When I last described a PHP programmer, also a martial artist who trained and taught in many different styles, I spoke of his accomplishments, awards and proficiency – Not all Geeks are Wimps – Part I. If you recall, he was Clark Kent by day and Martial Artist at night. That blog focused on what you could observe visually and externally about the man, his abilities and achievements. There is a Paul Harvey “rest of the story” though. It is said that a true martial artist is someone who’s anger can make a tiger cower with fear, and who’s smile will warm the heart of little children.
Part II is more about the internal focus of a person. To put this in perspective for those unfamiliar with the martial arts, in a recent interview for his new biography, Michael Jordan was asked the night before the final championship game. Would he be worried about what would go through his mind if time was running out and he was taking the shot to win or lose the championship. Jordan asked the interviewer if the question was, “would I think about choking and missing the shot”? After the interviewer acknowledged that this was in fact the question, Jordan responded, “Why should I worry about a shot I haven’t taken”. The interviewer concluded that Michael Jordan lives in the “Present” more than any person he had ever met. He wasn’t worried about consequences in the future or past. Other athletes relate to this in a different way, sometimes calling it “being in he zone”. They are in a place in time when their actions are not controlled by thoughts, and it seems they can’t miss. It seems that whatever they do is the right decision and any action is the perfect shot, throw, block or performance. Most of all, it happens for them without thinking. They instinctively know what the right thing to do is and when to do it as a result of their years of training.In a round up of hall of fame quarterbacks recently, they were asked how many times had they experienced this, and how or why did it occur. Most of them responded that it had happened once or twice, and while they were in the zone they had remarkable vision and could see the entire field. It was as if everything was so clear that it appeared to be in slow motion. No one however could answer what was the trigger. Only Dan Marino responded that he’d been “In the Zone” his entire pro career, that every game was like that. I guess that is why he is the all time leader in almost every category.
For martial artists, it is described as being in the moment. When you face your opponent, you react to the situation as it occurs, rather than going into a fight or match thinking of your strategy or what your opponent might or might not do. Reaction is instinctive and you attack or counter-attack without thinking. To think is to delay, and if it is a sword fight to the death, you die. In Budo Secrets, Kyiuzo Mfune states that you should “Do not look for a secret technique, polish your mind through ceaseless training, that is the key to effective techniques.
This state of mind perhaps is granted as a gift to a few, but none that I’ve known walked in the first day and have had it. It is achieved by practice, dedication and search for understanding of your art. It is at that time that you can deal with the situation as needed, when needed.
A recent book “Blink“, Malcom Gladwell discusses making decisions by thin slicing the situation. It describes that years of training or studying prepares the mind to make quick decisions as to the person, object or situation and why it is likely the right decision. For the martial artist, it solves the equation of the opponent before the fight begins. For example, is he/she left or right handed? A foot or hand specialist, what level of proficiency, a stand up match or a fight that will be won on the mat. Thin slicing is quickly sizing up the other person. When you fight, you have to make the decision on how to attack or defend quickly, when it is life or death, you only have an instant. You have to be in the moment, you react…but if you think, you lose if not the match, or your life on the street.
Although I train with Mr. O (again, my Sensei’s Sensei) I’m looking at this from the perspective of the author of this blog and not the expert, so I asked Mr. O. to discuss this.
Describe the meaning of being “In the Moment”?
‘In the Moment’ can only be described, because to touch it or focus on it causes it to vanish. In many ways, Martial Artists have a lot in common with Quantum Physics. This is another whole discussion here. To put it simply, ‘In the Moment’ is just being totally focused but not focused in a western minds way but totally there as totally present, no where else, no distractions, nothing else exists except the object or person observed. Meditation helps here by being able to truly push out thoughts, distractions. Doubts don’t enter the mind, fear doesn’t exist. When you are ‘In the Moment’ only two things exist, if one moves it effects the other, and vise versa. With years of training a Martial Artist can relax enough under terrible stress to push concerns, fears, doubts, etc. away and settle down to a oneness with a person/object at hand and react without thought in lighting fashion. This is not to be construed as mindless action, but action that is very deliberate, maybe even decades of training going into the reaction. One trains, meditates, and uses ‘Kai’s’ to find, focus, and maintain the oneness and ‘In the Moment’ moments that they may have. In the moment or instance of time, the mind can sum up incredible volumes of information and make very sound judgments in an instant. But one must see all the information, (training builds perception) one must gather the information, (calmness thru training) then enter the ‘Moment’ and let the Mind/spirit/body become one an solve the issue (proper reaction) . This state of mind can see thru a thousand facts in an Instant and make sense of it and pursue the proper course of action. But fear, doubts, muddy the waters of the mind and So few find themselves here often or even once.
