Three Centers

Mind, heart and hara. Tatemae, Honne and Suji. The number three which also represents the Chinese view of Heaven, Earth and Man (person). The Sun and Heaven being extremes of Yang and Yin. The Earth and Moon being the seeds within Yang and Yin to grow Yin and Yang from Yang and Yin. All have influences to man or humans or persons.

Persons are of three as well, their mind, heart and hara. The mind is for knowledge, analysis, beliefs, etc. while the heart is for the spiritual pursuits that involve home and friends (dojo and dojo mates) and hara is the direct physical which does, in karate-jutsu-DO, strive to bring all three into harmony or a one wholehearted way.

The intent of tatemae is our sensitivity toward others which is of a good or yin nature as well as a yang or "not so good" nature. Honne is that sensitivity one develops with the self toward the self which manifest in self-confidence, self-control and self-awareness. Suji is that which develops from a balance of the two into a perception of the person toward any situational significance of any event in life, good or bad; beneficial or to our detriment, etc.

In our practice and training we insist on the most from ourselves, the demand we make on the self. We do this through the proper diligent intent and effort toward discipline, work and dedication which is the inherent trait of Karate-jutsu-DO, the way of the empty hand or just "hand."

It can be said that once a person pursues such discipline and benefit through the many years of disciplined practice and training does experience a wholehearted level of self-knowledge and thus ultimately enlightenment. Only through the most effort can the mind still itself and eliminate the ego alleviating its frailty of subjecting the mind to outside or internal praise, success, failure, and a lack of recognition/validation.

Mind - shinchuu[chui] - 心中 [注意]
Heart - shinchuu [shiunzo] - 心中 [心臓]
Center - hara [belly] - 中心 [腹]