Here are some quotes from Divine Roots of Chinese Martial Arts from Youtube.
"Chinese people believe that their culture has divine origins.
Whether Chinese medicine, Martial arts (Wushu), Fung shu they are all passed down by gods. Martial arts, aside from training the body, raising ones moral character is essential. It is only when your morality is high can you develop external techniques and innate abilities. Just making your body strong does not make you a true martial artist." LongFei Yang, NTD Martial Arts Competition Judge.
After watching this video I am struck with the focus on following a path. The person interviewed tells his story of doing one style of martial arts and then when he ran into an old man he tried to fight him. He then goes on to say that he got beaten and started studying with him and has been with him ever after.
One way to look at this is that the person being interviewed followed the path of least resistance until he found something that resisted him. Then he became the same as the thing he resisted and teaches that as the final point of his growth. I am not saying he did not continue to grow but I believe that this style of narrative is so influenced by culture in a way that does not allow him to further his personal journey.
One way to look at this is that the person being interviewed followed the path of least resistance until he found something that resisted him. Then he became the same as the thing he resisted and teaches that as the final point of his growth. I am not saying he did not continue to grow but I believe that this style of narrative is so influenced by culture in a way that does not allow him to further his personal journey.
The thing that I am trying to instill as I move forward with what I teach is as follows.
1. Personal growth should not just end when you hit something that resists you. When you lose it is an opportunity to set your ego aside for a moment and look at what is going wrong with what you are currently doing.
2. Learn from what you lose. An example would be to take lessons from the person who defeated you.
3. Don't lose your personal identity through your transformation. Because you may be a master at one art and are now a student should you let go of all you know. Take in what you learn with an open mind and notice when you are frustrated or things contradict what you learned before. This is not an easy task but a necessary one to truly move forward.
4. Continue to grow even after you feel you are at a new high level from learning. I am not saying take up new arts or challenge more opponents (unless it is what defines your identity) but to re-work what you know and practice with people who will genuinely tell you when you mess up.
Just some thoughts that I feel is a trap in Martial Arts.
Just some thoughts that I feel is a trap in Martial Arts.
No comments:
Post a Comment