Martial Arts and Lifestyle Management

Tao Te Ching inspired poem from a 14th century Samurai regarding what he thought it took to be a warrior:

I have no discipline. I make myself have discipline.
I have no knowledge. I make myself know more.
I have no skills. I make my skills grow.
I have no understanding. I make myself comprehend.
I have no strength. I make myself strong.
I have no power. I make myself powerful.
I have no future. I live for the moment.
I have no past. I live each day like it is a new start.
I have no thirst for knowledge. I dedicate myself to learning.

Zen inspired version:

I have no style. How then, can you perceive my pattern?
I have no knowledge. I see things as they are.
I have no skills. And yet, there is nothing I cannot do.
I have no understanding. And yet, I know everything true nature.
I have no strength. But none can defeat me.
I have no power. But like water, none can harm me.
I have no future. I live for the moment.
I have no past. For I come from nowhere.
I have no thirst for knowledge. For there is nothing to learn.

Seven virtues associated with the samurai bushido code:

T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom, Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt, Paperback, Oct 2, 2001

Martial Arts Institutes

Long's Karate Institute, 3423 Diversified Drive, Loganville, Georgia 30052

Martial Arts - Life and Philosophy

   As we approach certain thresholds in our life, we pause and look around. Or in some cases, we pause and look down, hoping to see our feet. In my forties, I did just that and decided that something had to change. As a IT solutions architect, my job was almost pure mental, a constant buzz of new information that had to be assimilated and integrated into my company's business and computer infrastructure services.
   The choice to exercise was not an option as we all can find reasons to avoid it: we are too busy or too tired. Joining a health club would seem like a good option. Paying money has a way of motivating us. But in most situations, such choices also fail due to lack of structure, lack of motivation, and lack of training. To meet your body's needs, you must join groups within the club, taking classes in aerobics, taebo, yoga, and weights. In some cases, the classes are an additional cost, more money to waste. I am not against health clubs, if one has the right self-motivation. But let's be reasonable. In order to be a success and make a profit, the clubs and gyms need a large subscription population paying dues, but low utilization of resources to prevent over crowding and dissatisfaction. Most members are paying for the athletes and young singles to stay fit.
  In order to stay healthy, you need to achieve chi, which we can define as the balance or harmony of mind, body, and spirit. Elements of achieving chi can be found in many athletic sports and exercises. Talk to any athlete and they will speak of attaining a natural high. But under the stresses of our modern lifestyle with limited time and money, there are few sports that provide the perfect balance. Yoga provides a relief from stress, relaxing the mind through meditation, breathing and exercises that stretch and tone the body. But yoga may need to be supplemented with aerobics and weights. TaeBo has gained popularity in recent days and for the individual who enjoys the aerobic workout programs but is looking for a change, it offers aerobics with a blend of self protection and martial arts. It works the body and secondarily, hopes to achieve some harmony with the spirit. Aerobics, weights, basketball, swimming are all great sports and if you enjoy them and are motivated to do them regularly, I applaud you. If you haven't exercised in a while, see a doctor. For exercise alone will not achieve health. An associate informed me about an active, athletic business acquaintance that at the young age of 40 dropped dead on the basketball court. Live life for each day for you know not how many you are allotted.
   In my own life, I had tried many of these hoping to find something that worked. At the age of 48, I found myself to be overweight, tired, and lacking a zest for life. I could look forward to arthritis and heart disease that run in the male side of my family. Or I could take charge and seek the path. Remember chi. Through my son, I sat and stumbled my way into Tang Soo Do, Korean martial arts. What does martial arts have that the other sports lack? Balance, harmony, chi! One does not exercise, one learns to live. Your instructor assists you: training you in breathing, stretching, self discipline, respect and confidence. Each class combines facets of exercise for mind, body and spirit. The martial arts academy does not need expensive equipment. The body is the machine that will be honed and guided. The martial arts instructor does not want paying members that never show up. Such failure shows disrespect both to yourself and to the instructor. But martial arts does provide a path. It is goal oriented. One measures oneself through the belt tests, each belt a new degree of achievement and satisfaction. In the five years I trained at Long's Institute, I achieved. I published my third novel and the fourth of a historical fantasy series, and am working on other writing projects. I finally reached that point of self awareness and have begun other changes in my life. I reached one of the first goals, the black belt, a first step toward the next level of life. For as my instructor reminds us, when we tie the black belt about our waist, we are merely proclaiming that we are on the path.
   For those not paying attention, I am not stating you must join the schools I did or go to a Tang Soo Do school. There are many martial art disciplines. The combination of athletic skills, mental discipline, spiritual enlightenment, and personal goals is the path; but one must choose which fork to turn at. Search around. Visit the schools in your area. Listen to the instructor. Watch the art of the students. Choose wisely. And remember, to make a choice without making a commitment is failure in itself.
   For personal and family reasons, I had to drop out of the formal program at Long's Karate several years ago. But I have not forgotten the lessons that Mr Long instilled and highly recommend his school. I presently train alone using Tai Chi and Qi Gong meditation exercises, and for a while, trained at the Conyers Club of the Atlanta Shaolin Centers and have begun to explore other martial arts. One should always hope to train with a qualified master as time and circumstance permits. One may master many skills both alone and through the journey of our daily life, but training in a certified school is an enabler toward chi!

Jim Donaldson Gordd Cymru