Awareness in Every Direction

Post By: Sensei Kris Green  
 
This is, I hope, the first of several posts related to a common theme: the 
karate code. And while the code is Okinawan in origin and derived from and for 
karate, it applies equally well to any martial art. Isshinryu’s founder, Master 
Shimabuku, adapted the Code of Karate from an ancient text on empty-hand 
fighting called The Bubishi. This code is a set of eight precepts that a 
karateka is encouraged to consider, interpret, and reinterpret as he or she 
develops through the art. 
 
1. A person’s heart is the same as heaven and earth. 
2. The blood circulating is similar to the moon and sun. 
3. The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft. 
4. A person’s unbalance is the same as weight. 
5. The body should be able to change directions at any time. 
6. The time to strike is when opportunity presents itself. 
7. The eye must see all sides. 
8. The ear must listen in all directions. 
 
Here, I’d like to focus on the last two precepts: “The eye must see all sides” 
and “The ear must listen in all directions.” I want to consider them together 
because they are very similar, and yet that similarity often hides a much deeper 
interpretation. 
 
On the surface, these two seem to be very applicable to self defense. After all, 
how can one defend against opponents if you are not aware of their presence? If 
you only look forward, you cannot see the enemy hiding just beyond the doorway 
to the right. You may miss the sound of footsteps behind you as a malcontent 
approaches. Not to mention the threats that may come from above as someone drops 
from the ceiling, or below as the floor shifts, slides or falls out from under 
you. 
 
After reading many interpretations of these two precepts, it seems that most 
people stop there. And yet that ignores the profound philosophical side to these 
precepts. Lately, Sensei has been working with us specifically on developing 
awareness. Certainly these precepts speak to the importance of visual and 
auditory awareness of one’s surroundings. But there are two other directions in 
which we must see and hear. 
 
Notice that all the above awareness is focused externally, on one’s opponent or 
potential opponents. Basically, it teaches us to be productively paranoid. But 
we must also listen and see internally. Listen to our own breathing for signs 
that we are tense. See one’s stance and guard from the opponent’s perspective. 
Be aware of one’s awareness and where our attention is located. Listen to our 
intentions, and let go of them as needed. 
 
The other direction is one that normal people might not think of as a direction. 
But I’m a physicist/mathematician by training, so thinking of time as a 
direction is second nature. We must see the future and the past. I’m not talking 
about mystical mumbo-jumbo here. I’m talking about hearing and seeing our 
previous and possible future selves. What did the old me want to get out of my 
training? Have I accomplished it? What will the me of ten years from now want to 
be able to do? How can I help him get there? We are like the stream: the water 
is always changing, but the stream remains. Our self is always changing, and our 
perception of past, present, and future selves is always changing. We must be 
aware of these as well, for we train not just for now but forever. This applies 
every minute of our training – if throw a technique that is good or bad, we must 
move past it and look to the next technique, rather than getting stuck on what 
has already happened. 

Photo By: Idea Go