THE SANSEI PAGE: Death and Karate Philosophy

Monday, June 30, 2008

Death and Karate Philosophy

Since death is the settlement of one's life account, learning to die a good death may be the key to living a meaningful life.
What is the purpose of life? If all of us need to die at some time, what is the purpose of living? These are questions that we have asked ourselves at one time or another.
One thing is definite, however. All those who have lived a meaningful life have lived a happy life. Hence, it is not over-simplifying to say that the purpose of life is the pursuit of happiness. Not superficial nor shallow happiness; but the happiness that is not easily affected by events that affect us.

Not just pursuing the happiness of oneself - but the happiness of others as well.

To die a good death:

The fear of death is real. Human beings are alone in the ever-consciousness of their mortality. To some, the fear of death affects the very foundation of their lives. While different religions offers different explanations as to what happens to us after we die, they seem to agree on one common point: that death is the settlement of one's life account, and that those who live a meaningful life certainly cope better with their impending death - and perhaps beyond.
Researches on those who have experienced "out-of-body experiences" and those who were resuscitated after being clinically dead seems to support the point aforementioned. Those who went through those experiences have reported having their entire life flashed before them as if watching a video in fast-forward mode. They also reported having seen a light brighter than those they had seen before. While those who have lived a meaningful life are happy to see this light, those who has lived a life of regret found the light a torment.
It is not easy to die a happy death. To die a happy death, one has to live a meaningful life. To live a meaningful life, one has to realize their true worth and values. None of us know when we will die.
Yet, while we can't decide how or when we will die, we can certainly decide how we should live our lives. Since we need to die at some time, isn't it better to die knowing that we have lived a meaningful life?
And when some whom we love are abruptly taken from us, we mourn their loss, and we grieve - yet we can also take solace - by cherishing the memory of their meaningful life well spent.

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.