"What is a Martial Artist, "How Are They Different From Those Around Them" and "What Is Expected of Them"?
The word "Martial" means proper or suitable to warfare, and the word "Artist" means one who practices creative skills, as well as their applications.
So a "Martial Artist" is one who creates and applies warfare to their life, as well as those around them.
In the days of the Samurai, a Samurai warrior would be expected to protect or defend not only themselves, but also those around them. Not much different than the police today. The Samurai, like our police, were expected to be of the utmost honorable character. Besides keeping them safe, they were expected to protect people's rights. They were, and are today in fact, respected only in direct proportion to their level of honor, which, by definition means, having a strong sense of what is right, and then making it of the utmost priority to enforce it, not only in their own life, but the lives of those around them.
Leaders are respected for two primary reasons. One, through fear, and the other through knowledge that that person has your best interest in mind. The greatest known Samurai in Japan's history were those of the later. There were many that were feared, but the ones that are still talked about today, are those who had the greatest impact upon Japan's civilization. In fact, those same Samurai are the ones who shaped Japan into the greatly respected nation that it is today, especially as it relates to their honorable business practices, as well as what's expected from their citizens. Those whom we consider to be the greatest and most influential leaders in American history did the same.
So how does a Martial Artist differ from those around them? How should they differ from those around them?
First of all, if they are to be respected in an honorable way, they should be remembered not only for what they did to change the lives of those around them, but also for who they were to those around them. They, like the renowned Samurai and Founding Fathers, should declare war against any and all tyrannies, injustices, and threats, not only to themselves, but to those whom they have a responsibility to protect. And not just physically, but mentally, as well as spiritually. They are to use their creative skills, ones that have been developed through the practice of Martial Arts training, to not only bring change to their life, although that needs to happen first before one can lead others, but they need, and have an even greater responsibility, to encourage others, at all costs to themselves, to APPLY those changes. Otherwise, no influential, nor lasting change to society occurs.
So what is expected from you as a Martial Artist? Simply put...to put other's lives, even before your own life. To sacrifice your wants, and even your needs, including your reputation, but never your honor, to create change about you, especially when no one else is willing to do it. To be a protector of peace, and yet bring warfare wherever you go.
The word "Martial" means proper or suitable to warfare, and the word "Artist" means one who practices creative skills, as well as their applications.
So a "Martial Artist" is one who creates and applies warfare to their life, as well as those around them.
In the days of the Samurai, a Samurai warrior would be expected to protect or defend not only themselves, but also those around them. Not much different than the police today. The Samurai, like our police, were expected to be of the utmost honorable character. Besides keeping them safe, they were expected to protect people's rights. They were, and are today in fact, respected only in direct proportion to their level of honor, which, by definition means, having a strong sense of what is right, and then making it of the utmost priority to enforce it, not only in their own life, but the lives of those around them.
Leaders are respected for two primary reasons. One, through fear, and the other through knowledge that that person has your best interest in mind. The greatest known Samurai in Japan's history were those of the later. There were many that were feared, but the ones that are still talked about today, are those who had the greatest impact upon Japan's civilization. In fact, those same Samurai are the ones who shaped Japan into the greatly respected nation that it is today, especially as it relates to their honorable business practices, as well as what's expected from their citizens. Those whom we consider to be the greatest and most influential leaders in American history did the same.
So how does a Martial Artist differ from those around them? How should they differ from those around them?
First of all, if they are to be respected in an honorable way, they should be remembered not only for what they did to change the lives of those around them, but also for who they were to those around them. They, like the renowned Samurai and Founding Fathers, should declare war against any and all tyrannies, injustices, and threats, not only to themselves, but to those whom they have a responsibility to protect. And not just physically, but mentally, as well as spiritually. They are to use their creative skills, ones that have been developed through the practice of Martial Arts training, to not only bring change to their life, although that needs to happen first before one can lead others, but they need, and have an even greater responsibility, to encourage others, at all costs to themselves, to APPLY those changes. Otherwise, no influential, nor lasting change to society occurs.
So what is expected from you as a Martial Artist? Simply put...to put other's lives, even before your own life. To sacrifice your wants, and even your needs, including your reputation, but never your honor, to create change about you, especially when no one else is willing to do it. To be a protector of peace, and yet bring warfare wherever you go.