The kanji Shin taken from the name shinsokai translates as meaning truth. Through training in budo we are faced with challenges which force us to confront ourselves and overcome our own limitations in order to emerge victorious.
Through practicing karatedo we are brought into contact with the true nature of our characters through the problems posed both physically and mentally. A good sensei will point a student along the correct path, and will often guide the student head first into problems which it will then be up to the student to try to solve. It is through facing these problems regularly that a student is able to grow and learn from mistakes made along the path.
The key attribute throughout this however, is truthfulness and sincerity. A person can easily fool others by wearing a mask and only revealing what he/she thinks they will want to see. It is however, much more difficult to fool oneself and the person who faces you each morning in the mirror.
I’ve always liked the phrase ‘there should not be one hairs breadth between and mans word and his deed’.
All to often we take people at their word, only to be let down when it comes to the persons actions. A good practitioner of the budo should always try to ensure that they are true to their word and seen through their everyday actions to be a person of sincerity; a person who appreciates the value of Shin.
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