The characters/ideograms mean, "mind; soul; heart; spirit; intention." The first character means, "refined; ghost; fairy; energy; vitality; semen; excellence; purity; skill," the second character means, "gods; mind; soul."
Of the definition I feel the most important trait is "intention." I am not clear as to Advincula Sensei's and Nakazato Sensei's context/meaning because I, personally, feel that there is more to this than simply "The true intention of karate is Seishin, which is not to fight." Yes, a solid explanation to the original question of "What is the most important aspect of karate?"
It is Kyan Sensei's "way" but it lacks the complete substance of what Kyan Sensei may have actually intended by providing us this term to explain the true intention of karate-do. This is not from any special knowledge but rather my personal understanding that is derived from questions, answers and the research I have tired to do over the years. This is not easy with all the obstacles one encounters in researching a foreign discipline like any martial art from Asia.
Simply, the answers are not that simple. They are not that complex either but they tend toward the difficult. If this terse and brief explanation that spurred this posting is anyting it should be the key that unlocks the practitioners natural inquisitive mind. A mind that will seek out answers from all sources. A mind that will see all sides, hear in all directions and then with an open-mind absorb that which is the essence of martial arts. This may be true "Seishin," i.e. the heart, soul, spirit and intention for the study of Okinawan Karate-jutsu-do.
In the end it is a matter of personal opinions. This is Kyan Sensei's opinion to which Nakazato Sensei agrees and by that passes this belief on to Advincula Sensei who also passes this down to his students.
Seishin Shugyo [精神修行者]
Seishin and the first two characters/ideograms mean, "mind; soul; heart; spirit; intention." The first character means, "refined; ghost; fairy; energy; vitality; excellence; purity; skill," the second means, "gods; mind; soul." Note: See the shugyo entry for that word and set of characters.
The Okinawan's believe that Seishin Shugyo or spiritual training is the "training that comes first." They use a phrase, i.e. Oku Myo Zai Ren Shin," that has a meaning that "in order to find the secrets, one must first have spiritual training." It is also said, "polish the heart through the polishing of technique."
This adds more meaning to "shugyo" and its importance to the study, practice and training in the art of karate-jutsu, the Okinawan art of the empty hand.
Seishin-shuyo [精神修養]
The characters/ideograms mean "mental training; moral (spiritual) improvement; practice mental training; cultivate one's mind (soul)." The first character means, "refined; ghost; fairy; energy; vitality; semen; excellence; purity; skill," the second character means, "gods; mind; soul," the third character means, "discipline; conduct oneself well; study; master," and the fourth character means, "foster; bring up; rear; develop; nurture."
In martial arts this means one who acknowledges "mental training" as an intricate part of karate goshin-do training or mental training in martial arts as a whole. It is to actively incorporate mental training that is not just assumed but rather addressed in details and holistically to support equally the physical training one has in martial arts.
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