The Definition of Success

To me a man cannot be called successful in the real sense if he remains contended with a few successes, short-lived glories – attained during special moments in his life. A man can be called really successful if he succeeds in all that he does, even in the minutest of his actions; one who is always climbing a mountain, recognizing his competence and also minding his short-comings, but never looking back, never ever thinking of reaching the summit. He knows that he has been born to climb, only to go on ascending. Such should be success that yields no name or fame, but only shows the strife towards perfection, towards excellence.

“Every achievement is a servitude. It drives us to a higher achievement.” – Albert Camus

Meditation through Action

The goal of seated meditation is to free one's mind of all negative thoughts and bondages and to connect to the true self. It is preferably performed in a serene and peaceful environment devoid of distractions. But is it not natural to feel peaceful in such an environment free from all entanglements? It is as much an illusion as the material chaotic world. Practising Zazen, seated meditation, is futile if the energy that it creates is not put to action, like alleviating others' problems.

Karate trains an individual in applying the energy that is bundled inside to action. When a karateka executes a Kata, which is a series of punches, blocks and kicks, he has to move from one stance to another covering the whole dojo floor. He starts from some position on the floor and on cmpleting the kata he should come back to the point from where he started--which is the essence of Embushen. To do so the spacing of the feet in each of the stances should be calculated while in motion and inevitably be under his control. Each of the punches, blocks and kicks should follow a particular path to maintain the correct technique. Karate is often called moving Zen.

There are no prerequisites to start practising karate, no eligibility criteria. Nobody is barred from a dojo because of being overweight or skinny or weak. The only requirement is total submission of body and mind to the Sensei, or master, and the only benchmark is how one performs on the spot. There is only one rule to be followed-- strive for perfection forgetting all your pains. To achieve perfection the student tries to expand his capacities and break all mental barriers. When he watches a master karateka perform a Kata, he is riveted by the beauty and power that is emanated. He understands from the beginning that the pinnacle of excellence can only be reached through attunement of the body and mind to the omnipotent soul. He knows that he has to meditate while in motion. Meditate while in adverse circumstances--that is the way of his life--The Way of The Empty Hand.