Browsing articles by " Yang Kwak"

Confronting the adversaries of Heijoshin by Joey Lynn Monaco

Joey Lynn Monaco, Kumdo&Siljun Dobup 1st Dan, Officer

According to Masayuki Shimabukuro, heijoshin refers to an abiding peaceful mind, or a constant peaceful spirit. I had never heard of heijoshin before writing this essay. At the same time that I started researching heijoshin, however, a friend loaned me an audio book – Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. In Blink, Gladwell describes the benefits of what psychologists call “rapid cognition.” Gladwell analyzes the instantaneous reactions that take place in our subconscious minds before our conscious minds can name those reactions. Gladwell argues that the division of the conscious and subconscious minds is very important to human beings, because our conscious mind tends to overprocess and move very slowly. In a life or death situation, for example, letting the conscious mind dictate our actions could be fatal. The unconscious mind is better at making split-second decisions, and frees up our conscious minds for tasks that require more deliberation. Gladwell could easily be describing a mind in the state of heijoshin verses on that is not.
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What kumdo means to me by Joey Lynn Monaco

Joey Lynn Monaco, Kumdo&Siljun Dobup 1st Dan, Officer

In the summer of 2001, in the dwindling days of American innocence, I held my first real samurai sword. Forged in the 1500s, it was as sharp and beautiful as a new blade, thanks to the meticulous care of my friend Fred. Although Fred was born inShanghai, he spent most of his life inJapan, and his two great loves were his Japanese wife and his collection of Japanese swords. When Fred handed me his 500 year old blade, I was amazed that he trusted me with something so valuable, without hesitation. As I began to associate with more swordsmen, swordswomen and sword enthusiasts, I came to understand that the love of the sword binds people in deeper ways than more run-of-the-mill hobbies.

Two years before meeting Fred, I had traveled toJapan. One of my favorite places was the temple at Sengakuji, where the 47 Ronin rest. The 47 Ronin were samurai who defied the letter of the law in order to fulfill what they considered to be a higher duty. Even though it ultimately cost them their lives, the 47 Ronin acted on conscience. To me, the sword was a symbol of the resolve and high principles that I’ve always admired in swordsmen. Burning incense at the graves of the 47 Ronin was a turning point for me, and when I met Fred, and he shared his sword collection, it was another step down the path. Fred introduced me to my first sword show. Sword enthusiasts gather each year to participate in panels and educational sessions, view historically significant swords and buy and sell swords and fittings.
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What Kumdo Means To Me by Gary Stern

Gary E. Stern - Kumdo 2nd Dan, Attorney

It is not difficult for me to explain, precisely, what Kumdo and the achievement of chodan means to me. First, it says to me that I have been privileged to study with special teachers who have enabled me to reach the first significant Kumdo milestone. Secondly, it reinforces the understanding that I have been fortunate to have classmates who were patient enough to train with me despite my awkwardness and lack of skill. And lastly, it has changed my life by giving a new structure and purpose to my very existence. Kumdo has become part of the fabric of my person and I can’t imagine what my life would be without it being part of my routine.

When I began my Kumdo journey I was not sure that I could physically do what would be asked of me. I knew that I possessed the willingness and the determination to learn, but I was concerned that my body was less supple than my mind. It soon became clear that my fear was well founded. The Kumdo being taught to my classmates would have been more than I could sustain, but my study did not come to an abrupt end. Instead, Master Seong conceived of a way for me to find a place in Kumdo (be it somewhat apart from the others).

Approximately three months into my Kumdo journey, Master Seong, without comment, took away my 39 Jukdo and returned with a 37 and a much shorter sword. He stood in an unfamiliar stance and did a few moves holding one sword in each hand. I could sense that he truly believed that I could learn what he was showing me, and I was flattered that he was willing to teach me. When Sabumnin handed me the two swords, he said “you will learn”. It was clear he wasn’t asking me to try, he was telling me that I could, and would, learn the two sword technique. But more important, he made me believe that I could do it, despite the fact that I was still so new to Kumdo that my feet were blistered and never seemed to heal.