Treat your gyō as a gyō and you will go far

What is a gyō?

A gyō is a spiritual discipline, a tool for developing good character. It can be any activity which can be done with the correct mindset. Typical examples include meditation, art, cleaning, and so on. The key element is the attitude of the practitioner; to follow a gyō is to pay full attention to the task at hand and strive to improve at it.

The kanji 行 means “going, journey”, and reflects the fact that a gyō does not have an end point. It is a lifelong journey of improvement. At each step along the way we must start again as if a beginner. If the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then we always have a thousand miles ahead of us.

A related concept is that of dō, 道, the way. The gyō is the act of moving along the journey, while the dō is the route that the journey takes. It can also be translated as morals or teachings.

Why are gyō important?

Some gyō consist of useful tasks. Cleaning, creating art for others to enjoy, learning self defence – all are excellent things to be doing in their own right. But not all gyō fall into this category. Meditation, for example, does not on the surface appear to achieve anything. Indeed, it gives you less time to spend doing “useful” things.

The thing that all gyō have in common is the effect they have on your state of mind. The act of concentrating on one thing will improve your ability to focus at all times. Your ability to push through difficulties and continue trying when you feel like giving up will also improve.

I find it interesting that the Japanese for profession or vocation, 業, is also pronounced gyō. Having a profession that is aligned with your values and which you are good at is an important part of finding your ikigai (loosely, reason for being). If you treat your 業 as a 行 then you will naturally improve at it and find more fulfilment in it’s performance.

How is Shorinji Kempo a gyō?

Shorinji Kempo is only a gyō if you treat it as one. If it is treated as simply exercise or a bit of fun then that is what it will remain. However, if you concentrate fully on it and strive to improve then Shorinji Kempo can be an excellent example of a gyō.

There are two main types of gyō in Shorinji Kempo.

The most obvious is the seated meditation which is a part of every class. We calm and focus the mind regularly (although I do not expect anyone to achieve enlightenment using only this small amount of meditation!).

Less obvious is the role of the physical techniques as a gyō. Focused effort to improve the physical execution of techniques, to make sure that they work in all circumstances and can be done with little thought. Although this is the physical side, it is also necessary to use your mind, to engage with what you are learning and fully understand the principles in order to make progress.

It is important to note that they are not two separate practices. Like many dualities they are fully intertwined. Sitting zazen is physically demanding – maintaining the correct posture and breathing pattern – while the focus and concentration required to fully learn physical techniques also contains elements of meditation.

The whole of the practice should therefore be carried out as one overall discipline. We should come to every class with a beginner’s mind, ready to take one more step along our journey.