Questions and Answers for Grandmaster Kim, by Samu Iiskola (4.8.2017 )

[HAEDONG]

4.8.2017 

Questions and Answers for Grandmaster Kim, by Samu Iiskola 

6) What are your thoughts or experiences on meditation upon a cliff, a rock or a similar natural environment?

It is said that us Finns have a connection with nature as we have so much more forests and lakes in our country. Many of us usually have a family cabin or have at least been to many cabins owned by relatives or friends. Finns are described as quiet, stoic, not much for the small talk - that we appreciate the silence of nature.

I'm fortunate enough in that my family has a cabin. It is a place I've visited many times in my childhood and my adult years. Sometimes it might be only once a year, but there I feel a connection. All the memories we've had as a family, all the quiet moments - those form a firm balance that I feel there.

When I go there, I usually find myself at least once just sitting at the pier listening to the waves or looking at the stars. There is also a huge boulder atop a hill. We used to climb it as children. Now I might sit atop it and admire the view over the river and soak in the silence. The energy of nature.

The modern life can be hectic, bustling from work to hobbies and social events. At the cabin my mind can rest. There is no thought to start meditating - it just happens naturally. My mind finds its place in the world and starts to relax, ignoring the fast pace of the city. After a few days my mind relaxes and helps my body to relax too so that I can feel energised to go back to my hectic work life.

You just need to let your mind find the rhythm of nature. Quiet down, listen to it and let yourself become focused yet relaxed for that precise moment.

=> Great to be able to relax and be peaceful into the very natural scenery. I love Finnish scenery. Many people enjoy it like that. It is first stage at the below.  I am gonna say some more at the next question at the below what we will do with it after that by the principle of nature. 

7) What is the relationship between ancient martial art teachings and modern life? 

Should you look backward or forward in your training and your life?

The relationship between ancient martial art teachings and modern life is to me a simple one. The human mind has always asked the same questions and though the times have changed we can still read and learn from the answers our ancestors made. Be it in martial art teachings, philosophy or science.

But should we always look behind us? No.

Those ancient teachings are just the foundation that we stand upon. We can learn from them but we should not stop looking for new ways. Humans have always evolved and adapted, being stagnant is not good for you. A running river is clear and has a direction. A stagnant pond will eventually just vanish.

I have a foundation of my life in the choices I have made in the past. Have they formed me? Yes. Should they chain me into place, to be only that person? No.

I started martial arts because I finally had the time and wanted to do something for myself. And I came back to them even after a hiatus, because I felt that this was a good thing. And it has helped me to consider myself in another way. But am I only my martial art training? No, but it has helped me to release stress in my modern life.

So we should learn from the past and acknowledge it, but we should not bind ourselves to it so that we may live more fully.

=> Yes, what you are saying is perfect that most of adult educated properly can explain. 

For cultivating body, mind and spirit;

1) We should not bind ourselves in the past. 

2)Do your best in every moment because the present time is most important.

3)Try to your best to follow naturally to the every moment constantly changing. 

4)Think out of the box and realize in daily life, 

then make your creative(or better) life base on the above things.

See at the below

1st stage - we can stay into the light - forget all things and go to Nothingness(Light, energy)

2nd stage - we can get an answer in that area (wisdom and answer)

3rd stage - we do it with energy and wisdom (sharing, innovation and creation)

In other words,

First, Think out of the box 

Second, Have a realization (or enlightenment)

Third, Make your better life in quality innovatively and creatively on and on 

Please see it more for better understanding; 

http://cafe.daum.net/uwhkf/JvX2/87

■3 kinds of basic steps for training

steps	contents	numerical expression‎‎	imagery
●First stage	Relax, and Feel the energy	1
●Second stage	Focus, and See it	2
●Third stage	Realize, and Do it	3

12) In your personal opinion, what is the most important part in martial arts for you?

For me the most important part in martial arts is fellowship. I had tried a couple other martial arts before I found Haedong Kumdo. I liked that it was a relaxed environment that encouraged learning and asking questions. Where you pushed your own boundries in mental and physcial endurance. It was not too much about fighting, just understanding that this was a martial art - not for only harming but to bettering yourself in a like minded companionship.

Without that fellowship, martial arts can become just excercising or wanting to be the best for your own sake. With fellowship you are all learning together. Others might learn the basics, more experienced ones how to teach. In Haedong Kumdo I learned not to judge yourself according to others, just doing the best you can do and learning to get better. This has helped me to focus myself in other martial arts and in all aspects of my life.

A place to belong, a fellowship, a dojang where the energy of the whole group helps individuals to overcome their boundaries and develop their skills.

=> Yes, fellowship is most important part in human society and also it should be based for cultivating body, mind and spirit, which is first  understanding and consideration for others, and  then make trust mutually. In the mean while, realizations( or enlightenment) will come out  during try to strive and follow the changes in every moment among people. We can share properly ours based on mutual trust, which is a beginning stage to develop myself and my family, my group and my society...my country and so on...in the universe.

We can surely learn and teach it  through Haedong Kumdo training because all is interconnected in the universe.