Continuing the Journey

Thought I would share some thoughts from Kahil Gibran's " The Prophet " one of my favorite readings.

His words have always given me solace, strength and energy back from my high school days when I first "bumped" into his writings. Along with the ancient Chinese and Japanese classics his writings have always kept me from wavering in times of indecision and weaknesses.

During this 2011 New Years, especially after the Hatsuhinode Session, I have been in "deep thought" with regard to my Budo journey.  How little I know and how little time remains for me. I have been able to come this far with the help of my Senseis, Senpais, Douhais and Kouhais and the understanding of my family.

I have to accept the fact that I will be hard pressed just maintaining my health much less practice as I had in my twenties. That is my challenge! To continue my Budo journey and gain more knowledge so that I can pass it on to those whose seek to journey the same path I did.

From the "Prophet"

And a man said, Speak to us of Self Knowledge.

And he answered, saying:

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.

But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.

You would know in words that you have always known in thought.

You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

And it well you should.

The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;

An the treasures of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.

But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;

And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.

For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

Say not, "I have the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth."

Say not, "I have the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks on all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.

Now for Tony, Japanese lesson #2 (^^)

「心の内濁らず、広くして、広き所へ知恵を置くべきなり」宮本武蔵　「五輪の書」

Hmmmm! 原点に戻るかー。