What character traits define an individual that devotes themselves to the perfection of Karate?
Before attempting to answer this ambiguous question, a reflection upon the following may be of use:
- Who is answering? A member of the public, a novice, or a devoted practitioner?
“A member of the public” may have only experienced Karate through movies, yellow page ads, or a friend that once “took some lesson’s“. These experiences form an opinion that is steeped in tall stories, ignorance, and mystery.
The Karate “novice” has taken the first step’s on a long journey. If the novice has found a teacher that regards teaching Karate as a way to increase their annual income, their journey into Karate may be paved with belt’s, badges, trophies, and sales pitches. Unfortunately most often these “Sensei” have an excellent business sense. The adage “empty vessels make the most noise” is appropriate here. If the novice is fortunate enough to stumble upon an instructor that will “make them face themselves“, the journey will be completely different. Typically the novice begins this journey with only believing Karate to be physical in nature. This adolescent opinion is not an abomination but natural and a requirement of learning.
The “devoted practitioner” views Karate from a perspective that reflects their own unique personality. Hockey is a game that many enthusiasts enjoy, from the fan, to weekly scrimmage games, to the “professional” hockey player. It is all a matter of degrees of “devotion“. The “devoted” practitioner that takes lesson’s twice weekly for some self defense, physical activity, or stress relief is “devoted“, to a degree. The degree of devotion significantly increases for the “professional” Karate practitioner.
Note: The “professional” Karate practitioner is not defined by earning their living from teaching others.
So what character traits define an individual that devotes themselves to the perfection of Karate? In my own opinion I will answer this question, in the next two subsequent postings.
Doryoku,
Scott
