Spirituality Information |
The 5 Elemental Codes: Seeing Your World Through the Eyes of Universal Understanding (Part 1)
This article is the 1st part of an open response to a question that I encountered online a few years ago in one of the many Martial Arts Ninjutsu forums. The question (paraphrased) was: "What are the 5-elements (earth, wind, water, wood and metal) about that I have seen mentioned in books on ninjutsu?" As is so often the case when dealing with multiple personality types, egos, and the need for instructors to justify their positions and philosophies, the question went unanswered. What followed for several days was a sidebar discussion about the "rightness" or "wrongness" of a particular teaching model. In short, the poor student's question went unanswered. What follows began as a brief attempt to help the student resolve his dilemma and, eventually, turned into a three-part series.The metaphysical lore of the East is, quite logically, intertwined with the arts associated with the Shadow Warriors of Japan. Often, the influences are obvious, as in the use of the Shinto ceremony of respect and acknowledgment used to open and close classes; others, like the 5-element classification systems are not as apparent. Many of the books on ninjutsu, as well as the over-abundance of "New Age" tomes on the market, written by less-than-knowledgeable individuals, make reference to a system of classifying all that exists in the universe. This system of 5 Elements is actually 2 systems; each used to describe a different process. Unfortunately, the information is often offered in one of three ways. They are:
The first system, dealt with in this article, is known as the Godai or "Five Great Elemental Manifestations." The elemental codes, in ascending order are... ...chi "earth"... This is a system based on, and leading up to, the rokku-dai "Six Great Elements" as used in esoteric Buddhist study. The elements of the Godai are often, quite erroneously, confused with the elements that make up the Periodic Table used in the study of chemistry in Western science. I even remember a time when I was in school and one of my science teachers, who was covering the base elements at the time, laughed quite condescendingly about how the people of the Orient believe that there are only "Five" elements and, naming the above, pointed out the "real" 81 (at the time). In fact, the Godai elements are not meant to be used in such a detailed and destructive way as the ones of Western science. "Things" are not broken down so far that they become indistinguishable from their real form. The 5-Element code is actually a means of cataloging and grouping like concepts, aspects, strategies, energies, etc. In fact... ...the Western system can actually be reorganized and classified using the Godai system. The Elements as Classifications of "Groups" The five elements of the Godai, their symbolic representation, their appearance in the human being, and their use, by some instructors, in the teaching of the ninja's arts are: Chi"Earth" - represents the firm, hard objects that appear in existence. Rocks are probably the best symbol of the earth element in nature in that they are incapable of change, movement or growth, without the help of the other elements. In the human being, the "earth" element shows up in the body as the bones, muscles, and other tissues. In the mind, it is confidence; and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. When under the influence of this chi or earth mode or 'mood,' we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action. As a means of self-protection, which is based, as are all of the strategies of the ninja's art of operating with natural laws, on the student's emotional level or mood when the attack starts. "Earth," as a code for Enlightened Self-Defense action, represents our desire to hold our ground and 'crush' the assailant's attack with our strength. We are calm and unbothered by their threats and we firmly resolve to stop them in their tracks. Sui"Water" - represents elements in a 'flowing' or adaptable state. Aside from the common identification with natural water sources, plants are a good example of the "water" element in that they are, while incapable of movement, capable of adapting to their environment (i.e. turning their leaves toward the direct sun, growing their root systems in the direction of the most nutrient rich soil, etc.) In our bodies, the 'water' element represents the blood and other fluids necessary for life. Mentally, this code represents the ability to adapt to and change our strategy, or way of doing things, if change is needed and what we are currently doing is not working. At our core, it is our emotionalism and ability to 'go with the flow.' In the self-protection strategies of the ninja's armed and unarmed combat arts, the 'water' element identifies both our defensive adaptation to the enemy's attack and our ability to 'flow' with their actions. The feeling of being overwhelmed by their force or technique causes us to want to back up and create more space and time between ourselves and our assailant, as we attempt to cover and protect our targets from their attacking limbs. KaThe "Fire" - as a code, this symbol represents those elements in a combustible, or energy-releasing state. It also symbolizes force and direction. Animals are a good example of the 'fire' element in that they are capable of movement and direction, though limited by primitive 'programming' or