A Karate Journey is one of self-exploration. A journey of exploring mind and body mechanics, movements, and continuously strengthening physical and mental abilities to be a better human being.
Knowledge is not absolute. An attitude that pretends so, only closes the door to anything flowing in. Knowledge is relative. It’s a fact that’s always changing as more data is collected. The key is to build a mindset of acknowledging that there are always some additional facts somewhere and train your mind to seek, investigate, analyze and adopt.
During the journey, one gains knowledge not only by practicing known techniques taught in the dojo but also by listening and learning from others’ interpretations, experiences to further find your meaning. Continuous learning of body mechanics and mindfulness techniques, retrospect, understanding different Perspectives is the Karate journey.
As a karateka, the journey of exploration starts from the day when one acknowledges and commits to learning karate. The day we make it to the Dojo and surrender ourselves to the knowledge is the first step. No matter what the motivation may be (gaining better health or mindfulness, self-defense, etc) this first step is a courageous action that not many people attempt.
The next step required is discipline: Coming to the dojo, even when we have many excuses not to show up and give the best we have; Doing that extra push-up when the mind lures you to give up; Or when the Sensei is not looking, and still finishing those last two (2) push-ups and those 10 sit-ups. You will be lost many days but keep seeking, solving the Kata matrix, finding the deeper meaning of the stances and the movements.
The Karate Journey is like peeling an onion: painful enough to make you cry. However with each layer uncovered only then will you see the other one, deeper you go. Thinner and brighter the layers become. During this journey we uncover layer by layer over a period of time to get a better understanding of the various techniques defined in Kata.
Such a journey may also be compared to how geologists dig to observe rock layers (strata), scientists use them to construct interpretations of the sequence of geologic events. Each stratum is like an individual database that gives specific details just like Kata in karate.
While on this journey we develop a “never give up” mindset. Keep trying; even if It hurts every day when stretching and trying to reach where you have never been before. Enter the Dojo with a beginner’s mind, ‘Shoshin’. No matter the rank, have the mindset of a white belt, with no need to pretend. Submit yourself to the fact that you are not perfect, and believe that no one is perfect. No one you see in that room is perfect. They have come for the same purpose, same motivation. They all had similar reasons and excuses not to come; having the same pain to do that extra push up when they started. Everyone you see doing it faster has already done this and more for a long time and never gave up. Never give up is the attitude with consistent effort over time, allows them to do these faster and perform better.
Make small goals for yourself, like adding one (1) push up more every week or Stretch for an extra minute. Go for small improvements to make the best continuous and consistent efforts. As is often said: It’s not the destination but the journey.
This is way of the Karate Journey.
By Pankaj Sharma
