NC5 — Begin Here

"Every path has a beginning. This one starts with a gate."

The Story The Jungle

You live in a hectic world.
A world of algorithms, opinions, and endless digital stimuli.
Too much information. Too little meaning.
Sometimes it feels as if you are standing in the middle of a jungle.
A jungle where everyone runs, but no one really knows where to go.
Perhaps you sometimes think:
"I am looking for a way out of this busy, morally confused world."
You look around and see many paths.
On a signpost, different directions are marked:

The Gate

In front of you stands a closed gate.
On the doors are two large tiger heads. In their mouths, they hold two rings. A wooden nunchaku runs through these rings, locking the gate.
Beneath the gate sit two small mice. One white, one black.
Above the gate grows a beautiful flower.
Above it are three letters: NC5

An old man sits in front of the gate, calmly planting a tree.
You ask him:"Why are you planting a tree here?"
The old man stands, bows kindly, and says: "This small tree will grow strong branches. From each beautiful, straight branch, a nunchaku can be made. For those who wish to open this gate and follow the untrodden path with the nunchaku."
You look once more at the gate.
It is an impressive gate.
You ask him: "What does all this mean? And what lies behind this gate?"
The Path Behind the Gate
The old man smiles.
"Whoever wants to enter must first remove the nunchaku from the rings. Only then can the gate be opened."
Whoever opens the gate can begin a new path.

The path of the nunchaku.
It is a beautiful path.
But it is not an easy way.
There are obstacles and pitfalls. Sometimes paths end, and you must return to find a new direction. Sometimes you must climb high mountains. Sometimes you must go through deep valleys.
But every step teaches you something.

The Two Tigers
You point to the large tiger heads on the gate.

"What do these two tigers represent?"

The old man answers:
The first tiger is your past.
It is a hungry tiger that will always chase you.
Your past can consist of many things:
Trauma, Habits, Skills, Luck, Sadness
Everything you have experienced has shaped you into who you are now.
When you pass through the gate, you slowly learn to tame this tiger.
Not by fighting.
But by learning to let go.

The second tiger is your future.
This tiger waits for you.
It represents fear of the unknown. Fear of what is yet to come. Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Fear of the unpredictable.
And somewhere at the end of every path, death also awaits.
The art is to learn to tame this tiger as well.

The Backpack

You ask further:"What does the backpack mean on this journey?"
The old man says:"The backpack is everything you decide to carry on your path."
These can be many things: School, Work, A partner, Children, Sports, Friends,  Hobbies, Your phone, Social contacts, Financial obligations, A bicycle, A car,
Some things help you. Others make your journey heavier.
The heavier your backpack, the more difficult the journey.
That is why travelers often say: Travel light.
During your journey, you can always add or remove ballast. But to reach your goal, you must learn to choose consciously what you carry.

The Two Mice

Then you point to the two mice beneath the gate.
"And who are these two mice?"
The old man laughs.
"They are the voices in your head."
The white mouse and the black mouse.
They nibble at your doubts.
One mouse says:"Take the nunchaku and open the gate. You will grow stronger. You will improve."
The other mouse says: "Do not do it. It is too much effort. You can spend your time better elsewhere."
Both mice are sometimes right. Sometimes you listen to one, sometimes the other.
But never listen to just one mouse. Otherwise, the other mouse becomes your conscience and keeps gnawing.
The art is to find the golden middle way.

NC5

You look at the letters above the gate.
"What does NC5 mean?"
The old man answers: "NC5 stands for: Nunchaku Combat — the path of the five circles."

The five circles help you on your path:
1. To bring out your fullest potential
2. To persevere and not give up
3. To find freedom and enjoy the path
4. To face challenges
5. To understand the path and become one with it

The circles help you grow. They provide structure. They challenge you. They help you understand the path.

The Enso

You look at the circle on which the gate stands.
"And what does this circle mean?"
The old man says:"This is the enso circle."
The enso is the foundation on which NC5 stands.
The circle is never closed. It is always open.Everyone is welcome.
No matter how far you travel, you will always return to this circle. Each time with new experiences. Each time you will understand it differently.

The Flower

Finally, you look at the flower above the gate.
"And what does the flower mean?"
The old man looks at you and says: "The flower is the here and now."
The moment in which you live. The moment in which you read. The moment in which you decide.
Will you take the challenge? Will you pick up the nunchaku? Will you open the gate? Will you tame the tigers? Will you listen to the mice? Or will you choose a different path?

The Choice

If you decide to open the gate, the nunchaku becomes your compass.
It helps you find direction. Which path you take is up to you.
The old man smiles. "If you go inside and follow the path, enjoy this moment."
He looks at the small tree he has just planted. "Because then I will plant another tree. For the next traveler who will one day arrive here."

Explore Further → Studie NC5 Cirkel 5