Today I read the post by Sensei Clarke, HERE CLICK HERE ;-), and found two quotes I feel are important. My thanks to Sensei Clarke for inspiring correct thinking with these quotes.
Often we get so involved in status, ego, pride and the workings of such gargantuan tasks we lose sight of the core of follow the way of the empty hand. Mike Clarke tells is like it is and that is very good - cool. Read these two for me and tell me if they don't or do hit a resonant cord with your practice. I especially like the reference to what a person considers for themselves, i.e. a member with all that brings with it both good and bad and a colored belt vs. what you have inside you, your true proficiency in following the way and applying karate-jutsu.
I hope I am more than either of these, a member and a belt color. I admit I have experienced both and found something missing. I am finally in a state of feeling where I am discovering what I am truly and completely - so I continue to hope.
Thanks Mr. Clarke, for the inspirations you provide today.
p.s. when I state "the bigger picture" I am not saying this in a literal sense.
p.s.s. the quotes:
"Of course, there is little kudos to be gained by just training, and you could find that a couple of decades have slipped by and no one (outside your dojo) knows who you are. But....I think that is a far better situation to be in than the place many in karate and on the internet find themselves today." - Mike Clarke Sensei of Shinseidokan Dojo Blog
"So, as far as your karate is concerned, if you're considered a member rather than a student, or a belt color rather than a person.....perhaps you need to change your situation, refocus your gaze, and get a better look at the bigger picture." Mike Clarke Sensei Shinseidokan Dojo Blog
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.
3 comments:
I think there are certain advantages to styles that don't have ranking systems, or organizations beyond "one teacher, one dojo."
Respectfully, sir, and while I can't speak for all instructors out there ... there are some who are on the path, who are *also* on the internet, and who do not let ranking get in the way of 'the doing'. I for one, am a 'follower as leader'. Someone said to me recently that I should omit the ranking stripes on my belt for humility. My response was I would not be able to get more humble with or without them ... and it's true. Thank you for a good post. You have shared and shown solid wisdom through your blog over the years.
Colin
Traditional Taekwondo
http://www.joongdokwan.com
Thanks to you both.
Rick: yes, there are but there are limitations and costs for everything.
Colin Wee: Yes, there are many out there who truly follow the path. Those who balance between traditions and economics have my deepest respect for that is a blade with a razor's edge on which they balance the way.
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