From an Old Martial Artist

Dont know where to place this thread; Mods please assist in proper placement.

Anyway,

I am a Martial Artist from different martial arts.

One of my martial art instructors would have us submit a thesis/essay on martial arts as part of a grade. In college, I had to give a essay on a hobby or activity outside of academics.

Below is Part 1 of 4;

From time to time, it is very necessary that one must pause to reflect on what one is doing in life. Martial Arts, as a part of one’s life, must then lend itself to this introspective process. A less commercial philosophy must be maintained to avoid a “fast food” concept of the Martial Arts. In other words, martial arts tries to continue the philosophy that was meant to span a practical idea or concept and engender a profound, virtuous discipline that cannot be “picked up on the run”. Even where there is a desire to change one’s behavior, thought, and action, it is more plausible to amplify what one already possesses.

There is a certain cyclical reciprocity, which characterizes martial arts as a discipline. That is to say that the art has a dimension feeding the next over and over again, thus producing a consummated oneness. It becomes clear that as one looks at this cyclical reciprocity, one sees a radiating common denominator; continuity, which expresses itself as part of the essence of what martial arts can do. This factor is so in ways of uniqueness, comfortability, and development of mind and body; all of which maintains tradition and cultural expression. Therefore, an endless path is initiated, practiced, and then taught over again. One might pause, or take a break from the path, but the path is easily accessible to continue the journey again.

In terms of history and tradition, which can be considered the continuity of human existence, the past flowing into the becoming present and the present feeding and generating into the future and around again in perpetuity, we find that martial arts represents itself not only in the student’s attempt to develop and defend, even against those that would thwart that development in the past, present, and future, but also represents their efforts to maintain the results of achievement by dedication and perfection.

Development is achieved once aa student puts forth the decision to dedicate whatever and/or whenever the time to practice is obtainable. One is not truly aware of personal capabilities and/or certain limitations until such initial decisions and practices are set into motion. The student, over a period of time, develops methods, reflexes, and mannerisms that seem to become uniquely their own. Implicit to this quest is pride, which stimulates controlled confidence and self-esteem. This pride itself is controlled and not overly expressed. In other words, “Too much of anything is not good”. But in addition, “Too little of anything is not good either.” Perfect balance in this, and in everything, must be maintained for proper harmony (Yin and Yang). Too little confidence leads to self-aggravation and cowardice. Too much confidence leads to arrogance and egotistical traits.
__________________
I am a Martial Artist, not a Martial Stylist.

You saved your papers from college?!

__________________
Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

Yes. I have ALL of my thesis'/essays from that particular martial art instructor, that I had to turn in, and college. I have ALL of my college books for reference.

Books are one thing, but why save all your old papers?

__________________
Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

So I can use them again. There is something about putting in hard work, especially on a subject I enjoy.

Instead of a discussion on saving papers, which people collect and save many things, why not ad some constructive dialog on the piece?

Okie-dokie~

__________________
Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

You have to realise, I am not a accomplished writer. A lot of my material was corrected by others. It was proof-read/checked before submittal, or teacher assisted.

Um...ok. Did I ask about that? I thought you didn't want to talk about that stuff anymore.

__________________
Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

Well, when I come here, and see the same barage of attack, I tend to post in retention.

You have PM.

__________________
Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

"One of my martial art instructors would have us submit a thesis/essay on martial arts as part of a grade."

What was the style and who was the instructor?

__________________
You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

“	Originally Posted By: aqira "One of my martial art instructors would have us submit a thesis/essay on martial arts as part of a grade." What was the style and who was the instructor?	”

Simon Lee. Their family art. (Inner humor joke) When asked what was the name, each time we received a different response. I guess this was his way of saying that a name was not as important as the teachings.

But it wasnt the style, but the person who wanted his students to learn more than physical applications. This was before the "AI" Almighty Interent. We had to go to many libraries and in some uniques cases, speak to other martial artists from other schools.

“	Yes. I have ALL of my thesis'/essays from that particular martial art instructor, that I had to turn in, and college. I have ALL of my college books for reference.	”

I kept a good bit of my work from college. I wrote many a thesis/essays/papers for my last term in college and it would feel like I was throwning away all that hard work if I just gave it up. It's hard when you put in all that work to just throw it away.

__________________
Sheng Hu

DRAGONSOUL

“	some constructive dialog on the piece	”

It's good to know where it came from. It's less embarassing than my uni work, which I kept but which can really make me cringe.

There's rather a lot in there to try and start a discussion on. Picking a bit at random I'll start with

“	Implicit to this quest is pride, which stimulates controlled confidence and self-esteem. This pride itself is controlled and not overly expressed	”

How is pride implicit to the quest? Pride in what? Isn't pride an obstacle to improving? I practice hard because I am not proud of what I've learned - I know it should be much better.

__________________
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

One has pride in accomplishments. One has pride in seeing another's accomplishments.

If one is building a table and set of chairs, which ever piece is built first, and it is done with much satisfacion, pride surfaces.