The True Spirit of Karate-Do

I read once that a person practiced with "a true spirit of karate do." It made me think, is this actually applicable when you research the origins of karate from Okinawa?

In addition, who mandates what it means to practice or live the "true spirit of karate-do?" What is the spirit of karate and where is it defined, etc.? I sure don't know. Is this then a "sound bite" to provide some sense of "specialness" in what you do? Is this to provide some other means of keeping up practice if your karate is simply the watered down version that Japan/Okinawa created in the late 1800's/early 1900's for implementation into the school systems?

We all, me included, tend to throw out all these platitudes but for what end? Is this our need to tell ourselves a "story" so we find meaning in what we do?

Then, what is the mandate that says "spirit" means this or that with regard to karate or any other marital system? Does this thread answer any question in particular or does it just promote more discussion and debate.

So, what is the "spirit of karate" from your view point? I really want to know.