instinct. In our bodies, this element is represented by our metabolism and body heat. Mentally, it is our directness, commitment and desire to be better than we are. Internally, from our heart come the qualities of will or intention, motivation and competitiveness as well as an outgoing or domineering spirit. As a defensive strategy, 'fire' represents our committed spirit directed against our opponent as we take the fight to them. In reality, there is no such thing as a 'fire' technique per se - just as there are no water, earth, etc. techniques. There is only our energy level or emotional mood that causes us to move-in against the attacker. Fu"Wind" - is the symbolic representation for elements in a gaseous state. Freedom-of-movement and an expanding nature are the keys here. Again, apart from the naturally identifiable 'things' alluded to by it, the 'wind' element is best symbolized by human beings. Human beings, in their lower or most common states of development, are capable of movement, direction and have intellect; the trait necessary for development, growth and overcoming the limiting tendencies of programming and the primitive instinct from our 'animal' nature. In our body, the 'wind' element is our respiration and the processing of oxygen and other gasses between cells. Mentally, it is our intellectual capabilities and our ability to be 'open-minded.' Emotionally, we are carefree and not influenced by stress. As a basis for self-defense, this element shows in our desire to evade, and stay just beyond, his reach. We naturally want to avoid any conflicts or, at least, a direct confrontation. Our strategy is reflected in our turning and evasive movements that allow us to flank him and smother his assault attempt if necessary. KuThe "Void" - is the code for the sub-atomic or 'creative' foundation of all that is. Actually, the term "void" is probably a bad translation when compared to the definition of what this element represents. The English language word "de-void," as in the absence of any pre-determined shape or character, is much closer to defining the nature of this element. Human beings in a higher conscious state are the representatives of this element, just as the sub-atomic material that forms the atoms that group into the molecules that form all other material things in the universe are the base example from nature. In our bodies, the 'void' element is our ability to think and communicate with others. Mentally and emotionally it represents our creative nature, as well as our personal means of self-expression as we identify with and operate in the world around us. As a self-protection method, the 'void' represents several tactics. They are:
The Elements as a Guide for Learning Self-Protection The Godai elements, as codes for action in a self-protection situation, serve as a guide for the student, not in learning set techniques or kata as such, but in relating to their emotional moods and responses, and their influence over the student's mental and physical options. It must be remembered that, as human beings we have a 'natural' way of learning effectively and efficiently. A physical, hands-on approach, coupled and followed by theory leads to an emotional feeling about that which we have learned. This feeling could be good (we like it), bad (we dislike it) or neutral (we neither like it or dislike it.) Unfortunately, we deal with stress (read: fights) in just the opposite way. First we experience an emotional response about the situation, encounter, environment, etc. Based on whether we are attracted or repelled, etc., we form a mental strategy based on what we know and what we think we can do, and finally we go into action. Though taking several sentences to describe, the actual impulse to response time takes only a fraction of a second. Beginning students, more often than not, do not understand the defensive strategies implied in the techniques being learned, let alone have an awareness of their emotional state at any given point. The Godai then, is a model that can be used as an expedient - as an example of the Enlightened trait known as "skillful means" - to help explain the modes in which we operate, their prompters, and the possibilities available based on what the body is, and is not, capable of when under the influence of each emotional state. In part 2 of this series, we will examine the Gogyo 5-Elemental Transformations as a guide for learning the ninja's survival, escape and evasion methods, and in gaining an understanding of the advanced strategies which can make the ninja warrior seem like a wizard and reader of people's minds. © 1995, 2005. All Rights Reserved. Jeffrey M. Miller is the chief instructor of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He has been training in the martial and meditative arts for two-thirds of his life, with the last 21 years attempting to capture the "essence" of ninpo-taijutsu, under the guidance of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th grandmaster of the Togakure-Ryu and 8 other ancient martial lineages. In addition to teaching self-defense and personal development, Mr. Miller is a firearms instructor and wilderness survival tactician and conducts seasonal seminars on the topics. He is the author of the free e-Course "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" and the powerful "Danger Prevention Tactics" video. He can be reached via the academy website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com.
