bushido_man96

Thanks for the elaborations, both of you! I think I have a copy of the Tao Te Ching here at home; it might have to be the next thing I read! Bob, your mention of consciousness, and "becoming" so is an interesting caveat. I also like what you said about "awakening." Very interesting points to ponder.

Ok, we're back! Onward and upward! So, paragraph three, on voidness. I think many tend to think of "the void" as the ultimate emptiness; after all, doesn't void mean "without?" But here, Lee describes it as all-inclusive, "nothing which it excludes or opposes." This is very odd sounding to me, indeed. In paragraph four, I think I understand what Lee is trying to drive at. He is saying to let go our your ego, or any impressions you might already have, and become that empty cup that is ready to be filled. Thoughts?

Merry Christmas to everyone here at KarateForums.com!

I saw that it was being moved up. Excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing the interactions between the characters from KKII.

The suggestions that Wado Heretic laid out have been what my experience has suggested, as well. I usually see the title of instructor granted at 3rd dan ranks, but I've seen it happen at 2nd dan, as well. I rarely see school owners below 3rd dans. Talk to your instructor about this, for sure.

So, I've seen ads for this new, "modern" TKD encyclopedia, and am really curious about it: https://www.tkdbook.info/ The books look like they are well laid out, and appear to be high quality. I'm interested in the contents, for sure. I practice most of the Chang Hon forms, but I don't use sine wave, which these books appear to spend quite a bit of time discussing. I'm not opposed to reading the discussions, though. I'm curious if any other TKDers out there have seen or heard anything about these volumes, and what your thoughts are. It's been difficult to find good TKD books lately, and these seem like they'd be a nice add to my library.

I hear you on the utility of the apps, Danielle. I don't use the apps, though. Instead, I just keep a paper training log. I refer to my previous workout, and add 5 lbs for squats and deadlifts, and 2.5 lbs for the press now (I don't bench press due to the fact that it hurts my shoulder as it gets heavier...maybe someday). As for the Starting Strength program, the only difference is learning the power clean, and you don't really need to do that lift for quite some time. What I find with 5x5 is his emphasis on starting with the empty bar, and adding only 5 lbs per workout. It really just costs you a lot of valuable training time, and the volume catches up with you eventually. As for your starting weights, to find a good starting point, do a set of 5 at a warmup weight you can handle, then rack it. Add 5 lbs, and do another set, and continue until you notice the bar speed slow down, and call that your work set. It should be stressful enough to work you, but not so stressful that you don't recover by the time the next workout rolls around. Hope that helps out.

Good stuff, guys. Great insight and points. You guys are definitely better at the philosophical stuff than I. Bob, thanks for expounding on ShuHaRi. I have a much clearer picture of it now.

Moving forward here, exploring more of Bruce Lee's philosophical sense. So, is it just me, or does this sound like some talk of a another you in a parallel universe or something? And we need to basically purge this kind of thought from our thinking? I kind of have an inkling as to what karma is; the idea that "what goes around, comes around," that universe will balance itself out in the end. I've usually heard karma spoken of primarily in the sense of someone who has wronged us "getting what's coming to them," but I imagine that in the Eastern sense, there is more to it than that.

Sounds like a great start to a library!

Welcome to KF, BeefcaketheBarber! Glad to have you here!

Great points, SKL59. I don't recall that I've ever focused on my pecs or my lats feeding the punch. I've just focused on using my whole body as a unit to generate the power. I've found more and more that I prefer a fist that is rotated about 45 degrees off vertical, as I like the rotation and the fact that it keeps my elbow tucked in line more.

Good on you, Danielle! I remember jumping in with the 5x5 program some years ago. I moved to Starting Strength, which I found to be a better template, and they have a book which provides great information on how to do the lifts and how to get the program started. The hardest part is getting started, that's for sure. It's great to see it! And thanks for dipping in here with me!

All good points, Bob. You'll have to remind me what Shu/Ha/Ri translates to exactly, but I do remember discussing it. If I recall correctly, it's the study and expansion of forms and their applications?

Thanks for sharing the video. I don't have so much of an issue with trying to eliminate shoulder movement, but I don't like the idea of trying to take away the hip rotation to generate the power. I'm a big believer in the power coming from the ground, up through the legs and hips. It seems to me that more force can be generated through hip rotation than through the hip thrusting. In the video, he is still using his hips for power, which I like. His shoulders still move, but not near as much as seen previously. I like what he is teaching here.

