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Real meaning of a forgotten art |
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By Jason Bassels » During a recent second trip to study in China and visit Japan and Tibet, I was reminded again of what martial arts really is. During this last trip, I continued my studies in some of the oldest Chinese temples, shrines and schools that present day martial arts has evolved from.
The teachers and students I had the fortune to train with exemplified a character and work ethic that reminded me of what my training in classical martial arts means and how important it is to continually deepen my understanding through consistent practice.
Students of different systems and styles came together to exchange and learn from one another. Motivation to learn and improve was never hinged on the goal of outdoing one another, but rather on students surpassing themselves.
What I was reminded of was that, if success is motivated by focusing on beating or outdoing another, be it with a team or individually, feelings of dislike, discrimination, resentment and anger surface, which today are common sources of stress in our homes, our schools and our work places.
My studies reinforced what my teacher has said for many years: true victories do not come with a trophy, ribbon or certificate; they are silent events that take place inside a student who has confidently achieved a personal goal.
We cannot award success to each other in the same way we cannot chew each other’s food. Training is about overcoming the opposition within each of us, accepting responsibility for our actions and then doing something about it.
When we think before we act, forgive even if we are not forgiven, extend kindness during an attack, we are practicing the highest of classical martial arts virtues, we are the warrior in every detail.
Regardless of your occupation, time constraints, age or level of health, training will benefit you. The first step only requires the desire to be more.
As my teacher Sensei W.M.Platt says, “If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.”
• Sensei Jason Bassels, is the chief instructor of the Classical Martial Arts Centre in Mississauga, an affiliate school of a national organization called Classical Martial Arts Canada. |
