The Poem of the Unknown Samurai

Instead of the "usual" editorial, I would like to give you something to think about and consider during your quieter moments in the usually all-too-hectic run-up to Christmas.

I am personally particularly fond of the penultimate verse, as it conveys ideas that correspond to my own understanding of real WingTsun.

The Poem of the Unknown Samurai

I have no parents:
I make heaven and earth my parents.
I have no home:
I make consciousness my home.
I have no life and no death:
I make the ebb and flow of breathing my life and my death.
I have no god-like power:
I make honesty my god-like power.
I have no wealth:
I make understanding my wealth.
I have no magical secret:
I make my nature my magical secret.
I have no body;
I make perseverance my body.
I have no eyes:
I make flashes of lighting my eyes.
I have no ears:
I make sensitivity my ears.
I have no limbs:
I make speed my limbs.

I have no strategy:
I have the freedom of my thoughts as a strategy.
I have no plan:
I make "grasping opportunity by the forelock" my plan.
I have no secret technique:
I make correct action my secret technique.
I have no principles:
I make adaptation to all situations my principle.
I have no tactics:
I make emptiness and fullness my tactics.

I have no talent:
I make a quick mind my talent.
I have no friends:
I make my soul my friend.
I have no enemies:
I make carelessness my enemy.
I have no weapon:
I make kindness and justice my weapons.
I have no castle:
I make imperturbability my castle.
I have no sword:
I make the absence of ego my sword.

With all best wishes of the season
Your
Sifu Keith R. Kernspecht

tell a friend

What is the ultimate goal of WingTsun? – Part 2

What is the ultimate goal of WingTsun? – Part 1

About Tactile Training in Goju-Karate

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