Okinawan Karate Kata - Mindless Meanderings on Kata Practice

Graphic borrowed from Advincula, A. J. Sensei's FB Wall. Click for larger Veiw.

I believe this is true to a point but I also believe one must not get mired down in what is right and what is wrong and by whose perceptions and the context of the present time vs. the times to which we attribute the birth of kata. 

Knowing the past is important. But knowing the present is also just as important. If nothing else knowing the origins will allow you to make those necessary changes (necessary, not just for changes sake) to ensure what you do for self-defense, defense or even combatives are relevant to this times self-defense, defense, and combatives. 

The world is not simply a repetitive one where nothing changes and advancements are not created. 

It is best to know the past and purpose of things so you have a foundation to create the new and relevant. Sometimes this is a very simple adjustment and sometimes it is a vast change. 

Kata is a symbol and metaphor but of fighting, combatives and defenses while those are driven by cultures, beliefs and perceptions as to the context of things so that makes them unique to the creator. Use this to achieve mastery of a system then make those changes necessary for our times and needs but remain diligent to the past while knowing the present.

Point in support, there are a variety of methods that are used in the practice of Isshinryu. You have the Harold Long interpretations, you have the Steve Armstrong interpretations, you have the Don Nagle interpretations and you have the Advincula interpretations. All these find karate-ka will say they learned their interpretation directly from Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei and I believe they did BUT there are differences. Oh, and don't forget the Harold Mitchum interpretations. 

All these fine karate-ka spent time and a lot of effort, sweat, and blood studying under Tatsuo-san. Yet, they teach it differently here to their dojo under their perceptions, context and cultural belief systems. Does this mean only one or maybe two or three are the only ones teaching it correctly or even right? No, they all feel strongly they learned the kata and all the other basics and fundamentals of Isshinryu the creator of the system and they are all correct as they teach it now. 

Remember, being right is not just being right. It is a matter of the time you trained, who you trained with and the culture, beliefs, perceptions of each person or individual as influenced by the time, the culture and ethnic groups, the power relationships, the perceiving person, the sensory input modes, the perceptions of perceptions as to truth and accurate facts, and both the internal and external environments and now we add perception of movement; perception of body language which includes facial expressions, etc. 

Also, as said by Suzanne Robertson of London, "people are influenced and constrained by their own knowledge, experience, imagination, and attitudes."

A point to be made for the past is delving into the cultural content of those symbols is one of the gateways to understanding Okinawans, Japanese and Chinese.

For me, the similarities of Isshinryu in lieu of the differences come from the dedication to the "essence" that is Isshinryu. This essence can be seen in all variations of the system. The similarities are far more important than the differences!

Addendum: I learned the system from my sensei. As I progressed I learned his system is based on the Nagle system. As time passed I discovered the variations and found one in particular to be an improvement, for me, on what I was practicing, training for, teaching and applying so I changed from my original way of practice. That other version is still a foundation of what I practice today but it is different. The changes are small but necessary for me. As to teaching, I would adhere to some of what I was originally taught but most would come from that which I changed to a few years back. That would not be what I practice today but a closer version to what was intended to maintain a connection to the system as it was intended from Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei. There is what you practice for yourself but what you teach to the new ones should be the originally foundation of basics and fundamentals with a grounding in fundamental principles of martial systems. The difference is to inspire your students to remain connected to the past but to reach for the present while thinking of the future - there is room for all three and all are necessary to reach beyond the moon toward the stars.

Bibliography:

Advincula, Arcenio J. Sensei. "Okinawa Karate Kata." Here

James, Charles E. "Comment and Share of FB page above." Here

Principles and Gokui Connections

PRINCIPLES OF THEORY

Universality, Control, Efficiency, Lengthen Our Line, Percentage Principle, Std of Infinite Measure, Power Paradox, Ratio, Simplicity, Natural Action, Michelangelo Principle, Reciprocity, Opponents as Illusions, Reflexive Action, Training Truth, Imperception and Deception.

