“Practicing karate improves your lifestyle through health and mental stability. Okinawan karate focuses on developing mental strength and willpower. There is no end in the journey of learning true karate.” – Ippei Yagi 8th dan Meibukan Goju Ryu
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Many people rely on external things to bring comfort and happiness. This is because most of us spend our lives busily avoiding self-awareness. Every moment is filled with work, hobbies, family, TV, computers, phones, etc.
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You can spend your whole life without a single opportunity for self-reflection. Everything is external, therefore you become reliant on the external for approval, comfort, acceptance, love, etc.
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But it’s all there, inside you. You simply need to find the time and courage to look for it. Once you are at peace with who you are as a person, your place in this world, you’ll find that wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, you are happy and at peace.
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Learning anything requires commitment and the ability to push through the uncomfortable feeling of not being very good until reaching competency. While on the path to competency, a little self-reflection can go a long way.
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Life will throw you many excuses not to train, but it’s up to you to make it work. If you are doing karate just to get a black belt, you are missing the point.
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Yes you will get there through consistent practice with constant, incremental improvements over the long term.
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And the belt is a reminder of the tremendous growth you’ve made while training in your art – becoming fitter, learning technique, gaining confidence, becoming disciplined, showing respect, overcoming mental and physical challenges – all important life skills that make you into a better person.
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But the black belt is just that, a belt. It’s the path you take and the mountains you climb while on your journey, that should be your focus and your reward.
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It really is just the beginning. Unfortunately, a large percentage of students, upon earning their black belt, soon quit martial arts training. This is sad for so many reasons. Earning a black belt does not mean there is nothing else to learn.
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There are so many other aspects to your training to add to your current skills, which can increase your understanding of not only how to better defend yourself, but also to have a deeper understanding of yourself.
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The journey doesn’t end, but rather it changes from a journey of simply learning, to a journey of learning and self-discovery.
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And self-reflection is a process that allows you to delve deep within yourself, gaining insight into your thoughts, emotions, and actions. It serves to encourage personal growth, helping you develop self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. By engaging in self-reflection, you can unlock your true potential and embark on a journey of self-discovery, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
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As philosopher Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.
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‘Bujutsu’ is the martial art you practice, whereas ‘budo’ is the lifestyle you live and the path you walk.
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📷 Ippei Yagi quote: Okinawa Traditional Karate Channel
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