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Dear Mr. Parker

By Gurujodha S. Khalsa  

Dear Mr. Parker:

It has been about 8 years since you passed away and I really miss you. While I only got to train with you directly in the advanced class for 2 ½ years I benefited greatly from your wisdom.

I still remember 20 years ago when I began my martial arts journey in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I just graduated from law school and decided to adopt a spiritual life style in which yoga and meditation were practiced daily and the study of martial arts was encouraged. I had a yoga and meditation master and I set out in a search for a qualified martial arts master.

I began with Master Daniel Kane Pai and the Bok Lin Pai Kung Fu system. It wasn't until almost 15 years later that I learned that Master Pai was also from Hawaii and was a contemporary of yours. After about 1 year of training I got married and moved to California. Before leaving my teacher in Harrisburg I asked him whom I should study with in California. Without hesitation he said "Ed Parker".

My new wife was a doctor who had been accepted as an intern at the Wadsworth, VA hospital in Westwood. We only had one car at the time and the first day I drove her to work I made a very satisfying discovery. On the way back to the 405 freeway on Santa Monica Blvd I spotted the Kenpo Karate sign over the old studio at Santa Monica and Sepulveda. I decided to go in and have a look.

When I entered the dojo a few people were on the mat. People who I would later come to know as Howard Silva and Muhammad Tabatabai. I walked toward the back of the studio toward the office and peeked into the office and there you were. Seated with Professor Toro Tanaka, apparently having a very amusing conversation. What I noticed first was the hands. Both of you had these massive hands and while I was mesmerized by these four huge hands you said with a smile, "Welcome, just relax, someone will be right with you."

Needless to say I signed up and began my training. Each Thursday I used to see you arrive for the advanced class and I thought to myself, "One day I'll be in that class."

But in 1984, the bottom fell out of my life. My law practice took a nosedive. I became separated and later divorced from my wife and I had to move from my west LA residence. Things were so bad I lived out of my office in Bellflower, California. Moving on from blue belt seemed a low priority given the circumstances but I continued to practice my Kenpo. Then one day in North Long Beach I spotted my oasis. The sign said Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate. I crossed the street and walked in. A short well-muscled man with a moustache approached me as I entered. He said, "Welcome" I'll be right with you; my name is Ed Booze I am the instructor here." I gave him my training history and told him about my economic situation and he said, "Look you can train here, we'll work something out". I trained with Mr. Booze in exchange for legal services and tax advice. We used to sit around with other students after class and he would tell us stories about going to visit and train with you up in Pasadena. I really wanted to get back to west LA to work towards the advanced class.

It took almost three years but in 1987 1 re-married, moved back to west LA to continue my training. After setting the world record for longest period as a blue belt, I finally attained my green and then tested for brown.

You were on the board of my Brown Belt Test. I remember you stopping me in mid technique to correct my form and remind me that "big circles create big problems". After a particularly grueling test the belts were passed out and as the test closed you said, "Make sure you take a flashlight to bed tonight so that when you wake up and ask yourself: "did I really get my brown belt?", you can turn on the flash light to make sure."

Finally, I got the chance to come to the Thursday night workout. There were 7 of us "rookies" in the far comer of the dojo. The first class you demonstrated techniques from long form 7. Needless we were hopelessly lost. After briefly demonstrating the techniques you started to walk off the mat. Just at that moment you changed course and walked straight toward the back comer of the room. I thought to myself, I really must be screwing up this form, Mr. Parker is coming back to say something.

You stopped right in front of me and said" Well, its been a long road, but you made it" and then you gave me a big hug. That moment changed my life and still chokes me up to this day. I thought to myself, how does he know? And something inside said, "Because he's a master."

So, I just wanted to thank you Mr. Parker, not just for the Art, but also for the Heart. For all of the wisdom I have gained from practicing and sharing this art with others, for all of the close friends and deep bonds I have forged through training in this system, but most of all for just being there in that special subtle way when times were tough and challenging and for inspiring me to "Meet it to Beat it.

With great Love and Respect
Gurujodha S. Khalsa

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