You bow deeply when you exit the dojo. Yet, you cut somebody off in traffic as you drive home.
You say: “Karate teaches us to be humble.”
Yet, you say “I’m a black belt” on the first date.
You train hard in the dojo, even if nobody is looking.
Yet, you won’t do the dishes at home – even if somebody is looking.
You meet your sensei several times a week.
Yet, you forget to visit your own parents.
It’s weird, isn’t it?
Respect, honor, loyalty, humility, self-control, integrity,
These were the words spoken by the ancient masters.
Words that, when successfully followed, could help us attain an enlightened life.
Sadly, for many people they remain just that, Words Spoken, yet never applied. But as a black belt, you practice them all the time.
Often without even knowing.
Respect is when you bow deeply to your training partner – even though he’s a douchebag outside of class. Self-control is when you stop your punch an inch from your opponent’s nose – even though you could easily have crushed it. Loyalty is when you help your sensei teach kids classes – even though you’re dead tired. Humility is when you ask your opponent for feedback – even though he’s “lower grade” than you. Integrity is when you refuse to use brute force over correct technique – even though you’re losing the sparring match. Honor is when you stand up to these black belt values – even though somebody trash-talks your Karate.
See, here’s the thing: When the old masters told us to use Karate in our daily lives, they were not just talking about the punches and kicks.
They were talking about the essential of mental components that allow us to successfully dictate when, where, why and how to effectively use those very same punches and kicks.
A way of thinking. A mindset.
Why? Because real Karate has the power to end life. And with that power comes a moral responsibility. That's why being a black belt its not just a belt but a state of mind Osu!.
Comments