You may begin the
study of martial
arts and you may
quit the study of
martial arts, but
you can never
complete the study
of martial arts.
Topic
The Never-Ending Path of Martial Arts
Our culture puts a great deal of emphasis on
accomplishment. From a very young age, we are conditioned
to set goals and see them through. It begins in school, from
kindergarten on up. We’re taught to attain goals, then we’re
tested and given another goal. This pattern continues all
through our education, and follows us into our careers and
professions. Some of the most successful business people
around are champions at setting goals and completing them.
Picking a direction and seeing it through to a successful end.
Being able to reach the finish line thus becomes one of the
key qualities of a successful person.
While the ability to follow through and stay the course
is admirable, there is a problem with trying to relate this
attitude toward our practice of martial arts. In most activities,
once you have completed something, the natural question is
“What’s next?” What’s the next accomplishment? But martial
arts is not something that you’re trying to complete. There
is no finish line; you’re never really done. It’s not something
that you do for a little while. It’s not something you do until
you get it right and then move on. Practice is a path from
which there is no turning back! Becoming a martial artist
is a way of life. As you begin to understand the benefits of
practice, it becomes an integral part of your life. Martial
arts is not just another activity, not just a form of excercise
or a sport or a game. Real martial arts is a philosophy, a
discipline and a lifestyle. It provides direction and strength. It
becomes a code that you choose to live by, and it helps your
life to have meaning and purpose. A martial artist is a special
kind of person; not better than everyone else, but focused,
disciplined and with more responsibilities. As a martial artist,
you are expected to use your physical abilities responsibly,
but you’re also expected to use the art to make choices
that will positively impact everyone you meet, choices that
enhance your life rather than hinder it. This leads to better
relationships at home and at work, better financial discipline,
a more well-rounded and successful life. As a martial artist,
you learn to live with discipline of mind, body and spirit.
What’s In You?
It’s common these days to hear people talk about what
they’re “into.” You’ll hear, “I’m into running, or weight-
lifting,” or “She’s into golf,” in much the same way as you’ll
hear “He’s into martial arts.” Please remember, this practice
is called martial arts for a reason. This is an art. Not a game,
not a competition, not a race to some finish line. In much
the same way as Picasso didn’t view each painting as his last
one, the final product, but just another expression of his
ongoing art, so is our practice ultimately measured only as an
expression of our ongoing journey. You don’t get into martial
arts, martial arts gets into you. Miles Davis wasn’t into jazz;
jazz was inside him, and he expressed it throughout his life.
After all, the art doesn’t need to change — we do.
Never confuse
modern
exercise fads
with real
martial arts.
One gets your
body in shape
while the other
helps you to
discover your
true self.
It is not enough
to practice
martial arts but
to really learn it
you must study
the art.
You’ll often hear martial arts students remark that they are
“just about finished” at their school. Once they get their
black belt, they will move on to other activities. It seems
they’ve missed the point. It doesn’t matter how physically
accomplished you are, or how many forms you know. It
doesn’t matter how well you fight or how many trophies
you’ve have won or even what rank you’ve attained. Martial
arts is more than just setting goals and completing them. A
true martial artist recognizes that mastery — on any level
— is not the goal. You never finish doing the form; you
just learn to perform all the moves with greater power and
grace so that you can continue doing them. You have never
meditated enough, and you never graduate! There is no
end to practice and there is no “off-season.” The ability to
practice is the end. If that seems disappointing, then you’re
probably not yet a martial artist. This never-ending path of
self-discovery is the art; the ongoing creative expression of
our spirit through physical and mental discipline is martial
arts. It’s what makes the whole endeavor exciting. Practice is
like food or drink, like sleep, love, excercise or even prayer.
Do you think that once you’ve loved all that is necessary,
you’re done? That, once you’ve worked out enough, you’re
done, you’re healthy enough for this lifetime? That, after the
perfect meal, you’re finished, you’re done eating? Do you
think, “OK, I know how to pray, I’ve done it for a few years,
I’m into other stuff now!”
Measuring Your Progress
So how do you maintain such a high level of training and
stay so passionate about the art? It can’t be based on mere
accomplishment. Progress must be measured by more than
just rank or how well you perform in class. You need to take
an honest look at yourself. Are you healthier and stronger,
do you have less stress and feel more confident to make the
hard decisions in your life?
