Tonight, we were personally notified that Nanko Minei Sensei (Head of Minei Dojo – Okinawa) was very ill. Unrelated to COVID but nevertheless, serious enough to make us all rather unsettled and fearful of what lies ahead. All we can do is sit back and fingers crossed, a happy ending will ensue.
Death is not really a topic we dwell on in our daily lives. We don’t think about it happening to us or the ones that have a special importance in our lives, but when or if it does occur, will most likely hit us like a ton of bricks. As fit and healthy as our kobudo and karate sensei are, they are not spring chickens anymore. There will be that dreaded day when we receive news that no one wants to hear. Then again, with so many centenarians over there, who knows, they may actually outlive us. Our dojos and fellow members in Okinawa will always be like family (sorry, a bit cliché), and so without question our loyalty will remain there forever. Yearly visits would continue, drinking sessions taking place nightly, and daily training too would remain. But…..................
.....would we actively listen to our sempai and accept corrections from them if we have been instructed otherwise from our sensei?
Or would it be a case like our monthly masters training sessions in Okinawa where there are more senior sensei than students. Quite often, conflicting beliefs and opinions arise amongst the seniors, and it is up to us to simply welcome ideas that relate best to our own training.
Or would we treat training like we do now when the three of us get together and discuss what we think is the “correct” way of doing something? A majority rules kind of situation?!
Or Would a feeling of “I need more guidance” from someone more senior pop up? Or by that stage is it time we really take charge of our own shit and develop and expand on our own concepts? Or am I just thinking too much about the future? Sorry, must live in the present....
Minei Sensei, get well soon!!