One Eternal Round Martial Arts Lesson - Three Requirements of Flesh and Electronic Device

Every martial arts instructor inherently controls the atmosphere of the dojo.  It is the power and authority of all mantles whether government, company, church or in the home.  The governed tend to follow suit according to the leader.  As a leader if you strive to create a dojo of learning and fun you can acquire it through strategic leadership.  All things are born first spiritual and then temporal.  As such, there may be certain expectations and even requirements that every student must adhere to.  Aside from codes of conduct I have three things on a personal level that I require of every student.

Teachable Mind - Prior to entering the dojo I expect pride to drop.  It's not the military.  I don't consider you a maggot until you obtain a certain rank.  However, in order to learn and progress one must attend their classes with a teachable mind.  This cannot be done if one is prideful or thinks they have a level of skill above another.  This mindset actually hinders learning.  It erects growth boundaries that one cannot extend beyond.  The deceit of it is that these boundaries are rarely seen or identified by the person.  However, these boundaries built by pride are often seen by others.

Of course, as a student learns this in the dojo they will know that I will expect this to carry beyond the mats.  It is a part of integrity to carry honor at all times.  So come to class with a teachable mind and you'll grow with more substance than you ever thought possible.

Willing Heart - This is closely related to a teachable mind.  A student with a willing heart has the capacity to integrate the arts into their life.  They are willing to take the extra step out of faith of a greater outcome down the road.  The opposite of a willing heart is a reluctant heart.  The heart of a martial artist has the fibers of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and an indomitable spirit.  These qualities are enhance through learning the physical and spiritual disciplines of the martial arts.  A person with a willing heart is willing to test the counsel and assignments given by the instructor through practice.

Dictaphone - Alright, that was supposed to throw you off in a demented humorous sort of way.  Actually, an optional requirement of mine is an avenue to record your thoughts.  I always carry with me an electronic digital dictaphone.  You know, sorta like the ones you see journalists and reporters carry around.  Even a pad and pencil will do.  Whatever it takes to give you the liberty and means to record your thoughts that you want to reflect on without fearing your own forgetfulness.

Some of man's greatest revelations or inspirations come during times of focus and the pursuit of physical and mental training.  As I go through my motions and concentrate on perfection of technique there are times when the floodgates of new techniques and new life lessons present themselves.  Admittedly, I tend to forget a lot of things.  One way to combat this is to carry with me my dictaphone.  Don't be afraid to use your chosen fashion of recording.  When inspired - stop and record.  Even during class time if a student of mine is inspired I would consider it derelict of duty to the self if they don't stop and record.

These three requirements come to mind first and foremost because it is what I use when I enter the dojo.  In the solitude of training the first two help me to ensure growth as I leave the door compared to when I entered.  The last ensures that my weakness of mind doesn't lose important inspirations forever.

Concerning recording your thoughts I have found that just the very effort of saving and recording a thought actually enhances the meaning and helps you remember it.  This is predicated upon the laws of pondering.  Recording your thoughts makes you ponder over them.  You want to capture every bit of information you came up with.  As you do this doors and wider fields of view begin to encroach your understanding.  This is magnifying the inspiration received.

Aside from the dojo I would encourage all to consider three requirements either for yourself or your family.  Make these requirements a part of your discipline.  Even if you are not a leader you still govern yourself.  Therefore, as a leader of yourself you still govern the atmosphere of your mind, body, spirit and environment.  You are accountable.  Let those requirements foster learning with a teachable mind, a willing heart and by all means record the inspirations you receive.

Mormons Observing Good Friday with the Catholic Church with Food

Those who have followed my posts know that I have a good friend who is a Catholic priest.  This has led to an opening of understanding that is unparalleled in worldly joy.  Considering the world today especially with the persecutions unto murder of Christians in the Middle East it is also a miracle.  This also has application to Israel and the threat of its existence.  Intolerance against Israel threatens its very survival.  Will the world follow suit with those who ally themselves with animal behavior of intolerance?  Learn the simple message of Jesus Christ and pattern your compassion and outreach after His manner, and after the manner that we've undertaken here in Southwest Iowa.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it was an honor for myself, our local Bishop and our wives to accept an invitation to the Good Friday service at St. Mary's Catholic church.  It began with the Stations of the Cross and also included the Adoration of the Cross.  Yes, of course the proceedings differ between our faiths.  However, being inherently observant I sat (and stood several times) and listened to the message presented by the good Father and those doing the readings.  The message resounded and reaffirmed the first impressions from our first encounter several years ago.  No matter how different the gatherings are the message among most Christian faiths are one the same.  Jesus is the Christ!

This is why it was such an honor to attend this service.  Both congregations accept each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.  We accept that there is good among the various flocks of the Good Shepherd.  We know that through His design it was known from the beginning the varied nature of the spectrum of worship of the Anointed One.  God loves wondrous variety!

There are fourteen Stations of the Cross.  These include various chapters in the final hours of Christ's mortality up to and including His crucifixion.  I believe this encompasses what many consider the Passion of Jesus Christ.  To include a little levity and humor I must say that we did get our exercise as we stood and sat several times.  A healthy dose of calisthenics is good and healthy.  Now come on, before anyone frays in offense let us also learn to love one another with a jovial nature.  Just remember, the notions of Mormons out there are numerous and off the wall.  Yet to add and substantive side it did offer a refreshing of the body and a retained focus of the Stations of the Cross.  It was a very good and vital part of the Good Friday service of which I am eternally grateful to have been a part of.

