My Dai-Soke's Most Favorite Quote!!

[sensei8]

“Training should be like death; not being afraid of both, yet welcoming both.”~Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi

For the most part, Dai-Soke would constantly quote this little gem after we'd utter complaining words outwardly.

Your thoughts, please, and thank you.

Edited March 11, 2012 by sensei8

[LittleW]

Well, first it sounds like the bushido way of thinking to me, not to fear the death and accept it, when it comes.

And surely these old warriors had to train very hard and all day long, so they would have been reluctant at times.

Second, it sounds like a way to shut you up when you complain that he pushes you to hard.

[bushido_man96]

I think its a good expression. I don't think overly out of place in the use of the word death, which some might kind of wonder about. But after all, this is the Martial Arts, and working hard in training pays off when the time comes.

[sensei8]

Yet, I thought for sure that Dai-Soke would actually want to kill us when we trained lazily.

He drove us so mercilessly not because he was mean spirited, but because he wanted us to recognize the frailty of our human spirit, and then to overcome its endless whining.

After awhile, we did welcome both training and death equally, and we learned to appreciate it across the board because we weren't afraid of it.

Classes were long, even at 10th kyu, but classes were even longer at Nanadan/Hachidan...3.5 hours long, even more so, we found ourselves unaware of the time; it slipped by faster than we could ever imagine.

We wanted to be his sponge, and absorb each and everything that we could because we understood and recognized that we still had such a long, long journey ahead of us...an ever ending journey, and we welcomed it with baited breath.

I will always love him and I will always miss him and I will always cherish him in every shape, way, and/or form.

[shimizu]

“Training should be like death; not being afraid of both, yet welcoming both.”~Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi

For the most part, Dai-Soke would constantly quote this little gem after we'd utter complaining words outwardly.

Your thoughts, please, and thank you.

very good little quote there, thank you for sharing that - i shall remember. oss

[cheesefrysamurai]

It's very profound, I understand it as being true to the truth, what I mean is, as sure as death is coming, with that same level of momentum you are going to be laboring to build your spirit. (if that makes sense)

I find it very meaningful to hear about a students devotion to their Sensei. Your sentiment was touching. I am sure he lived and trained as he died welcoming each as if they were old friends.

Yet, I thought for sure that Dai-Soke would actually want to kill us when we trained lazily.

He drove us so mercilessly not because he was mean spirited, but because he wanted us to recognize the frailty of our human spirit, and then to overcome its endless whining.

After awhile, we did welcome both training and death equally, and we learned to appreciate it across the board because we weren't afraid of it.

Classes were long, even at 10th kyu, but classes were even longer at Nanadan/Hachidan...3.5 hours long, even more so, we found ourselves unaware of the time; it slipped by faster than we could ever imagine.

We wanted to be his sponge, and absorb each and everything that we could because we understood and recognized that we still had such a long, long journey ahead of us...an ever ending journey, and we welcomed it with baited breath.

I will always love him and I will always miss him and I will always cherish him in every shape, way, and/or form.

[sensei8]

I thank each one of you...your words and expressions are heart felt!!

[Tzu-Logic]

Often times death is associated with a new beginning rather than an ending.

Perhaps in the same way death may be viewed as a transformational journey, so may training be viewed as a form of transformation.

Even if you don't find any spirituality in your art, you can't say a physical change does not occur after much intense training.

The wisdom I find in this quote is that with the death of old ideas and ways of thought, new forms of thinking and living may begin.

With the death of old muscles and reflexes, new ways of movement and physical power may begin.

[sensei8]

One of the other things he used to say ALL OF THE TIME...

"Who said to stop!!??!!" OR "Did I say stop!!??!!"

Taskmasters really can be intimidating without really trying.

[bushido_man96]

One of the other things he used to say ALL OF THE TIME...

"Who said to stop!!??!!" OR "Did I say stop!!??!!"

Taskmasters really can be intimidating without really trying.

Nice. I've used this one a few times, as well.