Our Philosophy

The Absolute Yin: A Philosophy and a Movement

More than just a dojo or a sanctuary for martial artists, The Absolute Yin embodies a philosophy and a movement. Its ethos, deeply interwoven with both the art it teaches and the guiding principles enshrined in its manual, "Tales from the Mountain", rests upon a foundation of core values. These values, numbering over a hundred, are explored theoretically and embodied through dedicated mental and physical practices. Some delve into the esoteric, examining the underlying forces that shape our reality, while others address the exoteric, exploring human behavior, psychology, societal structures, and the broader human condition.

The Septagram Model

The Septagram Model comprises three core elements:

The Absolute Yin: The official name of the school, the methodology, and the institution where both the theoretical and practical aspects of the art are studied and applied in practice.

Tales from the Mountain: The philosophical and practical guide that encapsulates the methodology’s principles, theories, and Budo, serving as a guide for the Warrior and the Noble-Spirited.

The Budo Community: The collective and social realization of the method, fostering an open community of practitioners who share the same ideology and lifestyle, supporting and learning from one another beyond the dojo.

Justice vs. Force

Blaise Pascal's observation that "Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical." resonates deeply within martial arts. The art itself represents a concentrated form of power, demanding a profound ethical responsibility from its practitioners. Strength, honed through rigorous training, must be channeled to serve justice, protecting the vulnerable and upholding moral principles. This requires not just physical skill but the wisdom to discern right from wrong. Power, without ethical guidance, easily becomes a tool of oppression. Therefore, continuous self-reflection and moral growth are integral. Conversely, justice cannot remain a passive ideal - it requires the capacity to defend itself against those who would seek to undermine it. A true Warrior, therefore, cultivates not only physical prowess but also unwavering moral integrity, ensuring that their power serves as a shield for the righteous and a deterrent against tyranny, embodying the harmonious union of strength and justice.

The Warrior and The Noble-Spirited

The ultimate aspiration for the practitioner lies in embodying the combined power of two essential archetypes: the Warrior and the Noble-Spirited. Achieving this challenging integration is the mark of genuine mastery.

The Warrior archetype embodies strength, resolute courage, and decisive action in the world, standing as a defender of justice and moral principles. Their force gives justice its necessary efficacy in the face of opposition. Complementing this, the The Noble-Spirited embodies profound understanding, objective morality grounded in universal truth, and a heightened awareness beyond the limitations of the individual self. This provides the indispensable ethical guidance.

United, these archetypes form a complete and integrated entity: the Warrior manifests philosophical truth through skillful and righteous action, guided by the Noble-Spirited's wisdom and steadfast ethical compass. The Warrior serves Justice, whereas the Noble-Spirited serves the Truth.

The Three Universal Lies and the Seven Sins of the Warrior

The Warrior’s journey begins with the dismantling of societal illusions - deliberately engineered by the most dangerous architects of thought to dull awareness, break the collective human will, and ensnare the mind in invisible chains. The Three Universal Lies are weapons of control, breeding obedience, strangling curiosity, and chaining the spirit to counterfeit values. Yet an equally dangerous enemy resides within: the Seven Sins of the Warrior - inner corruptions that rot discipline, distort judgment, and tear the Warrior from the path of truth. To remain unshaken, the Warrior must strike down the illusions of the world and cleanse the betrayals of the self.

The Three Universal Lies

The Lie of Conformity and Norms: This lie promotes the notion that adherence to societal norms outweighs universal values, thereby fostering blind obedience and stifling independent thought.

The Lie of Hierarchy and Authority: This lie presents social power structures as inherently natural and necessary, discouraging critical examination and challenges to the legitimacy of authority.

The Lie of Abundance and Consumerism: This lie reinforces the belief that happiness and meaning reside in material possessions, ultimately deepening inner emptiness and enslaving individuals to economic imperatives.

The Seven Sins of the Warrior

Conformity: A leader cannot be a follower. Setting a higher standard demands transcending conventional societal expectations.

(Misunderstanding the Nature of) Love: Love is not a mere emotion, but a universal principle of creation. True drive and passion must originate from compassion and concern for others, not from negativity like resentment, or hatred.