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Sole Work - Walking the Spiritual Path For the past several years I have struggled with getting (and staying) fit. Ok I admit it, the struggle has been longer than just a few years. Enjoy The Journey, As There Isnt A Destination Do you spend your time working towards that "one day when?."? One day, when I have enough money I will be happy. Working With The Light I do not want curiosity seekers, who come for a novel experience. There is a phrase that has been used down through the ages for such people. In Search of a Teacher of Spirit: Eleven Conscious Considerations Many of us are on an inward or outward path-to Enlightenment, to our Higher Selves, to our eternal connection with Source. We are called to this for reasons only the individual can describe, or more often, just know, and in the course of this Path, we often connect with other like minded (Light minded?) beings. Some Evidence of How We Are Spiritually Connected It has long been surmised that emotional trauma can lead to physical illness. It is also conceptualized that such toxic trauma fragments may exist at the level of our energy fields. Creating Your Soul-Centered Community Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. Genetically Predisposed to Faith Have you ever wondered how much faith you really have? If you are like me there have been times in your life when you question how much faith you have: times when you doubt your ability to cope with personal difficulties, and times when the threat of terrorism or natural disasters feels overwhelming. This is the time to strip away your inhibitions and use your imagination to find more faith. Thinking Out Loud (Questions) Part one of a two part Series (Channeled)Roy-when does the end of physical life come? Is it when the body finally breaks down, or when the soul decides to abandon it? What happens to the ego that has lived a life of non-fulfilment? When is it over for this soul? Does the feeling of non-fulfilment come from not being aware or not being in touch with the soul's purpose? If no life is wasted, why is it that some lives seem that way?If I can list the positive things in my life and still feel unfulfilled, have I wasted my life? Is it because those positive things where not in harmony with what the soul desired to experience? Is it possible to come to this world and not experience what a soul intended? Are these life forms dysfunctional? How can we live fifty to ninety years and do many wonderful things and not feel anything? Should an observer feel something even if his/her purpose was to simply watch?Why is it that people have accomplished many great things using their natural talents and gifts, to be left empty when it is finished? Is it because the lives of these people are focused in the now, in doing the creating? Once their life's projects are completed, have they lost their purpose? Have they found where life is? in the moment of creation? Is their fulfilment experienced only in the act of creation? Is this why some life's projects never get finished, because the focus is never on the finishing? When interest is lost these people move onto another creation, always in the process, but never finishing it. Does an unfinished life's project offer future involvement, another opportunity for them? Can satisfaction be found in an unfinished life's project?Is joy or fulfilment found in starting life's projects that others can finish? Is it the purpose of these souls to create motion so that others can be motivated to finish? To start life and then observe how it proceeds? Does the dissatisfaction come from no one finishing what he/she started? Do all of life's projects have to be finished or has the creator taken the life's project as far as it will go because of limitations a soul may have? Are the points at which life's projects are stopped, symbols or points along the way that say, I can't go any further, or are they saying, it's another turn here? Would this personality have a verity of diversified life's projects and interests?Is the whole exercise a way of looking for one's truth, for one's purpose, and when it is not found in the life's project is it abandoned? Is this personality doomed to a lifetime of looking? Are seekers ever satisfied, ever fulfilled? Is it because the soul forgets its purpose or because it got off at the wrong place or lifetime? Is it because it has changed its purpose and wants to return to the oneness, or is it simply lost? Are these souls here trying to make the best of a unintended situation?Roy E. Mind, in Time and Space One cannot make a decision in the moment of now. All decisions are made from the past, and then you work in the past to recreate a future that has already passed based on that decision. Psychic Vampires, and How to Cope with Them! Forget what you have read or seen about vampires. The old image of count Dracula, or even his modern contempories is not what we are going to talk about here. 7 Ways to Stay Spiritually Balanced When we find spirituality, or it finds us, the experience feels surreal. We begin to feel like we're walking on a tightrope between two different worlds. How To Fall With Style - The Art Of Sin Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig leaves. It's not that he thought it would cover his sin. Amazing Faith Last week, I sat at my computer and watched the MSN video clip that recapped Ashley Smith's encounter with Brian Nichols. As I watched in awe, I was amazed by her amazing faith in God. Developing Your Intuition: Conscious Construction Using Cosmic 2 x 4's What's a cosmic 2 x 4 you ask? It's actually a phrase that's been used in the 'new age/ metaphysical' world for the past 15 years or more. It refers to the lessons we learned the hard way when we didn't listen to our intuition. Sheltered in the Arms of God "Mama, save me!"My six year old son jumped into my arms as a horrendous crash of thunder and a bolt lightening sent a fireball rolling across the ground toward where we were. He was terrified, and truth to tell, so was I. Life According to Green Principles: SoulBest Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here nowMy path is progressive. It begins with an awareness of my being. Oh, God. What Do I Do Now? Uh, oh. I'm in trouble now. Angel to Angel Years ago, my minister spoke to us about how you could solicit the help of your guardian angels to help with conflict resolution. She told us stories about how she and others had successfully asked their guardian angels to speak to the enemy's guardian angel. Servants of the Antichrist The "Left Behind" series is inspiring, in that it makes people think about serious, life-and-death situations. Yet it tends to assume that, even in the face of disaster, life for fundamentalist American Christians will center around the same values and goals that have dominated their lives up until now. I Saw An Angel At Work Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. Like angels. |
home | site map | contact us |