The Adoration of the Cross was also interesting and a solemn occasion among our Catholic brethren and sisters in Christ.  This ceremony includes the physical presentation of a cross and the invitation for all to come, approach and offer their humbled gratitude and reverence for the sacrifice of the Lamb.  Sure, for many in other faiths this observance is different, but one must always remember that the message remains the same.  Jesus is the Christ!

The Catholic setting of Good Friday is that of a tomb.  It compels the person to a solemn state of heart and mind.  The displayed cross is adorned with a red banner and the priest offers his liturgy and service with red vestments.  As a Latter-day Saint there are few symbolic representations of the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ outside the pictures we may have on the walls in our regular meetinghouses.  Our temples, though, are filled with symbolic representations of the divinity of Jesus Christ.  Again, the message is still the same.

I will offer this observation and it is meant not as anything but a complimentary comparison.  Probably what makes Latter-day Saints and Catholics "in a different zone" in each other's edifices especially during the Easter time is the focus.  It is very interesting, if you remember that the message is still the same.  In the Catholic faith the focus is on the Passion or the process of sacrifice of the Son Jesus Christ and His heart-wrenching suffering.  Of course, it gladly ends with the glorious promises of the faithful in His Resurrection.

In a Latter-day Saint setting the focus is a little different.  We tend to focus our preaching of the events of that sorrowing last week along with the significance each step of the way.  The focus tends to take us from the finishing chapter of mortal death to the rising sun of the Resurrection and the renewal of life and understanding for all God's children.  Both faiths preach both ends of the spectrum (which are one the same) with just a little more time focused on each side of that winding up scene.  Heck, I think its a good thing to be exposed to both schools of worship.

I am deeply grateful for the friendships formed between the Catholic and Latter-day Saint faiths.  Not only here in Southwest Iowa but across the globe.  Together we shall stand lest we be divided and fall.

Now....... let us get to another deep and serious comparison between the Catholics and Mormons - food!

No doubt like the Latter-day Saints skirmishing to the chow line at a potluck the Catholics also eagerly await their dinners (pun intended).  After the liturgy and Good Friday service all enjoyed the excellent food at their final fish fry of the Lent season.  The Knights of Columbus always prepare a very good meal for the patrons.  So, if nothing else we can all take great comfort in knowing that we all observe a good dinner in much the same way. ;)

In conclusion, if we don't learn to reach out and clasp hands with our brothers and sisters of other faiths we will never increase our capacity of love and compassion.  Attend, observe and do your best to understand what makes everyone tick as it does in your own church setting and always remember that Jesus is the Christ.

One Eternal Round Martial Arts Lesson - The Spine Building a Firm Foundation Anchor for Life

It is a common teaching that the martial arts are 90% mental and 10% physical.  I concur with this assessment.  Yet I would add something to this teaching of the martial arts.  The martial arts are 90% mental, 10% physical and 100% spiritual.  Whether Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido, Kung Fu, Tai Chi or even the arts of the Shaolin, though physical are highly rooted spiritually.  This makes the martial arts to the serious enthusiast a very important part of their life.

This lesson is physically centered around the spine.  Regarding the 10% it is vitally important to keep your spine straight and when possible upright.  Remember this - most people's excitement revolves around Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris style kicks.  That's great and it is fulfilling to learn these techniques.  However, in a defensive situation it is highly unlikely that any kicks would be necessary.  True, many kicks turn the upper body almost parallel to the ground countering my edict to keep upright.  Yet, since kicks are actually secondary in defensive strategy your spine should most always remain upright and straight.  I love the kicks, but in a practical sense it is good skills to know as a backup in a threatening situation - not the priority.  Remember the spine.

Humans are receptive to visual comparisons.  For some reason a picture sticks to the mind better than reading text.  When I picture how a spine should be in a highly physical situation I think of a carousel horse.  Notice in the picture below the pole running straight down the horse.  It does not move in angles.  It's only motion is up or down.  That is how your spine should be.  There are upper body techniques that require extending the body low or high yet remaining the spine sure and strong.  Just remember the carousel horse and you'll do just fine.  Also like the carousel your spine is your stand.  It is where you are.  It is where you resolve to be immovable.

The mental and spiritual side are intertwined and this is where my final point will stand.  All my teachings of Taekwondo also have a relative application to life.  Your spine, that pole establishing the horse, is your foundation.  It is the thing which you are built upon.  It is the substance that makes you who you are in times of war and peace.  It is that sponge which absorbs all your words, deeds and actions.  It is the litmus test that gauges your level of honor.  This is the mental and spiritual side.

Increasingly, this modern world supports the compromising of personal principles and precepts.  It does so until the one is utterly left destitute and destroyed.  This may sound extreme but I've seen it hundreds of times.  If your house is not built upon firm ground then it has no sure footing.  It is only a surety that when the winds and the waves verge upon you the structure will fail and be left in ruin.  In comparison, when you are in a physical altercation you must pay special attention to your spine.  It is the foundation of every movement.  Sloppy technique without the proper use of the spine can leave you injured or subjected to the will of your opponent.  The firm passion to not compromise your principles and precepts will help ensure your well being and survival.