Joden Hiden – what the hell is that?
I am per 15/6-2024 was graduated Joden Hiden.
The full degree is:
- Densho; JODEN HIDEN
- 4 dan Sr, Yakami Shinsei-ryu Taijutsu & Karate-do (the multi-track martial arts system)
- 5 dan, Bujutsu Kodosokukai Jikitai Karate-do (Original gl. Original Okinawa Karate-do)
- 6 dan, Bujutsu Kodosokukai sports karate-do (Gensei-Ryu legacy from 1967 and comparable degree to Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Taekwondo, Judo, Jujutsu, Kendo, etc.)
It is a bit of a mouthful to have to explain to those who are interested, but in Shindenkan we train multi-track martial arts and martial arts, while at the same time honoring our history and old systems. What is much more interesting than the degrees is what it takes to advance at that level and what you can use it for.
Run-up to graduation
I was nominated for graduation on 23/4-2023, and went through a test course up to the summer meeting 2023, on a special training course in the summer of 2023, as well as through another test course up to and culminating with a stamina test at the summer meeting 2024.
For me, there was a bit of a struggle with some of the many tests, this time mainly the physical test, where I had to admit that my strong side, at a later stage, turns out to be my weak side. And behind the physical test is always the mental test - I am clear and have decided that now I will complete all the preparatory training and the test itself, and then the not anymore.
After all, it worked, and I am happy and grateful for the good training cooperation we have up to the graduations, where with Jens Hanshi-dai as lead, we train and test according to a fixed plan towards the goal.
Joden Hiden / 4.dan Sr. / 5.dan / 6.dan – is it just a matter of form and a tribute to long and faithful service?
But no – it is not an honorary degree, or a degree awarded for developing the organization, or a degree awarded for having trained for a certain number of years.
It is a degree like all previous degrees, with a number of specific requirements within both Ryuha (Technique) and Ryugi (Philosophy and Attitude) which must all be fulfilled, and which are all stop tests - so if you fail, you will not progress to the next test.
Yes, there are still physical requirements, technical requirements, curriculum requirements, Stamina requirements, but above all there are development requirements.
Why is the gradation spread out like that - because it's the long cool move that counts.
How did I experience it?
Precisely one of the things that a graduation course provides is a clearly defined goal to work towards. And along the way, it is essential to deliver continuous work, which always ends with me knowing myself better, and in some cases also knowing other people better.
Goals are good, goals motivate, goals ensure progress based on and guided by facts
For me, it is a process, and the more I get into the process, the more focus the process gives me - or the more focus I add to the process.
What effect does it have on other people? I am clarified, and thus sharper, happier, more alive and deliver better quality, although I still have things I have not looked at and clarified.
What is the difference from Joden to Joden Hiden?
The iodine means the innermost, and for me it means that I have reached the innermost part of myself.
It also means that to a certain extent I have begun to be myself (Okuden), to a lesser extent have begun to know myself (Menkyo), and to an even lesser extent have begun to know other people (Kaiden and Menkyo Kaiden), feelings are not dangerous 😊
The task for Joden Hiden has been to internalize the results from the Joden graduation, so that they are an integral part of me.
And are they so – can I feel it?
I know myself better, for better or for worse,
I have become more clarified, and more in sync with my surroundings. Got better at seeing reality as it is, rather than seeing my wishful thinking, or my own fabrications and "films" where I am the hero or the villain - but always the one who decides the action.
I have accepted my bad sides - and know they are there, but leave them alone to die, rather than nurture them
I have accepted the joy and well-being of my good sides, and I enjoy the contact with other people and the joy of it.
I have raised my level, but have I also raised my base level? How deep can I fall?
I have gained a more realistic self-assessment - for better or for worse.
I am now the 3rd highest graduate in Denmark in our system since the start in 1967/1965, when there have been around 50,000 through the system.
So why don't I feel like something special when I'm asked what I'm a graduate of and what I can do? Can I accept myself and my good sides?
Conclusions and the way forward
At least I can ask myself the good questions and try to answer them:
Why does it all have to be so hard? Why does it have to go so far?
- Because I don't listen, and don't want to listen
- Because I don't ask and don't want to know
- Because I don't see, and don't want to see
Because I chose it.
Listening, asking and seeing would mean that I would have to evaluate and reassess my choices, patterns and actions - and that could mean that I have to change.
But now I've shown that I can actually do it well, so what's holding me back?
What is the way forward?
- I have to trust myself, and take responsibility for myself, and make choices myself and take responsibility for them myself.
- I must stand by my opinion, my attitudes and my values and express them.
- I must seek out and ask for advice and help, and accept help and use it
- I must use the help I seek myself, and take responsibility for receiving it and using it
- I must apply what I know and can to myself and my life, and not to moralize and be better informed - it is better to be than to think.
Or to say with Shindekan's motto: Be good to myself
It has once again been an amazing journey and the journey continues and the next destination and goal is Okuden, to be myself.
It takes the time it takes, but the journey is always amazing.
Lots of Shindenkan greetings
Kjeld Renshi
