The intent of the Art of Karate is to give one the opportunity to discover who one is. The intent of the Art of Karate is to act as a mirror so that one can readily and non-judgmentally come into direct relationship with what is usually hidden and resisted. By creating a confident and trusting environment, it allows students to become aware of their pent-up aggressions, tensions and conflicts. Where the traditional martial approach in Karate develops the tough hide of invulnerability, the Art of Karate fosters flexibility, suppleness and sensitivity. It allows one to be vulnerable - and, paradoxically, this is a great strength.
Real power comes from being open, questioning, being susceptible to oneself and others.
Only a false sense of power can come from feigning the image of confidence, the image of strength. If the mind is like still water and reflects what is there without judgment, without distortion, without holding on to what it sees, without saying that what it sees should be anything else, then there is a living moment of learning, then the mind will not fill up with dogmatic assertions, conclusions, opinions. The mind will continually empty itself each moment, renewing itself because it has understood what is reflected and has gone beyond. The water flows, clear and deep, ever new - the mind flows, clear and deep, ever new. . . The gift of living is to see one is an empty vessel lost and unknowing.