The 5 Elemental Codes - Part 2

Seeing Your World Through the Ninja's
"Eyes of Universal Understanding

by Dai-Shihan Jeffrey M. Miller
© 1995, 2005, 2009, 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Part 2 - The Gogyo - 5 Elemental Transformations

The Gogyo '5-Elemental Transformations' theory is a Chinese system of explaining the growth, progression or destructive dissolution of energy in an ever-changing process.

These elements, unlike those of the Godai, have no real beginning or ending as such. They 'appear" to start where the observer first becomes aware of them and can be seen to progress in an unending series of cycles from there. The system has two parts. One, a productive, progressive 'growth' cycle; and an ura destructive, blocking or damming cycle.

The Only Universal Constant is "Change"

The productive cycle of the gogyo, picking an arbitrary starting point, is as follows:

Sui "Water"-- is energy in a pooling, collecting, or sinking state. Unlike the Godai element of the same name, the "water" element here represents the coming together of all the necessary components that will allow growth to take place.

As an example, we could take a look at the growth of a plant and see how the seed from which it comes is just one part of the whole process involved. But, without the right soil conditions, moisture level, mineral content and balance, warmth, etc. the seed will not even begin to germinate.

Moku "Wood" -- represents upward-reaching, new growth. As the constituents of the "water" element come together and focus, they take on a 'life' of their own that appears to be separate and distinct from its base parts.

In our example of the plant, we see it's stem or shoot break through the surface, as a result of all the right conditions being present and begin to reach toward the sunlight which will continue to feed and nourish it.

Ka "Fire" -- also seen as a part of the Godai but used here in a different context, this element represents expanding or evaporating energy. Our plant opens up in full bloom as it comes to the fullness of maturity. However, by doing so, it exposes more of itself to the air, allowing for more evaporation and moisture loss; thus, leading naturally to the next element.

DO "Earth" -- is the representation of energy in a condensing state. From the initial growing stage of the "water" level, and through the expansion phase of the "fire" state, the energy now begins to condense back in upon itself. As the plant continues to mature it begins to wither and dry out.

KIN "Metal" -- represents energy in a 'hardening,' compacting state. Our plant continues to dry out until even the solid parts return to their mineral base forms - returning to the soil from which they came. The moisture that the plant has been giving up as it dried, the solid matter returning to the soil for decomposition, the gasses given up during decomposition and so forth, all contribute and lead to the "water" element of the next cycle.

The elements are not and should not be thought of as separate and distinct steps, but rather phases in a natural process. It's difficult to find an exact changing point from one to another, but each is seen as a gradual coming into being from the previous elements' activity. The seasons (for those of you in the temperate zone!) make a good analogy for this process. In contrast to the man-made calendar that has divided the year into four roughly equal parts measuring ninety-two to ninety-three days each, nature takes its own course in its gradual shifting from the new growth of Spring into the warmth and activity we all enjoy during Summer; which becomes the colors and beauty of Autumn (which is really the drying out of the vegetation) and the slowed activity as the days become progressively colder into the Winter months. As I said, man has constructed this 'reality' for convenience and then complains when Spring doesn't come on schedule!

The fifth 'season,' here represented by the "water" element can be seen to be the 'dogdays' of Spring. That 'unofficial" season when the ground is thawing, and the ice is melting and everything is preparing for the new growth to come.

Hei-ho - A Model for Combat Strategy

This same cyclic progression can be seen in a combative situation and should be acted out and worked with intensively by those wishing to prepare for a real-world defensive encounter. It can be viewed from either perspective: attacker's or defenders.

At the "metal" phase, the attacker is laying plans for the attack; the defender is operating in a mindful state instead of the sleep-walk living typical of the 'average' person.

The attacker moves into position readying his body for the attack -- gets mentally and emotionally set for what is about to happen; the defender becomes aware of a problem and also attempts to position him or herself for the easiest solution possible.

Next, the attacker launches the actual assault either with the first grab, punch or kick or by causing a 'scene' from which he can apply psycho-emotional pressure (aka: stress); the defender receives the initially attack -- hopefully with success!

At last the fight is fully engaged as each participant counters, evades, attacks, etc. in an attempt to win, until finally the tempo dies down ("earth") as each loses energy until one is either brought under control or concedes, and the fight finally stops ("metal").

While it takes a lot to explain, the actual duration of events often takes less time than it took for you to read about it.

The Gogyo's Destructive Cycle

Unlike the Godai "manifestations" which represents the "shape" or "form' that energy takes, the Gogyo system also has a 'destructive' or energy damming (NOT damning) cycle. The same elements are involved but are related to each other differently. Where the productive cycle shows the natural progression from one phase of energy to another, the destructive cycle shows how each type of energy can be used to block or destroy another and prevent the productive cycle from continuing.

The logic of the flow can be seen in the obvious natural descriptions of the elements in that DO the "earth" dams-up and controls the flow of "water" SUI which, in turn, destroys KA the "fire" -- just as the cold water puts out a roaring fire. "Fire" destroys "metal" KIN, as the furnace turns the iron ore to soup; "metal" destroys "wood" MOKU as the saw cuts down the trees. Finally, MOKU the "wood" element then destroys "earth" DO -- just as the growth of plants and trees can be seen to move the earth, and even boulders, from their path.

The destructive cycle can also be seen as a guide for strategy in a battle if one understands the context of each element. Metal represents the planning stage and will naturally progress to the equipment gathering or preparation stage unless it is stopped by a full assault (Fire). The Water phase of preparation for battle will naturally lead to the invasion if not delayed or stopped by information which requires a return to the planning stage (earth). The initial invasions (wood) will progress effortlessly into the heat of battle if not stopped by better-laid plans (metal) by the opposing forces which cause an army to require more supplies and renewed preparation to continue. The fury of battle will wane and phase out (earth) as each side evaluates their previous strategy for any necessary changes unless it is forced to continue by a new assault (wood.)

This destructive cycle, which stops the progression of energy to its next phases (causing it to either return to the previous stage or skip to the following one), can also be seen with our plant.

The seed, as pre-planned (karmic) potential represents the metal element. It will not progress to the growth state ("wood") of its life if it does not get the moisture and nutrients needed ("water" pooling) because of draught ("earth" drying). The new shoot ("wood") will never bloom ("fire") if it encounters a gardener's blade ("metal") but will immediately move onto the drying out stage of the "earth" element. And so, the process goes on.

This Goton-po strategy was introduced to students of the old Kasumi-an program early in training as a basis for optional outdoor wilderness survival training. Today, students in my own Mastery Leadership Program have the option of adding this training to their regimen, and it is a necessary requirement for teacher certification.

A Valid Training Model

The gogyo theory, as with the godai, regardless of whether or not they are a formal part of any particular school, remain valid and powerful tools in a ninja's arsenal; both for learning the material covered and in application under stress. Coming to a deeper understanding of these theories still lay ahead beyond the simplified descriptions given here.

Students who engage in the Warrior Concepts Black Mastery curriculum come away with a very powerful, working-knowledge of the Gogyo 5-elemental codes as models for both self-protection and personal empowerment.

The final installment will cover both of these powerful systems as mirrors of each other. We will explore their application in the realm of personal development and Enlightenment study, as-well-as their sister symbols in other philosophical systems often used in their study, by some, to enhance and understand the higher levels of the Ninja's lifeways.