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withDaniel Verkerke |
THE
RAINBOW
(Part 1)
By Soke Dan R. McEaddy
The Question
#1) John Doe has just been promoted to the rank of Forth Degree Black Belt. He's been studying the art for 20 years. In the 20 years he has won numerous championship fights. He even fought in the "cage" and was undefeated. Is he truly a Master?
#2) Jane Doe has been studying martial arts since she was 4 years old. When she was 8 she received her black belt. At the age of 12 she was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt. Is she a Master?
As I See It
My answer to question #1 can be either yes
or no; depending upon what else was included in his training. On
fighting ability alone, I do not think so.
My answer to question #2. I strongly discourage any instructor promoting a child under the ages of 16 or 17 to the rank of Black Belt. When a child at the range of 8 is promoted to a Black Belt it undermines the true meaning of the rank. If Jane Doe is given the rank of Black Belt between the age of 16 or17, she will honor it and be honored more as a black belt, because of higher comprehensive level and state of maturity. Any instructor promoting a 12 year old to Master level 4th degree Black Belt should have his own credentials examined because he is truly robbing the child. This child will never be able to look in the sky and understand the martial art philosophical meaning of the rainbow.
The Philosophy
Just about every martial arts Master instructor is familiar with the word psychogenesis. A martial arts philosophical word meaning, "Everything begins in mind or everything begins with thought." This is the cause of all creation. Before anything can be done, or achieved, it must first be activated by thought in order to produce the effect which is the productivity of what began in mind. It is the belief of most Master instructors that the aim of the martial arts is to introduce the practitioner to his or her self.
I.) The Angelic Creed
There is no greater study then the study of the self.
Knowing who we are and what we are. Knowing our strengths and
weaknesses. Knowing what we can do and what we cannot do. Through
this concept we will develop ourselves physically, mentally, and
spiritually, so that we may have an awareness of our being.
II.) Masters
Let us strive to understand the seven levels of
consciousness: The seven levels of "above" and the seven levels of
"below". In order to understand the nature of others, we must first
understand the nature of ourselves. Realization of the self is the
key that will harmonize us with nature and anoint us with peace.
III.) The riches of Life
Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
The Exam
With the promotion of Black Belt comes a self-exam; an exam which is so secret he/she dares not let anyone know of it.
SELF QUESTIONS
1. Am I worthy of this rank?
2. Can I defend myself in a real fight?
3. Am I a coward?
4. Will I fight or flight?
These questions are just an example of what
someone just being promoted to Black Belt may ask themselves. For an
adult Black Belt, questions like these can be tough. If asked by a
child who is a black belt, it can be tougher. Remember, we are
products of our thoughts.
If a juvenile black belt encounters a street fight and faces a loss,
he can end up mentally devastated. This can discourage the child
from martial arts leaving him/her with no faith or confidence, which
can mark and have an effect on his fighting ability throughout his
life. This is only a scenario which may or may not happen. The
martial artist must understand that we, as people are photon beings;
photosynthesizing to the rays of the sunlight. As children of light
we develop, grow and mature according to what lenses and optics of
life conceives, perceives, receives and develops. This is the key
that will manifest positive conceptual maturity.
In the martial arts every belt color is an expression of growth and
enlightenment which should transform the martial artist to a higher
sense of awareness which shapes and molds his/her character to see
the power within the inner depth of the individual's being. No
honorable man has ever attained the rank of Black Belt without
determination, hardwork, and the activation of his body moisture
that creates the sky arc, his true life and martial arts character
is revealed, manifested by his mental and spiritual development,
which leads to a new and greater transformation. Then and only then
can he receive his new commission which authorizes him to wear his
newly earned color.
Each color belt is an expression and part of the rainbow which is
the sky arc of life, exhibiting spectral colors through moisture.
The rainbow represents great spiritual power. To the martial artist,
it represents a covenant, a promise or a spiritual treaty between
man and his higher power. True martial arts training without the
mental and spiritual teachings will only produce limited growth. It
is like a tree without roots, leaving the student unbalanced. There
is no doubt about it, "balance is the Master key to the martial
arts. An individual who has no balance physically, mentally, or
spiritually will fall. So be careful how you train and promote your
students." This way they will be able to stand without holding on to
any false objects for support.
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