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 [Staff Pose; 2002] |
 [Side Stretch Hold; 2003] |
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[Chapter 5] There is much to learn. These first two years at Florida State University ignited a new view of the martial arts for me. I have only seen the tip of the ice berg by this point. There is just so much out there. One can only hope to experience even a small portion. Indeed, there is much to learn. The struggles and pains on our path is a small price to pay for the triumphs. This path... paved with our injured sweat, leading to unknown horizons. For me, I believe the door has opened. Step through as we may, bring the different philosophies and perspectives of our experiences. |
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Is there an ideal martial arts style for a particular person? Or is it combination of several? Can we really say that any style is "right for me"? Having Aikido and Tae Kwon Do be the first martial arts I have really practiced, even though I have drifted away from them, they will always have a place in my heart. To find the 'right' art for you and keeping it strong can be related to in many aspects of one's life. I often use the analogy that practicing (martial art) is like a relationship. There are some good moments of joy. There are some bad moments of frustration. But there are a whole lot of normal moments. |
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You can be explained the exact ways of executing a technique, given the trajectories, angles, and percentage weight distribution with respect to kinetic movement and inertia measurements... but you most likely will still not get it until you try it. It is in the passage of time spent practicing that we develop a higher understanding and ultimately the feeling of what we are doing. This feeling is perhaps the hardest thing to explain. One cannot be told their technique is correct if they do not feel it. The idea is similar to hearing a computer play a musical piece absolutely perfectly with percise length, volume, and in perfect tune. I would more appreciate the same piece being performed with subtle and virtually unnoticable alterations by a person. We are not to be martial arts robots. Of course I am not saying that form is thrown out the window to make way for self-expression. |
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Water your martial plants with liquid time. Does this mean that if you didn't start practicing when you were 5 years old that you are doomed from reaching enlightenment? Certainly anyone of any age can practice the martial arts. I believe that it is the devotion and passion that one has for their art that counts. Practicing for 2 months, and taking a year or two off for insignificant reaons does not show devotion and passion. In your relationship analogy... time spent practicing is to ever closer to achieving martial love as time spent apart from your art is to ever closer to martial divorce. As in the Matrix, "being The One is kind of like being in love". The feeling of true martial art expression is also like being in love. Nobody can tell you if you feel it, you just know it. It is hitting that butterfly kick that for a split second feels like you are floating on clouds. It is the stance that feels not like you are standing on the earth, but rather you and the earth are one in the same. Cover | Foreword | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
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