Post by Sensei Justice on May 13, 2006 0:48:25 GMT -5
4. First know yourself then know others
The 4th Kun has more truth to it than maybe anything else karate can teach you.
I have always said and taught that karate is a art with no wrong and right. This is true because what works for me may not work for you and so on. Some people may fight with power some with speed some by use a combo of the two. Some may be more offensive than defensive or a counter puncher or a high kicker. take your pick but we each must figure out what works best for us. THUS WE MUST KNOW OUR OWN ABILITY.
A Greek Philosopher named Socrates said "Know Thy self" Which is pretty much the same thing we must understand what we do good and what we do bad. Only when I know what I can or can not do then am I able to defeat you. The problem many of us have is we think we can do everything. We must learn to be humble.
Another example is the idea that I can not help you if I have never went thought what you are going though. The old saying walk a mile in my shoes does apply here. If I have never been successful at something I may find it hard to teach a person with a learning disability or handicap. So we must be able to look at ourselves and honestly say I need to work on this or that and fix me before I fix you.
All to often I seer new students in class both today and yesterday. Who think they know it all. As I have told many people I have forgotten much more than I know. It is not our job to tech but put them on the right path.
I can not make you a great Martial Artist or a great teacher or a great doctor or whatever you must do that for yourself. All I can do is put you on the path to be successful but you must know yourself to be successful and ONLY when you have done well you cant try to guide others.
Take care of y ourself and then those around you. Because in the end the only one you control is you.
The 4th Kun has more truth to it than maybe anything else karate can teach you.
I have always said and taught that karate is a art with no wrong and right. This is true because what works for me may not work for you and so on. Some people may fight with power some with speed some by use a combo of the two. Some may be more offensive than defensive or a counter puncher or a high kicker. take your pick but we each must figure out what works best for us. THUS WE MUST KNOW OUR OWN ABILITY.
A Greek Philosopher named Socrates said "Know Thy self" Which is pretty much the same thing we must understand what we do good and what we do bad. Only when I know what I can or can not do then am I able to defeat you. The problem many of us have is we think we can do everything. We must learn to be humble.
Another example is the idea that I can not help you if I have never went thought what you are going though. The old saying walk a mile in my shoes does apply here. If I have never been successful at something I may find it hard to teach a person with a learning disability or handicap. So we must be able to look at ourselves and honestly say I need to work on this or that and fix me before I fix you.
All to often I seer new students in class both today and yesterday. Who think they know it all. As I have told many people I have forgotten much more than I know. It is not our job to tech but put them on the right path.
I can not make you a great Martial Artist or a great teacher or a great doctor or whatever you must do that for yourself. All I can do is put you on the path to be successful but you must know yourself to be successful and ONLY when you have done well you cant try to guide others.
Take care of y ourself and then those around you. Because in the end the only one you control is you.