What's your vision of the ultimate martial-arts master?
Do you ever think beyond the martial aspect of mastery?
Maybe it was TV and movie propaganda. Maybe, I developed this stereotype from the comic books and action adventures that I read.
In my head, a martial arts master had more than just kung fu skills.
These were the wise men (and women) who could offer life advice. They knew a lot about a lot. (I didn't have any religious connections in mind. A master was a master, whether "monkish" or not.)
Mastery of the martial arts and life, in my opinion, didn't (and doesn't) depend on religious affiliation, race, gender, or any physical trait.
Mastery was about someone who had worked at linking mind to body. And in so working on the martial arts, they gained a lot of life perspective....
Martial Arts Masters Wisdom
They taught us how to control anger, look at the world as a wondrous miracle, appreciate the smallest detail of daily life, and so on.
They embraced one of my favorite sayings:
"Childish never. Childlike forever!"
Martial Arts For Everyone ... Ugh!
Unfortunately, everyone does a "little martial arts" these days. We see lots of martial arts who can't control their anger. Those who don't appreciate "knowledge." Those who don't even read books ... who talk on cell phones and drive at the same time.
Some of our modern-day masters don't seem ... in control, the way I have stereotyped my ideal martial-arts master from my childhood comics, books, and movies.
When I wrote the parable "Tiptoeing to Tranquility: Finding Comfort and Safety in Dangerous Times," I tried to give Sam some of the qualities of a "wise" master, while having him able to relate to the modern world.
In my book (pun intentional; actually, it's a zeugma), Sam is the ideal master. He says the right things to the non-martial artists he works with. He leads a more enlightened life, yet he's just a normal guy ... with a family and friends.
What's great about life in general is that you get to design yours. You study martial arts; you work towards mastery.
Also, take time to think about how you want to relate to the world. You have it in you to lead a life of your choosing. Maybe even with the attitude of a wise, but always humble, martial arts master.
Make your life be a work in progress.
www.TiptoeingToTranquility.com
For more on practical training download my new, free ebooklet, Street Fighting -- Ready for Anyone and Anything
For an article on martial arts improvement, read Martial Arts Improvement
Keith Pascal is a martial-arts writer and has taught martial arts for 25 years.
Source: www.articlesbase.com