Naivety: A naive individual is easily manipulated, rendering them vulnerable to external control and influence.

Grudge: Holding onto resentment depletes energy, obscures judgment, and offers no pathway for development. Transforming it into pity or mercy is both more empowering and more liberating.

Chronic Shame and Guilt: Guilt should be a catalyst for corrective action. Persistent self-reproach paralyzes and prevents progress.

Indifference: Apathy towards suffering, injustice, or the need for self-discipline weakens the Warrior's resolve and diminishes their sense of responsibility.

Loneliness: A Warrior must cultivate inner peace and self-sufficiency in solitude, ensuring a feeling of safety, wholeness, and reliance on oneself, even when alone.

Consciousness vs. Being

Development demands that one's level of Consciousness and level of Being evolve inseparably. Consciousness encompasses self-awareness and mindful presence - the ability to remember oneself, understand the motivations behind one's actions, and act from conscious choice rather than automatic impulse. Being, conversely, represents one's intrinsic nature and existential foundation. It is the depth and substance from which action arises.

Imagine a tree: Being is the seed and the roots, the enduring and unchanging essence, while Consciousness is the leaves, channeling communication and interaction with the world. Only through the harmonious and simultaneous cultivation of both Being and Consciousness can genuine and lasting growth be achieved.

Determinism vs. Free Choice

Determinism lays the foundational structure of reality, governing the laws of nature, causality, and the inevitable flow of existence. It establishes the essential framework and limits within which all events unfold, dictated by cause and effect. Recognizing these fundamental patterns is key. Free Choice, however, acts as the force that bends within these constraints, introducing choice, creativity, and the potential for transformation. It signifies our power of conscious intention, allowing us to influence how we respond to and navigate the determined possibilities. The Warrior does not resist determinism but understands its framework, using conscious awareness to navigate and shape their path within it. They work skillfully with the predictable forces. True mastery lies in recognizing where one’s Will can be exercised and where surrender to the immutable is necessary. It demands the wisdom to discern the scope of one's agency and the humility to accept unavoidable reality, balancing action and acceptance.

The Truth is Absolute

Truth and falsehood always exist together as foundation and creation. Like a blank, clean canvas upon which shapes and symbols are painted, Truth will always contain lies, while lies can never contain Truth without contradicting themselves. Truth is the foundation upon which falsehood exists, because falsehood can only exist as a denial, distortion, or perversion of Truth. A true statement can contain information about false statements and still remain true. In contrast, a false statement cannot contain Truth and maintain its falsehood, for then it would become Truth. This asymmetry highlights Truth's fundamental nature. Falsehood lacks the independent substance required to encompass it without ceasing to be false.

The Truth Acquired Through Open Eyes and

The Truth Acquired Through Closed Eyes

The Truth Acquired Through Open Eyes comes from sensory perception, external experiences, and intellectual analysis, but it is bound by the limitations of our senses and cognition. This provides a necessary, empirical map of the world, though it can be subjective and incomplete. The Truth Acquired Through Closed Eyes, however, is accessed through inner work and observation - meditation, dreams, and subconscious exploration - requiring detachment from the material world and sensory stimuli. This reveals deeper, non-physical realities and intuitive insights often obscured by external noise and rational thought. While the first relies on external observation, the second demands blindness to the physical in order to perceive deeper, hidden realities.

Quieting the outer allows the inner senses to perceive subtle truths about existence itself. Together, they form the two essential paths to true wisdom: one through outward mastery, the other through inner transcendence. Combining these dual perspectives is indispensable for achieving a truly comprehensive and balanced understanding.

Universal Morality

True morality cannot be based on shifting preferences or societal trends. These lack universal stability and reliability as guides. A universal moral code must be grounded in Natural Law, as only immutable principles can define Right and Wrong with clarity. Only inherent, objective principles, reflecting the structure of reality or inherent human dignity, can provide such a standard. When morality becomes relative, it ceases to be a force for justice and turns into a tool of manipulation. It becomes a dangerous instrument, easily twisted by those in power to justify their actions and oppress others. Genuine morality distinguishes unequivocally between Rights and their violations, ensuring that justice is not subject to arbitrary whims. Justice is then rooted in objective truth, impervious to the subjective will or power dynamics of individuals or groups.

