"Jack-of-all-trades, Master of none..."

[sensei8]

Agreed. But that's really no different than walking into any ma school.

...or walking into any brick wall...over and over.

As long has the brick wall is pretty and decorated

Oh...but of course!

[bushido_man96]

I think that as time goes by, though, and one gains more experience, then one can begin to see the writing on the wall when it comes to good and bad. No, this isn't ideal, but it all comes around eventually.

"IF" one gains "sense". Experience is nothing to do with it. In other words one can be getting the WRONG experience. Blind following and peers pressure takes its toll.

I think that consumers tend to get wise to these things after a time. People aren't that helpless.

[RichardZ]

You'd be surprised on how many people I come across who think their martial art instructor is the best thing since slice bread.

You'd be surprised, on how many people ask me to check out or reccomend a martial art instructor or school.

Edited November 22, 2009 by RichardZ

[sensei8]

You'd be surprised on how many people I come across who think their martial artinstructor is the best thing since slice bread.

Well...just great....I'm one who does think that his sensei is the best thing since sliced bread. I want my students to think that I'm the best thing since sliced bread. Don't you want your students to think that you're the best thing since sliced bread? Is my sensei? Am I? Are you? Proof is on the floor!

You'd be surprised, on how many people ask me to check out or reccomend a martial art instructor or school.

Well...how many? And, do you go and check out an instructor or school?

[RichardZ]

1.) I dont hold my instructors or myself on such a high pedastal. No one on my view, can be the greatest thing since slice bread. Nor, do I desire to project this upon my students.

2.) Yes. I have checked out other instructors at other schools. I can reccomend them in their particular fields. It is a grand thing to be recognised by your peers. It is a greater thing to recognised others, moreso.

[sensei8]

Boy oh boy. I just can't win for losing!

[RichardZ]

Win? Nothing to win or lose. This is all good discussion.

[KarateGeorge]

I'm with RichardZ. Though I hold my Shi-Han in high regard and respect him, I also know he's not perfect. He's got a lot of knowledge and I after around 5 years of training with him there's still a ton I can learn from him. However, he's just as human as the rest of us and not all-knowing.

An example...once this semester at grad school is over in a few weeks, there's a nearby Judo school I found that I'm wanting to check out to possibly do some cross-training as I want to further hone my skills in take downs, throws and recovering from being thrown myself. Though karate teaches this, it's not a major emphasis like it would be for something like judo. So though I think he's a great instructor, this is something that I know I won't learn to the extent I'd like under him.

[sensei8]

Yes, I too RESPECT both by Soke and Dai-Soke, but, they're only human and with that I don't place them on a pedestal at all. My comments were of respect for them and their knowledge/skill base.

I don't worship them either, I save that for God!

If I was a slice of bread....I'd like to be...I don't know...Raisin bread....it's yummy for my tummy! I keep wanting more and more! [shhhhhhh...don't tell my doctor....this will be our little secret...okie dokie!?]

[RichardZ]

Hey, I dont want to be misunderstood. We should resopect our teachers. Respect is earned and not taken just because of rank or projecton.

This said, there must be a realization that no one has the total knowledge or the highest rank to which they should think, or project any manner of audacity.

Edited November 24, 2009 by RichardZ