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOKINETIC

Breathing, Posture, Triangle Guard, Centerline, Primary Gate, Spinal Alignment, Axis, Minor Axis, Structure, Heaviness, Relaxation, Wave Energy, Convergence, Centeredness, Triangulation Point, The Dynamic Sphere, Body-Mind, Void, Centripetal Force, Centrifugal Force, Sequential Locking & Sequential Relaxation, Peripheral Vision, Tactile Sensitivity, Rooting.

PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE

Techniques vs. Technique, Equal Rights, Compliment, Kobo Ichi, Economical Motion, Active Movement, Positioning, Angling, Leading Control, Complex Forces, Indirect Pressure, Live Energy & Dead Energy, Torsion & Pinning, Speed, Timing, Rhythm, Balance, Reactive Control, Natural & Unnatural Motion, Weak Link, Non-Telegraphing, Extension and Penetration.

PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY

Mind, Mushin, Kime, Non-intention, Yin-Yang, Oneness, Zanshin & Being, Non-action, Character, The Empty Cup.

Ken-po Goku-i:

A person's heart if the same as heaven and earth. The blood circulating is similar to the sun and moon. The manner drinking (inhaling) and spitting (exhaling) is either hard or soft. A person's unbalance is the same as a weight.  The body should be able to change directions at any time. The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself. The eyes must see all sides. The ears must listen in all directions. The mind must grasp all the tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction. 

or as I like to write them: "A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction."

The ken-po goku-i relates to the fundamental principles of martial arts. All nine, as I write my gokui, are based on older theories about martial systems that have been vetted into actual strategies, tactics and techniques/combinations, etc. 

The first two lines speak toward philosophies. The next seven lines speak toward physiokinetics and techniques. 

If you study the gokui and the principles long enough and then actually bring them to life in your practice and training all of the principles will be referenced within the meaning of the gokui. 

Look toward symbolism within the gokui to discover the principles as they are applied toward martial systems in practice, training and applications. The gokui is a more philosophical driven fundamental from the ancient studies of the sensei who came before us while the principles are a direct foundation on which all systems function. 

As with all things in martial arts or any mental-physical-spiritual discipline encompass all four principles of theory, physiokinetics, techniques, and philosophies. It is our connection to the heritage that is martial arts from a connection to the ancient classics along with the historical training and practice that is tradition and of a classical nature the bore us modern martial systems. 

Look at the connection to our past to discover how we can make it work for our current time, moment to moment. The old adage of learning from our past so as to not repeat it in the presence applies. We don't want to lose that connection to the past as that is what teaches us holistically to discover what is relevant for present times while creating a new connection that will soon become the future.

The Karate Creed

"I come to you with only Karate  - empty hands, I have no weapons; but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honor; should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong, then here are my weapons – Karate, my empty hands.” - Ed Parker, Grandmaster American Kenpo Karate

I have spent some time contemplating this creed and when I bring it into the self-defense arena I wonder just how relevant this creed is to a person subject to the legal and moral systems of today's societies. 

We first have to define what we mean by "should I be forced." That by itself may mean many things and when you think of self-defense you must first know and understand self-defense laws. Even the learned attorneys of your area may have some difficulty defining what that truly means other than to the letter of the written law. 

Then you follow that with "myself, my principles, or my honor," we are then getting into what the individual perceives as their honor and/or principles. Are they based on something like law or are they based on things derived from movies, television or even your own ego and pride. When you speak of ego and pride you tend to side with what some call the "monkey brain." This in and of itself may be considered the line between fighting and self-defense, i.e. one is illegal and one is not - proving self-defense is a difficult process and costly in a variety of ways. 

When I speak of honor it is not those traits written in books, displayed in movies and often preached by those who feel they are professionals but rather another venue of egoistic prideful driven stuff best left for fiction. 

As to "life or death," or "right or wrong," the individual once again must understand what is considered allowable in society as either right or wrong. It is not just your idea of what that is but rather one that is acceptable to society and acceptable as a defense for self-defense law. 

Last is "then here are my weapons," where I have issues using the term weapons. Presenting the idea that your body parts are weapons over simply tools you use in life to get things done in a physical world may leave the impression that they are acceptable and required for defense. In my mind one should first avoid violence as best they can and if they are left no other options then they should deal with said violence with anything they can use to allow for a path of escape and sometimes that is use of some other object that distances you from force, etc. The goal here is avoidance and to leave a threat so as to achieve safety and security. 

