christianity as he is a Catholic. We spoke of of other clergy within the Catholic circles that also practice Zen and the some I heard of that also teach to their followers. Zen goes across secular border.

Sunday things are settling. Other than now there is no water due to the rain. Sounds weird doesn’t. Well the condos on the first floor on the front of the building flooded due to the run off from the street, they are set just enough below ground level they get the problem from the rains. So the water was shut off whilst they deal with that. Bummer for everyone. More so for the residents, but everyone will pay with higher homeowners dues to pay for it.

I’m reading reports of the problems with the new finger printing of foreigners in & out of Japan. Many see it as yet another blow of discrimination to the foreign community by the government, which is becoming more and more less foreign friendly, even to permanent residents. Although individual Japanese are friendly and kind, the government does not make life, let’s say pleasant for non-Japanese. In a way it is still left over from the old days, when Japan was a closed country, but now with new muscle, yet need the outsider. Kind of strange catch ne! Some Americans who have said they really liked Japan at first living there, changed after a year. They were never accepted as being Japanese, they were always foreigners. Of course this is how millions of Blacks feel in this country. So Japan in many ways is the lesser of two evils for us to live there. There all non-Japanese have to deal with undercurrent discrimination, here it is just the minorities, because the “real” Americans have been conquered and put on reservations. Hmmm, I guess it is really the same though, because in Japan if you are not Japanese, you are the minority… welcome to our world. The main difference is you do not get burning crosses on your lawn, gang jumped, lynched, and the other sorted, violent weirdness that happens to the various minorities here in the US. True things are better than before. Anyway I expect it to be weird regardless starting in a new culture/country at my age.

I heard the band practicing in the club house today, so I stopped by to do the New Years wishes. Nice to see the folks. We chatted a bit. If I was not doing the put off house stuff I would have sat-in with them. Next time, I’m there. I’m feeling the need to play, it has been awhile. I was just thinking about that just a couple of days ago. I have no idea what happened with the church group, I never heard from the choir leader again after I said I was booked until after the holidays. That is too bad I liked doing that. I could call, but I figure if she was interested she would have replied to my emails or if she did not get them contact me.

Anywhoo, I hope everyone is off to a good start for 2008. I’m off to TCB…