The Criteria of Evil

Evil is rigorously defined as an act meeting all of the following criteria:

Victim: A direct or indirect victim was harmed as a result of the act against their will.
Damage: The act caused actual damage to the victim or deprived them of fundamental, natural, human rights.
Intent and Awareness: The act was carried out consciously, with prior intent, or with significant indifference to the expected damage.
Lack of Justification: The act has no circumstantial or moral justification.
Alternative: An alternative way to act existed, which could have prevented or reduced the damage or harm.
Lack of Proportionality: If there is a circumstantial or moral justification for the act, the damage caused significantly exceeds its justification.

To distinguish between "ordinary" evil, "malice" and "systematic" evil, two criteria can be added to the equation:

Malice: The act was performed out of a conscious desire to cause suffering or out of enjoyment from harming the victim.
Systematic Evil: The act stemmed from a system of values, ideology, or social structure that encourages deliberate and repeated harm to others.

Natural Law

Natural Law is a philosophical and ethical framework that asserts the existence of eternal, unchanging laws embedded in the world and human nature. These inherent principles are seen as universal, applying to all people, everywhere, regardless of their culture or historical period. They are considered to govern not only ethical conduct but also the fundamental order of existence itself. Unlike human-made legal systems, which fluctuate with political and societal shifts, Natural Law is independent and requires no external enforcement. Its authority stems from its correspondence with reality itself. Human laws, or positive laws, are considered just and binding only to the extent that they align with and do not contradict these higher natural principles. Rooted in Aristotelian thought and later expanded by Aquinas, it upholds that all human beings are inherently equal, and their fundamental rights stem from their nature, not from social contracts. This suggests rights like the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of truth are inherent birthrights, not privileges granted or revoked by governments or societies. By applying rational thought, one can uncover these principles through observation and reason, guiding humanity toward justice and moral alignment with its true nature. Following Natural Law is thus seen as the path to human flourishing, living in accordance with the rational and social aspects inherent in our being.

The Principle of Non-Acceptance

"The first torches were not invented by those who embraced darkness." This aphorism underscores the need for active effort to dispel ignorance and evil.

The Warrior refuses to accept the world as it is, recognizing that it is imperfect and requires continuous refinement. Non-acceptance does not mean denial of reality but opposition to what should not remain unchanged. It signifies a conscious rebellion against complacency and the forces of decay. Unlike the New Age notion of total acceptance, the Warrior perceives flaws, injustice, and chaos, and acts to change them. They do not passively observe but engage proactively. Unconditional acceptance leads to stagnation and surrender, while confronting darkness and striving to illuminate it drive true progress and societal improvement. True change arises from this principled struggle against what is wrong.

The Enemy of Self-Discipline

For the Warrior and the Noble-Spirited, self-discipline is a foundational pillar. It is the conscious exertion of Will over lower desires. It allows them to transcend impulses, maintain clear direction, and persevere through hardship. Without it, goals remain distant fantasies. Excessive liberalism - freedom without structure, limits, or commitment - erodes discipline’s foundation and weakens the inner Will. This unrestrained indulgence leads to fragmentation. Those who allow their personal freedom to flow unchecked ultimately lose themselves to weakness and dispersion. True freedom is not reckless liberty but the ability to control oneself, consciously choose a path, and obey the laws set by one's inner sovereignty, the wise principles dictated by one's higher self. It is the liberation through mastery, not from responsibility, but from the chaotic pull of external forces and internal vulnerabilities.

The Law of Three

To truly comprehend the intricate complexity of the universe, one must deconstruct phenomena into their constituent elements, revealing the interplay of three fundamental forces. This principle, often referred to as "The Law of Three", states that every observable phenomenon, regardless of its scale or nature, is the result of an interaction between three distinct influences: an active force that initiates change, a passive force that resists change and maintains stability, and a reconciling force that mediates between the two, harmonizing their opposition and allowing processes to unfold.

