The life of an egg...

The past month has brought me into deep contact with a world I had forgotten about - that of rampant individualism. Having lived in Japan for almost three decades, the notion of 'wa' for better or worse had seeped into my bones more than I knew. 


As most of the folks I associate herewith are either Japanese or have lived here for a long time, we all know the 'rules' regarding 'wa' - it is unspoken, but we know it. So to once again be face to face with highly centralised 'individuals' who, despite their best intentions, did place themselves in a higher platform than 'us' was a shock and honestly one I was unprepared for.


Below, I share some ideas that emerged from this contact with the 'outside' world or at least the world of North America and Western Europe. This post is more about me, reflecting on 'stuff' I now take for granted but was not necessarily part of my original understanding of myself. 


Life is a funny old thing - when you have changed and didn't notice.


1. Kaizen and Traditional Japanese Values:

• Kaizen (改善) in traditional Japanese culture embodies the principle of continuous improvement. It's deeply rooted in values like humility, harmony (wa), and mutual respect. I expect to refine myself more each day to be who I want to be - like brushing dust off a mirror. This is not the living as an incomplete 'self' but rather the refining of the edges so I can become more who I want to be or who you need me to be. I am 'complete' but not finished.
• Humility (謙遜) is fundamental, fostering mutual respect and lifelong learning. Practitioners recognise their limitations and honour the expertise of others. 
• Know which boundaries you are invited to cross and which ones you have no night to cross - do not presume.
• Harmony (和) is vital, emphasising cooperation, respect, and empathy in interactions. Practising precision and control contributes to overall harmony, creating an environment for collective growth.

2. Approach to Training:

• Directly asking or telling someone to train can be perceived as aggressive. Practitioners approach with humility, suggesting training as an honour and expressing a desire to learn.
• Practising humility and respect, practitioners create a supportive environment where everyone can learn and grow together.
• Recognising that 'doing' and 'being' within karate are nothing special - they simply are. This "isness" is connected to and refining me. If you find what I do interesting or supportive of what YOU want to become, I will support you; however, I cannot presume to know what you need from karate or budo.
• I train for myself and you because the line between these apparent singularities is an illusion, especially when I become a person from whom you seek advice.
• My karate is MINE. Please do not presume I am seeking advice on it, even if you outrank me or if what I am doing 'won't work on the street' - really, I don't care. If I want your input or advice, I will ask for it.
• Just because you knew who I used to be - don't be fooled - I have not remained still - nor have you.

3. Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness:

• In the context of "wa" (和), practitioners must be attuned to others' preferences and boundaries.
• Being open to learning from others' superior skill sets demonstrates maturity and respect.
• Make sure to distinguish being 'open' does not always mean actively seeking it out - my karate has a culture I uncover and understand more every day, and I can only assume the same for your pursuit.
• It is MINE, and you have no right to it - the only thing I have control over is how I 'react'; all else can be taken away from us.

4. Principles of "Michi" (道) - The Way:

• "Michi" emphasises personal conduct and respect for others, discouraging unsolicited advice and intrusion into personal matters.
• Practitioners focus on self-development and respect others' boundaries, contributing to a positive and respectful training environment.
• Everything I do offers an opportunity to practice karate - from how I relate to myself and others to how I conduct myself when someone dies. As Musashi stated, "the Way" is IN the training, or translated another way, your training is 'the way' - the question you must answer is the way to 'what'.
• Your lineage within karate and life may not interest me, and vice versa. If it is, you will know about it.

5. Cultivating Mushin (無心) - No-Mind:

• Mushin, rooted in Zen Buddhism, involves acting without ego or conscious thought. Practitioners aim for clarity and precision while maintaining harmony.
• To have mushin, however, you must first develop a knowledge of your Fudoshi, and only then can you truly forge what you want through the application of Sanshin.

6. Integration with Kaizen:

• The principles of humility, harmony, and mushin guide practitioners on their journey of continuous improvement along "michi" (道).
• Kaizen encourages practitioners to strive for self-improvement while upholding values of humility and harmony, enhancing skills, and contributing to community well-being.
• Who are you? Who is the 'other'? What do they need of you? They may need you to stick around and 'be present' even if you do not want to be.
• You have not gotten to where you are now on your own. Be humble. Know that others are not perfect, and that, thankfully, is a good thing.
• Who fed you when you were a helpless child? Who clothed you? Are you now present for those who gave to you - regardless of the noise which may have happened between you and them in the past?

7. Transcending the Ego and Focusing on Self-Correction:

• Practitioners release themselves from self-aggrandisement and the desire for power over others, focusing on self-control and aligning actions with budo principles.
•  True mastery comes from mastering oneself, not seeking dominance over others.
• All religious traditions worth their salt teach the same simple truth - a good life is achieved when you become who your 'god' always wanted you to be - your 'being' is tied to others - try to be a force of growth.
• 6 and 7 are closely related, for they call upon you not to place yourself above or others below you. We are all in a Ying/Yang relationship within ourselves, within society, and within the universe. We walk side by side - for now.
• Your needs are no greater than mine and vice versa - sometimes, real strength is the ability to place personal hurt to the side and support those who once hurt you - remember you set an example for your children - your disease will become theirs.

So there you have it- my learning over the last month. 


I have changed in ways I did not know until I was confronted with what I could have become. Returning to the place we first knew and seeing ourselves again can be a frightful and shocking experience. Even more scary can be seeing how others see you.


It reminded me of something I once knew but forgot: It must be a significant burden always to know better than others and to hold a higher moral ground.


​There again, both the chicken and the egg are only given meaning through the 'hatch' - hehehehe.

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