The Beginning And End Of Oneself

[Archimoto]

^ so true!

[Zaine]

I think, then, that a distinction should be made between what we might call (in a MA context) good and bad potential. Certainly I have come across many MAist that have had potential. They're fast learners, seem to get into the techniques quickly and generally have the physical side of MA down and yet they have a terrible attitude and they are not someone you would ever want to spend a lot of time with. They have little (if any) time for philosophy and character building and you they make your class miserable.

Then you have those who come in ready to learn and to embrace every aspect of MA. The philosophical and physical side. They come to every class ready to learn and to help others learn. They may not get everything naturally like others but they have the desire to try and try again until they know every part of the technique backwards and forwards.

Both examples have potential, but one lacks the qualities of a MAist. I also think this distinction separates the fighter and the MAist. We find both in schools all the time, but the MAist are generally the ones with staying power. So for me, character is preeminent in determining the right kind of potential. The kind of potential that I want to teach and want to watch grow.

[sensei8]

I think, then, that a distinction should be made between what we might call (in a MA context) good and bad potential. Certainly I have come across many MAist that have had potential. They're fast learners, seem to get into the techniques quickly and generally have the physical side of MA down and yet they have a terrible attitude and they are not someone you would ever want to spend a lot of time with. They have little (if any) time for philosophy and character building and you they make your class miserable.

Then you have those who come in ready to learn and to embrace every aspect of MA. The philosophical and physical side. They come to every class ready to learn and to help others learn. They may not get everything naturally like others but they have the desire to try and try again until they know every part of the technique backwards and forwards.

Both examples have potential, but one lacks the qualities of a MAist. I also think this distinction separates the fighter and the MAist. We find both in schools all the time, but the MAist are generally the ones with staying power. So for me, character is preeminent in determining the right kind of potential. The kind of potential that I want to teach and want to watch grow.

Solid post!!

[CredoTe]

I think, then, that a distinction should be made between what we might call (in a MA context) good and bad potential. Certainly I have come across many MAist that have had potential. They're fast learners, seem to get into the techniques quickly and generally have the physical side of MA down and yet they have a terrible attitude and they are not someone you would ever want to spend a lot of time with. They have little (if any) time for philosophy and character building and you they make your class miserable.

Then you have those who come in ready to learn and to embrace every aspect of MA. The philosophical and physical side. They come to every class ready to learn and to help others learn. They may not get everything naturally like others but they have the desire to try and try again until they know every part of the technique backwards and forwards.

Both examples have potential, but one lacks the qualities of a MAist. I also think this distinction separates the fighter and the MAist. We find both in schools all the time, but the MAist are generally the ones with staying power. So for me, character is preeminent in determining the right kind of potential. The kind of potential that I want to teach and want to watch grow.

Solid post!!

Agreed!

[bushido_man96]

I think, then, that a distinction should be made between what we might call (in a MA context) good and bad potential. Certainly I have come across many MAist that have had potential. They're fast learners, seem to get into the techniques quickly and generally have the physical side of MA down and yet they have a terrible attitude and they are not someone you would ever want to spend a lot of time with. They have little (if any) time for philosophy and character building and you they make your class miserable.

Then you have those who come in ready to learn and to embrace every aspect of MA. The philosophical and physical side. They come to every class ready to learn and to help others learn. They may not get everything naturally like others but they have the desire to try and try again until they know every part of the technique backwards and forwards.

Both examples have potential, but one lacks the qualities of a MAist. I also think this distinction separates the fighter and the MAist. We find both in schools all the time, but the MAist are generally the ones with staying power. So for me, character is preeminent in determining the right kind of potential. The kind of potential that I want to teach and want to watch grow.

I disagree here to an extent. I'm not big on the philosophical side of the Martial Arts. I'm not really big on trying to influence others to what I believe, which is what I really think the philosophical side of the Martial Arts is. I do think good character is important, though, and most people, especially adults, have developed their own ideologies by the time they would come to me to learn a Martial Art. I also feel that if I am going to spend my time and money learning Martial Arts, I want to learn technique, and how to use it and when to use it. I don't really want someone to preach his value system to me. I already have one, and it has served me well for many years. Maybe putting a little bit here and there foreward for something to think about; I don't mind that. I think that students like this can still be good students, and become great Martial Artists. Its just a matter of what each wants to focus on.

Then, on the flip side, you get those students who sign up for a Karate class or a TKD class, and then they want to become Japanese or Korean. They may try to focus so much on the culture and its philosophies that they ignore developing skills that might help them defend themselves.

So, its possible to get students on both sides of the coin.

[Alan Armstrong]

Martial arts for me is also character building. Because of ma I have things in common with many people from Asia. Thailand-India-Japan-Korea-China. Building a connection over time, developing empathy and understanding with other cultures has changed my character for the better.