Spirit of Sosai lives- but how do we know it actually exist in others?
It is like the wind- we feel it but do not see.
So I thought of writing this little analogy.
"If I asked you to prove to me that wind exists, what would you say?
You might say that you saw a tree dancing. I would agree with you but that is describing a tree in motion.
You could then describe to me the sensation of the wind, tracing upon your skin. That would certainly be the feeling of the wind.
But what does wind look like? We could carry on along this vein of inquiry but the truth is no one has ever seen the wind, yet we are certain of its existence.
This confidence comes from experiencing its existence."
I thought of this analogy because the spirit is just as illusive as the wind.
Spirit cannot be viewed with the naked eyes. We may only learn of its presence by experiencing its symptoms.
So what are the symptoms of Spirit? How do we know if we live and feel Sosai’s spirit?
I have heard people say: “Oh, I am too old to train the physical training anymore.” Or
“If you don’t train until you drop dead it is not Kyokushin.”
But what is the purpose of this?
I think all paths of self-development have rituals to enhance self-awareness. But it is not
the action itself that spirituality resides but perhaps in the intent- of what motivates us
to do it.
Some train until they tire themselves out or worse, injuring themselves over and over. Others
sit still in meditation while someone else may chant mantras or study scriptures. All of these
actions may be discipline but they are not necessarily spiritual.
We may worship a deity or give a sermon to feed our own ego. We may meditate to feel superior
to others or memorize a scripture to appear learned. We might become proficient at kata’s or
kumite to gain praise for our prowess.
But I think the spirit of Sosai can only be found in those who search for the deeper essence.
It is all in the intent and one’s motivation. To live the truth, not just know it.
People can act humble because they may feel that is what a teacher is required to do. Or act
tough because they are training karate. Or act strong and wise because they are wearing 8th dan
belts. But how many actually live that? Sosai LIVED his success and his mistakes fully. That is
why he touched us so deeply. And to live in the Truth is living Sosai’s spirit.
I believe that Kyokushin translates into the word yoga- yoking of the mind and the body- because
to search for the Truth is a union of the soul with the Highest consciousness. And by him having
forced to search for his identity, he went beyond being Japanese or Korean or Asian but by adopting
universally known truth which is the foundation of his karate.
The dojo kun is a practical guide to one’s chosen spiritual path. That is like the Bible to Christians
as the dojo kun is to Kyokushin practitioners. We can all serve Sosai’s philosophy, not just in dojo’s
but in our lives. By living it’s existence. Experiencing his existence. Learning the concept of the
Truth is not enough, we have to live it, just as Sosai did so beautifully.
Kuristina Oyama
Say not, “I have found the truth,” but rather, “I have found a truth.”
Say not, “I have found the path to the soul.”
Say rather, “I have met the soul walking upon my path.”
For the soul walks upon all paths
The soul walks not upon a line; neither does it grow like a reed.
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.
Kahlil Gibran