Contrastingly over the
years, I have seen numerous people leave karate because they couldn’t win at
competition level, or were champions who were finally defeated and their spirit
was broken; likewise, I have seen many people quit because they couldn’t pass a
particular kyu or dan test. These people, in my opinion, missed the point of
karate-do: the battle with them-selves was lost—as their focus was on “end
points” rather than the journey—which I believe defines Karate-Do. My question
is “How can one focus on destinations when practicing karate when, in reality,
destinations/achievements are just moments in the wider scheme of time?
Especially when considering the blatantly obvious point that time keeps
moving”… Also, without being pessimistic, what is success/achievement? Notwithstanding,
this can’t help one to think of the words of the Greek philosophers… Parmenides
immediately comes to mind... In sum, the underlying principle of `DO’ in budo,
and other traditional Japanese art forms, is that of “a journey: as opposed to
a destination”.
Grading
examinations and tournaments: So what about entering
competitions, taking kyu and dan exams, qualification tests etcetera? Perhaps
one should just train? …There is nothing wrong with tournaments, examinations
and the like… Of course, they are wonderful goals! It is great to train towards
a gold medal in a competition, or the next rank. In my opinion it is essential
to experience these things. Not experiencing competition, and attempting
examinations, is nearly as bad as quitting altogether… Why? Because the same
things that make people quit karate are the same things that stop them from
participating in such events.
EGO
& FEAR: Not trying to enter tournaments, or
trying for the next rank is often connected with ego and/or fear of failure. Again,
this elucidates too much internalised focus on the destination as opposed to
the bigger picture. People think “how I will look if so and so beats me in the
kumite?” or they are too scared to walk out in front of examiners—to have their
technique scrutinised. Being free from our ego turns us into LIBERATED HUMAN
BEINGS; moreover, it strengthens us by pushing us “to face and overcome our
inherent fears”. This is where competition and kyu/dan examinations really
benefit us. But like all things these points should not be taken to the extreme:
ideological balance is pivotal.
My personal kotowaza is
to “LOSE MAGNIFICENTLY”. Don’t
merely seek to win or pass, seek to improve your execution of karate and
personal development in general. Seek to perform the best you can, because your best is your best... Don’t worry
about `the best of others’, simply
appreciate them and focus on what you have to do to improve. My aim in kumite
is to always seek an ippon, I always fully commit with my attack and try to
express my kihon. When this results in my defeat, so be it. My only loss is
when I don’t commit, irrespective of winning or losing a match. By never
seeking a wazari one can do their very best, then, if the wazari is achieved,
it still has meaning. This is merely an example of losing magnificently, and of
course it transcends the realms of shobu ippon.
In conclusion, always focus on the here
and now in your karate-do training, and plan for the future. When you are
successful in your endeavours, great… Well done… But don’t immerse yourself in
glory. It’s time to move on… If you fail, ascertain why, and train hard to
correct these flaws. Even if you never reach the goals you have set yourself, I
assure you that, by following this way, you WILL maximise yourself. More than
this, your karate training will then also function as a tangible resource to
strengthen your spirit, self-confidence, courage, determination and
self-efficacy. Remember, “The journey is what matters, not the destinations
(plural)”. Overall, the destinations along the path are merely tools that
contribute towards the greater whole: this, to me, is Karate-Do.
©
André Bertel. Aso-shi, Kumamoto. Japan (2013).
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