Real martial arts changes you, changes the way you deal
with all aspects of your life. The hours spent in grueling
classes do more than teach you how to fight — they
strengthen your will. Living through the bumps and bruises
of practice helps teach you that you will live through the
bumps and bruises of life. You learn that you don’t have to
quit something just because it is hard. You learn that, with
patience, perseverance and hard work, anything is possible.
The hours in meditation teach you to stay calm and centered
in the drama of your day-to-day life. Finally, there is an
overwhelming conviction that stems from accomplishing
something that you never thought you could, that allows
you to say “I can.” “I can do anything that I set my mind
to do.” No, you’re not a superhero, you can’t leap tall
buildings in a single bound, nor are you an emotionless
drone that is steeled against the world and unaffected by
problems. Martial artists are still just people; Moms and dads,
employees and employers, sons and daughters and neighbors
and students. The difference is that martial artists know how
to focus their energy, and they possess a calm strength that
comes from knowing that anything is possible with sufficient
strength of will.
Since we all
have different
backgrounds and
different levels
of fitness; since
some of us are
athletic and others
uncoordinated
and some are
flexible while most
are stiff; since
some concentrate
intensely while
others minds
drift; since some
practice hard and
come regular, while
others struggle
with attendance;
since there are so
many differences
between us —
it is ridiculous to
compare your self
to anyone else, and
to do so will only
enhance your ego
or jeopardize your
practice.
It is impossible
to be a martial
artist only on the
mats. So, if you
are thinking of
your practice only
as techniques you
perform, you are
just training to be a
fighter, and not yet
a martial artist.
If you still view Martial Arts as just one option
among the many things that you do, then you are
not yet a martial artist
It is this process of practice that, for generations, has
transformed ordinary people into extraordinary people.
This is not a new phenomena. It can be traced back over a
thousand years, through many cultures, to Hunan province
in China. A monastary of lackadaisical and ordinary monks
embraced this discipline of mind and body and were
transformed into the legendary Shaolin monks. They
practiced this discipline privately, secretly for many years and,
as word of their abilities spread, so too did the art. It slowly
made its way throughout China, to Okinawa, Korea and
Japan. Along the way, many great masters influenced the art
and contributed much to it’s continuing development.
Martial arts practice has taken on many faces as it has circled
the globe. Many cultures have embraced the art, expanding,
adapting or specializing in specific aspects of practice. At
the same time, the art has been widely misunderstood
and perceived in a variety of ways. Today, kid’s programs
aimed at 3-5 year olds; exercise fads and cardio-aerobics to
get in shape; ultimate fighting competitions; Hollywood
entertainment — all of these activities have mistakenly come
to be accepted as legitimate forms of martial art. In truth,
real martial arts has always been the same, and its universal
truths remain intact. This art has a history; it has meaning
and depth. It’s more than flashy MTV choreography and it’s
more than special forces commando training and it’s certainly
more than ninja night sleepover parties for the kids. The
art was not designed as an amusing and entertaining little
activity, it was designed as a spiritual path, as a way of life.
Life is not made up of winners and losers. There are only
trained people and untrained people. Regardless of your
style or discipline, if you practice consistently and hard, if you
train yourself with the proper motivation, and focus on the
original intent of the art, you too can transform yourself and
your life through martial arts.
You should
carry practice
with you
everywhere.
Mr. Garner was leaving class one night after
an incredibly hard workout. It was a class
that he never could have even imagined
himself doing when he joined the school two years ago.
Today he was in great shape and really enjoyed practice.
The master approached him and asked, “Mr. Garner, are
you reading the books that I suggested to you? Mr. Garner
responded, “Yes sir, but they do bring up some questions.”
The master looked at the clock and said, “This is the last
class of the night, do you have time to talk?” Mr. Garner
responded immediately, “Yes sir, Thank you.”
The two men entered the small office and sat down. The
master spoke first, “What are your questions?”
Mr. Garner paused and took a breath and appeared to be
weighing his words very carefully. He was a sincere man who
never wanted to be misunderstood. The master recognized
A martial artist
does not place
emphasis on
belts, ranks and
titles, but rather
on completely
understanding
and internalizing
his or her art.
the hesitation and said, “Mr. Garner, you are a good student,
please speak freely.”
Mr. Garner began, “Well sir, the books that you have
recommended to me over the years have given me a lot of
insight to my practice. I have always been a active person,
of course never in as good of shape as I am now, but I have
been involved with clubs and gyms for years. I must admit
that when I started practicing martial arts, I saw it as just
another gym; a place to get in shape, meet people and
learn some skills. I honestly never could have imagined the
profound impact that it has given my life. To be very honest
sir; it is kind of scary.”
