GrandMaster Art Mason's Martial Musing

Recently there were some postings on a message board on LinkedIn about whether a Black Belt moving to another Dojo and style should have to start at White Belt again. The debate on this forum has raged on since last spring. I never participated, only read about it.

If someone comes from another art to learn my root art of Hon Sang Mu Sa Hapkido I do require that they put on a white belt to start training.  The odd person is unwilling to do this and so we agree to part friends. If they are taking a Kyusho Jitsu Certification Course they are more then welcome to wear their rank in the classes. The question is why and am I doing it?

Back when I first opened my school 10 years ago I would make judgments based on a case by case basis. Some people I required to wear a white belt, others I let keep their rank. There was only one case were I allowed rank to remain that I didn’t regret it. This was a father and son and both are currently 2nd Dan Black Belts in my school.

When someone joins my school and is a Black Belt in another art I let everyone know that they are and what art they have studied. A great example is a 2nd Dan under my organization who is also a 2nd Dan in Aikido.  When someone insists on wearing a Black Belt from another art when they are learning a new art it is only to stroke the EGO. And with the ego in full swing real learning is not possible. Our Black Belt Creed states, Learning Through Humility, by Example. Ego has no place in learning, and to truly learn the ego must be in check. You cannot add more to a full cup.

As always I welcome you comment on this post.

Tags: Art Mason, Black Belt, Hapkido, karate, Martial Arts, Peaceful Warriors, Self Defense, Warriors, Zen