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Monthly Message: February 2004
Fellow Karate-ka:
Lots of Dojo use mirrors in their
training. They are beneficial in many respects. They can help us better
see a demonstration from our instructor in a large class. More
importantly they can help us view ourselves so that we can see if there
are any flaws in our stances, body positioning, and techniques. There
almost always are those flaws.
The mirror can make us look at ourselves
and see what other people see. This can be quite discomforting to a lot
of us. Most all of us want to have the best physical appearance that we
can. We work hard to shape our outward appearance. This can help us feel
better about ourselves. We are not really seeing our whole reflection
though.
When is the last time that you looked
into yourself? While looking into the mirror have you looked past the
physical body and its flaws and into your very being? Have you examined
yourself and who you are and what you really want to become? The answers
to these questions are important to your inner and outer well being as
well as your perception of other people and the world in which we all
live.
What actions have you taken lately that
not only affect yourself but those closest to you? As a result of your
actions have you unfairly hurt your loved ones because of your own
selfish motives? Are you too thick headed to see your mistakes? What
about the circle of friends outside of your loved ones? Have you
forgotten about them?
There are always more questions than
answers when we look inside ourselves. We have to learn to be critical
of ourselves and examine our motives behind our decisions. In karate
training we must constantly check ourselves in this way in order to
balance our mind, body, and spiritual connection to the "way" of karate.
The type of person we are now should not be the type of person we are in
a year from now.
If we truly see things in our inner
reflection of ourselves that bring a question to our minds about the
right or wrong way that we have done something than we need to take a
seriously look at our actions. We must also check our belief system and
truly examine it.
When we make mistakes and have problems
they are much more easily fixed than we like to admit. Instead our pride
gets in the way and we end up sacrificing the person of character that
we can become. We end up hurting others because of our pride.
When we reflect on the problems that we
have we must remember that they are our problems. They do not belong to
any one else. The actions that we take to our problems are what affects
others around us thus making our personal problems their own. We want
other people to grovel in the lowness of our beings with us without
taking our own responsibility for our problem.
We must learn to stand up and face our
reflections in the mirror. We must accept responsibility for who and
what we are and make changes accordingly. It is important to especially
look at how much better we can be if we but take the time to change the
things that we know are wrong, accept the things we cannot change, and
grow and learn from the others. You will find that it's not all about
you.
Karate training should help you to look
inside. By physically working hard and pushing to do more we accomplish
more. Our techniques, strength, and stamina all get better. So by
reflection on our inner selves and working to improve our habits,
prejudices, and beliefs, we also become better people. THE ONLY
PERSON WE CAN CONTROL IS OURSELF. If we continually try to control
others instead of controlling our own imperfections the only people we
end up hurting is ourselves.
Use the mirrors in the dojo or use them
in your house. See the outside and work to make it more appealing to
yourself and others. Reflect on the inside and change and become a
better person.
This is the way.
Sensei Dave
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