The triadic structure is nearly universal. There are three levels of learning: freshman/sophomore/senior; apprentice/journeyman/master; shu/ha/ri; all triads: triskelions. Learning is progressive. First one follows instructions, memorizes patterns, absorbs variations; once the basics are mastered, one starts to learn the linkages, the theory connecting the techniques; then one starts to learn from his own practice, createsContinue reading “MASTER JAMES A KEATING”
Category Archives: Reference Materials
LINEAGE AND LEGACY
Knowing the heritage and the history of your art is important. We are not so far removed from the origins of the art. O’Sensei (Morihei Ueshiba) had a direct influence on several of the shihans still teaching today, and his son (the second Doshu) was still teaching when I trained in Japan. All of us have a directContinue reading “LINEAGE AND LEGACY”
JODAN
Funes the Memorious by Borges, for me, is a poignant reminder of the dangers of specificity – missing the forest for the trees. Funes focuses only on the details to the point that everything is unique – he has no ability to form connections to extrapolate a general pattern. There is a deep lesson here. Concentrate too heavilyContinue reading “JODAN”
Protective Arts 