Carrying Animosity!!

[bushido_man96]

No, no, I don't think you should have stayed retired. With your knowledge, its great that you still get out there and share it. Nor will you have to worry about being "granted" the title; you get the opportunity to earn it. Good luck with it!

[sensei8]

No, no, I don't think you should have stayed retired. With your knowledge, its great that you still get out there and share it. Nor will you have to worry about being "granted" the title; you get the opportunity to earn it. Good luck with it!

I hear what you're saying Brian, and, I deeply appreciate it as well. I still don't want the rank because of the reasons I've told you in some of our phone conversations.

So, here goes nothing!!

[sensei8]

Whenever I say that our student body is 10,000, plus/minus 5-10%, I'm referring not to my own personal dojo, no. I'm referring to the ENTIRE student body of EVERY Shindokan student throughout every single dojo that's affiliated with our Hombu, including the Hombu. Not just mine, but the totality of students across the entire network.

My own dojo's student body is roughly 375, plus/minus 25%. If I had 10,000 students all to myself, WOW, I'd be rich. I've worked my butt off to get the 375 I have, but, boy oh boy, it took a lot of time to build.

Are any members of your student body members of this forum?

K.

I don't know!! I've shared the site with many, but I've no idea if they're members here or not.

[ShotokanMaster]

GOOD LUCK On your test SEnsie and hope you past your test OSU

[sensei8]

I suggest building a consensus to modify the by-laws so the Kaicho can be either hachidan or kudan.

I'd accept that!! But, I've not been able to convince them of that because many of them think that many things in the by-laws should be left alone.

[ShotokanGage]

Well...

Here's what's been decided about the whole thing.

I'm to be tested for Kudan by a panel of 4 Hachidans, 3 Rokudans, and 2 Godans this year. Yes, this year!! Just as soon as our annual testing cycle is completed, which is held the last week of June and the first week of July.

The contents of the testing are under lock and key, as they should be because it's, well, it's a test and it's not an open book test.

Who came up with the testing criteria, and one that our Dai-Soke would've approved of? The Administrative Team, The Executive Team, The Technical Team, and The Regents. I was quite shocked that they came up with the criteria so fast, but, I suspect that they've had this in the workings for quite some time.

I'm quite content with NOT earning Kudan, but, to shut them up, I'll test and I'll do my best. Even though I've a track record of failing my testing cycles; they usually take 2-3 cycles before I pass.

I did entertain the idea of walking away from Kaicho and the Hombu for 1-2 years and then return but in a much lower capacity within the hierarchy, but Greg, our Kancho, said that would be, well, as he put it..."STUPID because you assume you'd be allowed back into the Hombu!!" Hhhmmm!!

I should've stayed retired!!

Personally, I prefer your ideology of not accepting the rank due to your Dai-Soke not being around to award it to you, as you clearly valued his opinion higher than any other. Good luck with your testing, but it's highly commendable that you do not wish to attain the Kudan rank - it shows great humility, and I think that's fantastic.

[sensei8]

Well...

Here's what's been decided about the whole thing.

I'm to be tested for Kudan by a panel of 4 Hachidans, 3 Rokudans, and 2 Godans this year. Yes, this year!! Just as soon as our annual testing cycle is completed, which is held the last week of June and the first week of July.

The contents of the testing are under lock and key, as they should be because it's, well, it's a test and it's not an open book test.

Who came up with the testing criteria, and one that our Dai-Soke would've approved of? The Administrative Team, The Executive Team, The Technical Team, and The Regents. I was quite shocked that they came up with the criteria so fast, but, I suspect that they've had this in the workings for quite some time.

I'm quite content with NOT earning Kudan, but, to shut them up, I'll test and I'll do my best. Even though I've a track record of failing my testing cycles; they usually take 2-3 cycles before I pass.

I did entertain the idea of walking away from Kaicho and the Hombu for 1-2 years and then return but in a much lower capacity within the hierarchy, but Greg, our Kancho, said that would be, well, as he put it..."STUPID because you assume you'd be allowed back into the Hombu!!" Hhhmmm!!

I should've stayed retired!!

Personally, I prefer your ideology of not accepting the rank due to your Dai-Soke not being around to award it to you, as you clearly valued his opinion higher than any other. Good luck with your testing, but it's highly commendable that you do not wish to attain the Kudan rank - it shows great humility, and I think that's fantastic.

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words...it means everything to me!!

I'm allowing the test to happen because Greg, our Kancho, put this little bug in my ear...

"Dai-Soke's gone! His guidance is above all! But, many of his immediate students are STILL HERE; trust them and allow them to test your mettle in ways that will reflect Dai-Soke!! They've earned that right, even though they're not Dai-Soke!!"

That's poked at me ever since he threw this on my lap!!

The test will occur, and I do it for my Dai-Soke. I don't do it for myself because I'm just a cog in the wheel; nothing special, but grateful for everyone who believes in me.

[ShotokanGage]

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words...it means everything to me!!

I'm allowing the test to happen because Greg, our Kancho, put this little bug in my ear...

"Dai-Soke's gone! His guidance is above all! But, many of his immediate students are STILL HERE; trust them and allow them to test your mettle in ways that will reflect Dai-Soke!! They've earned that right, even though they're not Dai-Soke!!"

That's poked at me ever since he threw this on my lap!!

The test will occur, and I do it for my Dai-Soke. I don't do it for myself because I'm just a cog in the wheel; nothing special, but grateful for everyone who believes in me.

Perhaps one thing that qualifies you for this rank so much is the fact you are so determined you don't want/deserve it? Referencing my earlier comment about humility, maybe the more you push against receiving the rank, the more you deserve it?

[sensei8]

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words...it means everything to me!!

I'm allowing the test to happen because Greg, our Kancho, put this little bug in my ear...

"Dai-Soke's gone! His guidance is above all! But, many of his immediate students are STILL HERE; trust them and allow them to test your mettle in ways that will reflect Dai-Soke!! They've earned that right, even though they're not Dai-Soke!!"

That's poked at me ever since he threw this on my lap!!

The test will occur, and I do it for my Dai-Soke. I don't do it for myself because I'm just a cog in the wheel; nothing special, but grateful for everyone who believes in me.

Perhaps one thing that qualifies you for this rank so much is the fact you are so determined you don't want/deserve it? Referencing my earlier comment about humility, maybe the more you push against receiving the rank, the more you deserve it?

Possibly you're absolutely correct in the long run. Thank you!!

[Tzu-Logic]

I'm allowing the test to happen because Greg, our Kancho, put this little bug in my ear...

"Dai-Soke's gone! His guidance is above all! But, many of his immediate students are STILL HERE; trust them and allow them to test your mettle in ways that will reflect Dai-Soke!! They've earned that right, even though they're not Dai-Soke!!"

This is wise. I'm glad he said that to you.