Examples:

Affirmation, Negation, Reconciliation
Male, Female, Offsprings
Heaven, Earth, Man
Yin, Yang, Transformation
Body, Mind, Spirit
Life, Form, Matter
Proton, Electron, Neutron
Past, Present, Future
Ego, Super Ego, Id
Input, Processing, Output
Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis
Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric
Sulfur, Mercury, Salt (Alchemry)

The Law of Seven

The Law of Seven is a universal principle reflecting cycles, development, and cosmic order, as seen across cultures, religions, and various knowledge systems. It describes how natural and human processes progress through seven stages or cyclical phases, whether in creation, consciousness, music, or evolution. This principle manifests in numerous aspects of existence, from the seven days of creation and the seven musical notes to the seven chakras, seven celestial spheres, and sevenfold structures in esoteric traditions, all emphasizing its role in the rhythm of reality.

Examples:

Seven days of creation
Seven days in a week
Seven notes in the diatonic musical scale
Seven colors in the rainbow
Seven chakras
Seven belts in martial arts
Seven deadly sins in Christianity
Seven Hermetic principles
Seven classical planets
Seven planes of existence
Seven circles in the Seed of Life
Seven lower Sephirot in the Kabbalic Tree of Life
Seven Sacraments

The Law of Octaves

The Law of Octaves, which stems from the more fundamental Law of Seven, describes how all processes - natural, macrocosmic, and microcosmic - follow a structured sequence with two critical retardation points, where external force is required for continued progression. These inherent moments of friction or inertia within the process demand conscious intervention or an external "shock" of energy. This Principle, also known as The Principle of Discontinuity, is crucial, as it highlights that development is not linear but consists of pauses, gaps, or shifts that must be consciously navigated. Ignoring these natural slowdowns means the process will inevitably lose energy and falter. Without awareness of these intervals, processes tend to loop, repeating instead of advancing. They fall back into established, unproductive patterns. This law governs cycles of development, music, chemistry, energy shifts, vibrational changes, societal transmutations, and even spiritual evolution, emphasizing the necessity of intentional effort to bridge these gaps and achieve true transformation. Understanding these points is key to overcoming inertia and facilitating genuine change.

The Seven Hermetic Principles

The Seven Hermetic Principles, originating from the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, offer a framework for understanding the nature of reality and our place within it. These principles, famously summarized in The Kybalion, a key text of the Hermetic tradition, propose fundamental laws that govern the universe, both the visible and the invisible. They provide profound insights into the underlying mechanics of existence. They explore concepts such as mentalism, correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect, and gender. Understanding and applying these timeless axioms offers a path toward true wisdom. Mastering these principles is believed to lead to personal transformation and a deeper connection to the cosmos.

The Principle of Mentalism – "All is Mind, the Universe is Mental."

The Principle of Correspondence – "As above, so below; as below, so above."

The Principle of Vibration – "Nothing rests, everything moves, everything vibrates."

The Principle of Polarity – "Everything has its pair of opposites."

The Principle of Rhythm – "Everything flows in and out; all things rise and fall."

The Principle of Cause and Effect – "Every cause has its effect, every effect has its cause."

The Principle of Gender – "Everything contains masculine and feminine aspects."

The Martial Way (Budo)

Budo, often translated as "The Martial Way", is more than just a collection of fighting techniques - it's a holistic philosophy and way of life deeply ingrained in Japanese martial arts. It is a comprehensive path for self-cultivation. It emphasizes not only physical toughness but also the cultivation of moral character, discipline, and spiritual growth. Inner refinement is considered as vital as physical prowess. A core tenet of Budo is transcending reactive, "mechanical" behavior and consciously aligning oneself with principles of harmony and truth. This demands constant vigilance and intentionality. Through rigorous training, adherence to the Budo etiquette, and the disciplined control of impulses, the practitioner aims to elevate their mind and spirit, awakening true potential and striving for continuous self-improvement. This journey of self-mastery is seen as a means to counter the descending, entropic tendencies of the material world, and instead, to ascend towards a higher state of being, moving towards integration and a more realized self.

