Hatsu Bon For Shihan Wayne Norlander

Two years ago today, we lost a dear friend and karate-do comrade, Shihan Wayne Norlander. Today’s training and the following Hatsu Bon Poem are offered to his spirit. Should today’s readers so desire, please join us and perform a kata of your choice in memory of Shihan Norlander and a fallen comrade you may wish to remember. May Shihan’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.

Two departed friends & comrades, Shihan Wayne Norlander & Shihan Peter Urban, Cira 1970’s West New York, NJ

HATSU BON POEM

Please don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am
Nor am I sleeping for eternity
SEE!!
I am already part of the breezes
numbering a thousand
I am part of the light
that brightens this world
Like a diamond glittering in the snow
Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout
And in the Fall I become the gentle rain
that nurtures all.
When you open the window in the morning
I am the breeze
That causes your hair to flutter;
And at night, I am the star
That watches over your sleep.
So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am.
I am not dead.
I have been born anew.

Sensei John Szmitkowski’s  Sanchin Kata-Hatsu Bon at Shihan Norlander’s gravesite (August, 2012)

For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: http://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/

For details on how to “cyber-participate” in Sensei John’s most recent group Sanchin Kata session, please use this link: http://senseijohn.me/category/a-sanchin-pilgrimage/

Tags: Goshin-Ryu Karate, Gsohin-Do Karate, Shihan Peter Urban, Shihan Wayne Norlander, USA Goshin-Ryu Karate