In-n-Out of the Dojo

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Let me cut to the chase, most karate and martial arts practitioners tend to focus heavily while in the dojo but upon exiting the teachings tend to remain in the dojo. I am a Marine and as a Marine I remember the sign I read when I got off the bus at Recruit Receiving and walked through, “Through these portals pass prospects for America’s finest fighting force - United States Marines.” Granted, that is not exactly the one I remember when I passed through the portals circa 1972 at Parris Island, South Carolina but it is still moving to read it again after all these years.

When we, as fledgling recruits Marine Wannabe’s, passed those portals it was a one way trip. That door was used as an entry only for once you achieved your goal of becoming a basic Marine you didn’t exit by that door, you would only see it again if you visited or if you became a Drill Instructor yourself. 

The significance of the one-way is this, “Once you become a Marine, you are always a Marine and that meant in every aspect and facet of your life from that moment till death parts us from our world.” We didn’t take off the uniform after work hours and become civilians again, we are Marines - forever!

This is where I see issues regarding karate and martial arts for those who take it up for more than just clubbing with friends, social gatherings under the heading of karate where we eat pizza, have a beer then leave like a restaurant to only think of karate and martial arts in memories created through social interactions. 

I am not saying that as karate-ka and martial artists we don’t or should not socialize but what I am saying is this discipline, if you truly want to take it up, should mean the first time you pass through the dojo portals it should signify that you are, deep down to the genetic levels, a karate-ka and/or martial artists and therefore should live, breath, practice, philosophize, etc. the very teachings into your very way of life. 

Even today, people will comment on my aura, personality and character asking something like, why to which I respond, I am a Marine. I may have left active duty decades ago but the very nature of who I am is derived from the influences, significant influences, of the time spent as an active duty Marine. I believe this should also be the way of karate and martial arts. 

In Lowry Sensei’s article it hints at how your karate practice and training should, if done right, permeate everything you do especially on how you move as his article teaches us. 

When you reach Parris Island you will hear, “We Make Marines.” When you enter the dojo for the first time, you should be made to feel that in the dojo, “We make karate-ka and martial artists!” 

Although and unlike the Marines recruit portals, you will enter and leave the dojo main entrance at every session of training and practice. It should have been instilled in you that although you pass through many times its passing should symbolize and instill in you that it is a way of living your life no matter when or where you are and no matter how you conduct your life be it work, play or the dojo. 

I would put a sign up over the dojo doors saying, “Through these portals pass prospects for America’s finest karate-ka and martial artists.” I would teach the first lesson that if you cannot feel, see and expect your training to manifest in the very actions and deeds of your every day life then you are not a karate-ka and/or martial artist, you are just playing at it. “DO NOT LEAVE the LESSONS taught herein on the dojo floor, take them everywhere with you.”

Bibliography (Click the link)