It’s been quite a while since I posted a journal entry. Frankly, and I don’t know why, I’ve felt compelled to disseminate as much information as possible as to the process of developing your own Katannabis. The result is this new resource section https://senseijohn.me/2023/02/13/katannabis-syllabus-resources/ . This link has all your Katannabis resources.
For this journal entry, I’d like to share with you a few of my raw journal notes.
I keep a pad and my beloved fountain pens handy during all of my Katannabis sessions. I want to contemporaneously memorialize my observations and experiences while I am within the throes of the session. After I complete the session, I make my final notes. On a weekly basis I compile all my raw notes and make a list of those areas that require a more detailed exploration. In my experience, topics such as “time-slip,” “spatial distortion,” and the “Mandala-effect,” to name a few are a direct result of this process.
My detailed notes are then filed into one of my many Katannabis three-ring binder type notebooks. These notebooks are organized generally as to the substantive process of Katannabis, effects and experiences of Katannabis, “higher dimensional” notes, psychic self-defense notes and other highly advanced Katannabis experiences.
I highly encourage you to maintain your own Katannabis journal. It is very important in early stages of Katannabis. I don’t think you can have a rewarding Katannabis experience without documenting your steps along the way. Trust me, your notes will be necessary as you modify your Katannabis syllabus. To this day, two decades later, though I have a core of Kata within my Katannabis syllabus, I still make adjustments to the order in which they are performed and other such adjustments. It is in the modifications that your experiences become heightened.
In addition, when you have a Katannabis experience, you want to document not only the experience but the conditions that gave rise to it. This serves a two-fold purpose. If the experience is positive, you will want to replicate it. If an experience cannot be replicated then it may not be an epiphenomenon of your Katannabis. It may simply be a one-time coincidence.
If, on the other hand, your experience is one that is unpleasant, and “Yes,” you will have such an experience. You will want to fully understand the experience and the manner in which it arose. Then you can make an informed decision as to whether such an experience was an epiphenomenon of your Katannabis and if so, how to avoid it.
I know this sounds a bit like school and homework. You can make the process enjoyable. I love the feel of writing with a fountain pen, so I keep my pens handy during Katannabis. Each pen is filled with its own unique ink which adds to the enjoyment. I also include little sketches and diagrams. An artist I am not, but again, this adds to the overall experience. In fact, I look at the journaling process as a “Kata” within my syllabus. And, “Yes,” the act of writing can be looked at as a Kata.
Katannabis ritual meditation is a serious endeavor. That being said, in addition to be enlightening, thought-provoking and eye-opening, it should be enjoyable. In my experience, I find the act of memorializing my experiences adds to such enjoyment. Have a puff or an edible, do you Kata and get out that pen and paper. Until next time,
Cum superiorum privilegio veniaque *
Sensei John Szmitkowski
* (with the privilege and permission of the superiors)
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The curriculum is divided into two sub-categories. First and foremost, as that is the most convenient for me, is the curriculum for martial artists that are already intimately familiar with kata. Second, is the curriculum for non-martial artists that with to delve into Katannabis ritual mediation.
My full Katannabis journal (in reverse chronological order): 
My original black belt represents the period during which I became comfortable with developing and experimenting with the physical aspects of kata. I had also earned the title of “Sensei” (literally “Before-being”, but loosely “Teacher”). This period brought about a deep rooted imagination to discover so-called “hidden” self-defense techniques in the Kata. Thus began a period of introspection and discovery.
Decades later I was awarded my fourth degree black belt and the title “Karate-Do Renshi” (karate advanced teacher or coach). At this time I began to develop my concept of the “Three battles of Kata” to represent the idea that there was more to kata than just the physical. There was the spiritual which codified state-of-minds, emotions and psyche and the environmental which represented the interrelationship between Kata and the physical environment. These were the earliest stages of my Kata-Rx for wellness program and its humble beginnings with my “Sanchin Kata for everyone” campaign and book.
Even more decades later when I was awarded my Seventh Degree (nana-dan), I began to develop my Katannabis program – the entheogenic combination of my Kata-Rx and medical cannabis as a meditative, mind-expanding practice.
Generally I find that after a good Katannabis meditation session my darts throwing is fluid and smooth. My mind is free of pressure and the idea of “achieving results” or improving. I simply throw for enjoyment and relaxation. True, I do want to hit the target, but thats a mere desire. I don’t add-on baggage and pressure. This allows my mind to wander (rather than concentrate on practice). 
I have a few dart set ups in my collection, including one prized somewhat rare set from Accudart. I throw then all. (See endnote # 1) Choice of dart varies mostly depending on my mood, but sometimes my hand and joint discomfort will warrant one set over the others. At present I’m mostly throwing my newest set, the Shot Ronin Rei in 23 grams. 
I was feeling good from the Katannabis meditation session, comfortable with being “locked” inside and enjoying both the darts and the “Bellies and Bullseyes” when it hit me. How about playing a virtual game against once of these legendary pro players. As I threw more and more darts I let that idea germinate. Eventually I came up with this new, dare I say innovative, practice routine. I tried it and liked it. I wonder if anyone else has. Here’s what I came up with. Have you ever tried it? If not, give it a go and let me know what you think.
Wednesday morning while performing my pre-dawn Seipai Kata at the shop where the truck is parked, I was treated to a spectacularly bright view of the planet Venus.
July 4th, 2021. (Sunday)
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Kata-RX For wellness 
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