Newsletter
"The Source"
Kukan-
The "Empty?" Space
by Shihan Richard J. Van Donk
Do
you know how you carry yourself through life? The way
we move in the world reflects the inner dimensions of
our being. There are basically three levels- affected,
controlling and creation.
The
first
level (3rd position- disassociated) is where everything
in the world affects you, your feelings, thoughts and
actions. You can only react.
The
second
level (2nd position- synesthesia) is being able to manipulate
the situations in the world to your satisfaction as you
move through space.
The
third level
(1st position-associated {nagual}) is when as you move,
the world moves. You are its co-creator in mind and body.
There is a difference in being affected by the world as
you move through it and the higher level of when you move,
the world moves around you giving you ultimate choice
and freedom of your own creation. This is not to be confused
with an ego based self. There is a real difference between
true self confidence, and the arrogance of a self inflated
ego, although sometimes these traits are not always easy
to distinguish between. Checking a person's intent is
a great tool for measuring the difference. When we are
powerful ourselves and comfortable in that power we are
much less bothered by the power of others. Our place is
understood, our boundaries are established yet we are
unlimited in our possibilities. This is not true when
we are unempowered mentally, physically or emotionally.
We teach our beginning students at the American Bujinkan
Dojo to relax and not to fight the fight. What's going
to happen is going to happen. If you are fighting a battle
inside as well as a battle outside that's two battles
going on, which means you have a double chance of losing
one of them. O'Sensei Takamatsu used this kukan to never
get angry. We can all learn from him. We must learn to
properly distance ourselves from our problems. This gives
true perspective. You must become relaxed and composed
so you can respond with proper action based on wisdom.
Personal
Kukan
What
about your personal use of your space. Are the spaces
in your life filled with clutter? Examine your car, your
house, and especially your mind. It may be a good time
to clean these things and bring about a clarity in your
self and in your life. In martial arts your ability or
inability to move yourself and others (distancing for
beginners) in the space in which you move creates the
outcome of a situation for better, or worse. Timing is
everything in life. If your personal space is very cluttered
you may be causing yourself unrealized problems. Inefficient
movement can cost you big time in a life and death situation.
Your life may have become filled with too much effort
(looking for misplaced things, tearing through stuff to
get to something). Clean out your space. In training,
the surface on which you are moving will determine your
footwork, as will the timing, distancing, angling and
intent of your adversary. Moving your body on large rocks
or in water or on ice or on uneven ground with a lot of
holes in it will alter your footwork drastically. This
is great practice in using the physical aspects of kukan.
One of Soke's greatest secrets is his footwork patterns
which he has mixed from all the schools. He told me he
took up soccer while in college to master his footwork
while in action. (He was the captain so he must have been
good at it.) I understand what he means as I have also
played and coached soccer at many levels. Make sure you
train carefully on these secrets as you better your taijutsu.
Injury will limit and alter the way you can move in the
world. Kukan deals with all aspects, not just the so called
physical. It's really all physical with many layers of
perception from my level of experience and knowledge.
Kukan
in Action - Godan Testing
The first real test of our mastery of kukan in this art
is the Godan test which, once passed, gives a person the
right to become a fully licensed teacher in the Bujinkan
arts. Emotions and thinking get in the way for many who
attempt this test and they fail. To pass you must be able
to free yourself in the space between time. Societal changes
and ignorant minds teaching others ignorant thoughts have
caused most people to feel separate from their personal
connection to what is natural, to their own humanity. Soke's
true meaning in the Godan testing is to give humanity back
to individuals. The automatic surrender of your conscious
thoughts, your expectations, your ego, and trusting the
divine intelligence (consciousness) to move you out of the
danger of the thrusting sword cut of Soke Hatsumi taps you
into the inner space of your humanity. A true aspect of
kukan, at its best. Once this transmission is received the
new Godan student is to begin training on the ura (inner)
side of the art. The omote (outer) is the physical training
up to Godan which gives you your foundation. Then as you
approach Godan level and after the test you begin to blend
this inner connection into the flow of your life. It will
not only affect your taijutsu but also everything that you
come in contact with. You have then reached the second level.
Keep these things in Mind and Heart.
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