Tag Archives: Kata Sacred Trinity

Katannabis – Designing Your Kata Syllabus: Level VI

2 Mar

Level VI Kata

The last level at last. Level VI is the level that I call, “Level/No-Level.” Level/No-level is a nod towards the state-of-mind known as Mushin/No-Shin, “Mind-no mind.” Level VI is a level in an of itself, but isn’t. It is active but static, physical but non-physical. It will have two kata. The first is the omnipresent, primordial Kata, Sanchin. Books, volumes and volumes of books can (and should) be written on Sanchin. In fact there will be very detailed discussion of Sanchin further on. Want a hint at the esoteric, just search Sanchin in this sites search bar and see what I’ve previously written about this remarkable Kata. Within the context of Katannabis, Sanchin shines and reveals its deepest, sometimes darkest secrets.

If you do not already know Sanchin – learn it. At age eleven when I first encountered Sanchin Sensei told me it was “moving meditation.” Trust me Sensei himself had no idea. Now, at age sixty-two, with Katannabis, I am finally exploring its true hidden, dare I say Divine, aspects.

The level goes from “moving meditation” to conclude with Zazen, seated mediation. For now, understand that Zazen is analogous to the universe’s so-called “big-bang.” The point at which everything started – the point of compressed potential. I’ll explore more, but for now understand that Zazen is the “big-bang” of every and all – yes – every and all Kata. Zazen is potential. Potential of all Kata exist within Zazen. Though static, it is energetic!

Here’s a fun one – Sanchin Kata Motorcycle Ride amongst the cotton fields of Arizona:

Cum Superiorum Privilegio Veniaque

Sensei John Szmitkowski

Endnotes:

 1. Having only spent the last twenty or so years of my fifty-two year kata journey on the topic of Katannabis, my research into Levels IV to VI is limited. I am convinced that these levels must utilize what I call the “Sacred-Trinity” of Kia, namely: Seienchin, Suparunpei and Sanchin. Now, I fully realize that if these Kata are not in your martial arts kata catalogue, it would be a tall order to try to learn all three. To allow you to experience Katannabis without this additional burden, I created the “Sanchin-Dai” (“Great Three Battles”) Kata which incorporates the salient concepts of the sacred-trinity as far as Katannabis meditation is concerned. You may learn Sanchin-Dai Kata for yourself using this link: – – – Coming Soon – – 

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Katannabis – Designing You Kata Syllabus: Level V Kata

1 Mar

Level V Kata

Level V will be an interesting level for you to explore. It is at the end of level IV, moving into level V where you will begin to experience and “dip your toes” into the non-physical waters of the esoteric kata experience. This is the level that, in the early stages of you Katannabis meditation exploration, you will encounter the unknown and unseen. The Kata that will bring you there is Suparunpei. For those that do not have Suparunpei Kata in your kata syllabus, please see endnote # 1. 

I’ve included a copy of my journal with my earliest memory of learning Suparunpei Kata. I encourage you to at least give it a cursory read. In it I relate the advice I personally, out of a group of fifty or so students, was given by Sensei. At the time, I was told I would be the one to understand its meaning – “ You cannot perform Suparunpei Kata (which Sensei called “Pechurin” in his native Okinawa dialect) if you are spiritually impure.” It seemed strange at the time that I was singled out and quietly told this. Now, decades later I fully understand the import of Sensei’s words. 

So, again, if you do not know Suparunpei Kata, endnote # 1 provides a link to learn my Sanchin-dai Kata (“Great Three Battles”). Both Suparunpei and Sanchin-dai will produce the effects that will help you enter and explore the Unseen. These effects are discussed in great detail in later chapters. For now, I wish to acquaint you with them. I call these phenomenon the following:

  • The Mandala-effect;
  • Spatial Distortion;
  • Time-Slip.

The above are not presented in any order. When I first experienced the phenomenon I had no idea what exactly was happening. It took time to first understand and identify and then label, quantify and explain. To the best of my knowledge the phenomenon of spatial distortion was first but closely followed by the phenomena of time-slip. It took more time to realize that the Mandala-effect was, perhaps, the overriding phenomenon that gives birth to the other two. 

You will, repeat, will, experience these new phenomenon. The fact is they help form the portal to the exploration of the non-physical dimensions. My dojo patch always incorporated the symbol of a Tori. I’ve worn that patch since 1971. It took decades for me and the advent of Katannabis ritual meditation for me to appreciate the symbolism of the Tori – a gateway or portal. Suparunpei and Sanchin-dai become the Tori. 

I would wholeheartedly encourage you to keep a journal of your Katannabis experiences. Documenting them will help you review and understand the process. I am merely guiding you. You will determine and find your own path. You can use the detailed discussion of these phenomenon as a template for your own experiences and notes.

