Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Sarena]

I found in my collection an interesting piece of information written by Elvis for the Karate Documentary he had planned to make in the early 70s

Ther he wrote (selection):

The real meaning of Karate
helping a person to help himself

"He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position" (Gen Shoi Hong Hi, founder of Tai Kwan Do System)

Purpose of Karate: To prepare you so that you......
Pychical and mental training and ability to protect ourselves makes
us a better human being in life.
Be ye gentle as lambs in matters of love and strong as lions in matters of Honor.
What is more gentle than a whiff of air or a drop of rain, but
in protecting one's self, family, friends, loved ones, flag,
God and countr. Taking the breath of air what is more ferocious than a raging typhoon?
Or than a drop of water from a tidal wave. This is the objective and purpose behind all true martial artists.
Never to use that which is learned except in extreme emergencies. to protect myself,my friends, my loved ones and if seeing a fellow Karateka using his skill to harm, to make afraid, to cripple or maime, to do all thatis in my power to restrainwith whatever force necessary. To report him to a board of regents comprised of 36 high ranking black belts where he is subject to immediate dismissal stripped of all his honors turned over to the authoroties, never to regain status in his assiciation. Thus is one of the purposes of Karate to protect th weak, helpless, and the oppressed of all classes. Regardless of color, creed or religion.
To all true Karatekas this is the oath sworn never to use that which they have learned except in cases of extreme emergencies. To this I pledge my all to myself, my flag, God, and country.
After attaining a certain Self-knowledge, Self confidence the fight is won in the mind before the first blow is ever delivered.
The Karate masters have never used it in a violent way in their lifetime. We do not practise killing, we developed a means by which to kill, but violence is absolutely forbidden.
"Be ye wise as serpents and gentle as doves."

I am glad to have found this because it confirms the view I expressed in the "weapon-thread where we talked about this topic of violence

[Lighthouseseeker]

Christine thank you so much for posting this..
ever since I was a kid ,I wanted to attend to a class,but almost all the dojo's were serving to some certain political views(dangerous ones) ,it was the problem for years ..these days it's different and we have more schools to choose among, but now I'm tired, busy and old,though I know karate's nothing to do with age.. so it seems a little late now..

[Sarena]

Zey, I started Karate when I was 37 years old and I did not regret it!!
But to tell the truth, I did not find that spirit Elvis is talking about in all the teachers and disciples in my dojo....there were just a few.
But anyway, it was worth it. Now I don't have enough time and circumstances are not favourable.

[Amanda Viola]

Thank you very much Christine, for bringing this Elvis' text to the Forum. It tells much about his attitudes and his aims.

Anyway, everytime I see the reference to flag and country at such a priority level, there's a shiver inside me, because there come to my mind thoughts of how many human desasters have been done in their name, by all kinds of goverments around the world.

I suppose he was influenced by the sense of gratitude he had for his country, as being the place where he received so much. Yet, he received much from the rest of the world too.

Myself, I have always felt free from flag and country bondaries; I felt that Earth is my temporal home and that I'm a Cosmos' child. Yet, I love each place that receives me to dwell for the time I'm called to be there,
for planet Earth is really beautiful, and all its habitants too.

[Lighthouseseeker]

same here Amanda, about the flags,borders ,countries,plus religions..of course those subjects of honour was added in years ..we even don't know the exact time when those forms we called martial arts was born or invented....though there are some stories..so in our understanding of being good and honourable,some things added ..And Christine I understand you it is not easy to find a soulful master like Mr Parker or many masters of far east..

[Sarena]

Myself, I have always felt free from flag and country bondaries; I felt that Earth is my temporal home and that I'm a Cosmos' child.

I agree with you, Amanda!!

[Amanda Viola]

I'm glad to share that kind of feeling with you, Zey and Christine.

[Barbara Lea]

[b] I think the reason Elvis Honored Country, Flag, and Religion. Is because there aren't to many people around the world that as Lived what they call the American Dream, like Elvis did in other countries they are to afraid. Becauthat arese they aren't allowed the Freedoms we here in the USA, taken for GRANTED! So I think that is why he Honors his country for allowing him the oppurtunity to better his Families lively hood, and he was proud to serve in the Army to show his Graditude. He honored Religions, for the fact he could pray and read his Bible where ever he felt like reading it, and the Freedom to Worship in any Church he wished to. FairyTale!

[Blue Moon]

Interesting to read, Krishnalini!
I noticed that it cuts across all religious and race boundaries, so that is a plus.

I too wish we lived in a world which is united, but only if united under love and freedom. The current attempt by the wealthy powerful elite to aim for a united Earth is a very destructive one, as these people wish to have us all as their slaves. They are very clever & crafty in their plans and refer to the average joe and jane as "useless eaters". It is in their writings.

They are behind the unification of Europe and are currently setting up the North American Union whereby Canada, the US, & Mexico will be united. Of course, you do not see their true colors -- yet. They talk about it being for free trade -- well wait till you see what they really have in store for us. It will not be pretty. They are in fact behind most of the wars, to make profit and to offer their solution -- giving them more & more control over nations and people, mostly behind the scenes.

They own most of the media, so the truth of their evil plans can only be found in alternative media. And this elite can so easily manipulate people via TV. Ancient cultures warn us of such a time.
Well, I better quit before I type 10 pages worth. This subject is not an easy one to put down in brief terms and have is sound credible. It is better for lengthly discussion.

[Barbara Lea]

It says in Revelations, that there will be in the Last days a ONE WORLD ORDER! So in a way thats what your talking about to. FairyTale!

[Sarena]

I feel Elvis' kind of patriotism was true and sincere and he respected each other country in the same way as his own. That's the important thing.
It's shortsighted to love your own coutry to the exclusion of all others.

[Amanda Viola]

It's shortsighted to love your own coutry to the exclusion of all others.

You really have made a remarkable point there, very much balanced, Christine. This is the core of the question to me.

[Rainbow Light]

Yes, absolutely right, ladies!

Many thanks for the information about Karate that you posted above, Christine-Sarena, is very interesting to read and of course very true too!

Some may only see the martial arts as a fighting sport, self defence, to break bricks or show off, or a combination of all of these! Yet, also many know and understand about a deeper and spiritual aspect of them and including specially karate, great to read more as per your posting!