Kiko(u)

Basic postures

2011-10-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

Of course there are many ways to sit on the floor, and a few for a chair too. But the standard postures are Seiza (sitting on our heels) & Kekka Fusa (most often called the lotus posture). All others are versions, combinations, and adaptions of these two.Basic standing is just standing upright with either the feet together or apart... if apart we most often use either shoulder width or two shoulder widths apart.Walking is done at the 6 speeds of Kiko. Sometimes mixed in one session or one speed per session. We use all shapes and distances, though the most common are the circle and the rectangle. There are some practices thought that take to the seemingly straight line, and others that meander like a gentle stream.Lying down is also done on the back, on the belly, and even on some occasions on our side. Flat on the back is probably the most common.The hands are usually at our sides or stretched fully out, or almost all the way out for poses, though some have a naturally bent elbow...Ok, this is harder than I thought... Kiko tries to be flexible and use every pose our bodies can naturally do, and even a few that don't feel natural to me.We need to both be comfortable and challenge ourselves; the practice is based on the resolution and combination of Dichotomies like these.By beginning from the middle and expanding to both extremes, without ever leaving the middle, is what the practice is; this is what makes it work. The extremes can't be too extreme as long as the middle is held; so we are free to expand without limit. Never leaving the center, so we are always there, and gone, but never having left. In our center but not static, we are growing infinitely, flowing naturally with nature....

Speed of energy in the practice of Kiko

2011-10-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

I was asked about speeds... There are many speeds.There is a natural ebb & flow to the world. Remember the movement 'yura yura,' to sway as the kelp in the ocean. Differences between night & day. Cold winter nights, lively spring mornings, hot summer days, & blustery autumn afternoons.The key is to be natural and fit the situation we are in... The time & place... the season & time of day.... who is there... what objects are in the space with us... what is the purpose or intention... etc?That being said, we usually teach 6 speeds. The earth lower and slower, more stable; Water meandering to fairly fast flowing; Fire faster and sharper; Air.... smooth and fast; and emptiness from speed of light and beyond. But these can be combined, mixed, and merged, for interesting results.Many training practices use variations of the water speeds; it's the most adaptable & fairly easy to learn... & it flows very nicely. Often though the slower & lower earth speed gives us time and stability, that can be of use for both learning, training, and formal ceremonies; I like earth for first trainings and last, because its the easiest and the hardest. But I too use water a lot. I find the speed that matches... all 6 have there place both in my training and in my life; though 70% of my practice is in the 6th uppermost wheel; but that's just me.As humans we can blend different speeds too. From one moment to the next, according to the movement & moment we find ourselves in. Everything changes, so we change along the way... thus moving, but not moving since we match exactly the movement around us; because now it's within us too.kiko is all about alignment. Alignment with our core, including our core principles. Alignment with our environment, and situation. Be free to align. Be flexible in body and mind. Keep to the core as it as always been taught, be true to our core beliefs, but liberated from that which has already changed. Being in this moment, in this time in this place, in this very body, in this world as it really is, as we really are. This is kido

2011-10-07T11:40:00.001-07:00

Besides the core point, tanzen, there are other parts of the body that can serve us well in kiko. The Bi-Tei-Kotsu, root tail bone, or sacred bone at the tail of the spine, is a major pause on the route of energy; with it's path from the center of the earth to the heavens above; the earth and water wheels brush against eachother here.How about the Solar Plexus, related to the Sun. We often use this as the overlap between the water wheel of the Hara (belly), and the Fire Wheel of the Kokoro (Heart).The unaji or nape of the neck is an oft forgotten space below the base of the skull. This section of spine corresponds to the wheel of wind & sound, as it parallels the line of the throat, mouth, and nose.The Crown of the head is a wonderful jumping off point for the spinning energy as it continues the path from earth to heaven.The use of these create interesting experiences with our bodies and the space we live in.

Energy Working

2011-10-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

Kido is the way of vital energy... the way of the life force in all things... related to breath & breathing... related to life. Kiko is living this life well, the way of working with this energy... the way of working with the breath... movement, poses... in working with relationships, within ourselves and without. kido is life, and kiko is living it.kiko is using the natural, complete, breath... mindfully.

