Kata in Karate Practice

I am reading the book The Weaponless Warriors; An Informal History of Okinawan Karate by Richard Kim. It is a collection of short articles on the historical figures of Okinawan Karate.

Itosu Yasutsune
To quote the book, page 58, "Today, Itosu is remembered mainly through his kata. His concentration during his teaching years centered around fulfillment of each person's individual physique. He realized that each person had to develop his body to the highest possible perfection, for himself and for his purpose. To put the body under complete control of the mind was necessary before any other type of development could take place. Itosu knew that kata was best for this."

Karate is a way of life, a means to achieve complete security and fearlessness.

Kyan Chotoku
Kyan practiced the seisan for two years to perfect it. Seisan was the first kata taught by Okinawan masters prior to 1903. Today still clings to this tradition including Tatsuo Shimabukuro's lineage (whom studied under Kyan). The incessant drill and pedantic attention to detail required for mastery of a kata made a profound impression on him.

Men three times younger than you can not move you at all, "What is it?"

Develop your tanden. Drop your mind there and operate all your actions from there. Practice your kata until your kata moves from your tanden. When you become the kata, you have achieved the secret.