FOCUS YOUR SPIRIT THROUGH YOUR EYES

Kime Part 3

Another telltale sign on whether or not a Dojo is teaching Kiai & Kime is how the students or instructors for that matter use their eyes.

A principle often taught to sport competitors is to keep your eyes on the opponent's chest or belt, and for the beginner this does work. The rationale being that with your eyes pointed to their center, you can best watch their entire body and see any attack coming, whether it is a hand or foot.

Well that's all fine in competitive sports, but combat isn't a sport, Karatedo isn't a sport and there are forces involved that don't come into play in the competitive arena. Fighting isn't merely a physical contest. It's a battle of wills, a deadly struggle of one spirit against another.

There's a lot of truth in the old saying, "The eyes are the windows to the soul". And whether you believe its metaphysics or simply psychology, you can read the strength of a warrior's spirit in their eyes. A student who watches his opponents center while in the mist of jyu-kumite is considered a beginner and as long as they continue to practices under the direction of someone who understands the eyes are part of Kime will learn that the eye are a weapon of Kime.

Don't be fooled, I am not saying to stare into his eyes or even watch his face; as the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi said, you should keep your gaze large. But your spirit must focus on dominating his, and to do that, the center of your gaze should rest gently on the portal to his spirit. That portal is his eyes.

As for the mechanics of vision, you can still see your opponent's feet while pointing your eyes at his, and with your spirit focused, you can tell a feint from a real attack even before he starts it. So keep your gaze broad. Your face and eyes must be relaxed but firmly committed. I f you go into the fight resolved to destroy your opponent no matter what the cost, if you go into battle truly committed to die for the opportunity to kill your enemy, his spirit will read it in your eyes and he will be crushed, even if he is watching Your Chest….. This is the essence of spiritual kime and the heart of Kime!

One last note: If I am talking with you in person one on one…you while see my eyes always over your shoulder beyond you…I am checking your back for attacks…..Train hard!