Egos in the martial arts in both East and America can be overwhelming to the novice.  They can also be harmful to the novice.  Thus the instructor has an obligation and responsibility to balance ego with humility.  It is true that one “must” believe in his/her art enough that if pushed to the limit, a physical encounter occurs, one believes in the skill learned.  However, today many martial arts school fill beginner students’ heads with infalted egos.  This is a creation for enterprise and capitalism.  This is a dangerous place to put a student.  As a student, the instructor might put the student in a tournament and compete in forms, sparring or weapons.  One “must” remember this is sport; not real world street defense.  One can win “competitor of the year” in tournament circles and at the same time get his butt kicked by a good street fighter.  On the street, there are no rules, judges or referee.  This leads to the fact that sometimes instructors are living vicariously through their students in order to meet a personal goal which age or time has passed them by.  Remember, there is no ultimate martial art, ther are only excepitional martial artists.

There are martial arts world wide and with this there are many ways to combat aggression and also many ways to counter techniques.  These arts vary from culture to culture and from style of art.  As I have written before, one must fine the “art” that “fits” one needs.  Egos from either students or instructors have no place here.

Students should enter a dojo or dojang ( training hall) with an empty cup attitude no matter what training one has had previously in the arts.  If your cup if full, then there is nothing one can offer you.

Instructors are under the same obligation.  If an instructor thinks he/she knows it all, then the weak link in the chain is soon to be broken.  A true Black Belt instructor knows that the journey in the art is never-ending and learning is a continued process.  To fill a novice or any under-belt with false confidence is to send them to a sure defeat or death.

Lao Tze, the Taoist writer says that there are three Taoist jewels one should put into practice.  They are:  Humility, compassion and moderation.  These apply to daily life as well as life in combat.  Egos have no part here.  Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations.

I am not saying that sport karate has no value.  It has a lot of value for team efforts, character building and self-esteem.  Totally self defense arts such as Aikido and Hapkido differ in philosophy, in that there are no sport applications, only self defense in real workd situation without judges or referees.

One must consider two things here.  If my instructor talks a lot of “smack” to fill his ego is he really doing me a favor.  The second thing to consider is the “humility” part.  The Taoist say, “Those who know, don’t speak.”  Don’t be fooled by “bling” and “flash.”

Remember, people come to the martial arts for many reasons. Some for health, sport, self-defense, socialization and some just for family fun.  Do not allow yourself to be sacrificed by some instructor to fill a need that he/she is lacking.  The martial arts is a personal journey and ego hos no place.

Feel free to call us at Black Dragon Martial Arts @ 225-571-2405 for information.  We might or might not be the school for you, but we will direct you to the best reference to fill your need.

Happy Training!