Black Belt …something you can lose.
Many of the essay’s I write on this blog are inspired by questions or comments of my students. This essay is no exception. This Black Belt wrote – ” A black belt is something you become not something you receive. It is also something you can lose..” It is wonderful to see someone having this realization!
Black Belt is an achievement, no doubt about that. This achievement cannot be taken away or diminished from. However, what being a Black Belt really means goes far beyond the mere physical success. A true Black Belt is something you are, some you become, an awakening, not merely an achievement. With this understanding, yes you can lose it.
Black Belt is a state of mind, it is an awareness, it is true self discovery. There are many people wearing Black Belts who have realized none of this. Depending on their age and rank this is normal. Self discover and realization goes far beyond that. A true Black Belt knows and understands that it is not about the opponent or the attacker, it is only about themselves. When it is about the attacker it is ego based. It is a win/lose scenario. When it is about self discovery it is about movement only. It becomes about defense, yielding, an ego less victory.
Whenever I talk with Black Belts or advanced students I find it interesting how they focus on the first attack of the opponent. They will fixate on the attack, the punch, the grab, the knife or what have you and the technique they wish to use. The true Black Belt will understand that it is about movement and natural laws, laws that prevent the follow up attack, the second punch, the sweep etc. There is never a choice of technique.
The understanding a Black Belt needs is what the direction of focus is. The focus should come inward, self understanding and self knowledge. The focus is on body movement. When this is understood self defense become simple, uncomplicated and free of technique. In it’s highest form there is no body contact.
Don’t strive to acheive a Black Belt, be a Black Belt.
Tags: Art Mason, Black Belt, karate, Martial Arts, Warriors, Zen
