Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 03:01:59 -0800 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 9 #537 - 6 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Subscribed-Address: kma@martialartsresource.com List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. 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Re: Re: loss of martial spirit (Kakita Kentei) 2. Fort Wayne seminar (Randall Sexton) 3. RE: Ft. Wayne Seminar (foxdragon@cuttingedge.net) 4. US Marines and Veterans Day (Ray Terry) 5. Yonsei studies forum (Ray Terry) 6. low carb diet (freddie bishop) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 06:32:01 -0800 (PST) From: Kakita Kentei Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Re: loss of martial spirit To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net First of all Denise, Thank you very deeply for this post. It's incredible. I have saved a copy and may share it, with your permission. Additional comments are inline with what I am replying to. --- Denise Lee wrote: > Erik: > Perhaps I can add one more perspective to the wonderful ideas that have been > shared by other members of the DD for you to consider. I tell my students > (as well as myself!) that if you never want to quit, there's something wrong > with your training experience. If it always goes smoothly then there is no > challenge to grow in your purpose. Chord number 1 that gets struck! I've been feeling less than challenged in some repsects, and seemingly insurmountably challenged in others, with my martial arts training. > > We need to be driven (human nature is to develop habits) to ask ourselves > "Why? Why do I do this? What is it that drives me to continue studying the > martial arts?" I know of NO ONE who has stayed in the arts for a long time > who has not found reasons along the way that are different from or are added > to those that got them started in the first place. It is often a struggle > like yours that might cause one to step back & ask: "Why am I doing this? > What is my purpose?" If we are to mature, we should find new reasons to > train as we grow in skills & understanding. This has been some questions I have been asking myself. I have a lot of answers. First, it's to eventually achieve the intermediary goal of obtaining my black belt. Second, I want to see if I have what it takes to get there. Every once in a while I say "I don't know why I'm doing this to myself." > > In GM Hwang Kee's translation of the Sip Sahm Seh (Song of Thirteen > Influences), it is stated: ". . . Give awareness and purpose to every > movement." and " . . . Beginners are guided by oral teaching. Gradually one > applies himself more. Skill will take care of itself." So one of our > responsibilities, if we are to be "good" students is periodically to > re-commit ourselves to martial arts training. GM Kee founded the system I study, and this inspires me. Do you have an ISBN for texts he's written? > > In your situation, Erik, you have been away from your dojang for a while, > have thus lost some of your "connection" with your fellow students & to some > extent with your instructor. Change has happened while you were away -- both > in your school & in yourself. Dealing with your Dad's illness, especially > with it's potential -- happily a positive outcome! -- has probably affected > your view of life & what's important in your own life. Too true, and at times in the dojang, I feel a sort of emotional void. I guess I feel a bit selfish, but I need some positive attention once in a while, even if it's just a "Good one!" or "Nice kata." Yes, my father has come through the operation extremely well, and is making strides daily. > > If you can find at least one reason to train, then you can commit yourself. > If not, it is out of habit & without true purpose. A waste of your time. And > your Dad's recent illness has probably affected how you view your own time > on this earth? This is tough, the senior belts in my school keep pointing that a green belt's tenure is filled with empotional highs and lows, and that this is not just acceptable, but appropriate. > > So, if you ask yourself "Why do I want to train?" you may find it a more > pleasant experience. Perhaps right now, your training might be a respite > from life's stress. Training as a "habit" until your physical fitness begins > to be re-established, helping you to feel better both physically & mentally. > At the same time, you will be re-integrating yourself into your dojang's > community & re-establishing your relationship with your instructor(s). > There's 5 "why's" (stress respite, physical fitness, mental stimulation, > re-connecting with your fellow students, re-establishing your relationship > with your instructor) which will also facilitate your increased skill & > understanding as a result of the physical repetitions of your "rusty" > techniques. My biggest fault here is that I push myself too hard and try to keep up with the others. I'm embarrassed by my physical conditioning so I over compesate and don't flow. It's like I am not being natural with it, and it feels "wrong". > > Perhaps you will try this & discover that you just plain don't enjoy the > martial arts any more. This happens. Maybe you want to try a different way > get physically fit, find a different stress-reliever, associate with > different people -- for now, or maybe for good. This happens, too. Then > maybe at some time (could be years from now! -- ask some of the DD members) > you may want to "finish what you started." This also happens -- a LOT. So > you return to your dojang & start with a fresh perspective & purpose. I hope not, I work out with a fine bunch of instructors and fellow students. My issues aren't truly with them, but are within myself. > > IMHO it's important, Erik, that you not allow your training to add to the > stress (physical, mental, spiritual) of your life. Adding a few more phrases > from GM Hwang Kee's SSS translation that was partially