INTRODUCTION

A message regarding Personal Transformation:

As a traditional Japanese martial art, with a Zen philosophy foundation, Chito-Ryu Karate-do facilitates an individual student becoming a more self-actualized and more fully functioning person. Our system inevitably addresses each student in a personal way, challenging her/him to reach beyond physical and psychological comfort zones to stretch and grow.

While the developmental opportunities differ for each individual, common recurring themes involve our learning to reduce our egocentrism. For some, this self-consciousness manifests itself as deficiency in assertiveness, low self esteem, absence of clear personal goals, victim mentality, etc. Others are challenged by conceit/arrogance, hostile-aggressive interpersonal attitudes, attention-getting exhibitionist tendencies, disrespect for authority, etc. As a matter of degree, all of these issues present themselves in us in terms of insufficient patience (with ourselves and with others), insufficient courage to cope fully in stressful situations, unnecessary pride/need to save face and ultimately, disingenuous expressions of filial piety toward our Instructors.

Fortunately, Chito-Ryu Karate-do is designed to cause substantial changes in each of us, across all these spectra. If we stay the course, we will assuredly grow and become better human beings. Our waza are the MEANS to the end: personal character development. The waza are not an end unto themselves. Thus, maintaining a beginner’s mind, we need not concern ourselves about belt grade, rank, martial titles, organizational titles, preferred status with the Instructor, etc. All of these are transitory and irrelevant to our goal of self-development. In fact, attaining the former things actually seems to obstruct many of us from seeing ourselves as we really are (in terms of always still needing to improve our character). These “rewards” often seem to reverse whatever progress some might otherwise have made. Net, yield yourself to the transformation process. Avoid being distracted by rank and titles. Remember why you began the journey and expect to grow continually.

(Originally shared in 2002)