Gilles Lavigne. - The Endless Search for Absolute Kime - Karate Budo

I want to thank all my Senseis in the Association for their patience in waiting for this book to be published as it has been a topic of conversation and anticipation. I am truly grateful for their enthusiasm and help in the last stagesof the book. Special thanks to the photographic models and photographer:Jean-Pierre Groulx Shihan, Stphane Lachapelle Renshi, Nicholas Myre Sensei,Michelle Laviolette Sensei, Jaki St Arnaud Sensei, Denis Gauthier Sensei, andJoel Deschnes Sensei. A special thanks also goes out to Richard Phillips whoprovided some computer visual diagram which complimented some of the exercise descriptions.

Last but not least is my friend, student and fellow karate-ka Jean Montgrain.Jean was instrumental in motivating me and continued to be that source frombeginning to end in this endeavor. It started when he offered his services tome as writer and editor. He provided a good deal of insight in the material onSpiritual Kime. Together we labored to accomplish this work which was in retrospect inspired by V Cruz Hanshi. The theme of this book came to me aftera visit from Hanshi to Canada, a seminar held in Cantley Qubec on KIME.Given the time allotted he could only touch on the Physical and some aspectsof Mental Kime. Jean, who was at the seminar asked Hanshi what his thoughtswere on Spiritual Kime as he mentioned that that dimension should not be forgotten in our study of KIME. His short answer became a koan of contemplationfor both of us which in the end inspired this book.

There are many aspects to Spiritual Kime some of which are cosmic in nature. However for you students I want you to focus on your commitment tothe art and to your Senseis. For you Senseis, I need you to focus on the loveand devotion you must have for your students. Do this, and you will open the

This book, I hope is a response to Hanshis request and I assure you a devotional gift to my students. Before plunging into the material in this book I wouldlike to share an often used verse that I quote now from Armando Jemmott Kyoshi : Savor and Appreciate!!!

At the age of 13, a week before my 14 birthday, I began my journey along thepath of Karate-do. My first lessons were offered to me by my parents as a birthday gift. Why Karate some of you may ask? Well, as a child I had become firstinterested in the art through the commercial advertisements in comic books.They professed that you could become a type of super human, walk with incredible self-confidence, command respect, attract attention of the opposite sexnot to mention become an instant black belt with purchase of their karate training courses.

That is what I wanted! However, I knew also these correspondence courseswere of little value so when my parents offered the real deal with a professional karate instructor I didnt hesitate to say: yes! Also helping my decision at the time was the fact that my father was a student and a holder of ablue belt in the Chito-Ryu style taught to him by sensei Andr Langelier.

I still vividly remember my first class where I was waiting in the stairs near theoffice of the Head Instructor Sensei Myre. My father was in the office strikingup a deal. I sat there while the negotiations were going on and observed withgreat interest the juniors that were coming up the stairs to enter the dojo. I wasextremely impressed with these karate-kas and they were all very nice as theypassed me by to enter onto the dojo floor. I also recollect two braggarts sittinga few stairs above me who were expounding with great bravery how they weregoing to smash some jaws and grinned at me while they got up and enteredwith the others. This I can tell you put the fear in me and I was now thinking ofbacking out and going home explaining to my father that I was no longer interested. Luckily enough my father came out as I was entertaining these thoughtsand handed me my first karate kimono and without too much ceremony introduced me to my Sensei. He in turn showed me where to change and I did so in agreat hurry. As I entered the dojo I recall thinking I hope I dont run into thosetwo guys that were in the stairs. After the warm-up, my sensei took me asideand proceeded to introduce me to the basics. I was completely enthralled withthe art and continued with great anticipation my classes during the week andthe weekend. It seemed that I couldnt get enough. After three months, I wasawarded a trophy as the most promising student which only encouraged memore in my training. By year-end I was part of the dojo team that went to thelocal karate tournaments and more often than not winning most of my competitions. This of course only fueled my desire to continue. It is not long afterthat I was awarded my blue belt. It was a significant time for me as I befriendeda fellow karate-ka. He was at the time a brown belt and we became very closefriends.

Together over the years we encouraged one another and he served as myguide and mentor. I was awarded my black belt in 1977 and he had playeda big part in getting me to that level. Daniel Gingras and I were inseparableand I had nick named him Dan (Bruce Lee). In the late seventies and earlyeighties we entered a great many of competitions and always came homewith a trophy of sorts. It was the days of full contact and we fought in the US,Mexico and in our home town of Gatineau (Hull) Qubec. Through hardwork and perseverance we eventually made our way onto the Canadian Karate Team and represented our country in competitions held in Mexico, USand other provinces in Canada. They were good years filled with many victories and I look back on these memories with fondness and pride.

The success of competition over the years was not enough and the learning ofthe deeper levels of Karate-do came to the forefront of my mind. I was a sandanat the time, and hungry, no I would rather say famished for something differentmore than what the physical and limited levels of mind could achieve to perfectmy art. It was a pivotal time where I started earnestly seeking instruction frommany reputable instructors in the concepts of energy which eventually lead meto studying Tai Chi Chuan. I also took up the study of Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese healing art which is done through the manipulation of energy. My hunger for new instruction also lead me to a California based Karate Associationcalled ISKA. Cruz Hanshi and the organizations numerous instructors helpedand continue to provide guidance in my journey in Karate-do. To mention afew there are: the ISKA Shihans Ricardo Llewelyn, and Robert Stevenson with