2011-10-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

One of the first inzo most of us are shown is the two hands clasped flat together in front of our heart as gassho.Another popular seal is the jo(u)-inzo. Often refered to as the universal or meditation seal. Often used while doing sitting meditation, we form a circle with the hands and place it in front of the tanden. This circle takes many shapes, and rests in a variety of ways; some schools prefer one way, and some schools prefer another; each way has it's own meaning and creates a different result. But all have great meaning and power & can be wonderful tools to use in this world... in this moment... in this body.Kido is learning how these seals create flow, and how the flow creates the seals, along with the realization of the transformation that takes place as we move, pause, and continue throughout our lives.Realization of the connection between visualization, sound, & movement and the flow/seal they create is kido.All kiko begins sitting in seiza (correct sitting [posture]). Correct means this is the way it is done, and that it is upright. Then from the tanden stretch up and bow down... breath in as we go down... exhale... and rise on the following in breath. Then wait for the next breath and follow it... flow with it to the next seal.One of the strongest seals is Gotsu-za, or sitting immovable like a bold mountain. Sit & don't move; neither the mind nor body moves, no sound is made. The heart beats, blood and breath flow... so again we move, but we don't move. The world moves around us as we flow with it. Both in the inzo (seals) & in the dosa (way of movement), kokaku (skeletal alignment) must be welcomed.

2011-10-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

The foundation assumption of Kido (the way of energy) and Kiko (energy working) is that everything, absolutely everything, we think say and do actually creates the world we live in. In fact everything we have ever thought, said, & done counts too.Thoughts include anything from our minds. Prayers, silent affirmations, thoughts, ideas, etc.Saying actually includes every sound we make, but strong is that which we say.Doing includes anything the body does.We can see that these can interact, and indeed we can combine, mix and match them as doing can include words and thoughts, and sounds can include the body too.Also how often we repeat any of these.How much passion or intensity we give them.How long we continue in a particular pattern.All of these three influence each other.Louder tends to have immediate impact and fade.Softer tends to have lighter initial strength but can grow with time.Notice I say tends to...Then we begin to interact with all the other sentient beings, and seemingly stationary items too.We interact with our environment, the people in it, the air, the water.Everything is changing; we flow with it, or feel the dissonance of our separate paths. We can compliment, match, or even cooperate with the movement of the world;we can even compete with it, of course, but be prepared for quite a bit of pain with this path.Everything counts; so our mindfulness of this moment, in this body, becomes our best tool.Mindfulness of the detail and the 'big picture' too.Flowing with the moments as they change.Softly but firmly, enjoying every moment.From the center of our being to the furthest point, and back again.Every moment of everyday.This is Kido... the way of energy. the way of vital energy... the way of our life force... of the life force of the universe...This is the way.

Meiso = Meditation

2010-09-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Kiko always begins and ends with Meiso. We translate Meiso as Meditation.
We use seiza or correct sitting in kiko for meditation.
Seiza is sitting in a kneeling position with our knees bent and our heels tucked under our buttocks.
Our nose must be vertical, and our eyes horizontal.
Our breathing is natural, full, and complete.
Our whole-self sits quiet and still.

Ningenkeisei = To Become Human

2010-09-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

Ningenkeisei = To Become Human
Ningenkeisei means to become a human being. Does this imply that we may not already be human? More likely that we do not completely realize or true humanness, or what it is to be truly human, and therefore appear to be more just animal than complete humans.

In kiko the process of Ningenkeisei is called Sho(u)Do(u). In kiko we translate Shodo as the upright path. Of course we begin with the buddhist HaShoDo or the 8 Upright Paths.
1. Sho(u)Ken = Upright View
2. Sho(u)ShiYui = Upright Thought/Thinking/Reflection/Resolve
3. Sho(u)Go = Upright Speech/Sound
4. Sho(u)Go(u) = Upright Action/Activity
5. Sho(u)Myo = Upright Livelihood/Way of living
6. Sho(u)ShoJin = Upright Effort/Striving/Exertion/Diligence
7. Sho(u)Nen = Upright Understanding
8. Sho(u)Jyo = Upright Contemplation

When we call this, 'Sho(u) Shin no Do(u)': The Upright and True Way, we add more practices.
Sho(u)Gaku, for instance, is Upright Study.
Sho(u)Setsu is Upright Exposition.
Sho(u)Kan is Upright Meditation.
Sho(u)Chi is Upright Wisdom/Knowing Reality.

