The Meiji Mindset
Thursday 03 November 2022
You can tell the quality of a martial artist, and of a martial arts Dojo, by their mindset. Whilst everybody is an individual, there are important commonalities when it comes to philosophy, approach and attitude.
Mind over matter - can you get the tools out of the box?
You can get very proficient at combinations, pad work, bag work, pre-arranged sparring, all the basic up-and-downs (and those who do kata well can look very impressive). In other words, you become familiar with the 'tools of the trade'. You imagine scenarios where you'll be handling yourself with great dexterity. But when it comes to the crunch - sparring or a real-life situation - everything seems to change. Mike Tyson famously said "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face". The problem is, you're up against the unexpected, the unplanned. You have your box of tools, but can you get them out, in the right order? This is what sparring gives you - it gets you used to improvising, to exercising mind over matter so you get to use your toolbox for real.
From champ to chump
Of course you feel elated when you succeed at something - winning a bout, getting your next belt, perfecting a move you've been working on. But this is the time to be modest. Remember, there will always be someone better than you. The reason we bow to each other in the Dojo isn't just habit, formality or ritual. It's to acknowledge mutual respect. Today's novice may overtake you and become tomorrow's champion. You should wish that this will be so, not resent someone else becoming better than you. Work to help them succeed. That's the mark of a true champ.
Memento mori
In ancient Rome, when a victorious general paraded through the crowd in all his glory, standing behind him in his chariot was a slave, holding the golden crown above his head, but whispering "Memento mori" in his ear throughout the procession ("Remember you are mortal"). This was a warning to the ego - "In all your glory remember, you're not a god, you're a human being. We honour your achievements, but never forget that, at the end of the day, you're still one of us, we all go to the same place in the end". So be proud of your new belt or your latest trophy, but don't turn proud into pride (pride before a fall, remember).
Remember Achilles
When he was a baby, Achilles' mother dipped his body in the river Styx to make him invulnerable to injury in battle. Unfortunately, she held him by his left heel to do this, so it didn't get dipped. Hence the expression Achilles' heel to describe an inherent weakness in an invincibly strong person. Paris learned of this, shot Achilles in the left heel and killed him. We all have our weaknesses as well as our strengths. But this is a very practical piece of guidance for the martial artist. Whilst celebrating your triumphs, even more important is to study what you don't get right, your weaknesses. Give more attention to those rather than brushing them aside while you 'polish your badge'. Champions work extra hard on their deficiencies.
When you say something's impossible, you make it impossible
This was one of the great Bruce Lee's sayings. Of course, pick your battles. You probably wouldn't want to stand in front of an express train, for example, ready with your knockout punch! But always work things out. Simply ask yourself "Is it possible?". In which case, map out how you think you could make it possible - if it's just hard work that stands in your way, you know the answer. If you get knocked down in the process, which you almost certainly will, get up and go again. In those situations, the only thing to fear is fear itself. People sit up and notice when you conquer that - it's called courage. Remember, persistence is the most powerful force in the world.