quoted above: " . . . > Give awareness and purpose to every movement. When done correctly all will > appear effortless. . . . Keep alert and seek the meaning and purpose of your > art. Bent and stretched, open and closed. Let nature take its course. . . " > As in all poetic interpretation, there are nuances to the meaning of this > one. Sure, this applies to the physicality, etc. of the arts, but also to > our own essence as the practitioners. I had lost sight of this. > > We are challenged, we find & dedicate ourselves to a purpose, we grow, we > are again challenged, we find & dedicate/re-dedicate ourselves to a > purpose/purposes . . . & the beat goes on & on & on. And then we die. > > Oh, and if we enjoy a few beers, the company of good friends, the love of > our spouse/kids/parents/sibs/etc. along the way, we die happy:) > > I truly hope that you find a way to enjoy your martial artistry, Erik, & > hope this might have been of some help. > Denise This has been a vastly beneficial resource for me. Your perspectives have truly given me the key, which I had all along, but couldn't see. Thank you! __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 --__--__-- Message: 2 From: "Randall Sexton" To: Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 08:35:49 -0600 Subject: [The_Dojang] Fort Wayne seminar Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Go in blind and with your cup empty. You won't be dissappointed! >>> If Master West could give some explanation on the list as well as what subjects will be covered at the seminar I would find that helpful so I'm not going into the semiar blind. Fred>>> Randall Sexton www.laughinghara.com "When you get there, there isn't any there there." Gertrude Stein --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 08:34:58 -0600 From: foxdragon@cuttingedge.net To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] RE: Ft. Wayne Seminar Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Fred, There isn't much to explain. Grandmaster West is a great teacher and believe me, you won't be blind. His explainations and demonstrations are simple and easy to follow. He also has plenty of help there to show you how if you have problems. Go! Have Fun! And tell Grandmaster West hello for me. Donna P.S. He also sells a basic hapkido video. I suggest buying one. > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 18:52:34 -0800 (PST) > From: freddie bishop If Master West could > give some explanation on the list as well as what > subjects will be covered at the seminar I would find > that helpful so I'm not going into the semiar blind. > > Fred > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos --__--__-- Message: 4 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang) Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 07:52:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] US Marines and Veterans Day Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Today (11-10) is the birthday of the US Marines. Happy B-Day, Marine. Tomorrow is Veterans Day. Thanks to all the Vets out there. Ray Terry rterry@idiom.com --__--__-- Message: 5 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang) Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 09:37:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] Yonsei studies forum Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Forwarded message: 16th YONSEI KOREAN STUDIES FORUM The Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) Korean Studies Program gladly invites you to the Yonsei Korean Studies Forum, which will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2002, 4:00PM and at Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies Millennium Hall Room 111. The topic for this forum is "Korean Studies Dilemma: Area Studies versus the Disciplinary Approach." The speaker is Professor Hong Yong Lee, University of California at Berkeley. He received his B.A. from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. His research areas of interest include the domestic politics of China and Korea, and political economy and international relations in East Asia. He teaches courses on East Asian politics and political economy, and on international relations, and is currently preparing a book length manuscript tentatively entitled, "Creating Market in China." The presentation and the forum will be followed by dinner, courtesy of Yonsei University, at a restaurant (TBD) just outside the gates of Yonsei University. We hope you can join us to enjoy the presentation, the discussion, and the dinner. Thank you for your time, consideration, and we hope you will join us. See you at the Yonsei Korean Studies Forum. Who: Guest Speaker - Professor Hong Yung Lee, UC at Berkeley What: Yonsei Korean Studies Forum When: Thursday, 14 November 2002, 4:00PM Where: Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, Millennium Hall, Room 111. Please see map of our website: http://gsis.yonsei.ac.kr/home.htm (then click virtual open house on the bottom right corner) Warmest Regards, Hyuk-Rae Kim, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chairperson, Korean Studies Program Graduate School of International Studies Yonsei University Seoul, 120-749 KOREA Tel: +822-2123-4705 Fax: +822-392-3321 --__--__-- Message: 6 Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 15:44:32 -0800 (PST) From: freddie bishop To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] low carb diet Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Don Moore- Remembering how miserable I felt is what kept me from straying too far from the diet. I had a good support group, some friends at work and my wife, daily workouts, at least 1 gallon of water daily, and keeping my carbs at 30 grams a day is what kept me on track. Not to mention love making was more enjoyable too. Fred __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-866-4632 FAX 719-866-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11! End of The_Dojang Digest