Gradings                                                            

Preparation for your Black Belt Test – some key thoughts:

Preparation for black belt is a period of mental development. At the end of this period your spirit of determination will be levels above that of average people. The changes in mind set will push your physical karate ability to black belt. Mental and physical development must go hand in hand.

To quote the writings of Bodhidharma,

"The mind’s movements can’t be blocked by mountains, rivers, or rock walls. It is unstoppable...".

Deshimaru Roshi said, "In a fight between a strong technique and a strong body, technique will prevail. In a fight between a strong mind and a strong technique, mind will prevail, because it will find a weak point…".

Not all of the below points may be realized by the time you reach black belt, however, they must be studied with that goal in mind:

1. You do not test for black belt. You take it.

2. The development of determined spirit - Approach your fighting with life and death seriousness:

Shosan a Zen master of the 17th century said, "To rid yourself of clinging is especially essential to the Way of Zen. This means always being ready to act."

In kumite the highest level of determined spirit can only be reached when one is truly willing to die (no attachment to life or emotion [e.g. fear> during battle). This mental state enables one to overcome opponents who may be physically superior in power or technique. The following story helps explain this point.

A Zen master out for a walk with one of his students pointed out a fox chasing a rabbit.

"According to an ancient fable, the rabbit will get away from the fox," the master said. "Not so," replied the student. "The fox is faster." "But the rabbit will elude him," insisted the master. "Why are you so certain?" asked the student.

"Because the fox is running for his dinner and the rabbit is running for his life," answered the master.

Once understood and practiced this level of spirit can be applied in life to non-kumite situations.

The following passage is by a famous karate author and practitioner named Randall Hassell (Zen Pen & Sword, ISBN 0911921133).

"Zen also concerns itself with the nature of death, and tells us to understand death and then put it aside. In karate we perceive death as fear to go forward, and we strive rigorously to prevent that fear from interfering with total commitment in technique. Once we perceive death and pain as natural eventualities, we can throw them out of our power of consciousness being and perform our techniques boldly. When we have no thought for our own lives, we can truly become selfless in our relation with others. If we think about others, and not our own reward or penalty, we will act quickly, without hesitation or confusion."

3. Dojo kun - Patience:

The duration of brown belt may be as long, or longer, than the time spent on all the other colored belts. The below poem is by Mabuni Kenwa, the founder of Shito-ryu.

Forgetting everything,

Going to the Island of Karate,

Rowing the Boat there

Is Happiness.

This poem stresses that happiness is found during the search and struggle for perfection rather than the achievement of the end goal. The path traveled to that end goal is most important.

4. A new level of kata understanding must be reached.

As a karate-ka strives for black belt they must attain a new understanding and attitude towards kata. The chosen kata must begin to feel like it is a true expression of oneself, presenting all inner and outer attributes. Therefore, when kata is performed the presence of ki demands the attention of onlookers.

More than just a couple of advanced kata must be understood. Additionally, the bunkai of these kata must be known.

5. Beginner’s Mind:

Study of the Way requires the attitude of a "beginner’s mind". At brown belt much of your karate has become habit. To grow further and push your technical and mental limitations it is important to maintain a "beginner’s mind" i.e. openness to new ideas and willingness to be unbiased by previously held understandings. This reference to the beginner’s mind is mentioned not for new techniques you will see, but for techniques you have already learnt. Simply being at class performing drills night after night for 1-2 years will not push your level to the next stage.

A Poem by Dogen (a 13th century Japanese Monk):

Jewels become objects of beauty by polishing,

Man becomes a true man through training,

What jewel is lustrous from the outset,

What man is superior from the beginning,

You must always keep polishing and always keep training,

Do not relax and depreciate yourselves in the study of the Way.

*Dogen is known for moving Zen from China to Japan