Emotional Growth Through the Study of Sanshin

Sanshin literally means three hearts, but from a practical standpoint enables the martial artist to study not only the integration of body, mind and spirit but to examine the elemental archetypes of earth, water, fire, wind and the void. For a moment let us talk about the human forms of these archetypes as seen in personality types. This concept can be understood in its most basic terms. Religion has simplified everything into good and evil. Instead of good and evil if we were to look at positive and negative and further segmenting a masculine and feminine form we can now look at one of these elements as an example which can explain the concept.
I am sure that every one of us has met an example of a man who has had the personality of the element earth. What would that person be like? If they were a positive manifestation of masculine earth, their personality would be supportive, someone whom you could rely on. If they were a negative manifestation of masculine earth you can see how this person would be viewed as stubborn or unchanging. Aside from physical attributes such as size we are looking at personality and a way they would react to any number of situations. How would we deal with someone unyielding and stubborn in their thinking and movement? Perhaps if we were physically stronger and larger or even more unyielding we could have a shoving match either emotionally, verbally or physically. Unfortunately this type of thinking usually has a winner and a loser. The weaker opponent would lose the battle. But if we were to have an understanding and ability to not only understand the personality in terms of elemental archetype but chose the appropriate element to neutralize, defuse or remove any potential conflict there would not be a winner nor loser. There would be no disadvantage to physical or mental strength or even will power. When you know others there is wisdom but to master them requires force. Rather than force use your inner strength to master yourself. If you can learn not only to sense but to also project an archetype devoid of emotion, again using the words of Lao Tzu, the rhinoceros can find no place to thrust their horn, the tiger no place to use their claws and no weapon a place to pierce. So as you can see as the ancients say, Yield and overcome.”
The studies of these elements are vital strategies to understanding the proper attitude when approaching any manner of situation. When you practice keep in mind that there is intention behind every action. There is the intention of your opponent as well as yourself, but there is also a universal intention that you have no control over other than to surrender to. Understanding universal intention and your place within this great mystery allows for the beginning of integration of San Shin. We can train our bodies, mind and spirit, but to what purpose? How do we integrate the three hearts? Because we want to dominate another to our will, or to serve a universal intention to which we were born onto this earth? Through the study of Sanshin you will come to understand emotional growth.

Path notes on use of Kata part I

One of the biggest traps lie when you start to collect Kata. Kata is a way of teaching, and not something to be memorized and used as an application to a specific attack. In a fight there is not time to think or remember what to do. Your body reacts naturally from thousands of hours of practice. My note book at this point is for reference so I can teach what I have forgotten. I attempt to teach my students how to build a beautiful cabinet, not to be the master of hammer and nail. Distance and timing, while wrapping your opponent up in space with nothing to cling to, is just as important as moving freely. You should not worry about making mistakes while training but rather develop a flexible frame of mind which will allow you to flow into a fresh solution. Trying to win, using power and being set in your ways in a real fight will get you killed. Not only do our thoughts influence our bodies but it is also true that our bodies influence our thoughts. Do not try and fit a situation into a pre-set plan, rather adapt to your surroundings. Also once you stop thinking about individual technique and start flowing, there will be no fixed point for your opponent to attack. You must pace yourself while training Kata being careful not to rush. The speed will be there when you need it, but it is much more important to break things down so your flow does not leave openings. When training with a partner try to match their speed and not react to quickly, allow time to see where they are going and only move quickly when you finish technique.