There are Five Ways to become a great Martial Artist.
- Patience
- Perseverance
- Practice Hard
- Practice Exactly What You Want to Perform
- Meditate.
Personally, I know this to be true not only in martial arts, but also in all areas of life.
We could all certainly benefit from taking a breath and being more patient with our goals. That doesn’t mean we don’t go after our goals and pursue them with the same amount of dedication and vigor, but it does mean that we need to be realistic in our timelines.
If, for instance, you’ve spent your whole life not knowing how to do a thing, what sense does it make to beat yourself up for not being an expert in 2 weeks? We must practice dedication and patience in these times.
Perseverance to Practice Hard and Practice Right. Meditation and Patience to help us through.
This is where perseverance comes in. Whatever our goal, we have to keep at it. In order to ensure the best results, and in order to ensure that we reach our goals, we all have to Practice Hard. Mediocre efforts will yield mediocre results.
We should all practice “exactly what we want to perform” no matter what that thing is. There is no room for, “well I would really do it this way”. Typically, we don’t rise to the occasion so much as fall back to our habits. Therefore, it makes sense then to make each of our habits excellent.
Of course, this list is not complete without meditation. In the realm of martial arts, meditation is what separates a sports fighter from a martial artist. In regular life, self-discipline is what separates someone who is constantly reacting from those who respond well. It is what makes the difference in being someone who constantly wishes he or she had handled a situation differently and someone who can rationally perceive his or her circumstances and respond in a way that is most suitable to the situation.
Sometimes that extra breath can be life changing.
In talking about the Ways and the disciplines, it is easy to see them as “work”. In a sense, I suppose they are. We don’t always get a chance to talk about the rewards of the practice, though.
The Black Sash Test
This week begins Jeremiah Savage’s Black Sash Test in the Zen Martial Arts dojo. In fact, it began Sunday, when Savage had to complete a 3-hour meditation with absolutely zero movement. If there was movement, he would have failed and the week would have been canceled.
Truthfully, his test began 3 years ago with a variety of testing and responsibilities that are unique to each candidate. The almost impossible nature of the test is why Mr. Savage will be only the 9th Black Sash in a combined 30+ years of schools and over 12,000 students. His path took 18 years. This path we lay out is regarded much differently than someone who has practiced for 3 years and was been handed a Black Belt at 11 years old.
He’s an amazing partner and we are all thrilled to have him as the newest member of our little group. Most of you don’t know Mr. Savage and I won’t get into personal details. However, all of our Black Sashes share one thing in common: we do what we say we are going to do. It is about showing up and putting in the work even after you are tired from the work you have already put in. It is about accountability and commitment and Mr. Savage has that to spare.
What’s Ahead
This week will be very physically and emotionally hard on Savage. But, in our eyes, it is really a celebration of 18 years of hard work and something he has earned. I know it is one of the most highly valued accomplishments of our otherwise accomplished group whenever anyone reaches this rank.
My Challenge To You
I’d challenge anyone to take a small portion of the test and apply it to your own life.
- Sit down and think of a couple things that you want to do to make improvements in your own life. Then, do them. No matter what.
Maybe you can commit to meditating for 5 minutes per day – no excuses. It can be as simple as turning off the television at 11pm every night or committing a certain amount of time to charitable work. It’s really completely up to you.
You’ll find the benefit to others as you become more self assured and reliable but more importantly, you will see the benefit for yourself as you realize you are capable of so much more than you imagine.
It has been said, “Anyone can be a Black Sash… but not everyone can be one”.
This means we all have the innate ability, but we don’t all have the drive. I don’t want you to be “world champions” so much as champions of YOUR world. Excellence is a habit. Pick a few things and start small. You will be amazed at what a little Patience, Perseverance, Practicing Hard, Practicing Exactly What You Want to Perform and Meditation can do for you…in any area of life.