In a nutshell, this quote is merely another sound bite to sell a product to the masses. It leaves out the possibility that something else besides karate or any martial art can achieve defense of self, principles, honor, right or wrong or a matter of life and death. Most of this actually goes to those who put themselves into harms way, i.e. either someone making stupid mistakes or those who are professionals be they security up to military in the defense of our society. 

In the end this simply conveys that these things are complex and difficult. It is best to leave such things to those who are professionals and leave the rest to a sport oriented endeavor leaving self-defense out of the equation. Then again, what do I know, right!

Mastering Meditative States - A Moment at a Time

Just watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eFFCi12v8

Inner Peace Uchinaru heiwa [内なる平和]

The characters/ideograms mean "inner peace." The first character means, "inside; within; between; among; house; home," the fourth character means, "even; flat; peace," the fifth character means, "harmony; Japanese Style; peace; soften; Japan." 

Recently I read a graphic from the Tao & Zen FaceBook wall about inner peace. It is also a goal of martial arts to create within each practitioner a state of inner peace. It is through inner peace that we are able to overcome those tendencies driven by both emotions and nature's survival instincts that drive us to violence. It is also inner peace that creates an attitude and demeanor that will result in the avoidance necessary for true and relevant self-defense. 

This graphic that displays a list of symptoms, I prefer traits, of inner peace talk about remaining in the moment and stopping the minds tendency to focus on past experiences and the fears created. It is about fully immersing self in each moment and the enjoyment one should receive in those moments. It is about letting go of both ego and pride driven emotional effects such as judging, conflict, speculation, worry, etc. while keeping a mind-state that allows us to not worry, live in a state of appreciation, having a connectedness with others and nature, to smile, to receive kindness and reciprocate, and to allow each moment to unfold with no resistance and no manipulation. 

It is not about laying down and allowing others to control and manipulate you but to take a strong stance in life and have the strength, confidence and self-assurance necessary to deal with others while maintaining that inner peace. It is about being consumed by just each moment as they enter, are experienced and then leave with no aberrant traces of thought either future or past. 

In martial arts training and practice are meant to create a state of inner peace where conflict and violence are not necessary yet if confronted with either you have the ability to deal with it with that sense of inner peace that can be influential in resolving things amicably and peacefully. It is about allowing our aura of inner peace to project and be absorbed by those around us in all situations. 

Inner peace also means when no avoidance is available then actions can be used so that all the principles will align to achieve a means to stop damage and stop conflict and stop violence before they escalate into something, else. 

Circadian Rhythms

Driven by a circadian clock and this is tied to the "day." These are biological, built-in, rhythms based on a 24 hour period. It is affected by daily rhythms, tidal, weekly, seasonal, and annual rhythms but for this post we are concerned with daily although each daily set of rhythms are also changed by the others. 

Remember reading the Bible of Karate, it also references such rhythms as to what you are able to do at any given moment along with the effectiveness of any one technique depending on the time of day, etc. 

One way to realize this is to note how you perform in daily activities, i.e. whether you have a lot of energy or you end up running out of steam. Some of us perform our best in the early parts of the day while others the later parts of the day. It goes to show that this rhythm of life and the body-mind as to applying martial arts are also affected by these rhythms. 

The most important rhythm connection is those governed during daylight. A recent article about sleeping during the day can throw off the internal rhythms of our genes, i.e. read the article here: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20140121/sleep-during-the-day-may-throw-genes-into-disarray

Our rhythms are affected by the "light-dark" cycle of full days. How we physically and mentally handle the effects of light-day or day vs. nights relie on being reset each day and resisting that rhythm reset does have adverse affects on our bodies and minds. It just goes to validate that these effects would also have an adverse affect on our abilities to handle stressful situations including violence and the use of legal self-defense. 

In one small aspect of self-defense where avoidance is dominant we should train ourselves to sense our rhytms through out the day and night so that we can realize when our bodies and minds are not at their best. When not at their best is when we might want to avoid certain situations and encounters that could lead to social or even asocial conflicts simply because we are at a low rhythmic state and subject to "losing control" that might lead to violence. 

