Monday, January 5, 2009

articles


1 comment:

Unknown said...

That was an amazing article. You touched on points that many do not even think about these days. It's funny. I see most practice martial science one of two ways: Either at 90 MPH with their hair on fire, or just often enough to be able to claim that they DO practice martial arts. I wonder why most cannot find the Balance and Motivation to have a middle ground? It's wonderful to be able to say that one practices, and it's often inspiring to see someone who practices and learns at a ground-eating pace, but you are correct. These methods rarely help one to build a lasting and stable relationship with their Art(s). It becomes either about practicing to feed one's Ego or Arrogance (being able to have control over another person), or to impress others. The true reasons seem to have gone by the wayside for some reason. I remember when martial artists practiced, not to prove anything, or to impress others, but to IMprove themselves, and seek motivation and perspective in their lives--all while studying the ancient (or not so ancient) Arts of War. All of this, regardless of how much of a beating they took from their Teachers...of how difficult the Path was. What happened? I hope that one day, others can be inspired to Walk the same Path that we started down, so many years ago. The same Path as our peers, and Teachers, and fellow Students of War....who, most times, ended up being the same people. To not only Practice Martial Science....or Study it....but to LIVE it. Others still study that way, but I just find it is becoming more and more rare to find. Perhaps, if more Instructors cared about the Emotional Connection that a Student develops with their Study. Usually, with their Study of ANYTHING--but especially Martial Arts. If more Instructors focused more on that Relationship, and that which is built between Teacher and Student, as a bond of Trust and Respect (that should run both ways), rather than making money, the face of Martial Arts would be very different these days. I'm not talking about the "Asian Mystique" (as we have discussed before), but the true Spirit of the Arts. Anyway, I'm rambling...lol. Great article. Keep up the good work....

~~Andrew