Focus, Kid Logic Style

 

In the late 1980's when I was teaching Butokukan Karate, I taught in several community centers. The classes were a mix of kids and adults, however one class was mainly kids between the ages of 7 and 13.

One day, I started the class with a short talk about the subject of "Kime", and simplifying the concept so the kids could understand.

I started with "Let's talk about "Kime".....Focus. Karate is about Focus".

And as the illustrated comic strip shows.....one girl raised her hand and asked "So if I focus hard enough, and want it hard enough, can I get out of cleaning my room?"  Her Mom covered her face and shook her head as the other parents giggled.

I was speechless for a moment! LOL!

I explained that certain things have to be done, to be part of a community....whether its the family community, the community at school, at Church, etc. Cleaning and keeping everyone's surroundings is part of it, among other things.

The little girl looked so disappointed that she didn't get the "Yes, focus and you won't have to do any chores" answer she was curious about. 😂 But her Mom thanked me for driving home the point that chores in the household are important. 

Kime isn't just about Karate. When I was a kid I thought Kime was "focusing the Ki into the technique", "using kiai to help get power", etc etc. However as i continued to practice, I think i caught on.

When I started practicing Tai Chi, we learned that the second you will yourself to move from wuji (the stable "start position in a Tai Chi form) to the actual start of the form, that one moment "sparks" Tai Chi ......mind and body moving together, focused, keeping the intention, fixing your posture  etc etc.

That very moment you set the intention to do this move or that, is the spark of Yi (intention) that guides the energy of the movement and helps the balance of mind and body.

We learned that keeping that ongoing intention and focus was the practice, not just the mere movements of the form.  Through practice, getting the movements "correct" happen faster and more consistently while doing the form. (Yes, I know my Tai Chi colleagues might correct me in my short definition, but i'd like to keep this blog entry about the subject of Kime, not the vast subject of Tai Chi, so colleagues, please forgive my brevity.).

Kime can be in anything you do. Set the intention. Get yourself to pay attention to the steps to get to your goal, and act on it the best you can. With time, the Kime will be felt and seen.