In the midst of our recent promotions, I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to really congratulate two of your sempais who just made shodan, and one who has made made dan several times over. Of course, I’m talking about sempais Doreen, Wes, and James. I think some time back, I wrote about the heart of a black belt, so hopefully you won’t find this repetitive in any way, haha.
In my mind, the several years it takes to normally make it to one’s first dan ranking is such a special time in one’s experience with the martial arts. I liken it to learning one’s ABC’s…repetitive, sometimes boring, sometimes frustrating, with emphasis on the “correct way” to form letters while writing, and the confusing way to pronounce a hard or soft “c”, or the “th” sound, or how about the silent “g”? As children, we hang with it and after many, many repetitions and trials, we finally get our ABC’s down. Similarly, when I share the basics of Shotokan with white, blue, green, purple, and brown belts, it is a continuing focus on basics and the most “correct way” to execute techniques. It’s a multi-year journey that only a minority of white belts ever reach the dan level. I am so jazzed when one the students finally reaches this important goal…and I invariably reflect back on the first time I ever saw him/her as a enthusiastic, clumsy white belt…like watching my kids when they took their first tentative steps. So when I was able to declare James, Doreen and Wes as shodans in the NHPC Karate Ministry, it’s an excitement I truly shared with them.
Having gone through this process many times over the years, I will tell you that this is also a very critical new beginning for each of them…kind of a rebirth. They will never change the color of their belt again in the ministry…instead, with focus and effort, over many years, they will “grow” into their black belts and will feel comfortable indeed, wearing them. I say that this is a critical time because many, many of those who make it to the dan level, end up fading away and disappear from the training hall within a couple of years. Kind of a natural thing for those who started as children with the dan as their goal…they tend to get lured away by sports, dating, increasing academic demands, etc as they hit their teens and twenties. Older dans sometimes remain in the “I’m training to increase my technical skill/speed/power/etc” mindset that powered them through the kyu ranks, and either get an injury that temporarily diminishes their abilities or find that age gradually slows their speed/flexibility/reflexes…such students get discouraged by their seeming lack of progress, or even a gradual regression in their pursuit of excellence. This mindset can turn into…”Since I can’t train/progress the way I’ve always expected of myself, I’m not training anymore.” Sort of the “It’s about me” syndrome. You see this happen, most often with bowlers and golfers as time/age takes them off of their former heights and robs them of the “highs” that competition and exercise gave them.
When this happens, my prayer always is, that the season (whether it be weeks, months, or years) that the student spent in the practice of Shotokan, was a positive one resulting in many pleasant memories and friendships. I also pray that the student learned something about themselves and was able to develop in spirit. That said, I’m especially disappointed, if it happens to a shodan. This is because, from my perspective, the new dan holder has just mastered his/her ABC’s and is now, finally…ready to read…and to write. To me, the how-to’s of learning to read, now give way to the infinite benefits of being able to receive the knowledge formerly locked up in countless books and touch the minds and experience of others, across time, and across distance. The words one reads (Word, get it?) can touch and nurture one’s heart and spirit. In addition, one is now capable of expressing oneself through the written word (like journaling, eh?), and thus share with others, or as a form of enhanced introspection, or as a venue for getting in touch with Him. What a shame, if the student who has so diligently worked to acquire the skills of reading, never gets to enrich his/her life through the gift of books.
Once one realizes that reaching the dan level may open the door to unlimited vistas, it is a truly great revelation. Like the reading process, at this point, the majority of what one learns comes not, from the teacher…instead, it comes from one’s own activity and a higher source of knowledge. In other words, much of what the dan sempais learn comes in the form of self-revelation or enlightenment. This happens during training, yes….however, more often than not, it happens when a sempai is mentoring or teaching other students. This is far superior than the earlier ABC stage, when most of what one learned was derived from the instructor. And it’s a gift that keeps on giving to you as you keep on giving to others. What an awesome process!…and this principle applies to most things in life.
Anyways, a well-deserved pat on the back to sempais James, Doreen, and the “youth”, Wes (only 40 yrs old) for reaching this milestone, while keeping their humble hearts, and thirst for excellence. Each of you is a great example of what I find so admirable in good, solid karateka. I am so glad that you grace our ministry. I pray that you are only the first of many more of your kohais to get this far. Good reading!!!