In my last post I spoke of enlightenment when I refer to the terminologies used for student vs. deshi, teacher vs. sensei and other such seemingly mundane things in the martial arts world. I felt that this dysfunctional interpretation and expectation can cause disparity in what a person feels is required vs. what is actually required.
Attaining a grade by answering a limited number of questions to score might seem all that is necessary to receive a pass in a school subject like history but in the martial arts one must not assume the same, i.e. simply learning a set number of things and passing some innocuous test does not mean you are knowledgeable, proficient and able to make it work in a real life violent encounter.
The ability to gain a sufficient score in kata competition does not mean you can know the bunkai and all the variants along with how to apply them in combat under chaotic and adrenaline induced limitations where your health and life are in contest or jeopardy. This is an important distinction.
In the school room we don't spend a good deal of time repetitively practicing addition of numbers even tho we use them through out our lives for math. We learn the multiplication tables at a certain level and then promptly stop practicing them but in martial arts we continually practice to the depth of boredom to build up over time a foundation that will support those things we need for survival in violent encounters.
If a new person joins my dojo I might first learn their learning mode then I would "instruct" them to the true meaning of student, basics, and homework as it applies to martial arts training, practicing, and applying.
Whys should I avoid using a term such as "student?" It is a unifying metaphor for all of us but I do see a need to teach, instruct, mentor a practitioner/student as to what it truly means in our dojo/school vs. what they perceive from experiencing school in America.
It will clarify the two different things as the characteristics that are shared. Shared and different.
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