Sixth Dan Thesis Excerpts

Over the next few weeks I am posting excerpts from my thesis for sixth dan:

Part I:

Introduction

Many men go fishing all of their lives
Without knowing
That it is not fish they are after.
Henry James Thoreau

Grandmaster Choi has said "From the moment we are born to the moment we die, we must constantly try to improve. If we don't improve, we die. It is our obligation as human beings." If this is our obligation, how can martial arts help us?

The martial arts score because it is not only uniquely, improving the whole being, but its process involves empowering each part the being. An experienced master who has traveled the path of the student is able to contain and motivate the student to overcome their difficulties,

In a world filled with wars, and an image of martial arts as cage match brawls and poisoned throwing stars, martial arts training may actually fill a void in western society, bringing together engaging, physical exercise, stress relief, practical self-defense, social development, mind/body integration, and inner reflection.

One can “catch seven tigers with one kick” according to Grand Master Choi when seven powers are part of martial arts training:
1. Power of the mind
2. Power of the body’
3. Power of self defense
4. Power of unity
5. Power of support groups
6. Power of recognition
7. Power of success

8/15/07 - It has been awhile since i have written here. The Sixth Dan test is over and I believe it was a great success for me! I was able to overcome many physical limitations and perform at a personal level of success. I was able to bring together black belts past and present to help be a part of the celebration. I was able to inspire many students, instructors, and master with performance. I was able to have many family members at the test to see me in action for the first time or the first time in many, many years. It will be a day that lives in my memory for many years.

During the month of August and September, I am putting an emphasis on "True Meaning" of martial arts in my classes, and I thought I would share a few thoughts here:

If you look at the words martial arts, they are kind of the beauty and the beast. The word martial relates to that which is military and would include instruction in destruction, killing, and strategies of beating opponents. The word art would relate to those things that aethetically pleasing, and would include teachings that would be more about inner growth and less about competition.

The two words seem to be in paradox, but together they are the two sides of the yin and yang that seem to bring it's students into balance. The word that brings these two forces together is RESPECT. When we bow in the martial arts, we lower ourselves to the flags, which would represent that which is bigger than us and to our classmates and instructors. This is a sign of modesty, not so much submission. The martial side of our practice trains us to be strong inside and out, but without the art side we would all be bullies!

The art side emphasises that with respect to nature, ourselves, and to those around us, we operate best in cooperation not just competition, and by not showing off, putting others down, or raising ourselves up at other's expense we best empower ourselves to reach higher as human beings!

7/26/07 -

Unfortunately, I have not been able to get brick break video to upload. Fasting and meditation went really well. I was especially proud of Tamara that she was able to complete the meditation after slipping a disc in her back last week. Tamara has to be one of the toughest people I know. When things get tough she never quits. She just finds away around it.

Now I am slowly returning to to physical training and a diet that will be much stricter than my usual fare. I am recovering from stiffness in my back and hips from the 12 hours of sitting, so I am taking it slow.