The Dobles Institute News:
Silat Tip 28: THE CONCEPT OF GURU & GIRI why they go hand in hand
Giri (Japanese) - a Japanese value roughly corresponding to "duty",
"obligation", or even "burden of obligation" in English.
Giri (Sanskrit) - in an Indian context, "Giri," means "mountain" (e.g.
nilgiri, ratnagiri). As a Sanskrit honorific it means "venerable,
elevated, worshipful" and it is in that sense that the title is
applied to Sannyasins." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giri
" The birth of the concept of giri occurred during the feudal period
in Japan, and holds the highest regard in human relationships. A basic
breakdown of the the relationships are: Master-subordinate,
parent-child, husband-wife, brothers-sisters, friends, and sometimes
even enemies and business associates. The most basic definition one
can give giri is a debt of gratitude and a self-sacrificing pursuit of
their happiness.
Everyday examples of giri can be found in social customs such as New
Year's cards, gifts such as year end presents. When one does act
involuntarily to a person to whom one feels giri, one must not take
into account one's own suffering when alleviating or helping another
out of a difficult situation." -
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa071497.htm
THE CONCEPT OF GURU & GIRI why they go hand in hand.
In Japan there is a concept that is similar to KARMA. Its called
"Giri".
My Hoshin Tao Chi Kung, Hoshinjutsu & Ninpo teacher Soke Dr. Glenn J
Morris always taught us that one had to have "GIRI". It was even above
KARMA to a Budo warrior.
What does this have to do with Silat? Just wait I'll get to it....
Soke Morris used to say if you take once give back twice. If you are
given once give back twice. Or if you have received something special,
a valuable lesson, a gift, a form of energy, a chance to learn or
experience something in life than you would make it your obligation to
always to honor and pay back in some way at least twice those that
gave you such gifts or lessons, experience or energy. How would you do
that? You would always give them back either by giving them credit,
giving them energy, doing something special for the person, always
being there for them.
For example Hatsumi Sensei Promoted Dr. Morris to high Black Belt
level in Ninjutsu, Glenn turn around and made sure Hatsumi Sensei
received several honorary Doctorate degrees from respected USA
Universities and always mentions and credits Hatsumi in all his
published works. (THAT IS GIRI). If we gave energy work or healing or
showed Glenn something he would always turn around and load us up with
more info, energy, understanding. If you gave him once he would give
you twice. You get it?
Usually this concept is expected of students but not of the Guru
itself. WRONG........
The Guru should have a form of GIRI towards his or her students as
well.
The Guru receives from the students a form of payment, an exchange of
energy, a chance to teach, a chance to heal if he is of the healing
types. Those are the experiences that allow the Guru to be a Guru. Its
not a Piece of paper that says you are a GURU. That does not make you
a Guru nor qualified to teach, heal, guide coach etc.
Now here is where the concept gets very interesting. A lot of times
GURUS, SIFUS, SENSEIS, PENDEKARS, MAHAGURUS, forget that its their
OBLIGATION to take care of their students and to back them up no
matter what as it is the students job to do the same for their
teacher. Giri is similar to ADAT HORMAT or way of conduct and respect
found in PENCAK SILAT. But its a little more. IMMORTALITY of a teacher
and his or her methods comes through the longevity of their students
and the carriers of their wisdom. If there is no GIRI in a system it
will not evolve or grow or survive. Some one has to value it and honor
its roots and maintain it and give back at least twice to the systems,
the teachers, the future students etc.
To be the teacher you need students, but to be the true teacher you
teach your students to teach themselves and to teach others and you
value their efforts and time spent training.
I have seen in the martial arts how things go sour when there is no
concept of value or "giri" implemented to the system. A lot of folks
promise things but few deliver. A lot of folks keep their students as
indentured servants.
What happens if you negatively show no giri?....
If you forget your students once they will forget you twice.......
A lot of folks claim to be pendekars but can't even heal themselves. A
pendekar is a healer/warrior/shaman. Its not a title you buy. If you
think you are one i suggest you test your skills with people with real
problems (tumors, HIV, serious illness, Schizophrenia etc) A real Guru
is a guide and a protector. In Java a real silat master is more than
just a fighter. They take the value and spiritual side very serious as
well.
Martial arts with only "FIGHTING" is incomplete. The balance is needed
to understand the full circle.
As Soke Glenn said to me in his garage as I received a serious ass
whoopin -
"To learn to hurt you must learn to heal." He took away the damage and
pain in seconds using energy work and Chi Gung.
"If you take once give back twice"
Meditation:
1) breath in for 4 seconds 2) exhale for 8 increase each ratio by one
second till you go to your max. If you take from the universe one
breath give it back twice!
Healing:
If you received healing or energy or chi from someone give them back
2x's what you received.
Martial Giri:
If he hit you once you hit twice! Generously GIVE IT to those that
BRING IT.
Giri leads to generosity. Generosity leads to Abundance. KEEP
intentions positive.
What is a Guru's Giri? To teach the art to those that want to learn it
with out secrets and with out holding back information in fear of
loosing something, to be there for the students when no one else will,
to be a protector and a healer, to evolve the arts even further than
when they first experienced the art. If you as a teacher show Giri to
your students. your students will always show Giri back to you even
when you pass. Life is unpredictable and not as long as we all hope or
wish for. But I know from experience because I have had teachers that
have passed. I still show Giri to the teachers that showed me Giri and
even to those that lacked Giri. And it has made me a better person and
a better teacher to pass on what i know.
Try to implement GIRI in your life whether it be with your family,
teachers, students, friends, elders, enemies etc. Ultimately we are
all part f the same divine source so by showing Giri you are showing
the highest form of value to your true nature.
Peace
Guru Santiago Dobles
www.DoblesInstitute.com
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