When/how did you discover this personally?
This is one of those tree/forest questions. Follow the path, and cross the forest. Stare at a beautiful tree and become lost in the forest. Many find niche’s and drop off the path. Never finishing the journey. That’s the way it way intended to be. Not everyone is ready to be a BlackBelt or Martial Artist for life, yet. Life is a challenge even for those who seem to have or have been given everything. But you can’t really be given everything. Heart, spirit, attitude don’t come with the furniture, they come with the trial. The journey is important. I try to convey this point to parents who want everything for there child as I do. Find a great teacher and let them teach. The martial arts are not really taught like other subjects, per say Math. The student follows the Sensei who is really a guide to self awareness. The Sensei helps strip off all the junk of existence till only a shining student is left. They were there all the time but had to be discovered. A student isn’t found, they find themselves, the moment isn’t found, it’s been there all along, but just not
seen.
This leads me to the logical thought, What makes a good teacher?
Completing your journey in the Martial Arts involves teaching. It is one thing to do, and another to teach. Many times I’ve found that I had to relearn what I knew to be able to teach it, all triggered by a simple question from the youngest or newest student.
Author: Let me point out that not all good salesmen become good sales managers. Some are better doers than teachers, it is a rare instance when you find both, which I’ve observed from watching Mr. O.
The Bible says you can judge a tree by it’s fruit. A good Dojo is led by a good teacher or leader and you can see it in the students. As with any business, you provide a good product or service, or go out of business or worse, into insignificance. The Sensei’s way of teaching will permeate his classes, and his students who learn to teach the next generation. There is a story about a Sensei who was looking for his successor from his 3 sons. As a test, he put a wooden pillow at the top of the door so it would fall when opened and invited each of his three sons to come in separately. The first drew his sword and deftly cut the pillow. The second moved to catch the pillow. The third simply moved aside and avoided the situation. When you are properly trained, handling the situation correctly proves who is the best student.
Another story illustrates the same principle. Three martial artists were to enter a tiger’s cage and deal with it. The first used advanced techniques and fought hard, but defeated the tiger. The second was less trained and had to fight harder, but still managed to survive. The third made friends with tiger and walked away without fighting. This was the best taught student. To act properly is the best method. If you overreact, you could be in trouble.
Naturally, I had to ask Mr. O. what makes a good Sensei?
Patience, seeing the future potential in all. Giving without reward. This is why I have staff that takes care of Business and teachers who teach. A teacher, teaches when asked. It doesn’t matter if it’s a class or one on one between classes. There are many pitfalls for a teacher. Most are passionate about there subject, but this can be a fault if not tempered. All teaching has an order, to teach out of order is as bad as to not teach at all. A passionate teacher might become over involved and try to jump a student with more advanced skills. Usually this only confuses the student and actually hinders them in the long run. It is better to keep the student excited over a long period to maximize progress. Most teachers don’t have a subject like the Martial Arts that grabs a students Spirit, challenges their mind, and develops their body. Most people can see the difference between a gifted athlete, and a gifted coach. The athlete can perform, but the coach can make performers. The athlete has mastered a skill, the coach has mastered conveying the skill. In the martial arts sometimes you get both qualities in one person.
Author: I’ll admit that taking classes from him can be intimidating, knowing that you will be challenged to perform your best. You’ll learn from repetition and good instruction. After each class, I always come away with many lessons learned and abetter knowledge of the arts, but I’m satisfied that I’ve gotten the fullest out of the time that I’ve spent learning from him or my instructor, who like me is a student of Mr. O.
These are deep subjects, but when you think about it, they can be applied to many things or situations in life. If you learn from a good teacher, practice your skill and have dedication, you’ll find success and may be “in the moment”. I’m only discovering this by continuing my study, writing these blogs to understand, and by keep coming back to class.
There are many unanswered questions that are raised here. How do you pick a good dojo, how does the Martial Arts contribute to being a good person? What is the most valuable weapon and/or skill you can develop? More on that later.
