Why the Way of Empty Hand MUST NOT BE HURRIED

In the Legge interpretation/translation of the I Ching it says, "A tree springing up on the ground is a tree as ti begins to grow. A tree on a hill is high and large. Every tree when it begins to grow, shows its branches and twigs gradually becoming long. Every morning and every evening shows some difference; and when the tree is high and great, whether it be of an ordinary or extraordinary size, it has taken years to reach its dimensions."

It also alludes to "the application and improvements … is a gradual process."

I am not anyone anywhere would consider a karate-ka of any notoriety or accomplishment but I have been practicing for a long time. This in itself is of no great accomplishment in the scheme of how this country views practice of anything. I don't have a lot of experience in truly violent encounters nor in competition but I am proficient.

So when I spout out this stuff there is no real reason why anyone should listen or accept anything I post. Why should you. But, the I Ching quote above does tell us that nothing of any note or worth is gotten quickly. All good things come to those with patience and persistence.

All karate-ka should accept it that nothing in karate-do comes quickly. It is not a means of instant gratification for that as well comes intermittently and over time. It comes one day many years down the road suddenly and spiritually. They should accept the fact that not all lessons are going to be new and exciting but most lessons/training/practice are going to be repetitive and often boring unless you decide it isn't and use the training of the brain/mind to enhance those so called boring sessions.

This also applies to the truth and the facts, it is something that takes time and patience to achieve and acquire. It also takes time, effort, patience, and persistence to bring about change in others especially when not members of the tribe.

Here end-ith this particular lesson. (Yes I am stealing from the movie)

p.s. You know, thirty-six plus years just suddenly appears like the blink of an eye. I had not fully realized just how far I traveled until one day I sat down to figure it out for a web entry, whalla, thirty-three years black belt. Do not discount what anyone might have to say simply because you don't view their credentials as valid. All information is potential knowledge regardless the source and the sources credentials.