Ki Inspiring Thoughts

          The Center for Humane Living emphasizes the five basic values of courage, honor, obligation, loyalty and justice. These values have been chosen over all others because of their importance in developing the character and spirit of the martial artist. These values have been passed down from Sensei to students extending backwards to the origins of the martial arts. What is obligation? Obligation is one of the more difficult values to understand and maybe an even harder virtue to live by. Obligation is best described that when somebody does something good for you, or if somebody gives you something of value, then from that time forward you carry an obligation ("Giri" or "On") for them until the time that you can repay this act, gift, or gesture. This is opposite from many of our modern day, western thought processes which are to get the most that we can out of every interaction, that we should always look out for ourselves, and that we deserve or are entitled to certain privileges or certain things, just because of who we are.

            In contrast, The Center for Humane Living is built on the pay it forward model. Dr. Foley and the other black belts give their time, energy and expertise to give students the priceless gift of the martial arts. Through the physical and spiritual teachings of the martial arts, they give their students the gifts of self-defense, improved self-confidence, and a roadmap of how to live more peaceful and compassionate lives. This is all done free of charge. However, the mutual understanding is that their students will carry an "On" for their Senseis until they can fulfill their obligation; which is to teach the next generation of students for free when they become black belts. In this pay it forward model, Dr. Foley practices and teaches the important virtue of obligation.  The obligation we have to give back or give forward begins from the very beginning of our martial arts training. Martial artists at every level should actively look for ways that they can fulfill their obligation to their teachers and similarly we should all look for ways to fulfill our obligations to our parents and the other people for which we carry obligations.

            However, the true understanding and the essence of obligation is not just in the physical act of giving, but in the spirit of which you give the gift. To truly fulfill ones "On" or obligation you must fulfill your obligation freely, without regret or resentment. To simply pay back someone whose kindness you have benefited from because you "have to", is not the correct mind frame. Doing so will create feelings of burden or resentment within you and prevent you from experiencing the true gift that fulfilling one's obligation can create. If you, instead, have the true essence of the martial arts in your heart and mind when fulfilling your obligations, then you experience the true happiness and peace that accompanies an individual whenever they give of themselves freely and unselfishly. When you give somebody something and do not expect anything in return, it brings comfort to your heart and it brings positive energy back to your soul.

            One simple exercise that I have taught my students to illustrate the power of this process is the following. The next time you are in the drive-thru line at your favorite coffee shop or fast food establishment picking up something for yourself try paying for the car behind you and then simply drive away. Thru this simple act you will experience a glimpse of the feeling of positive energy that comes from fulfilling your obligations and giving out of the goodness of your heart expecting nothing in return. I will guarantee that you will have a better day. This simple act and so many others like it will bring more positive energy into the world and some of that energy will be directed back towards you.

          Fulfilling obligations takes on many forms. Some are small such as an employee from your local grocery store going out of his way to help you locate an item, or a friend buying you a cup of coffee because they know you are having a bad day. In these cases, your "On" or obligation should be equal to the gesture. An appropriate fulfillment of these obligations may be to thank the employee and to tell the manager how helpful the employee has been or in the case of your friend, the next time they are having a rough day, to buy them a cup of coffee or remind them how much you value their friendship. On the other hand, some gifts that we receive are priceless and we can spend our entire lives trying to fulfill these obligations and never truly be able to repay these gifts. These are the truly important obligations such as the "On" a child will always carry for their parents or the "On" that a student carries for their mentor or Sensei. The fact that this type of "On" can never truly be repaid should not discourage us from trying; actually it is quite the contrary. The process of fulfilling one's obligation is the goal, not the fulfillment of the obligation itself.  By attempting to repay the obligation you are showing respect for and honoring your teacher or parent. Therefore, in this context becoming a black belt is not the beginning of the end; it is the end of the beginning. In other words, the black belt has achieved their goal of becoming a black belt, but following this milestone they will continue on a lifelong journey to repay the "On" they carry for their Sensei.  Martial artists of all ranks whether they have achieved the rank of black belt or whether they are just beginning their journey should seek out ways to live according to the virtue of obligation.

            The ability to give of ourselves without expecting anything in return is the greatest gift that we can give as martial artists and as human beings. I would encourage you to find ways in your daily life to give it forward, to fulfill your obligations, and to do so with a warm, tender heart. In doing so, you will actually be giving yourself a wonderful gift that many people never have the opportunity to truly experience.
KAIZEN!!!!