Homage, reverence, and deference are words that are often used in relationship to the word honor. Our teachers honor make efforts to respect every student that walks into our door. Their abilities, age, or background do not matter. We are honored to have them as a student.
When we honor someone in the martial arts, it is done in several ways. First, we may honor our teachers. Through the dedication of those who came before us, their patience and understanding for us as students, we have all achieved our current proficiency. In a time that admires self-reliance , I think it is important to recognize those who have come before us and have spent their lives developing what we are now enjoying.
Grand Master Choi has spent so much of his time in person and on the phone to help develop what I teach here. He in turn shows his deference to his teacher, Byung Jik Ro by doing things like naming his highest form in our system after his teacher's style.
The second way we honor is is to show reverence to our students. Students need lots of encouragement by their teachers, and also patience with all of the student's challenges. This becomes the student/teacher contract.
A third way we show honor in the martial arts is to our peers. To honor those around us is to show deep respect towards them. How do we do this? Listen long and often.
During, the Oriental Martial Arts College's Annual Winter Camp, we hold the Big Bow, which comes from the Korean tradition on family members coming home to show honor and respect to their elders. This is a time that students of all levels come and show respect for their seniors and what they have passed down to them. Masters and seniors share wisdom from their years of experience with there juniors.
What are some ways that you show and honor and respect around you? During the holiday season, nothing is better than to experience gratitude and to express it to others!
