Of Pride and Prejudice Failure on the path of Budo
Of Pride and Prejudice: First and foremost this is not a "woke" article about someones feelings. When I write or say something that offends I am happy.
This means I am making someone think.
People who live in a highly emotional state will have a short life due to the constant overworked state of the endocrine system.
And from a self defense aspect because of the overactive Triple Warmer [Heater] Meridian they are easy to deal with on the streets. And they tend towards never ending conflict in their lives.
But what I am talking about is pride and prejudice, two very normal states of the human mind that hinder successful martial arts training.
Of Pride and Prejudice - There is a path
There is a path of training, and pride in what you do is normal for the beginner. But you need to move past this. Pride is a part of the Ego. And Ego prevents learning. Years ago I spoke to a very well known Judo grand master whom I invited to a seminar. He laughed at me and told me "I do not attend seminars I give them." Obviously learning was off the table for this man. He was, back in the day, on the WBA board. So I removed him for his lack of interest in promoting us beyond his name on the website.
I am coming up on 40 years in the arts. Plus I have never stopped my study. And today this is still true. Very importantly I am still research, learning and training in new things. Someone of pride stops learning, because they start to believe they know everything. And they will be the first to tell you.
The next is prejudice. We all have prejudices. Therefore we judge things in our environment and this is a good thing! Prejudice or judgement are needed skills. Tied to ego this is something that keeps us safe! That feeling that perhaps something is wrong is important.
But on the Dojo floor to be of Pride and Prejudice limits our training. We must overcome both to continue to learn.
Of Pride and Prejudice
Let's look at some examples.
- I love Kata, but do not like Kumite
- Kumite is all that matters
- Competition translate to street
- Pressure points do not work
- and on and on...
This is tunnel vision in training. Classic examples of missing the boat on the martial arts path of training. And this is normal for the human experience, but death to the Karateka. This is closed minded, limited thinking. The martial artist who thinks like this is standing at a road block, believing they have arrived. This is far from the truth.
Most of all this is actually a failure of the current paradigm of the Dojo. Because the commercial world is a big challenge, one I have much experience in after running my own Dojo Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts for 15 years, instructors try to make students happy.
Of Pride and Prejudice
This does not turn out well because students become comfortable, and then bored because they are not challenged. Those who do not want challenge are bad choices for your Dojo. The bored student leaves creating financial issues for the Dojo. Then more concession are made to keep the students happy. It is a vicious circle.
Now I cannot say this is all bad. However when Pride and Prejudice are the normal result of training because of incomplete martial systems, and the instructors no longer continuing their own training, the path themselves. The benefits are lost. And the benefits of training come with time.
Of Pride and Prejudice in Conclusion
Of the things I hope to accomplish with the Resurrection of the World Budo Alliance is to unite martial arts worldwide.
And to promote learning. We offer some FREE courses for anyone interested and this will expand.
Thank you for reading Of Pride and Prejudice!
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