Osu no shinobu or as we say in the dojo, Osu; is derived from 押し  Oshi  meaning “Push” and 忍ぶ  Shinobu  meaning “to Endure”.

Spirit of the spring

In the spring and in challenging times, it is really important to understand the spirit of the spring.  The energy of the spring has a strong connection towards our ability to get things done and is karmic in nature.  The two organs associated with this energy are the liver and the gall bladder and the sense organ associated with it are the eyes.  On a spiritual level, it is associated with housing the ethereal spirit; thus the phrase “the eyes are the gateway to the soul”.

Circadian rhythm

In our circadian rhythm, the energy of the gall bladder is between 11-1am and it is advised to not ponder over any decisions but meditate.  The energy of the liver activates between 1-3am and during this time you have the best reception within your highest self.  If you get a dream during this time, it is usually very abstract and you must decipher beyond the imagery of the spirit world.  I’ve found in meditating at this time, the abstract downloads will show up in the waking reality as a hidden message.  Hint: pay attention to what this maybe during this time!

Virtue and holding pattern

A virtue of the energy of the spring (liver/gall bladder) is kindness and the holding pattern is anger.  People get angry for basically two reasons, they don’t get what they want or they get what they want and aren’t happy with how it turned out.  Hence, it is important to be intentional about what you do with your power.  Remember, it is karmic so know what seed you plant.

It is important to not repress anger, because it harms the liver.  When it gets repressed long enough, it harms the heart in the form of depression; we don’t see a purpose in doing anything.  It is important to be creative with your anger; to use it in ways that can help people.  Who knows, create a revolution that will inspire a brighter world.

Connection to Osu

If we look deeper at the individual Chinese characters (known as radicals) which make up this image, its a sword over a heart.  This means the sword reflects the heart and the heart reflects the sword.  The highest ideal of a samurai was known as the life giving sword; a sword so polished that when evil looked at it, it’s own reflection would accurately and concisely create a self awareness.  The heart underneath the sword has an empty or hollowness to it.  In asian thought, this heart is related to the monkey mind and intuition.  Its incredibly intuitive and accurate but unstable.  As we train and endure hardship, it is important to remember we have the sharp one pointed focus of a sword and the vast luminous quality of the heart.

I will now share my favorite quote of all time, by the shogun who unified Japan during the most violent time and created 300 years of peace, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

“Life is like unto a long journey with a heavy burden. Let your step be slow and steady, and you won’t stumble. Persuade oneself that imperfection and inconvenience is the way of mortals, and there will be no room for discontent, neither for despair. When ambitious desires arise in your heart, recall the hardship you have passed through. Patience is the root of quietness and assurance forever. Look upon the wrath of the enemy. If you know only what it is to conquer, and know not what it is to be defeated, woe will come to you. Find fault with thyself rather than with others.”

It is important to know, a little story that highlights that character of Ieyasu that most Japanese school children know.  A wise zen monk asked each of the rulers of Japan, if you have a bird that doesn’t sing, what do you do?

Oda Nobunaga: “If the bird doesn’t sing, kill it!”

Toyotomi Hideyoshi: “If the bird doesn’t sing, make it sing.”

Tokigawa Ieyasu: “If the bird doesn’t sing, wait for it to sing.”

The three personalities of each shogun are unique and distinct.  It is important to understand why Tokugawa’s mindset succeeded during the most chaotic time.  What can you do to learn from this lesson in history?