Self absorbed?

[myo]

It seems that any kind of physical exercise and discipline, such as karate, strengthens the body by complimenting the mind just the same. We undergo a series of challenges when practicing martial arts. After some time, we experience a sense of euphoria, confidence and even self love.

Is it possible that after so much dedication to any discipline, we not only master the skills but we build an undestructible ego? Can we become selfish and self absorbed?

Has anyone experience this? I think its a bad thing, we should be in peace not only with ourselves but with the world around us. I've seen many egomaniacs in the martial arts field, can we become self absorbed and arrogant when pursuing perfection in any highly competitive sport?

[Red89]

I suppose its possible, and is most probably the same in any other sport. But the way I look at it, theres always someone better.

[learning kempo-karate]

Hello, To be the best...one needs to train harder than anyone else...many times ONLY you will be left lifting weights,doing push-ups,hitting bags and etc.

You have to be self minded (think of only yourself)...to achieved this level. The things you eat, the time spent on training is long and daily.

Kinda like a person who only thinks of his work,spends alot of hours on the job and rarely home.....(ends up not knowing his kids and wife). BUT has a sucessful business and money.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are people who knows how to balance this.....and does it. You will see them everyday all around us.

and you will see those who are self-center on their sports,hobbies,work, and other activities.

Bruce Lee at one time train for 8 hours or more daily. Masahiko train for 9 hours a day and did 900 push-up daily,(was unbeatable in JUDO). There whole life was to build them selves to be better than everyone else.

To do this...you family, friends,partners...takes a back seat.

There needs to be a balance...and it can be achieve too! ....Aloha

[baronbvp]

I was a Navy fighter pilot, so my ego isn't hurting for "me time." But MA, for me, are humbling. That's one of the reasons I like it. No matter what we do professionally, the dojo is the great equalizer. I have to work hard to get better.

[bushido_man96]

But MA, for me, are humbling. That's one of the reasons I like it. No matter what we do professionally, the dojo is the great equalizer. I have to work hard to get better.

I agree, Baron. I always work hard, and have the feeling that I am not even the best student in my school, let alone how many others are out there.

I think ego comes from within, and is a result of neglecting to check it from time to time.

[baronbvp]

I think ego comes from within, and is a result of neglecting to check it from time to time.

Yep. A dose of humility is a good thing every once in awhile.

[bushido_man96]

I think ego comes from within, and is a result of neglecting to check it from time to time.

Yep. A dose of humility is a good thing every once in awhile.

I agree, Baron. And that doesn't mean it has to be served up by someone else. You can take it yourself.

[danbong]

I was a Navy fighter pilot, so my ego isn't hurting for "me time."

I was a Navy nuke, so my ego was always being beaten down And while there were many humbling incidents while training in martial arts, that training taught me the perseverance needed to keep going after those wonderful "one way" department head to division officer conversations.

[lordtariel]

My thought is it depends on the dojo and the student. If the dojo harbors an "My art is better than your art" attitude or the instructor is a big ego case, then that's going to rub off on the students. However, there's ALWAYS somebody who's better than you. Doesn't matter how many first place trophy's you have or what rank you have.

That fact keeps me from getting discouraged when I'm sparring someone better than me. I might not be able to hit this guy right now, but there's someone out there who can, which means that some day I might be able to as well.

[baronbvp]

I was a Navy nuke, so my ego was always being beaten down

danbong, I have some very good friends who went to nuke school as O-6s like me. Even for them , it was all about the pain. Good on ya for surviving it!

My thought is it depends on the dojo and the student. If the dojo harbors an "My art is better than your art" attitude or the instructor is a big ego case, then that's going to rub off on the students. However, there's ALWAYS somebody who's better than you. Doesn't matter how many first place trophy's you have or what rank you have.

That fact keeps me from getting discouraged when I'm sparring someone better than me. I might not be able to hit this guy right now, but there's someone out there who can, which means that some day I might be able to as well.

Very well put, lordtariel!