“To enlighten and evolve through the art of Kenpo”
| Volume 10 |
June - December 2005 |
Issue 2 |
From The President...
UKS Training Camp 2005
Legacy, Humility, Duty, and Loyalty: Training
Camp 2005
by William Joseph Pemberton
The need to belong is hardwired into the human computer. We are social creatures, designed to interact and socialize, to grown and expand, physically, mentally and spiritually. It is just who we are, what we are designed to do. We need to find something bigger than we are. It is this belonging that gives meaning to us, to our existence. It is this search that drives us, keeps us moving forward and if we are not moving forward we are falling back.
People come to Kenpo Karate for many reasons – to learn to defend themselves, to challenge themselves, to get exercise. They stay for many reasons. Sometimes the reasons change. Sometimes they do not. Mr. Parker has left us a great legacy, a tool for growth and belong, a way to connect generationally, spiritually and physically. We, our generations, keep this legacy alive by coming together in growth and challenge every day as we work and sweat and learn and give.
Once a year Mr. Hawkins, our connection to this legacy, brings together a group of instructors from other paths, longer paths, who have explored alternate ideas or philosophies on their journey to the dragon. It is at these times that we are invited to look within ourselves and ask who we are and what we are seeking. At this time of year our Kenpo world is stirred up with new ideas and alternatives visions to complement our training in ways that expand us to further fill our universe and bring us closer to our ideals. Every year we see at least one fresh perspective and each year we walk away just a little more than we arrived.
This year was no exception. Those who came to show their support to this legacy gained in ways that will be measured for some time to come. They saw Kenpo at its most diverse and creative, and learned from people who touched, even made, our history what it was while showing a future both bright and limitless.
Bryan Hawkins Kenpo Karate was well-represented by our own Mr. Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, Mr. Steve Gregan, Mr. Wesley Idol III and Mr. Scott Higgins, all of whom shared with us their usual wealth of ideas and spirit. Mr. Howard Silva made the trip from Placerville, CA, to offer his insights into Kenpo and show us how much more there is yet to learn. Also returning was Mr. Pat Salantri, offering us new ways to look at our techniques, alternatives that can only expand our skill and improve our talent. This year we had two new instructors to illustrate the fact that the Martial Arts are not only alive but growing and expanding. Mr. Larry Hartsell brought his knives and ground fighting from years of training with Mr. Parker in Kenpo and Mr. Dan Inosanto in the art of Jeet Kune Do. His years of experience and training, as well as his generosity of spirit, have given the martial arts world a gift that those of us who worked with him, and his students, can only begin to understand and appreciate. Also giving of himself this year was the Black Karate Federation’s Mr. Robert Temple. As with Mr. Hartsell, many of us had heard his name but few of us were ready for the man we met. His talent was awe inspiring, in the most literal sense of the word. It has never ceased to amaze me the level of humility found in men of such talent and accomplishment. To see Mr. Temple move was a treat, to learn a fraction of his lesson was a gift, but to hear him speak of duty and the need to serve an idea greater than one’s self was an honor. In a world with little actual sense of duty or loyalty it is a genuine inspiration to see a man of such talent offer so much service to so many. Mr. Temple and his students are not only a tribute to the spirit of Kenpo but to the idea that we must always seek to serve that we may continue to grow.
On Thursday, September 22, Bryan Hawkins Kenpo Karate held its annual black belt test at which time our own Ms. Cheri Harris and Mr. Torey “Dion” Perry earned another stripe for their black belts. Ms. Harris moved to third degree black belt and Mr. Perry to second degree black belt. It was an honor to share with them this experience. The surprise promotion of the evening was the advancement of Mr. Scott Higgins to sixth degree black belt. Those of us who have been privileged to learn from him know that he embodies the ideals of Kenpo in body, mind and spirit. In these three Kenpoists lives the truest legacy of duty and honor that we all seek.
Of course, the awards dinner on Saturday is always a highlight of the weekend, a chance for us to let our hair down and share a little camaraderie with our brothers and sisters and people and friends. It is our time to take off our gis and belts and mingle as friends and family, to share the legacy of Kenpo. All of the instructors and many of the students came out to share a meal and a story or two with us as we raised a glass to this gift of family and the path we share. Along with those mentioned above we got to share some fellowship with Mr. Jack Autry, a long-time friend of Mr. Hawkins and our association. His energy and friendship, as well as his insights into what we do and who we are, are always welcome. Also, we were honored with the presence of Mr. Albert Cornejo, a long-time friend and original instructor of Mr. Idol. Anyone who has spent any time with Mr. Cornejo can attest to his generosity of spirit and kindness, and anyone who was moved with him knows that his skill is second to none.
This year’s special achievement award went to Mr. Michael Mandaville, a man whose gifts are superseded only by his willingness to share them. If we are measured by our sense of duty and our sharing of ourselves then Mr. Mandaville is one of the giants. May he take this award as a show of our gratitude for his years of services to us, his Kenpo brothers and sisters, as well as to his community.
We must also take a moment to thank Mr. Idol for offering us again the hospitality of his family’s restaurant, The Pacific Dining Car, for our dinner. It was our return “home” after a year away and we were, as always, made to feel welcome.
This once-a-year event is the high point of our Kenpo season and, along with the annual tournament, our chance to show our support to our art, our instructors and our association. It is a chance to give back a fraction of what we have received and to receive, in return, more than we can ever truly repay. If we ever wonder what the art of Kenpo is about, other than learning to defend ourselves, if we ever wish to see the truest embodiment of unity of mind, body and spirit, we have only to attend this event and see men whose skill could make them wealthy or famous, men whose abilities could lead to egos of gargantuan proportion, but whose humility and sense of honor and duty have led them to find a deeper self within. The Dragon to which we all aspire is alive and that alone gives the world hope in these times of crises.
Finally, we must thank Mr. Hawkins and his family for taking the time to share so deeply of themselves in offering us this venue and opportunity to come together and see what life has to offer if we only have the courage to seek it out.
Thanks to all who attended. See you next year.