Some of the best memories of coming home on leave from the military hover around staying with Terri's parents (in-laws sounds too impersonal), affectionately known as "Mom and Dad T," but staunchly referred to as "Nanna and Papa" by their grandchildren. Summers at their home were pleasant and restful. It was and remains a place right out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, immaculate on the inside, lush and floral outside. The perfect place for orb spiders. One in particular seemed to inhabit the back deck every year. His name, of course, was "Orbville," lovingly bestowed by Nanna. Orbville most likely spent his winters in a warmer climate, only to return to his favorite spot every summer at the Thornsburg home. That's what we told the kids, anyway.
Most people look at spider webs as a nuisance; we've all walked through a doorway or been on a wooded path and had the experience of a face full of web and bug carcasses. But take a moment to appreciate the structure, particularly the orb web and you can't help but be a little amazed. How does such a small creature instinctually know everything there is to know about this exquisite and sturdy arcitecture? I'm pretty sure adolescent spiders don't spend time in trigonometry class. And like a snowflake, no two webs are exactly the same. So, how does Orbville do it? Easy...he knows the pattern.
My favorite definition for pattern in the Oxford Dictionary is, "to give a regular or intelligible form to." A pattern is a representation of intelligent design. It happens in music when a composer strings together notes, placing them in a unique order that requires tinkering through repetition. Eventually, it becomes a melody that we can all not only appreciate, but replicate (in my case, kinda sorta). Patterns happen in weather, in the flow of water, in the cosmos. I've used the same recipe for the best spaghetti you've ever had for over 25 years and even though I've tinkered with it here or there, I always make things in the same order, using the same pattern because I know what the end result will be.
Patterns are used in martial arts in the form of kata. Kata is a series of techniques and movements, strung together in a particular order to achieve a particular result. You find kata in all traditional martial arts: Gung Fu, Judo, Jujutsu, Kendo, Aikido, and of course, Karate. Some kata is performed with a partner, some with weapons. Most people are familiar with karate kata, the practioner moving through a series of punches, strikes and kicks with occasional shouts (kiai) at different intervals. Breathing, focus, power, fluidity, strength and calm are all aspects of well-executed kata. It is the foundation of any traditional form. The masters who developed all of these arts and methods hundreds of years ago understood the value of patterns. Unfortunately, like someone who walks into a spider web, a lot of martial artists today view kata as a nuisance...something worthless and annoying. That's a shame.
You see, every aspect of our biology, anatomy, physiology and kinesiology is based in patterns. Cellular divisions and replications that happen over and over again that create structures like the skeleton, the heart, the brain, etc. Every neuromuscular action such as walking and breathing was created by patterns that began the instant you were formed. And those patterns continue as you mature in the womb; a little tinkering here or there, something added, something left out, but a pattern none the less. When I think about how often this happens every day in all aspects of life, I am astounded that some us still believe that all of this occurred simply because a few atoms got together in the emptiness and chaos of space and had a party. Boom! There ya go; perfectly shaped planets, one in particular heated by a sun with an incredible shelf life, and oceans teaming with life controlled by a moon, all synchronized in a perfect orbit that is the basis for all life. Nope, nothing to see here. No intelligent design, no creator. Really?
I recently watched a debate with evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins. He is a staunch atheist who, in this particular debate, summed up belief in God as an imaginary childhood friend who comes to our rescue. He then goes on to say that he is happy (as an atheist) to "stand tall" in the cold, dark universe and realize this is all there is. He doesn't need hope, he's got science. I may lack the intellectual ability to provide an adequate argument for the existence of God and I would not want to debate Richard Dawkins. But I am content enough to see the occasional orb web and be stunned and awed every time. For me, it's more than the "hope" that God exists; it's simply bowing to the reality of intelligent design.
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho
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