A martial myth concerning being obsessed:
Two monks, Hitoshi and Yuugi , were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling.
Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the flooded, muddy intersection.
“Come on, girl,” said Hitoshi at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
Yuugi did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. “We monks are not supposed to touch females,” he told Hitoshi,”especially not young and lovely ones. Why did you do that?”
“I left the girl there,” said Hitoshi. “Why are you still carrying her?”
Respectfully submitted,
For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory using this convenient link: http://senseijohn.me/2013/05/20/kata-lab-101-three-states-of-bunkai/
For details on how to “cyber-participate” in Sensei John’s most recent group Sanchin Kata session, please use this link: http://senseijohn.me/2013/04/28/sine-quo-non-sanchin-pilgrimage/
You may be interested in viewing our newest videos:
1. Hanshi Frank Van Lenten engaged in kumite with Hanshi Jerry Thomson is available by clicking the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hIFOV8Ge-Y
2. Gojushiho Kata (1960, 1970, 1985, 2012) and the unique Gojushiho-Sai Kata of Hanshi Jerry Thomson’s Arts Of Self-Defense, a must see video is a mouse-click away: Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNESQq88Ix8
3. Hidden treasure! While archiving old video, we stumbled upon two minutes of the historic kumite with Shihan Don Nagle and Shihan Peter Urban circa 1966. I believe it may be the most footage of this kumite. You may view the footage with this convenient link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHo3I5cn8-s
Goshin-Do Karate DeFelice-Ryu 
John – I liked the obsession post above as I believe firmly that one’s thought process can do more damage to oneself versus an enemy. Stress and tension add to this and it only creates more in the way of self destruction. The key is not to be obsessed but to address things as they come up and deal with them in a manner fitting a good human being let alone being a good karate-ka. Nice thought (and only my 2 cents here) but again everything and everyone would benefit if the thought process progressed in this fashion.We are only human after all.
Hello Shihan Zuck:
Thank-you for your insightful comment. How much better off we would all be if, as you commented, everyone could “address things as they come up and deal with them in a manner fitting a good human being.” We as karate-ka must hold ourselves to a high standard so that others may look to us as examples. You are one such example of the spirit of karate-do. As always, my best to you & your Isshin-Ryu comrades, may your “one heart” inspire many hearts.
— Sensei John