If true, then it would also mean that if we encounter that state and are attacked that we also may not have full draw on our abilities or even if we do they may not be as powerful as needed simply due to these lowered rhythms within the body as effected by the day, the time of day and other natural rhythms that affect us. 

There is a reason why the ken-po goku-i makes references in the first two lines about circulation, which can be what the authors believed were the bodies rhythms, and the sun, moon, heaven and earth references. Nature does have its roles in how we learn, practice and apply martial arts so it should be a part of the self-defense martial arts curriculum. 

Bibliography:

Wikipedia. "Circadian Rhythm." Last modified January 5, 2014.

Goodman, Brenda. "Sleep During the Day May Throw Genes Into Disarray." Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News). 

Complex Force Sub-principles - more ....

Ok, ok, give me a break. I guess I just can't help myself giving my opinions and I don't always keep my "written" word as I am about to add this post talking more about those sub-principles I told you to research on your own. Still, the book as a lot of solid information and I can now see another reason why martial arts take so long to really learn and understand. It is not just about making a black belt doing the minimum requirements but much more. It is about finding and encoding all those principles that support and drive martial arts. The fundamental principles of martial systems with all its interconnecting symbiotic benefits as well as those sup-principles and their interconnection and symbiotic benefits. (Note and Warning: this is not the end explanation, there is more .... go for it and get the book then spend the time on the dojo floor learning. You will be surprised how much and how long it will support your martial applications, practice and training.)

The principle of "Complex Force" present us with the following five sub-principles:

PRINCIPLE OF SPIRALING

The most obvious demonstration of this principle is the "twist-punch/corkscrew-punch." The critical element of this technique and any other spiraling techniques used is when the actual spiraling action occurs and that is during impact. The fist, wrist and forearm must rotation during impact, it has to penetrate as the fist spirals into the target. Normally, martial artists work to penetrate about one to two inches but others have the practitioner focus on striking the other side of the bodies target point. 

In addition, some rotation must occur post-impact. When one says "impact" this means when the fist first encounters the actual target on the adversary. Even if the spiraling begins just before we have to ensure that some of it actually occurs after the impact. Take into consideration the principle of economic motion for a twist/corkscrew punch using to much spiraling can result in wrist injuries. 

Joint locks also benefit from spiraling motions. You can witness more of this sub-principle in Small Circle Jujitsu or what the author of "The Book of Marital Power" says should be "Small Spiral Jujitsu." 

Avoid that spiraling arc you see when a novice tries a corkscrew punch/strike. The path that the punch takes does not need to spiral, it does not add any power to that strike/punch as that decreases power at impact. It is most efficient to turn the fist, wrist, forearm on the radial axis (Radial Principle). 

In other areas the spiral is also part and parcel to the other principles that nature uses in all life. Spiraling or the spiral pattern is found everywhere, i.e. look at the branches and bark of a tree and you will find that it spirals, when you look at pictures of the other galaxies you will see many, if not most, forming a spiral pattern and the path that the earth and moon follow traveling through the universe forms a spiral - the moon forms a spiral pattern as it rotates around the earth while the earth travels through the universe. 

Think spiral or helix and this also relates to how both centrifugal and centripetal forces work, another set of principles. 

PRINCIPLE OF SCISSORING

The scissoring of an adversaries body between two opposing forces. An example in the striking arena is trapping a part of the body with one hand and striking with the other, or trapping a punch between your hands and applying some tuite technique. Then you can apply two different hand techniques to pinch nerve points. 

PRINCIPLE OF CARVING

When you use your hands to grind a part of an adversaries body using rotation and torsion you are using this principle. When you block you should rotate the arm on its minor axis to that it does a carving action into the adversaries striking arm. This is about turning the bone of the blocking arm into the bone of the striking arm. There is an exercise that teaches Isshinryu'ists how to do this, i.e. kakie uke technique. Another is a blocking exercise we did on Okinawa where you stand facing one another off center and do upper and lower blocking and the goal is to use this technique. 

Again, delay the rotation of the arm for the block until the moment of impact so the maximum carving energy is utilized properly and within the principles. 

PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATING

The most difficult one of the five to explain. It involves aspects of the other four principles. The example given is when using a choke hold on an adversary you shake them during the choking process. This is not meant to imply a larger shaking motion, remember economic motion principle, but a more subtle motion. You create just enough movement to confuse the bodies neuromuscular response along with the adversaries equilibrium. A choke hold, a wrist throw, or a strike, etc. where the vibrating motion will prevent the mind from identifying what to respond to, i.e. remaining in the OO of the OODA loop, and forcing the mind to focus on that motion and technique to stop it and allow them to reach the DA part of the loop. They tend to freeze so that it will cease vibration in lieu of countering.  

PRINCIPLE OF SHEARING

Shearing is also difficult to explain but easy to demonstrate. In lieu of direct impact the stike or energy and power of a strike, kick, etc. should drive through the target like a plow through a hard clay field of soil. It is also incorporating other principles like centrifugal and centripetal. Take an elbow to the ribs. If you actually strike directly into the ribs the bodies natural tendency to harden and shield against the blow takes over but if you strike, plow at an angle to the flat surface and follow through or penetrate in an angular fashion you get shearing effects. 

Other principles such as positioning of you and the adversary, centerline of the adversary in relation to your own, and angling, complex forces, live energy, timing, centrifugal and centripetal all contribute to maximizing the effect of power and energy. It then by means of shearing takes away the bodies natural protective shielding capabilities and crushes it. 

Using complex force along with principles as a whole will ensure that an adversary will succumb to your efforts to stop violence and its damages while inflicting sufficient damage to the adversary allowing you to leave while maintaining the value of true and legal self-defense. 

Bibliography:

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.

Principles within Principle

Another example more obvious is the principle of complex forces where reference is made toward five additional, sub-principles, are exposed, i.e. the principles of spiraling, scissoring, carving, vibrating and/or shearing. 

PRINCIPLE OF SPIRALING

PRINCIPLE OF SCISSORING

PRINCIPLE OF CARVING

PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATING

PRINCIPLE OF SHEARIING

Now, if you are looking for more then I recommend reading the bibliobraphy :-)

Bibliography:

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.

Principles within a Principle

The principle within the principle of yin-yang are the following:

PRINCIPLES OF THEORY (Yin Principal)

Universality, Control, Efficiency, Lengthen Our Line, Percentage Principle, Std of Infinite Measure, Power Paradox, Ratio, Simplicity, Natural Action, Michelangelo Principle, Reciprocity, Opponents as Illusions, Reflexive Action, Training Truth, Imperception and Deception.

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOKINETIC (Yang Principle)

Breathing, Posture, Triangle Guard, Centerline, Primary Gate, Spinal Alignment, Axis, Minor Axis, Structure, Heaviness, Relaxation, Wave Energy, Convergence, Centeredness, Triangulation Point, The Dynamic Sphere, Body-Mind, Void, Centripetal Force, Centrifugal Force, Sequential Locking & Sequential Relaxation, Peripheral Vision, Tactile Sensitivity, Rooting.

PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE (Yang Principal)

Techniques vs. Technique, Equal Rights, Compliment, Kobo Ichi, Economical Motion, Active Movement, Positioning, Angling, Leading Control, Complex Forces, Indirect Pressure, Live Energy & Dead Energy, Torsion & Pinning, Speed, Timing, Rhythm, Balance, Reactive Control, Natural & Unnatural Motion, Weak Link, Non-Telegraphing, Extension and Penetration.

PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY (Yin Principal)

Mind, Mushin, Kime, Non-intention, Yin-Yang, Oneness, Zanshin & Being, Non-action, Character, The Empty Cup.

It should be noted that this overall view of the inner principle that is philosophical provides for the over all yin-yang of nature. Much like the I Ching's trigrams composed of the four two-line set of lines that are used to create both hexagrams and trigrams composed from the singular great tai chi into the two lines, one broken and one complete being yin-yang whereby nature further divides into the four (set of two lines) lines or stages that are greater (old) yang, lesser (young) yang, greater (old) yin and lesser (young) yin. The four are represented by the combination of the singular lines. 