Cum Superiorum Privilegio Veniaque

Sensei John Szmitkowski

Bonus – Suparunpei as Mala journal notes

Endnotes:

 1. Having only spent the last twenty or so years of my fifty-two year kata journey on the topic of Katannabis, my research into Levels IV to VI is limited. I am convinced that these levels must utilize what I call the “Sacred-Trinity” of Kata, namely: Seienchin, Suparunpei and Sanchin. Now, I fully realize that if these Kata are not in your martial arts kata catalogue, it would be a tall order to try to learn all three. To allow you to experience Katannabis without this additional burden, I created the “Sanchin-Dai” (“Great Three Battles”) Kata which incorporates the salient concepts of the sacred-trinity as far as Katannabis meditation is concerned. You may learn Sanchin-Dai Kata for yourself using this link: – – Coming Soon – – 

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Katannabis – Designing Your Kata Syllabus: Level IV Kata

23 Feb

Level IV Kata

In this level the “non-physical, non-apparent aspect” of the Kata is all important. Do not view techniques as strikes, blocks and kicks that come in contact with an imaginary opponent. Rather, view the techniques as being necessary to move percussive energy wave. The strikes, blocks and kicks are but a means to move the air, the molecules in the air, generating magnetic and gravitational waves. I encourage you to do as much supplemental research as possible. Physics has shown that all of our physical movements generate electro-magnetic and gravitational waves. It is this phenomenon that you wish to exhibit in your Kata at this level. Intrigued? If so, you may want to click these two links on factors (internal & external, seen & unseen) that affect your Kata – do some research on it and blow your mind:  (internal) https://senseijohn.me/2022/08/08/internal-factors-involved-in-katannabis-part-1-of-2/ and (external) https://senseijohn.me/2022/09/12/external-factors-involved-in-katannabis-part-2-of-2/

In my experience the single best Kata for this level is Seienchin. (For those readers unfamiliar with Seienchin, please see endnote # 1) Now, I will readily admit that Seienchin is near and dear to my heart. It is my closest Kata companion since I first learned it as a green belt in 1975. So, its been with me for a while. I was always drawn to it. Throughout my life it nurtured and sustained me in times of need. So, yeah, I am prejudiced to it.

I believe that it is the manner in which Seienchin is performed that makes it perfect for the requirements of this level. Seienchin representing the “Calm in the storm/storm in the calm,” embodies perfectly the duality of nature and the universe. The movements of the Kata reflect this. It starts off in a side stance, low and deep with movements that are slow, methodical with deep abdominal breathing and dynamic muscle control. It progresses to sharp, focused fast, energetic, kinetic movements. The alternates between the two types of movements. Intrigued? Here’s a bonus – my journal on the alternative interpretation of Seienchin: “Walk far to quell & conquer.”

The key, I think, its to envelope yourself in the physicality of your being, represented by the “storm” or the swift fast movements and the non-physical nature of your essence, represented by the slow, methodical, “calm” movements. 

Bearing the in mind, if you do not have Seienchin Kata within your curriculum, you have two choices: 

  • You can learn a similar Kata that I have created to fill the requirements of this level and the next. I call this Kata, Sanchin-Dai, or “Great Three Battles.” I will put a link to free online instruction for this Kata in the endnotes in the near future, or,
  • You can modify the performance of any Kata to meet the performance of Seienchin. I would note that such modification should include the use of a side stance in the beginning. As will be discussed in more detail in the advanced section, the physical requirements and “discomfort” associated with a deep side stance, held for a long period provide a great transitional means to deemphasize the physical to the non-physical. This is for a more advanced chapter. For now, consider the necessity of using a side stance well in any modification to your existing Kata.

Depending upon my state-of-mind at the start of a Katannabis session, I sometimes will imbue another dose of the entheogen prior to beginning this level. If so, I usually sit in Zazen, seated meditation, for about five minutes before starting so as to let the additional entheogen take effect. More is discussed on this in later chapters. You can experiment (and document your results) as to the administration of the cannabis entheogen, dosage and efficacy of the strain you use.)

Upon completing this level, there is a pervasive sense, experience of the Non-physical, energetic reality that exists and envelopes your physical being. You will leave the physical boundaries of your body and merge with such realities. The next level will break you through the portal.

Cum Superiorum Privilegio Veniaque

Sensei John Szmitkowski

Endnotes:

 1. Having only spent the last twenty or so years of my fifty-two year kata journey on the topic of Katannabis, my research into Levels IV to VI is limited. I am convinced that these levels must utilize what I call the “Sacred-Trinity” of Kata, namely: Seienchin, Suparunpei and Sanchin. Now, I fully realize that if these Kata are not in your martial arts kata catalogue, it would be a tall order to try to learn all three. To allow you to experience Katannabis without this additional burden, I created the “Sanchin-Dai” (“Great Three Battles”) Kata which incorporates the salient concepts of the sacred-trinity as far as Katannabis meditation is concerned. You may learn Sanchin-Dai Kata for yourself using this link:  —- Coming soon —-

Bouns!!! Seienchin Kata with Wild Horses filmed at the Lower Salt River, Tonto National Forest, Arizona

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