I tend to think of these things in the light of a "master craftsman." You can master almost anything if you have due diligence, dedication, drive and a willingness to sacrifice the things needed to be a master of your craft.
The key issue when we view someone as a master is do they meet our expectations and perceptions of what a master craftsman is, is a master craftsman of say karate-jutsu-do up to the speed or level we place upon ourselves form our perspective for us as a person?
We might tend to feel that if they have not been able to go beyond the fundamental, first pillar or basic level, that they cannot be master craftsmen. Are we limiting ourselves by assuming some unknown criteria speaks to being a master of anything especially for us in the martial community of karate, Aiki, Judo, etc.?
I can be a master craftsman of playing solitaire if I so desired to make the appropriate sacrifices. The other day I posted on someone who was promoted to master craftsman level for a martial sport accomplishment in kata and kumite. It seems now that I lambasted this person but in reality who am I to say whether that person is a master or mastered his craft.
I am correct that the terminologies and rhetoric both alluded to master craftsmanship in martial arts which I would still contest. I can say today tho that this person is a master of his craft, martial sport. As my view changed over the weekend I realized that we all become master craftsmen of the discipline we practice, in time and with the appropriate accomplishments in that particular craft.
Consider this, lawyers in general were considered experts or master craftsmen but today you can be a master craftsmen, attorney or lawyer, in a speciality such as civil law, criminal law, corporate law and even more specific such as sport law or even football law. So, why can't you have such divisions in the martial system community, you can you know.
The one big "BUT" here is that when you present yourself or others as master craftsmen you must make sure you are absolutely clear as to what craft in particular they have mastered. This person of which I posted is considered a master craftsmen of martial sport and that is a good thing.
Sometimes one position on a subject is necessary to reach another position of greater understanding. I hope I have taken a step up here.
I am a master craftsmen in the particulars of my system of martial practice. I don't want or warrant a title such as "master" because that would not be appropriate. I feel a master title is honorary and given by the governing system group, not a dojo or person. My craft is Isshinryu karate-jutsu-do and the Ken-po Goku-i or Philosophy of Martial Systems.
But then again, this is my personal opinion and is not validated by any governing body of any sort. I am not a master of the self-defense world of violence and fighting - lets make that clear here. My mastery is more ..... academic ..... with a smidgeon of the physical proficiency to support my ability.
If I offended this person I posted on lately or their governing body it was not my intent and I regret giving a misrepresentation of the facts. It is imperative they do understand that they also misrepresented, unknowingly.
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
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