THE SANSEI PAGE: Ray Feliciano, Sensei Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Ray Feliciano, Sensei Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Ray Feliciano, Sensei

You can't be a leader if you care only for yourself. It just doesn't work. You can't fake caring for your people either. You also have to take the time to help the ones around you be more than they could be on their own. In fact I would argue that you aren't a real leader until you have helped some others be leaders. You might get people to follow you, but if you can't help others get to the next level and perhaps even beyond yourself, then you might be a great entrepreneur but a lousy leader. Ray Feliciano, Sensei is one of those leaders that understands that good leadership is about making leaders, and we are so fortunate to have him in the World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo. He leads by example he understands that in order to be a leader you have to connect with people on multiple levels but which all boil down to trust.

Ray Feliciano, Sensei has been a student of Karate since 1962 and to this day considers himself to be nothing more than a student. His study of the martial arts has taken him too many Dojos, throughout the United States as well as mainland Japan and Okinawa during the early 70s. Having been fortunate enough to have served his country honorably during Vietnam as a United States Marine he was given the opportunity to be stationed in the Far East, the then Mecca of Karate. Eager to follow in the footsteps of one of his most revered Sensei’s, at age 19, a Shodan in Goju ryu, he began this journey that almost a half century later continues without yet having reached his destination. In the late nineties he retired as the Director of a New York State Criminal Justice Agency. After relocating to Puerto Rico, he embarked on what is now my 2nd career with the United States Government - Department of Veteran Affairs.
Currently he is the senior instructor at the Yamabushi Dojo located in Puerto Rico under Hanshi Miguel Montalvo. His lifelong goal has been to learn, teach and pass on the traditions of Budo to whoever wants and/or yearns for “Satori”. He has had many Senseis’, some high profile and some not. They, however, have been equal in stature insofar as, their influence on him as a person and as a Karateka. He has attempted to emulate them and pay homage daily during Seiza, which is his way of honoring them and their memories. They continue to influence him and many others though some of them have passed on. He hopes that they approve of his work and find that I am worthy to continue their mission no matter how small my contributions may be.

Sansei

WORLD SANSEI KORYU GOJU-RYU KARATEDO

世界三世紅竜の剛柔の龍は組織空手道

http://www.koryugojuryu.com/

www.silvercupmiami.com

(International Old-Style Karate Goju Association)

Established 1979

The New Path

A tree reaches past your embrace grows from one small seed.

A structure over nine stories high begins with a handful of earth.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

TAO 64

This passage from a manuscript written centuries ago holds true today. The Kokusai Koryu Gojuryu Karatedo has grown geometrically since its inception in 1979. It has grown from a small group of students to its current existence as a world re-known organization.

The mission of the World Sansei Koryu Gojuryu Karatedo is to promote excellence in its members. Students becoming members in the organization will grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Karate provides knowledge that will last the lifetime of the student. Discipline and preparedness learned in the Dojo will allow the students to perform at higher levels, giving them a competitive edge, both in school and in the workplace. The student that accepts the Karate way sets himself or herself forever on the path of excellence.

SANSEI

WORLD SANSEI KORYU GOJU-RYU KARATEDO

(International Old-Style Karate Goju Association)

Established 1979

WORLD SANSEI KORYU GOJU-RYU

KARATE & KOBUDO ORGANIZATION

The “Crane” is our symbol, which represents simplicity, beauty, nature, character and the essence of life; it characterizes the goodness that our organization represents by our membership, and our commitment to family and community involvement.

As a Taoist representation it's yang side also represents its dynamic striking ability, smooth, flowing, lighting fast, effortless, with unyielding, unforgiving accuracy

The red interior represents health, strength, physical energy, passion, courage, protection. The color of the element of Fire, Red is associated with blood (and thus, life and death), and intense emotions.

The black outline represents the banishing of negativity.

The white represents Protection and Purification.

The symbol is a reminder of natural law, the order of life and the wisdom you need to live it.

The World Sansei Koryu Goju-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Organization's name and logo are owned by the Organization. Members are cautioned to use them only for the purposes of demonstrating rank certification and certifying students who are in good standing within the Organization.Membership in the World Sansei Goju-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Organization is an honor and privilege! A lifetime of hard work, dedication, and study from the Founder allows the Organization to exist - and it has for 31 years! The Organizational Hombu needs support and cannot sustain itself on its own. The Organizational fees are but a small token of one's loyalty towards this Organization. All members who desire to remain in good standing with the Organization will have their dues paid in full each year and will be posted on the international website. All members are expected to hold the highest standards of respect and dignity. As a member you are encouraged to take full advantage of the services of the Organization. You may elect to use any service we offer at any time.We are all equal under the Arts. The only special consideration given to any member will be the respect afforded to one's rank. This privilege will be given to each member by another. It is only proper that one’s accomplishments in the Arts be recognized.To acquire an accurate understanding of Loyalty, one must understand the meaning of the word Loyalty along with what Loyalty actually represents, both culturally and symbolically.

The World Sansei Goju-Ryu Karatedo Organization's “oath of allegiance" relates to words such as loyalty, commitment, adherence and faithfulness. Loyalty is an actual act of truce between people. Those who believe in our ideology would "Be Loyal" to them. The act of Loyalty is formalized by a special handshake in the way of holding forearms.

Once this Loyalty in understood , it symbolizes support and devotion towards each other. It is also noted that there are no contracts, no formal agreements, only a simple handshake . That in itself emphasizes a simple trust and belief in each other more than anything else.

This Karate Association follows the same path and ideology as one can expect from its title "Loyalty". Its Karate teachings very much parallel the same virtues of loyalty, honesty and commitment; and it promotes supporting and helping each other to achieve the same goals and objectives in Karate-Do.This Karate Association can be viewed as a "way of life" to help promote a unique perspective of life - the wisdom to perceive the benefits of adopting a nonviolent attitude, the virtue of being patient and the tranquility of possessing peace in our lives.

World Sansei Gojuryu Karate-do Organization was founded by Manny Saavedra, currently the Head Instructor of the Karate Association with one major goal in mind: to enrich the quality of life of its practitioners and to develop a strong sense of camaraderie, solidarity and team work among members ... all in the Way of Karate.