Contemplation of the Warrior's Path
I was sitting here trying to imagine what might be useful in this next entry. I realized that a path does not have much meaning unless one can sit down and process what is being done. Over 30 years ago I started on this path of martial arts. While it may not have unfolded as I might have predicted, it is still my path, and one that has taught me a lot. I have appreciation for what I have done and what I have trained in the martial arts, and that the journey is still vibrant and interesting, and there is not shortage of people to learn from and discuss things with. It takes a lot of work, a lot of thinking, to figure out what your path and what your art of training, and of expression, means for each person. It is with this on my mind that I approach today's entry.
A person can train and fight as hard as he/she wants, all day and all night, but if that person does not stop to contemplate the actions, the training, then what progress is made and what lessons are learned? I would say not so much has been learned, not near enough as if time had been taken to think through analyze what has been done.
This lesson is always being taught to me, over and over again, when I meet with my sensei. He always says you need to sit down and analyze why things are and how things work. It is the only way you can make progress, real progress, and move forward in a meaningful way. Am I saying if a warrior does not sit down and reflect that makes him or her less of a warrior? No. But that person is only a shadow of the warrior that he or she could be, if time had been taken to stop and contemplate the path that is being walked.
The Road Not Taken
A famous poem, by Robert Frost, goes by the same title. It makes me think of this entry about contemplating a warrior's path. What is the value in contemplation? It is a good question to ask and an even better one to think about. What value do we gain if we think about our actions, our knowledge, and the direction we are going? I would argue we would gain quite a lot of valuable insight if more of did this actively.
If you have not read "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, read it. You can find it here. It is very philosophical and will make you think about what the value of the road less taken can mean. Each person's path is for that person. Sometimes people share part of your path, but your path is your path alone. If we are lucky, we have people who frequently intersect our path and provide us company and guidance. If that path is the one less traveled, then how does that play into our journey? If it is more traveled, how does that provide value and guidance to each person? It is a question that each of us can only answer for ourselves.
An Art of Principles (of Motion)
Kenpo is an art based on principles of motion that can guide each person on what to do and what not to do. In my art, Kenpo Karate, created by Ed Parker, the idea is not for everyone to do the exact same moves all the time, but to take elements of different moves, ideas, and concepts and express Kenpo that is unique to that person. We share the same principles, but our self expression should be unique. I think the path of a warrior is similar. Warriors share a great deal in common. We have many things we can bond over from one art to another, on discipline to another, but each person's path is unique an expression of what that person needs it to be.
I would argue there are some base principles that each person should strive for as they seek the way of martial arts. It is up to each person how they pursue this, because we all make our own decisions. I think the path of the warrior needs certain things to be a complete warrior, and a complete person. Obviously there could be a lot of debate about this, but this is just purely my reflection after so many years of training.
Knowledge
Knowledge is critical in understanding the choices you make. Every practitioner is always learning, no matter how many years of training he or she has been through. Without knowledge, how does one grow? We must be willing to learn new things, and understand that learning is an evolutionary process. If we refuse to evolve, than how can we learn new things?
Reflection
Reflection is necessary because it allows us to process new knowledge. Knowledge without reflection runs the risk of creating problems more than helping someone become better. As teacher, I have needed to reflect over the years and try to grow with each new year of experience. An important part of that process is reflection. It helps us to understand what we have experienced.
Humility
Humility enables us to be able to reflect and appreciate what we learn. If we become too attached to a certain way of doing things, or a certain set of guidelines because we think that this is the only way, the best way, we lose out on so much knowledge and potential to grow. Humility is the catalyst that allows for growth within each warrior.
Compassion
Compassion allows for us to apply our knowledge in a way that promotes the world around us in a positive way. Compassion comes from sensitivity. It is not being soft, but it is being aware and being humble at the same time. It gives us an appreciation for others.
Morals
Our morals are the compass by which we navigate the world and make decisions. Each of us should have a moral compass. With the knowledge that we learn, we have responsibility to watch out for each other and protect that world that is our world. It builds positive character so that we can live in an inclusive world, and not be exclusive in how we live.
The path of each warrior is filled with decisions and obstacles, ones that are not easy to navigate and require great strength of character to overcome. It is in our training we find hope that we can do the right thing and make the best of our decisions. Martial arts is a reflection of life, and that path of the warrior is a way of looking at the world that can help us feel connected and responsible to those that we train with, as well as our general community, if we are just willing to stop and process our training means.
