THE WAY

 by Phillip Starr

The word “do” in Japanese (“dao”, often spelled “tao” in Chinese, 道) refers to a “way” of doing things; a way of life and living it. We are familiar with its use in words that cite various martial disciplines such as judo, kendo, aikido, karate-do, and so on. However, it is also to be found when speaking of other arts such as chado (tea ceremony), kado (also known as ikebana; working with living flowers), shodo (writing calligraphy with a brush), and numerous other less violent arts. In Japan, these non-violent forms of “do” are regarded as every bit as demanding as their martial cousins and, in some ways, they're related. “How can that be?”, you ask.

The “Way” that is followed by our cousin arts is essentially the same path that we tread, full of pitfalls, thorny bushes, and uneven ground and stones that cause us to stumble and curse. Traveling it is no easier for a chadoka (student of the tea ceremony) than it is for a karateka or judoka. As with the martial disciplines, it requires great perseverence, discipline, an iron will, and a strong spirit. The “Way” is not reserved only for martial arts enthusiasts.

Bear in mind that the “Way” - the path – is essentially singular. There is really only one “Way.” The truths that are revealed along this path are the same, regardless of the discipline one follows. But long before they can be truly realized and understood, the neophyte must begin by learning the fundamentals of his chosen art. There are no short-cuts and attempts to hurry the process come to naught. The basic front kick, reverse punch, basic brush strokes...must all be repeated many thousands of times, with an eye towards perfecting them (as opposed to just counting them off). The process takes time, which moves at a snail's pace...so you might as well relax and enjoy the journey.

Do all of these different forms of “do” lead to the same truths? Yes. There is only one path and the truths to be found there are the same for everyone. You might ask, “How is it possible for something like shodo to come to the same truths as something like karate-do?” The truth, uncomfortable as it may be for some to swallow, is that what the “do” reveals has nothing to do with technique (per se) or violence. It is beyond such shallow, temporal things. It is beyond technique but the only way to get to it is through repetitive, concentrated practice of technique.

The truths it teaches cannot be sought after. The harder you look for them, the more you seek to grasp them, the more easily and quickly they vanish like a wisp of smoke. And many of the truths that are gradually revealed to the disciple cannot be expressed verbally.

The arts are like icebergs; what we can easily see – the techniques, the practice routines, and so on -form the uppermost part of the structure. Beneath what we can see lies the bottom of the structure, which is many times larger. This is the “do”, which lends support to the uppermost, readily observable part of the iceberg.

Enough now of my rambling. Time for you to get back to practice...