The Seven Gates

The "Seven Gates" system, also known as the Path of Septagram, is a unique developmental framework that leverages the discipline of traditional martial arts as a means to cultivate higher consciousness. Built upon the principles of the Law of Seven and the Law of Three, this system views personal growth as a journey through seven distinct gates, each representing a specific stage of development along an octave. Successfully passing through each gate requires mastering its inherent lessons. Each gate is characterized by a particular combat style, a corresponding lifestyle reflecting its vibrational frequency, and a set of 12 attributes that shape the practitioner's approach to challenges. Progress through these gates leads towards greater self-awareness and capability.

The Threefold Path

As a structured approach within the Seven Gates system, practitioners navigate this transformative journey via three distinct initiatory paths: the Goat's Path, the Serpent's Path, and the Lion's Path. The Goat's Path focuses on grounding the practitioner in subjective consciousness and earthly connection. Transitioning through a critical interval (Mi-Fa), the Serpent's Path marks the beginning of objective consciousness and connection to the cosmic realms. Finally, the Lion's Path, following another interval (Si-Do), represents integration, clarity, and connection to the absolute – the completion of the Seven Gates cycle. Each path presents specific challenges and opportunities for transmutation, guiding the practitioner toward the ultimate goal of conscious evolution.

Initiations: Walking Through the Gates

Within the Seven Gates system, initiation serves as a more holistic and individualized progression than the traditional ranking system found in many martial arts. It marks the necessary transitions between stages of the octave, guiding the practitioner's development. Each initiation is meticulously designed by the examiner to create a specific environment and inner experience, attuning the candidate to the vibratory state necessary for that particular stage. This comprehensive process typically spans seven to twelve years, punctuated by significant intervals between the third and fourth initiations, and again between the seventh and eighth. These intervals signify periods of intense integration and mark profound leaps in perception, skill, and spiritual understanding as the practitioner embodies the qualities of the new stage.

The Four Envelopes

The Four Envelopes represent distinct layers of existence and the complex energetic interactions occurring both within the individual and in the world around them. This is a closed system of forces, originating from the "Spirit" (Aether), the source of all existence. This energy then descends through the Cosmic Octave, gradually transforming and solidifying until it reaches the "Earth" layer, representing the most static, raw, and dense manifestation of that original spiritual impulse. The Envelopes, therefore, illustrate the cascading effects of creation as Spirit/Aether manifests into physical reality.

The Earthly Envelope: This foundational layer governs temperament, volume, intensity, and the dynamic interaction of forces. It represents the sphere of physical expression and is shaped by the elements of Fire and Water. Embodying the tension between organic and inorganic processes, this envelope influences emotional states and their manifestation in the physical body (Cosmic Octave: 2nd and 3rd tones).

The Heavenly (Celestial) Envelope: This layer defines structure, form, and the connection between the macrocosmic and microscosmic realms. It acts as a bridge between matter and energy, providing the underlying blueprints that shape existence. The Heavenly Envelope is composed of Earth and Air, influencing the patterns that govern form and texture (Cosmic Octave: 1st and 4th tones).

The Cosmic Envelope: This layer directs purpose, gender, and the flow of Karmic laws. It establishes the fundamental polarity inherent in the universe and is governed by the elements of Light and Void. This envelope balances the cosmic order, directing the forces that guide existence and regulating Karmic cycles (Cosmic Octave: 5th and 6th tones).

The Absolute Envelope: This represents the highest degree of unity, existing beyond all polarity and form. It embodies the dissolution of duality, transcending opposition and returning to the original source of all things. At this level, only singularity prevails (Cosmic Octave: 7th tone).

The Alchemy of the Mind

"Only by transmuting the base metals of his sin, can one forge the gold of redemption within."

True Karmic redemption, whether for offenses against oneself or others, demands a rigorous internal accounting. It is not enough to simply confess or atone externally. The sin must be contained, confronted, and alchemically transmuted. This process involves either transmuting the "base metal" of wrongdoing into virtues like compassion and wisdom, or extracting the essential lessons, leaving behind only the toxic residue to be discarded. Like a Warrior tending to body and mind through discipline, exercise, and meditation, we must also cultivate spiritual and Karmic hygiene. Confronting our sins, understanding their roots, and actively transmuting their effects are essential for achieving a truly cleansed spirit and a path toward genuine healing and mastery of The Path of Septagram.

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