When we call this Ho(u)Do(u), the Way of the Law/Teaching/ the methods increase to 10,000 (or infinity if you like).
Chu(u) Do(u) for instance is the all important middle path from which we often begin and then stretch this path from the middle to include everything; just as we find the middle of ourselves (Tanden) that connects us to our birth, the cosmos and everything else; then as we stretch ourselves from this center to find the depths and heights of our practice to include all that is.

When we naturally follow all 10,000 paths with one step, we call this NinGenKanSei.

Nagaiki = Longevity

2010-09-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Nagaiki = Longevity:
The exoteric portion of kiko often is done for Nagaiki, or longevity; to increase the length of our lives. Of course, our practice must both increase the length and the quality of our lives to be worthwhile. In the Buddhist aspect this is done only so that we can either realize our true selves and/or to help others do the same.

In Kiko we teach 5 life style practices for Nagaiki.
1. Mokuteki = Purpose
To have a purpose in our lives; to live for others, not just ourselves; to have a reason to live).
2. Tekido = Moderation
(to live moderately, modestly, and appropriately).
3. Hohoemi & Warai = Smile & Laugh
(take time to have a good time, and not take ourselves too seriously).
4. Osore wo Kaiho suru = Release Fear
(To have courage in all circumstances, in kiko we have no room for fear).
5. Ochitsuita & Odayakana = Be Calm & Serene
(To remain Calm in all situations, helps us see clearly and live clearly).

Have a Purpose;
Live Moderately;
Smile & Laugh;
Release Fear;
Be Calm & Serene;

We teach that these 5 things will lead to a long and healthy life.

Inzo - positions / postures / seals

2010-09-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Kiko deals with GoDai the 5 Elements of Shingon: Chi = Earth; Mizu = Water; Hi = Fire; Kaze = Wind; and Ku = Emptiness.We use the GoDai when we create Inzo. Inzo are postures and movements that seal the spells and invest our intent with energy.When we create the Inzo (seals/postions) with our hands, each digit represents one of the elements.In the esoteric teaching: The thumb is Ku; The index/pointing finger is wind; The middle finger is Fire; The ring finger is Water; and the little finger is earth. In the exoteric tradition they are reversed, how confusing is that?When we continue the Inzo with our bodies...Ku is the centered in crown of the head; from the third eye up to infinity and throughout the cosmos.Kaze includes the nose mouth and throat. Hi is from the bottom of the neck to the solar plexus and centered in the Heart.Mizu is the stomach including the solar plexus and the tandenChi is the whole lower half of the body also including the tanden and tail/root/sacred bone.Each of these Inzo can be combined to represent different energies.Each energy has it's own sets of sounds and meanings that correspond with eachother and interact.In our tradition there are currently 1664 + 2 = 1666 different combinations being used;But it is said there are 18,400 of them.Or sometimes we just say 10,000 which can mean infinite; since ultimately everything we think, say, and do is Kiko.

Environment - Cause and Effect (3)

2010-06-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

The main task then, as a group leader in Kiko, is to participate in creating an environment that is conducive to the realization of everyone of this conjoined reality.

Once everyone makes this realization we all walk a path, with a burning desire to live this way every moment of everyday.

We continue to polish the path, by walking the path as it as been revealed.

Environment - Cause and Effect (2)

2010-06-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

To continue on this idea of Environment... When we do any kiko we must be aware of our center, we call this Tanzen (or in the more common pronunciation tanden). From there we use the air to fill ourselves up which aligns the bones. This bone alignment creates the environment to relax without collapsing. With the bone alignment in place we can continue to expand without fear.

For the external spaces... we clean from the center first, the entrance next, and then the exit and find a place for the refuse. I like it when different aspects carry the same principles (there are always exceptions of course but basically they match up).

So we begin within ourselves (the very center or our universe) and then while always keeping our center work our way out to include everything and then bring everything back to us to find that we were all conjoined to start with. How cool is that?