The master listened intently and encouraged Mr. Garner to
continue. “At first I felt a little put off by the discipline and
rituals and formal environment. As I began to understand,
I found myself embracing it. Knowing that people all over
the world have dedicated their entire life to the practice
and study of martial arts means quite a bit. This is obviously
not an exercise program or fad that is here today and gone
tomorrow. This is a philosophy that helps discipline the mind
and body. If practiced sincerely, it will encompass your whole
life.”
Mr. Garner was becoming emotional as he spoke and he
stood up as he continued to speak. “I came in here to get in
shape, lose some weight and have fun. I had no idea.” He
lowered his head and whispered, “I feel ashamed that I did
not see how sacred practice is and I question if I am worthy
of such a practice.”
Smiling the master said, “Mr. Garner, you are starting to
understand martial arts. You are not to be blamed for
anything. As a beginner you only knew what you saw on
TV or at the movies. Now, after studying martial arts, and
attending class, you can see why it has been around for
thousands of years and how powerful it is. Real martial
arts was designed to touch you on all levels — mentally,
physically, emotionally, spiritually. I’m pleased to see that
your practice is doing just that.”
If you think that
you are a martial
artist, you
probably don’t
have a deep enough
understanding of
what martial arts
is. For to really
understand it will
give you a lump in
your throat and
butterflies in your
stomach. A real
martial artist is
in such awe of his
art that he feels
humbled by it.
The strengthening
of the will is
not a pretty
sight and often
misunderstood.
Activity
How Has Martial Arts Changed You?
The activity this month is to list the five most important
ideas, principles or concepts that you have been taught or
exposed to, because of your practice in martial arts. Take into
considerations those aspects of martial arts that have had the
greatest effect on your life outside the dojo.
Take your time and think carefully. List the lessons that you
have learned and why you chose them. It doesn’t matter if
you fully grasp the concept or not. Detail if you learned it in
a class, reading a book, from Lessons in Mindfulness, from
practicing with a partner, after a meditation, etc. Explain the
ways you are incorporating it into your life.
Some examples:
• Spending time vs wasting time
• Affirmations
• Partners not opponents
• Our deeds determine us
• Seven ways to become a martial artist
• Best block is don’t be there
• Designing your life
• Four things you can do with energy
• Primary aim
Reminders
Mastering Technique – By the Numbers!
Reflecting on Lesson #5 – Do What You Can Do Perfectly,
and this Lesson on the never-ending path of martial arts, it
becomes clear that practice is a process of constant, never
ending improvement.
Frequently, beginner and intermediate students are
frustrated with their progress, even though patience has
been emphasized as one of the most important qualities that
a martial artist needs to develop.
There is an exercise that helps put into perspective what is
meant by the statement that it “takes time to be good at
this.” Any technique from any style will work for this. It could
be a punch, block, throw, lock, kick, or any basic technique,
but for this example let’s use a roundhouse kick, back leg.
Let’s assume that you have practiced for five years and
practice three times a week. In each class you have thrown
fifty roundhouse kicks with the back leg. (Obviously not all
schools throw fifty back leg kicks in each class, but many
throw much more!) Let’s assume that it takes one second for
each kick. (Most will throw it faster, but to make the math
easy, one second.)
One second per kick times 50 kicks a class, times 3 classes a
week, times 52 weeks in a year, times five years of practice
makes a whopping 39,000 seconds!
This equals 650 minutes, or 10.8 hours.
The years know
things that the
days and weeks
will never know
An advanced
technique is a
basic technique
that has been
mastered
Think of it this way; after five years of practice, with better
than average attendance you have only practiced your
roundhouse kick, back leg for less than eleven hours!
In China it is believed that to master a technique you must
throw it a million times. Using this formula, remember that
after five years, you have 961,000 more to go!! At this rate,
you will master the roundhouse kick back leg in another 123
years!
Now it is easier to understand the saying,
“Martial arts take a lifetime, maybe a little more.”
P.S. It is a good idea to practice at home, and also to
remember that, while it might take a million reps to master a
technique, it doesn’t take that long to reap the benefits!!
Try this using your own numbers and see how long you have
practiced.
Recommended Reading
Striking Thoughts – Bruce Lee’s Wisdom
for Daily Living.
Bruce Lee
The Warrior Path- Wisdom from
Contemporary Martial Arts Masters.
James Sides