The Silk Thread of Gorindo - Ottawa - Canada
- Gorindo Meditation Technique - Part 1
- The Responsibility of Being a Martial Artist - Part 1
Cover Photo 'In-Yo in the Snow' by ©2013 Claudio Iedwab
The Responsibility of Being a Martial Artist - Part 1
In Gorindo we believe that we can train to be a better person. As a young person you are still learning many new things. When you were a child, you had to learn how to speak, eat with other people, brush your teeth, and play games with your friends. You learned to share, say thank you, and be gentle with younger people and animal pets. These traits are all part of growing up with good character. Other people are then happy to be friends with you, invite you to their home, join you in activities, and teach you new things.
We have already talked about how important it is to behave correctly in the dojo. Let’s look more closely at what personal skills, ideas, and attitudes we work on inside ourselves to be good martial artists. These are just as important as our stances, kata, and grappling and kicking techniques. Without them, our practice is empty and for show. It is not martial art. It is playing around.
You and Yourself
Gorindo helps us learn more about who we are. When you were born, you were given a name to identify you. You have a birthday, a family, a school, and a community that you are part of. You may belong to a club or have a group of friends that you spend a lot of time with. All these things play a part in making you the person you are today. Hobbies, sports, and interests are also part of who you are. How we think, what we think about, and the way we communicate with others creates the image of our self. If your name is Joe, who is Joe? Who is that person you see in the mirror? If you close your eyes and think “I am Ruth” (or whatever your own name is), you are thinking of yourself. If you say “I like ice cream,” you are talking about yourself. If you are happy or tired or want to do something, this is part of how you feel about yourself.
You are a person. You have a right to be on this planet. Even though you are young, you still make choices and have your own ideas and opinions. As you grow, your ideas and opinions will develop and change. Your family, friends, and teachers will help you find your way. They want you to be healthy and happy and able to be a part of society.
You and Others
Everyone is different. This is a good thing because if everyone were the same, life would be boring. People have different hair and skin colors, different kinds of bodies, speak different languages, and eat different foods. In the same way people have different thoughts. They may follow different religions or no religion at all. Many people live in cities and towns, but some live in the country or a jungle or a desert. Some people watch television all day, and others have no interest in it at all. They would rather read a book or go for a walk in the woods. Some people love and study martial art and some people have never heard of it.
People come together in groups to share good times and to work together. Despite our differences and disagreements, people need family and friends, enough food to eat, and shelter from the cold, rain, snow or hot sun. We make rules or laws so that people can live together peacefully. We don’t steal, lie, cheat, or harm other people because basically we want things to be fair and work well. We still have a lot of work to do before we can all live without fear, hunger, or disease.
(to be continued)
Excerpt from “The Peaceful Way - A Children's Guide to the Traditions of the Martial Arts” by Claudio Iedwab & Roxanne Standefer
Photo by ©2013 Claudio Iedwab
- Gorindo Meditation Technique - Part 1
- The Responsibility of Being a Martial Artist - Part 1
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