Environment - Cause and Effect

2010-06-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

For a certain effect to occur we need certain conditions. In our tradition, one of the most important awareness we develop is of the environment beging created.

Everything we think, say, and do interacts with everything and everyone else. This interaction creates an environment. The environment is either conducive to or not conducive to certain conditions.

We always begin with an inside out approach. So the first environment is our own internal one, and using this to settle the root of our practice. But since it's not really separate, is it? So we extend this awareness out as far as our current consciousness will go to include the entire cosmos. We call this Ten-Jin-Chi or Heaven-Person-Earth; with the person being in the middle and the link between the other two (that's not two, of course).

The center of the space is next. Sometimes this refers to the actual physical center and other times it refers to the Sacred Center; and these are often the same place too.

Next is the entrance and the approach to that entrance. We like this to be varied and meandering, so the energy proceeds in a nice mellow manner... ebbing and flowing like a gentle breeze that drifts along picking up a few dried leaves as it goes.

There needs to be an exit. Where this exit is, and how it is used, is very important. Of course a place for the refuse is needed to.

Then we take care of everything thing else we can find, searching for the last place of awareness, anything we may have missed.

Eventually time runs out and we begin again...

Natural Kiko of Jizo Bosatsu

2010-05-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

There are 'natural' kiko that everyone knows. Holding up an empty hand to say hello for instance. This movement says 'have no fear... my hand is empty... I'm not carrying any weapons.'

Another natural one is to hold out our open hand to offer someone something.

Walking is a natural kiko. Walking upright or being able to maintain a completely upright posture is a human practice... one of the movements that both demonstrates our humanness and promotes it as well.

The combination of these three, by holding up our right hand and offering with our left while standing slightly on one foot (the right one, in this case) as if walking, is the inzo (seal) for Jizo Bosatsu (a saint of Daijozen-shu). When combined with the chant 'ka ka kabi sam ma ei sowa ka' we can address the conditions of traveling both through this life, and any life, in any time or space. To Repeat the ritual 7, 49, or 4900 times has quite an amazing effect.

As with all rituals our intent is very important. How often we perform it... how many times we repeat it... The consciousness, mindfulness, and passion we have when preparing, performing, and cleaning up after really begins to interact with ourselves and our environment.

There are 1000's of these kiko, and there are over 1600 of these combinations currently used in our tradition. Each one includes an inzo, like this one; which attaches to a saint or ancient master (or two); a root sound ('ka' in the case of Jizo Bostasu); this root sound becomes a short phrase (like the one mentioned above); then there may be a paragraph sized incantation; plus usually a longer chant and/or story associated with the saint.

Universal Law

2010-04-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Kiko is based on Universal Laws (HoDo). Hodo is made up of two kanji. The first, Ho(u), refers to many things depending on how it is used. But in this case we mean Universal Law or Natural Law. The Do(u) is the same as any Japanese Art; do(u) refers to the Chinese Tao and tells us that this is a way, method, or path to balance our world's energies known as InYo or Shadow Sunshine.

In Shingon this idea of InYo 'Shadow Sunshine', like HoDo, also has many meanings depending on how it is used (this happens a lot when there are both (kenkyo)exoteric and (mikkyo) esoteric interpretations and practices. Also different lineages passed down different aspects, depending on what was needed and what was understood by those involved). But for kiko we are primarily talking about the interplay between opposites. In the movements we combine up down, left right, front back, in out, etc.
FuSui or wind water comes in to play, as well. FuSui deals with the flow of energy in the world and how we interact with our environment. Even we, as human beings are mostly made of air and water, we are very porous creatures. In the exoteric practice of FuSui it can be a kind of geomancy, which tells us where to place things in our homes and yards. In it's esoteric form it begins from within the very core of the 'central' individual and grows outward to include the entire cosmos.

FuSui deals with the 5 elements of Shingon (the exoteric school uses 5, the esoteric teaching has a 6th)(these include: Earth, Water, Fire, & Wind; the other two vary again according to how they are being used, but they deal with the relationship between humans, our thoughts, and Heaven / Spirit / other than man and earth stuff) that doesn't fit into an English translation (or words at all for that matter) very well. FuSui also deals with the cardinal directions, and it also works with the Sun, Moons, Stars and Planets.

