Letting Go

We receive instruction. We have no reasoning to believe what we are taught is real, accurate, and truthful. When we establish a relationship in the dojo, Sensei and Deshi, Sempai and Kohai and fellow dojo participants it builds a bond, tribal oriented bond. We become a family that tends to stick together - group protection.

Our associations create a bond, a culture, dojo customs. We come to have certain beliefs about the system, the dojo and the Sensei. This is all a good thing. It is instinctive and natural. We gravitate toward like minds and like activities. Much like the natural survival instincts of history we collect together and form a group that bonds and protects and socializes. We survive together even if we no longer fear lions and tigers and bears.

We, the group, must be careful that our customs, traditions and beliefs don't become mired in dogmatic doctrine with a rigidity that removes any chance of flexibility and change. We must be mindful that all things change and that change is a good thing. If it were not then we would not have the great Tai Chi, the I Ching and the Tao Te Ching - among others.

If we allow our group to become so rigid then we lose site of balance as taught by the Ancients - Nature. It is like the sky above, the earth below and all of the living things - in the moment, present, and moving through time.

That which nature and the ancients teach is nothing is made of stone. All things are headed somewhere. We live in the moment and the moment is a continuous changing moving moment - moment by moment. To achieve balance we accept the moment, the movement, the change. Change means allowing that what we know and knew are not permanent. We must allow our customs, traditions and beliefs to live, breath, and grow - change.

Accept the changes, gain balance and believe - believe in change. Sometimes you just have to let go!