The Path Of The Martial Arts Master
I'm sure when you hear the words "Martial Arts Master" you picture some image in your mind of what or who that is. Your understanding of the term has been influenced by your experiences that put this image in your mind of who or what it is. Maybe to you there is an image of an old white haired Chinese man hunched over his cane walking down an alley in China. Or perhaps your image is more modern of Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid or even Chuck Norris. Or maybe your image is based upon your own Sensei who has shaped you over many years. No matter where this image comes from I am going to ask that you "empty your glass" of that image for the rest of this article. (The expression to "empty your glass" coined by Bruce Lee in reference to forgetting what you already know or think you know about something to make room for a new idea to take its place.)
I ask that you "empty you glass" and be open minded to the idea that you are on this path of the master without feeling like you are not worthy or deserving of such a high honor. The Path of the Master has more to do with life itself than is does with actual techniques.
"There are many paths up the mountain but the view from the top is the same"
The first step on the path is the Beginner. This phase of training is where the journey begins with hesitation and doubt as you step out in an unfamiliar direction in life where you really don't know what to expect. In this phase you try to wrap you head around what is means to be a martial artist and wonder if you have what it takes to become and expert (Black Belt). During this time you're influenced greatly by those you bow to in class and call Sensei. This starts the journey of your personal growth and development even if you don't fully understand that at the time.
The second step on the path is the Student. This is different from the beginner phase in that you now know what you are doing and have an idea where you want to go. Typically the student is motivated by their instructors to keep pursuing the coveted Black Belt. This title signifies to many the end of the first journey and perhaps the end all together. It is important to have a positive goal to strive for because a journey without a destination is ensures you will never get where you are going. Charged with this image in your mind of who you want to be you study hard to move up the ranks to get closer to that prize.
The third step on the path is the Practitioner. I call is that because it is usually filled with many hours of practice trying to make every technique perfect. This idea of perfecting every little movement is teaching for more than just kata and technique, it is shaping your mind to strive for that level of perfection in life. You learn how to look closely at your techniques and determine where they are weak and where they are strong so that you can make the needed corrections. Can you see the importance this has in your life?
The fourth step is the Expert. The Black Belt. This is where you are now rewarded for all that hard work and commitment you have done over these last many years. With the title comes the respect of your peers as well as the boost to your ego. Don't get me wrong when I say ego because it is a very motivating force in your life at this point. You have achieved something great and you deserve the hold your head up high with pride as a member of an elite club of martial arts experts.
The fifth step on the path is the Sensei. I use the term Sensei to represent the teacher of a martial arts system. I know there are many other titles that signify the same thing depending on the nationality of the art that you study and I mean no disrespect. I use the title Sensei similarly to how every martial art is caller Karate. The word isn't the important part here, it is the transformation that happens when you take on the responsibility of being that very thing that formulated the image in your mind that started your own journey. You will now shape the image of all the students that you come in contact with. This holds you to a standard that pushes you farther down that path of the master than you would if you simply continued to train on your own.
The sixth step is that of the Master. This part of the training is where you look back at the journey that you have taken and it is clear. You understand now the importance of all of the steps that you have taken up to this point and it brings a peace and clarity to your life that my words will fall short of describing properly. I have often described it like this:
The journey through life brings you around the base of a great mountain. Some choose to try to climb to the top of the mountain to fully understand the world in which they live. There are many paths up this mountain and all of them are long and hard. There are many points along the way where is would be easier to just turn around and go back down. For those who persevere they will come to a point on the mountain where the cross the tree line into the clear rocky top of the mountain. This is where you become a master. The air is clearer and you can actually see the top of the mountain. You can also see the paths below you on the mountain with all the other students struggling for every step as they climb. You have a choice to continue on to the top of the mountain to see the magnificent view or you can turn back and help the rest of the people on the mountain find their way to the top. No matter which you choose you find yourself on the seventh step on your path: The Beginner.
This time you have no doubt of hesitation. You came to the top of the tree line and discovered that the best view in this world is the one that looks inward into yourself and now the one from the top of the mountain.
You can make this journey. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. I encourage you to take that step and the one after that. Start your journey up the mountain today. The system that you study isn't important. What is important is that you study. I believe that there is a new revolution coming to the martial arts with this wonderful age of information. We will be once again in a place where people can create their own martial arts systems based on there personal style and body composition. MMA isn't just for cage fighting. Mix your own system of study and keep your feet moving upward on this mountain of life. I hope to help you along the way and to stand on the top with you staring out over the horizon.
Happy Climbing,
Sensei Keith
No comments:
Post a Comment