Discrimination, Harassment, and ...

I am the acting supervisor for an IST Release Management group and every two years we are required to attend a two hour class on such things as discrimination, harassment (all kinds to include sexual), and more. Retaliation is one such part of this training.

Why do I bring it up here? Because I have seen these things happen in training halls through out my career in the Fighting Arts. I have been lucky that those minor infractions I may have done in the past never turned into anything serious and occurred mainly due to my ignorance, which is not excusable.

One of the many benefits of following a "complete Way", such as Karate-jutsu-do, is its ability to teach us to focus inward and look for improvements.

I recently read, and now re-read frequently, a book on "civility" which in itself helped me to see within myself some behaviors that I felt were innocent to instead by rude and inconsiderate. My practice helped me to open my mind to these transgressions and now I have corrected such behavior.

In the fighting arts we can be susceptible to the power rank and status can bring us and to use that power properly is paramount in a good Sensei or in a person in general. As senior persons of the fighting arts and especially in the Way of the Empty Hand, not to forget the many other ways we can follow, that our positions as seniors can put juniors in difficult situations if we are not aware of ourselves and what we do and say in the training hall. What we do in the training hall should be the same as what we do in life and what we do in life is the same as what we do in the training hall.

To allow ourselves to be consumed by our achievements, our abilities, our rank, and our status in the training hall can have profound effect on fellow practitioners. This is why I have posted on the relationships we develop in the hall referred to as the Sempai/Kohai, Deshi/Sensei, Deshi/Kyosei, etc. relationship. Its affects are far reaching and we as leaders of an art are obligated to carry that with honor and dignity.

Practice the art of civility! Practice the "Way!" Never forget that every word and deed has potential! Where the potential goes is completely up to the individual, make it a good one!

Giri! The obligation hardest to bear...we are obligated to give the best service as our abilities will provide...make it so!

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