‘…nothing to fear, but fear itself’

This is actually a re-publish of something I wrote in our school newsletter a few months ago.  But I’m reposting it here to share with a few specific people. Enjoy!

Why do we learn philosophy?

I’m at some strange convergence of six direction theory and the serenity prayer right about now. What do those two have to do with each other you may ask?

Well let me explain. Six direction theory (or Yuk Hyung Chun Haeng Bup) places, or locates you as a person within your universe – i.e. it gives you ‘coordinates’ in relative terms to the family, friends and other people you interact with in life.

In this theory, your parents are behind you & your children are in front of you. Your teachers and older siblings are to your right, and your students and younger siblings are to your left. Your ancestors are below you, and your connection to your higher power is above you.

Within this ‘virtual cube’ this is where you as a person exist. Everyone lives in their own unique version of this space, and all of these ‘cubes’ are inter-related. The serenity prayer is something along the lines of, “God, please give me the strength to change what I can change, the patience to deal with what I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

So where is this crossroads occurring for me?

Because I am now recognizing that I only affect changes from within the center of my little ‘cube.’ I am absolutely unable to move anyone else from the peripheral positions, no matter how much I care. Perhaps part of the ‘wisdom to know the difference’ is directly tied to this knowing.

It fits in well with other general principles we learn from Tukong – of moving from one’s center, the Dan Jeon, for maximum efficiency. Revolution, or using circular motion to create or dissipate power, depends on being accurately in the center of the circle to begin with. It all kind of makes sense.

I have found that the philosophy, principles and concepts that underlie the physical manifestations of the martial arts tend to teach me a lot about the mental and spiritual versions of movement as well. If I can learn to overcome the things that keep me from physically performing at my peak, in the process I gain the tools that can be applied to the other realms of existence with equal efficacy.

Discipline, Courage, Honor, Brotherhood, Selfless Service, Patience, the ability to Forgive… These are the best and really the only weapons we can possibly use in the fight against ourselves, and we only have access to them if we are brave enough to go find them. Martial arts training is the work, while philosophy-driven processing of that training is where the wisdom begins to grow.

As Grandmaster Yi has said in the past – the real fight is the one you face inside yourself.

In peace & hope,
~Ms. Kaia