In mastering anything, including martial arts, it takes patience and an open mind. How many of you watched the TV show Kung Fu in the 1970s where young Caine heard on many occasions from his master. “Patience, Young Grasshopper”.
The idea of taking time, even a lifetime to master a martial art did not begin with the TV show King Fu but goes back centuries. In the famous Zen parable written in the 13th century titled “The Taste of Banzo’s Sword” [1], the parable starts out:
“Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a famous swordsman. His father, believing that his son's work was too mediocre to anticipate mastership, disowned him. So Matajuro went to Mount Futara and there found the famous swordsman Banzo. But Banzo confirmed the father's judgment. "You wish to learn swordsmanship under my guidance?" asked Banzo. "You cannot fulfill the requirements."
"But if I work hard, how many years will it take me to become a master?" persisted the youth.
"The rest of your life," replied Banzo.
The initial response of the sword master is this is a lifetime pursuit. The potential student goes on to question this, believing if he puts in the time, it will go quicker.
"I cannot wait that long," explained Matajuro. "I am willing to pass through any hardship if only you will teach me. If I become your devoted servant, how long might it be?"
"Oh, maybe ten years," Banzo relented.
But even ten years seems an extremely long time to the potential student. He believes if he works harder, he can master it quickly.
"My father is getting old, and soon I must take care of him," continued Matajuro. "If I work far more intensively, how long would it take me?"
"Oh, maybe thirty years," said Banzo.
You would think if one tried harder and worked harder, it would take less time.
"Why is that?" asked Matajuro. "First you say ten and now thirty years. I will undergo any hardship to master this art in the shortest time!"
"Well," said Banzo, "in that case you will have to remain with me for seventy years. A man in such a hurry as you are to get results seldom learns quickly."
To master an art takes time and an open mind to learn. If one is too focused on the end result and not the journey, then you are not necessarily open to the learning process and therefore are not necessarily learning.
Anko Itosu, an Okinawan Karate master in his letter 10 Precepts of Karate written in 1908, wrote “Karate cannot be quickly learned. Like a slow moving bull, it eventually travels a thousand miles. If one trains diligently everyday, then in three or four years one will come to understand karate. Those who train in this fashion will discover karate.”
Learning takes time and patience. Learning martial arts is a process and a journey and since there is always something to learn and discover, there is no distinct end result. This does not mean one does not improve and grow, it just means there is no magic finish line. There are definitely accomplishments such as receiving new ranks and a new belt, but this is just recognition of where you are at in the process, not an end result in and of itself.
Be patient, always stay open to learning, and enjoy the journey.
Regards,
Kelly
“In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few.” ~ Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971), Zen Master
The idea of taking time, even a lifetime to master a martial art did not begin with the TV show King Fu but goes back centuries. In the famous Zen parable written in the 13th century titled “The Taste of Banzo’s Sword” [1], the parable starts out:
“Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a famous swordsman. His father, believing that his son's work was too mediocre to anticipate mastership, disowned him. So Matajuro went to Mount Futara and there found the famous swordsman Banzo. But Banzo confirmed the father's judgment. "You wish to learn swordsmanship under my guidance?" asked Banzo. "You cannot fulfill the requirements."
"But if I work hard, how many years will it take me to become a master?" persisted the youth.
"The rest of your life," replied Banzo.
The initial response of the sword master is this is a lifetime pursuit. The potential student goes on to question this, believing if he puts in the time, it will go quicker.
"I cannot wait that long," explained Matajuro. "I am willing to pass through any hardship if only you will teach me. If I become your devoted servant, how long might it be?"
"Oh, maybe ten years," Banzo relented.
But even ten years seems an extremely long time to the potential student. He believes if he works harder, he can master it quickly.
"My father is getting old, and soon I must take care of him," continued Matajuro. "If I work far more intensively, how long would it take me?"
"Oh, maybe thirty years," said Banzo.
You would think if one tried harder and worked harder, it would take less time.
"Why is that?" asked Matajuro. "First you say ten and now thirty years. I will undergo any hardship to master this art in the shortest time!"
"Well," said Banzo, "in that case you will have to remain with me for seventy years. A man in such a hurry as you are to get results seldom learns quickly."
To master an art takes time and an open mind to learn. If one is too focused on the end result and not the journey, then you are not necessarily open to the learning process and therefore are not necessarily learning.
Anko Itosu, an Okinawan Karate master in his letter 10 Precepts of Karate written in 1908, wrote “Karate cannot be quickly learned. Like a slow moving bull, it eventually travels a thousand miles. If one trains diligently everyday, then in three or four years one will come to understand karate. Those who train in this fashion will discover karate.”
Learning takes time and patience. Learning martial arts is a process and a journey and since there is always something to learn and discover, there is no distinct end result. This does not mean one does not improve and grow, it just means there is no magic finish line. There are definitely accomplishments such as receiving new ranks and a new belt, but this is just recognition of where you are at in the process, not an end result in and of itself.
Be patient, always stay open to learning, and enjoy the journey.
Regards,
Kelly
“In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few.” ~ Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971), Zen Master
References
1. Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings
Compiled by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki
Compiled by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki
