Paperback
Overview
This book is for Martial Artists, who train their bodies and minds but have yet to find the spirit that lies deep within their art.
Martial Arts are brutal and deadly forms of fighting, however, they also contain the potential to go beyond the surface of skin and bones defensive and aggressive physical techniques, by tapping into a well of emotional and spiritual energy that strengthens the physical motion, while elevating character and personal growth.
Most traditional Martial Arts schools contain Kata as part of their curriculum. A Kata is a dance-like pattern of fighting techniques containing specific hand and foot positions and movements, specific breathing patterns, vocalizations, and visualization of imaginary opponents. Physical, emotional and spiritual energies are generated, absorbed, redirected and projected. Kata is essentially a combat based energy management system. Students learn the Kata in a systematic approach where each progressing Kata is more difficult than the previous one. It takes many years to master all of the intricate movements and fighting strategies contained in the Kata.
These Kata have ancient roots containing advanced fighting techniques, fighting strategies and deep spiritual meaning. By passing through the various Kata of the system, a student gradually progresses through physical, emotional and spiritual states that ultimately provide a roadmap to becoming a fearless and compassionate human being; a person who can give freely, because he can fight and is not afraid of losing anything, including his life.
The rigorous training Martial Artists suffer through, as we learn to fight by mastering the Kata, elevates our character as we overcome our physical, emotional and spiritual limitations. The lessons we learn through training increase our compassion as we teach our juniors, who are themselves suffering through the training. By embracing and extending compassion we can end our own and others suffering, and make a positive difference in the world.
The purpose of studying Karate is not to learn how to fight. Fighting is only a means to an end. The purpose is to become compassionate. You must be fearless to be truly compassionate.
This is the promise and final end-goal of traditional Martial Arts and Okinawan GoJu-Ryu Karate and is sadly missing in the arts as practiced today.
What others are saying:
"Karate: Beneath The Surface is a work of uncommon honesty and self-discovery. A refreshingly candid examination of one man's journey to understand the spiritual that lies beyond the implicit violence of Martial Arts." - Robert Mark Kamen - Creator of "The Karate Kid"
“Kamen’s work is not the judgment of a Martial Master on the techniques and applications of Kata and Karate. Rather, it is a personal narrative about a spiritual path of Kata that is transformative - growth gained, not by infusing new principles or concepts, but rather, by uncovering sacred elements that have been within each of us from our beginnings.” - Gary Gabelhouse - Karate Student, World Explorer, Published Author
"This is an extremely honest account of one man's journey through karate, and the discoveries he has found along the way. Packed with first-hand accounts, it will cause those who read it to question the true purpose of kata within their own karate practice." - Garry Lever - Jissokan Goju Ryu
About the Author:
Roy Kenneth Kamen has studied Karate since 1965. He earned his second-degree black belt in Traditional Okinawan GoJu-Ryu Karate and a first-degree black belt in Okinawan Kobudo from Master Seikichi Toguchi, a first-generation student of the founder of GoJu-Ryu, Grand Master Chojun Miyagi, in 1980. Mr. Kamen currently holds an eighth-degree black belt and trains with Chi-I-Do International in New York City.
Related collections and offers
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780999042700 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Kamen Entertainment Group, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 07/01/2017 |
| Pages: | 156 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d) |
About the Author
Mr. Kamen owns and operates Kamen Entertainment Group, Inc., a New York City based Entertainment Production company with his wife and partner Marina Kamen since 1987. Kamen Entertainment Group has won over 140 top industry awards and produced over 30,000 radio, television, movie, music and live theater productions. Clients include: Verizon, American Express, Mercedes, Jet Blue, Kelloggs, Disney, Hasbro, AT&T, Sony, Priceline, Lancome. Kamen.com.
Mr. and Mrs. Kamen have been married for over 34 years and have three grown and successful children, all living and working in New York City.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Dedication
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Perspective
Three Martial Arts of China
Chinese Martial Arts Come To Okinawa
Kanryo Higashionna
Chojun (Tyajun) Miyagi
The Birth of GoJu-Ryu Karate
Seiko Higa
Seikichi Toguchi
The Broken Heart
Karate Comes To America
Karate Today
Chapter 2: My Beginnings
Planting Seeds
The Circle Of Shoes
Troubleshooting
My Journey
Kayo Killed My Karate
Kow Loon Ong
Leaving Shorei-Kan
Beshert
Fix It In The Mix
Chapter 3: Cultivating The Way
Paths to Enlightenment
My Dojo
Sacred Space
Mirrors
Ambiguity
Alone In A Crowd
Martial Virtues
Integrity
Trust
Mindset
Chi
Breathing
Breath As Spiritual Matter
Kiai
The Yin and Yang of Technique
Repetition, Persistence and Patience
Mushin
Imagination
Chapter 4: Change
Growing Old
Thinking Outside The Box
San Lorenzo Dojo
The Great Oak Tree Sensei
Shu Ha Ri and Mochi Bun
The Go and the Ju in GoJu
Music and Kata
The Art of the Martial Arts
A New Perspective
Mudra, Mantra and Mandala
Chapter 5: Preparing The Ground
What Is Kata
Kata Names
Kata By The Numbers
Kata and the Five Elements
Kata and the Animals
Kata Fighting Applications
Kata As An Emotional State
Cracking Open with Kururunfa
Upward Hands Raised in Prayer
Stepping Stones
Chapter 6: Kata
Opening Kata
Closing Kata
The Mandalas of Kata
Sanchin
Tensho
Saifa
Seiyunchin
Seisan
Seipai
Shisochin
Sanseiru
Kururunfa
Peichurin
Applying Emotion in Kata
Chapter 7: Compassion
Things Are The Way They Are
The Killer Monks of Shaolin
Fearless Compassion
What Does Compassion Look Like
Personal Compassion
Betrayal
Abuse
Martial Arts vs. Marital Arts
Chapter 8: The Peace Within
Balancing The Triad of Life
Healing
Love What You Do
Forgiveness
Living In The Ju
Facing Your Worst Enemy
Epilogue
Appendix