This further represents how the flux or flow of life waxes and wanes between the greater and lesser of either yin or yang as appropriate. The four are dependent upon one another to create the one wholehearted holistic aspects of life and nature. This is the basis of all disciplines with emphasis on martial arts. 

Using the principles as our foundation you can see that there are equal yin and equal yang representations as shown above designations of principle categories with a equal number of yin-yang associations within each category of principles. This, I believe, is how martial arts were created and developed over the history of martial arts. 

Even our Okinawan styles and/or systems are all born from a single marital entity that is Indian to Chinese to all others. The history goes so far back that the only connection that is known today is the indian influences on the Chinese martial arts. 

To achieve true master of any martial art the practitioner should strive to keep an equilibrium or balance of all yin-yang aspects. To lessen or remove any one aspect puts the entire system out of balance and like a great weight will result in the fall of that system, especially when needed the most. 

On-Ko-Chi-Shin [温故知新]

The characters/ideograms mean "developing  new ideas based on study of the past; learning from the past." The first character means, "warm," the second character means, "happenstance; especially; intentionally; reason; cause; circumstances; the late; therefore; consequently," the third character means, "know; wisdom," the fourth character means, "new."

In martial arts disciplines the phrase is used each year to make note of what we have trained and practiced over the last year so we may develop new ideas based on those studies for the new year. It is said in the Asian culture that one should always consult their past if they want to learn about the future. It is the Asian version of learning from your past so as to not repeat it (more toward mistakes being repeated) with the stress being on what you can learn from it or what you can teach yourself, etc. 

On Ko Chi Shin is described by Patrick McCarthy, "Studying the old to better understand the new." In todays world of martial arts there are really no excuses as the sources are plentiful for learning about our past be it personal or historical to the system or style of your discipline. 

Reigi Saho [礼儀作法]

The characters/ideograms mean "etiquette; courtesy (Dojo Customs / Courtesy / Respect)." The first character means, "salute; bow; ceremony; thanks; remuneration," the second character means, "ceremony; rule; affair; case; a matter," the third character means, "make; production; prepare; build," the fourth character means, "method; law; rule; principle; model; system."

The fundamental essence that is reigi saho in the discipline of karate is that one who takes up the practice must embrace the concepts of karate beginning and ending with courtesy. To do so it is important that the practitioner learn about the customs and beliefs of karate and that means the people of Okinawan, especially those who teach, practice and train in budo karate. 

An Okinawan karate dojo begins and ends said training and practice with courtesy, respect and proper etiquette being lived, breathed and displayed (character; courteousness; sincerity). This is reigi saho. 

Thinking bout reigi saho one must consider where they derive it. For a karate-ka and for the sake of a traditional way of practice and training it might best serve to focus on Okinawan etiquette, courtesy and respect they display both in and out of the dojo. Even the more modern versions of karate must adhere to some form of etiquette, courtesy and respect that is reflected in and out of the dojo in all the karate-ka does, says and lives. 

Yin-Yang (In-Yo in Japanese)

Duality, this is the absolute of nature. If you look you will always see both sides of the coin that is nature. Not the nature you think from a western point of view, i.e. animals, plants and human beings - Oh my!

Nature as perceived through the ancient classics, i.e. I Ching, Tao Te Ching and the Analects, etc. 

Balance is the meaning of life. Since yin-yang are always in flux our goal is to reduce that flux to its minimum creating an equilibrium/balance in all things.

No where else have I encountered this law more so than in the martial arts. It becomes apparent when you study the underlying foundation of principles that are martial systems.

If one or the other complementary principles does not achieve its equal of the other in practice and training it will not create the balance necessary in application to result in success.

Often this concept along with principles are left to the pure physical and the resulting high one receives in achieving the mere physical.

It is only when you create the one wholehearted whole of a martial art that you encounter a true high that is.

What you get when you leave out the yin of the duality of yin-yang is an abomination that can be either good or evil depending on the person or persons involved.

One of those life long endeavors often alluded to in martial arts disciplines is the one achieved through the more esoteric aspects that are difficult. This is what makes true martial budo most difficult.

You can achieve the physical with ease but to achieve the whole of the one that is martial discipline is something rare - even when you hear that millions practice what they believe to be martial arts.