Over the years, my perception of this
“something” has changed within myself and I
think it is the same for many other practitioners.
There is undoubtedly a social and emotional
element that emerges from meeting with
other practitioners. The pleasure of workingout hard and together, under the kind gaze
of so many experienced teachers, gives participants new invigorating energy and, of
course, provides many ideas and insights to
work on for a full year. And this already
would be enough. In addition, the possibility
of sharing moments of pleasant informality is
not to be underestimated – indeed, the rest
of our life is also made up of convivial moments, a day at the beach, a nice meal together and a good pint of beer. But the fact
that this happens at the end of a day spent
working-out together, punctuated by the
same rhythms, gives these simple moments a
special aura. A new focus and a necessary bath
in humility.
A separate mention is to be given to the
study that each one of us has the opportunity
to carry out through the careful observation
of a "giant" such as Higaonna Sensei. Indeed,
this topic deserves the writing of a book in
itself. I do not want to refer to the technical aspects, stubborn, of an inspirational father,
who clearly shows to have an enviable physical and mental shape and a "heart" that even
the best young athletes struggle to achieve.
At the height of optimal or adverse conditions, this man seems to tap into something
that is not of this world. I hope that with this statement I do not seem exaggerated or
insane. I'm not talking about magic. Nor is adulation moving my fingers on the keyboard as I write.
I allude to that part of our experience that cannot be reported by words, by a thought
that observes from the "outside”. It is therefore hard for me to find adequate words. We
are in the presence of a testimony. A concrete body that has made himself available to
be forged by an extraordinary practice over time. And time is the practice itself. We’re