Learning is Never Ending

I am currently reading through the book I found through Mr. Patrick Parker Sensei's blog, "Mokuren Dojo." Search through his blog site for the titles that have "BOMP" in them for his postings.

I remember at my start as a black belt that I knew a lot and I still understood that I had a lot of learn yet till in this "later years" I never fully realized just how important all that hoopla I got as a young person was so relevant, eduction. I sometimes in early years felt that once I learned something specific it was pretty much written in stone. I also fell into that mode of refuting any idea's or comments that went against that belief and understanding almost to the point of ignoring irrefutable proof of my wrong vs. a right or better yet my inaccurate vs a more accurate piece of knowledge.

The book is, "The Book of Martial Power," by Steven J. Perlman Sensei. I like hard covered books so spent the extra as I suspected, rightly so, that is would be a important and permanent library addition. The paperback is only $12.21 on Amazon also well worth the cost.

I am barely 3/4's the way through it and find so much it is mind boggling. I can only say thanks to Mokuren Dojo blog, Parker Sensei, for discussing the topic as I may not have found it otherwise.

It comes down to seeing things from a view that says, "hey, I didn't know that," to "hey, that is why I do that," to "hey, what a great way to explain it," to "I have so darn much to learn still," and many other ways to look at the value of today's materials.

I began seriously in the seventies and must say that as time has passed the quality and value of the material on martial arts has improved regardless of either the sporting aspects or the commercialism. There are those who took the time and energy to rediscover the basics, fundamentals, and principles of martial systems that for our time now can be conveyed in many different forms from the likes of Mokuren Dojo to Perlman Sensei's book to others such as:

Warner Dean Henry, Patrick Parker, John Vesia, Sue Wharton (SueC), Mario McKenna, Rory Miller, Marc MacYoung and his wife's animal list, Arcenio Advincula, Gary Henry, Charles Goodin, Dojo Rat, Rob Redmond, Tris Sutrisno, Lawrence A. Kane, Dave Lowry, Elmar T. Schmeisser, James Legge, Richard Wilhelm, Loren W. Christensen, Nancy Sherman, Gavin DeBecker, George Mattson, Michael Clarke, George Breed, Patrick McCarthy, Nicklaus Suino, Angel Lemus, P.M. Forni, Jill Bolte Taylor, H. E. Davey and so many more in books, blogs, DVD's, VHS, and other media provide insights that a martial artist can learn from and attain more knowledge even if they cannot directly participate in the training and practice of all these fine martial artists.

All I can say is that my current reading material has gone further than my meodicre writing and teaching abilities that it is inspiring. In the commercialized world in which we live it is critical that the few like these folks insist on taking it further and farther than just learning enough, to seek out more, and more, and more is wonderful.

Thanks to everyone, everyday! This gives so much more meaning to the maxim that one who wishes to truly follow the way will never stop learning their entire lives. It is so true for me.

Note: If you see a name you do not recognize then take a look at my library list at the bottom of this blog to find the book in question. As to DVD's and so on, google it!