Having just returned from
Taika's funeral, I was definitely moved by the words of many of those
who spoke at the gathering. The implication was made as well, that
Taika wished the Association to continue. Whether that will happen or
not, is anyone's guess (at this time).
The stories that were
told by the attending member's were personal, heartfelt and
emotional, to both those telling the stories, and to those of us who
were listening. Though each speaker told their own personal
story, they all described events that had occurred to every
member in attendance in one way or another.
Both before, and
afterwords, I was able to speak to numerous member's that I hadn't
seen in some time. There was no talk about the usual subjects.
The only topic brought up, was the direction that RyuTe would
now take. Unfortunately, nothing solid was determined, or at
least not for today.
I believe that although
Taika is now gone, it isn't that he left us without any manner to
proceed in our studies and research. Beyond the kata, Taika had
developed his own exercises to assist us in our pursuit of
technique application (and said as much, on numerous
occasions).
For those who are only
beginning their study of RyuTe, or even those who have been doing so
for some time, there will be little need for any manner of
change (of practice/study) per say. The only occurrence
that I fear, is some form of Bullshit (e.g. ki/chi, TCM, reiki
etc.) study to be injected into the learning (of anyone's)
curriculum (any of these nonsensical pursuits would be a
complete waste of any serious student's time).
The pursuit of any
of these irrelevant subjects should be met with total disdain
and contempt. If anyone is told that any of these
subjects are in any way a part of RyuTe (or any of
Taika's teachings), those people should be avoided (if not discarded
or better yet, they should be
ostracized, LOL).
Over the next few months,
there will be a general meeting of the minds (that be, LOL), and by
the time of summer-camp, there should be a resolution
of a future direction for the association. I do know that this
year, the weapon's kata (agenda) being taught will only be for
the advanced forms of the kata (no Kihon, e.g.
basic). So at the very least summer camp will consist
of new material.
The obvious question is,
who will be there? Not
instructor wise, but
in attendance. For
those member's who plan on leaving
the association, I'm sure this is an irrelevant
question. Those individual's, I could (frankly) care less
about. It's the one's who remain, and choose to further the goals of
the association as a whole,
and not only on (or
for) a personal
level that I'm interested in.
I believe that the
association as a whole, can (and should) continue. It's been
rumored that (the whole) testing situation regarding the kyu
ranks may be modified (god only knows what that
means, LOL). I'm sure at some point (again, probably at summer-camp)
the general membership will be informed about any changes (as well as
receiving an updated version of the Association Dojo Rules).
Taika may be gone, and we
all will miss him dearly, but his association can and will live on.
The only question is how it will be presented, and improved.
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