Agreed. The early Okinawans that were practicing their own brand of MA learned some things from the Chinese, thus incorporating it into what they trained.

12/20/2020 Strength Training Deadlifts: 135x5, 165x5, 195x3, 210x1, 245x5. Press: 45x5x2, 70x3, 95x1, 135x4, 135x4, 135x3, 135x3, 135x1. Pushing the press just as much as I can. Going to hit as many reps as I can per set until I reach total work set volume of 15. Evening stretching session.

Congrats, SLK59! Well deserved!

Welcome to KF, JamuraiSack! Glad to have you here. This is quite the goal you have. What sources have you looked into thus far? Have you looked into the Bubishi? You might also look into Harry Cook's tome, Shotokan Karate, A Precise History. Perhaps it will provide some insight? I'm sure some of our other knowledgeable KF members will be able to chime in somewhat, as well. Best of luck in your search!

Thank you for that, SLK. Very helpful. I am familiar with the idea of Mushin, so that helps in crossing the bridge here. That would seem to lead to the Lee quote, "I do not hit; it hits all by itself." Glad you've jumped in here! I plan on running ideas in this thread for a while!

Ok, I think I'm ready to start this off. I'm bypassing the forward and anything before that in the book, as the meat of what I want to get into lies after that. Emphasis on boundless expansion was in the text. So, I'll admit I've never been much of a philosopher, and know next to nothing about zen and achieving it. So, these first several pages of Lee's writings are truly lost on me. I guess to get to the meat of things here, we should isolate what the "true knowledge" and "real life" refer to. I guess, it has to do with something like "what is," as in this moment in time, perhaps? I don't know? Perhaps not over complicating a thing, and letting it just be what it is, and do what it does? "Boundless expansion," I think, refers to letting one's mind be free to explore all possibilities, and not be tied to one particular approach or way of thinking. Don't try to expand it, but let it expand....? And then there is the "totality." This, I have a little trouble grasping. And add to that "particular department" aspect of the discussion...and it loses me. At face value, to me, "totality" and "everything" are one and the same. Thoughts? I'd love to hear how everyone else sees these thoughts.

12/18/2020 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 155x3, 185x1, 225x5, 225x5, 225x5. Press: 45x5x2, 70x5, 95x1, 132.5x5, 132.5x5, 132.5x5, 132.5x5, 132.5x5. Lat Pull-downs: 140x10, 140x10, 140x10, 140x10. Switching to 2 1/2 lb increases on the press, and apparently moving to sets of 3, as well. My first set of 5 stalled at 3 1/2, so sets of 3 it is now. To keep the same total volume, moving to 5 sets. As it gets harder, it may go to sets of doubles and singles to get to 15. Later that evening, the whole family went back to the gym to do some cardio work. I piddled around on a rower and a bike with no real effort put in, but I did spend time on the stretching machine, probably about 10 minutes.

That's quite the path, there. Lot's of richness!

Ah, very cool. Love the Tyrannosaurus, too!

It's great to set a goal like this! First off, get the technique down. Get really comfortable with all four major aspects of the kicks (usually consisting of chamber, extension, rechamber, and return to the floor). If you don't get the kick done correctly, then doing it high isn't worth squat. Technique first. Now, as you are learning technique, take the time to stretch frequently. Especially when you are really warmed up, like after a class. Take time to stretch your legs, back, and shoulder girdle/arms. As your flexibility increases, so will the height of your kicks. Finally, you need leg strength, too. I recommend barbell squats for strength. I recommend 3 sets of 5 through full range of motion (that means parallel squats), three times a week if you can fit that in. You can also do what I like to call concentration kicks, using a wall for balance. Stand next to a wall or holding a chair back for balance, and execute your kick in a slow fashion. You'll chamber and hold briefly, then you'll spend about 5 seconds extending the kick, and then hold the kick at full extension for about 5 seconds, then repeat as you rechamber, then set down for a rest and rub the knot out of your leg before repeating. You can do this with most kicks, but I find it works wonders with the front, side, and round kicks. Only do it a few times to start out, or you'll get really sore. Work up in reps the following week. Once you feel good with that exercise, you can add what I call "pulses" to it. Once you've extended the kick and held it for a few seconds, begin "pulsing" your foot up and down, just a few inches each way, and then side to side, very small, controlled movements so you can keep your balance. And no cursing my name as you do these . Hope this gives you a place to start!