Sokushin Jobutsu

2010-04-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Kiko is based on the basic premise of Shingon Buddhism.
Shingon-shu is the school of the true sound/word.
The basic premise of this school is Sokushin Jo(u)butsu.
Sokushin Jobutsu = Attaining Buddhahood in this very life/body.
This is done through San-Mitsu.
San-Mitsu = The Practice of the 3 Mysteries.
First is the Body. We form the inzo(u) or seals with our hands and bodies, these are our positions. With our breath we move between these seals from one to another.
The second is speech/sound. It refers to our breath, and the 'shingon' or true words we read, chant, and speak.
The third is the mind, and refers to our meditation. We dwell in a meditative state throughout every heartbeat and breath.

Shugyo - Austere Training

2010-04-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Shugyo is another interesting word. Usually translated now as Acetic Discipline or Austere Training.

Shu = To Conduct Oneself Well.
Gyo = Going or Action
This is a refined action of mutual polishing, where the practice polishes the person and the person's action polishes the practice.

In our teaching the word is translated as 'Sweeping the dust balls from the corner.' It refers to the idea of training to find the last little bits of... 'something.' We use Kiko Renshu to polish and knead our practice which, through awareness, finds the dust balls in the corner and cleans... 'something.'

Renshu = to practice

2010-03-31T23:20:00.000-07:00

Renshu is an interesting word we use in Kiko. In modern Japanese the word renshu is most often translated as 'practice'. In Kiko we're taught that Ren = Polish or Knead, and Shu = to Learn or Study. Together they were meant to denote a repetitive ritual, a practice we repeat the same way over and over, kneading and polishing our lives as a way to learn. The repetition itself is the practice.

Exoteric and Esoteric

2010-03-30T10:33:00.001-07:00

In the teaching passed to me, there are both Exoteric (kenkyo) and Esoteric (mikkyo) teachings. The two together create The Teaching.

The exoteric are those that we can see and talk about. The esoteric are those we don't see and only try to talk about.

Kiko exercises of position, movement, and sound bring the esoteric to the exoteric, and join them as one. By doing kiko we bring the invisible into sight, and join them as one.

Only the exoteric portion is taught, the esoteric is 'stolen' from an adept by being in their presence. Being in an adept's presence, simply, one day we understand and this understanding is recognized. The exoteric teaching says this takes 20 years, the esoteric teaching says it takes one heartbeat, both are true.

I'm beginning to see again, why this teaching is done face to face instead of on the internet; at one point I wondered if this were the case because The Teaching was being passed well before the written word, but now I think that here we can't practice the exoteric part of the exercises and movements, even describing them is difficult. We can't talk about The Teaching, because the esoteric portion once put into words no longer really makes sense, it begins to go in circles trying to include everything; everything includes even opposites, so it makes no logical sense to call two opposites true; but in terms of The Teaching, everything must be included; the most important part of 'everything' may even be 'nothing.'

Face to Face Transmission

2010-03-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Kiko is part of Mikkyo training inside Esoteric Buddhism. It includes over 1600 body / hand positions; each position has a root sound, a phrase, an incantation, and a chant; and each of these is attached to a Buddha or Bodhisattva and has a variety of meanings depending on how small details are performed.

Also I've been instructed to only share it face to face and in secret. Here, on the internet, I can only share the words anyhow; and it has nothing to do with the words. Kiko is really not taught but simply passed in the presence of an adept. But it should be fun to try, don't you think?

Introduction

2010-03-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Kiko is a Japanese Mikkyo practice of movement, postures, and sounds to bring one into alignment with all that is.

Kiko is said to be an indigenous practice from the Japanese Archipelago. And I believe this is true; there are many exercises in it that I have not seen anywhere else. But I think that it is equally true that much of what is done has traveled to Japan with many practices obviously coming from Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong. In fact, today in the exoteric schools of Kiko, what I see looks just like what I think Qi Gong looks like. In our esoteric practice, however, there are many more 'older' and 'natural' pieces, that I do not see in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, or Yoga.

Definition

2010-03-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Kiko(u) = Energy Working.
Kido(u) = The Way of (vital) Energy.