CROSSROADS!!!

[white dragon]

i think i will have give myself a kick up the bum on this one!

i shall talk to me teacher, but i still fell that i need to spread my wings.

you coversation has been appriciated.

cheers.

[ninjanurse]

I too have a master instructor that does not allow his students to seek training outside of his school. I beleive that it is strictly a cultural thing and not a reflection of "I am the best there is" or some other superior agenda. One really has to look inside their heart & spirit to understand this when they are not of the same culture. It makes the intellectual struggle much harder if we don't. That being said, Drunken Master has given you good advice, however, I sense another issue by your posts. Ask yourself this...Is your Instructor as dedicated to his students as you are to him? Would money control your desire to teach? Do you feel that those you teach are privledged to be taught by you? Martial arts is a personal journey...your journey.

[white dragon]

i beleive i am more dedicated to my teacher than he is to me. i do not want to teach as i am a new student on this path.

i only help students with little things that could have been corrected by the teacher. things that i think were important when i began my training.

i understand that this way of teaching is different to western ways, but i feel like i am being asked to change so that i "fit" with the schools criteria.

like all MA i just want to be good at what i do, content and free.

at the moment i feel like i am being dictated to, and the last thing i want is to show disrespect.

[ninjanurse]

In many traditional schools you are asked to change to "fit", in fact I have never been in one that didn't exect that. But, if the change goes against what you believe and makes you uncomfortable then go elsewhere.

[white dragon]

as with all things great, this change is a hard decision, maybe this change will prove my dedication to my school, or maybe eastern tradition is not for me.

i beleive the outcome will be a valued lesson on this path of MA.

[drunken.master]

Whichever direction you choose, I wish you great luck. I'd meditate on it (if this is something you do) to seek deep within yourself.

[shotochem]

Enter the cold and practical Shotochem.......

Disclaimer.....this statement is not meant to be insulting or to demean any parties in any way. It is meant in a helpful yet opinionated way.

Do you PAY for instruction?

Why do you have to follow a code of conduct outside of the activity you are paying to take?

If the services that are being provided do not meet your needs, there are other places to go.

Loyalty and dedication work both ways. To stop a student from learning and improving themselves is self serving and dishonors the student as well as the spirit of teaching.

I do what I choose outside of the dojo. Quite frankly it's none of anyones bussiness what I do before or after I walk in that door.

I have a Sensei which I highly respect and consider a friend. Yet, he is not my daddy, my conscience, priest, rabbi or any other means of comuning with a higher power. He is my teacher.

This is the 21st century, the time of following masters and having them involved in our personal lives should merely be in a bad MA movie.

Open your eyes grasshopper, sometimes all is not as it seems.....

[white dragon]

this is what i thought it should be like!

but if you are taught traditionaly , it seems that it is a different world.

i have the utmost respect for any teacher, but do not want to feel like a disciple or child of family.

its a funny situation to be in.

[UseoForce]

First, NEVER LET ANYONE TIE YOU DOWN!

There are a few things to consider in your decision.

a) Your instructor is human, just like you. He has flaws, just like you and me. He deserves the same respect we do, no more, no less. There's a difference between personal respect and the respect of someone's skills.

b) Do you really wan't to stay in a school where you are unsatisfied? Like shotochem said, there are other places.

c) Your life is yours, and frankly, your instructor can't make you do anything you don't want him to do.

d) I certainly care what my instructor thinks of me, because he is a great person and a great teacher, and he doesn't try to take away my FREEDOM. If you don't feel that way about your instructor, do you really care what he thinks of you.

There are a lot of great instructors out there. I think you'll find that the best are humble, kind, and not oppressive. If your gut tells you to get out of that school, do it!

[white dragon]

thanks for the advice.

as i said before i am new yo this and talking to more experienced practiotioners is of great help.