Not Just Any Ordinary Block Of Clay!!

[sensei8]

Standing before you is an unsuspecting block of clay. Not just any ordinary block of clay. This block of clay serves a meaningful purpose, if not for everyone, but for just itself.

When a potter gathers up the broken pieces of a vessel he wishes to mend, he doesn't put it back together like a puzzle, but on the wheel he molds it again. Over the countless years, this simple block of clay will go through an untold number of on going and defining changes.

Many unforeseen and unforetold moments will shape it, inasmuch, it will never be finished. However, this block of clay, under the watchful and skilled craftsman's eye, will strive to become complete in its totality.

This wanting block of clay, as tangible as it is, will go through a plethora of molding moments, and in that, it'll be accepted, then rejected, then admired, and then displayed; but this is not a wasted life for this block of clay.

The master craftsman will forever chip away, add to, take away, shape it, mold it, and start all over again...many times in the attempt to perfect it into not what the master wants, but to give this block of clay its own identity...making it priceless. Forged in the fire of its own making.

Don't be saddened and/or mournful for this block of clay. On the contrary! Be overwhelmingly joyful for this block of clay just as it is in its willingly chosen lot in life. The substance of which I've spoken about with gladness in my heart is...A Martial Artist.

We are that block of clay! Yes, it's you, [and it's me]. You're that beautiful and unfinished masterpiece!

Your thoughts please.

[bushido_man96]

Nice analogy, Bob. As life ebbs and flows, this is for certain; we change, and how and what we do changes with us. I'm at a point right now where organized MA practice isn't as high a priority as it once was, just due to being busy with the family and their priorities. So, the molding process has slowed right now. But, the time I do spend is hopefully more quality.

[sensei8]

Thanks Brian, and a solid post sir!!

Hopefully, more members will chime in their thoughts as well...please.

[yamesu]

I really like the analogy there.

All I can add is, perhaps there is the added trait of tempering (akin to that of steel), where the more we are molded (experiences), the more prepared we will be for further molding (experiences).

A mistake is only a mistake if we dont learn from it and allow ourselves to repeat it mindlessly.... Thus life and training is really an experience in tempering ourselves for future experiences.

I hope this makes sense?

EDIT:

If your training has slowed as you posted Bushido, I dont necessarily think that means your molding is slowing - to me it just says you have chosen to focus energies on other aspects of life. I applaud that.

I read an article not too long ago (dont remeber where, or by whom but it was prob' in Blitz mag) that stated,

"a Martial Artist should carry all their forms of training, including discipline, into all other areas of their lives. You can tell a real MA by how they conduct themselves, and their successes outside of the dojo."

Now, I am not saying that I wholeheartedly agree with this assertion, but the tennants of truth are there. If you are disciplined inside the dojo, why not apply this to other areas of life you care about (such as family)?

I know I would.

[Shizentai]

Being that I started both pottery and martial arts around the same time in my life (age 15), it really warms my heart to see other people drawing upon similarities between the two art forms for insight as well. When I went to Japan for my longest study abroad I trained in both arts, and found myself pouring over texts examining their deeper meaning. It truly is an amazing thing to see the paralells! Here are some of my favorite quotes from a Mr. Kawaii Kanjiro, one of the most famous potters in recent Japanese history:

Everything that is, is not. Everything is, yet at the same time, nothing is. I myself am the emptiest of all.

When you become so absorbed in your work that beauty flows naturally then your work truly becomes a work of art.

Any work of art belongs to everyone, because it is whatever each person sees in it. It is the same with people. We are all one. I am you. The you that only I can see.

and of course, my favorites:

My work itself is my best signature

手考足思(Hands think, feet feel)

The last one is hard to translate because we don't have equivalent words in English, so I included the Japanese as well. I hope that's alright with everyone. At any rate, I feel that many of these ideas apply to training martial arts, some more obviously than others.

[bushido_man96]

If your training has slowed as you posted Bushido, I dont necessarily think that means your molding is slowing - to me it just says you have chosen to focus energies on other aspects of life. I applaud that.

I read an article not too long ago (dont remeber where, or by whom but it was prob' in Blitz mag) that stated,

"a Martial Artist should carry all their forms of training, including discipline, into all other areas of their lives. You can tell a real MA by how they conduct themselves, and their successes outside of the dojo."

Now, I am not saying that I wholeheartedly agree with this assertion, but the tennants of truth are there. If you are disciplined inside the dojo, why not apply this to other areas of life you care about (such as family)?

I know I would.

Thanks for the word, Yamesu. I really appreciate them. I do find I more responsibilities with my family, but I don't view that as something detracting from other things. Eventually, I'll get more time back for TKD and other training, so I just be patient with it. Who knows, maybe my kids will pick up an interest in it, too, and we'll all be there together.

[sensei8]

Thank you all who've posted a reply!! I've enjoyed them all!!

[sensei8]

Nice analogy, Bob. As life ebbs and flows, this is for certain; we change, and how and what we do changes with us. I'm at a point right now where organized MA practice isn't as high a priority as it once was, just due to being busy with the family and their priorities. So, the molding process has slowed right now. But, the time I do spend is hopefully more quality.

I can truly appreciate that you've placed the martial arts in its proper place. In my life, while I love the martial arts, it's always been...

God

Family

Shindokan

Emphasis has/is always on God and my family is always way over Shindokan. Without my family in every shape, way, and/or form, Shindokan's nothing.

I too, applaud you Brian in every way. If this means that our summer training is placed on the back burner, than so be it. Your friendship is far more important to me than anything that is the MA.