Fighting for stillness: mindfulness and the rediscovery of Ko-do

It has long been known that body and mind are inseparable. The body resonates with what arises in the heart-mind, and the mind watches and responds to tension and relaxation in the body. This is why exercise is touted as a great way to release stress. Some also argue that it was the original meaning of many martial arts. One man who traced Shaolin Kung Fu and Karate-Do back to their Buddhist roots has rediscovered the origins of karate-do as an exercise in treating external forces in the same way as internal thoughts, learning to touch them lightly and let them go without struggle or development.

Some martial arts, such as T’ai Chi, are moving meditations, whatever else they might lead towards. My old T’ai Chi teacher, who had also extensively studied Karate-do, often remarked that good Karate looks like good T’ai Chi; both arts flow from a deep sensitivity to everything inside and outside the body. In psychotherapy, this connection to everything we are is recognised as essential to recognising the hidden root causes of stress and anxiety so they may be healed. Thus, this thread of self-knowledge and sensitivity to others stitches together the worlds of healing and self-improvement.

Local author Nathan J. Johnson developed the tradition of Ko-do To-te, based on a rediscovery of the roots of the East Asian martial arts. Rather than being a battlefield art or spectator sport, Ko-do is intended to cultivate physical fitness alongside present moment awareness, responsiveness, and spiritual cultivation through disciplined introspection and combat rituals described as “standing or moving Zen” that teach calmness in the face of provocation and peace amid conflict at the same time they foster robust physical health and wellbeing.

An interview with Sensei Johnson

Nathan was kind enough to answer our questions on how he discovered and cultivated mindfulness and his advice for stressed students.

Q. How did you first get into meditation?

A. I read voraciously as a youth. By 1974 I began to read books on the Martial Arts published by Charles E.Tuttle, Kodansha, and many other publishing houses. These books, written by authors such as Funakoshi Gichin, Robert W. Smith, Nakayama  Masatoshi, Oyama Masutatsu and others, often referred to Zen (Buddhism) I also read the Tao te Ch’ing by Shu Lao (Lao Tzu) and books by Allen Watts.

In 1984, I set out to visit and study at Cittaviveka Buddhist Forest Monastery in East Sussex. There, I was graciously recieved and made welcome by the then Abbot, Ajahn Anando. I later received informal instruction from him and Ajahns (venerable teachers) Kitisaro, Vajiro and Munindo. This took place on an approximately four days per week basis for three years and thereafter weekly for another four years.

Q. I understand you lived in a Buddhist monastery for a time.  What was that like, and has it impacted the rest of your life?

A. I did not reside at the monastery. However, I did try to live a Buddhist lifestyle. After the publication of Zen Shaolin Karate (1994),I was encouraged and inspired by the monks and nuns to develop my next title, Barefoot Zen, (Weiser, 2000). However, the theme, title and content were entirely my own.

Q. When many people think of meditation, they think of people sitting very still, but you have studied the martial arts as a form of moving meditation.  Could you tell us a little more about that?

A. Seated meditation utilizes a subjective process of ‘letting go’ of (intrusive) thought.  A thought entering the mind is let go of, not engaged with, resisted or ‘developed’.  My thinking, with regard to what would later become Kodo-Ryu, was to objectify meditation and make it occur between pairs; substituting thought with physical forces via pushing hands and letting go of an intrusive force rather than a thought. Thus creating an objectification of meditation.

Q. Are there advantages to practising moving meditation over just sitting still?

A. Yes! We are physically oriented creatures, to a greater or lesser extent. Through paired moving meditation, perceived ‘duality’ can be resolved. The resulting harmony is  quite beautiful and meaningful to experience. Further, progress can be monitored, and the student/practitioners ability  can be observed guided and enhanced by a coach/teacher.

 Q. Student life, and life in general, seems to be getting steadily busier and more stressful all the time.  What advice would you offer young people today who are feeling stressed and overwhelmed?

A. Practice Sanchin Kata [a form of moving meditation from Ko-do – Ed.].

Q. Final takeaway soundbite – What’s the easiest way for someone to destress in a hurry?

A. Frustratingly, the very time we most need to de-stress is the the time we are least likely to be able to do it. Take a deep breath some say… Here’s a tip: there is some truth in that but the secret of that lies not emphasising the in breath, but lies in a sustained out breath, which – if practiced correctly – will put one in harmony with the Tao (Way). This is more than hyperbole…

Some great tips for building on any mindfulness and breathing practices you might already be cultivating and confirmation of the need to move (it doesn’t need to be frantic and get you sweaty) in order to stay well.

Find out more

Find out about local sports opportunities and find out more about Kodo ryu on Sensei Johnson’s website.