TEDTalks
Although this isn’t specifically related to Martial Arts, but it is directly related to subjectivity and objectivity, and is also a topic that is extremely close to my heart – that of intercultural understanding and tolerance.
http://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html
Martial Arts practitioners are guilty of this, at least conceptually. Too often the subjective “My style” becomes “the Best”, and all other interpretations are inferior afterthoughts and then the discussion that could come about between styles is all-too-often interrupted before it even begins because of subjective valuation and pride…
Too often we forget that the historical martial artists (those Masters of yore that we all have heard great stories about) practiced and occasionally put their styles to the test – but ultimately, when two Masters got together and were sufficiently enlightened (wise, tired, or whatever state of being you believe they would have had to be in), they would talk. They would share their practices with each other, illustrating another way of seeing things and both styles would grow.
I have met with the teacher of my first teacher and, in all honesty, I was not impressed. This is the man who taught the man who first showed be the beautiful world of martial arts training, specifically Kempo, and, although we initially appeared to agree on many aspects of martial arts training and practice, we later realized that we disagreed on fundamental ideas. These divergent ideas ranged from philosophical foundations of the appropriate application of force (IE: rule of engagement), to the conceptual framework of teaching techniques and beyond. Although we disagreed, I gave him the respect of a senior instructor and was willing to discuss and learn… which was a respect that was not reciprocated. My input was dismissed, without foundation. The dismissive sentiments were simply because these were his findings in life…
Conceptually, this video tackles the idea of religiosity between cultures and how the fundamental concepts of a worldview can impact business and leadership practices. Change the topic of Religion to Martial Arts, substitute the stories of the mythological/religious figures with those of the ancient masters and you will see that the remainder of the concept doesn’t change much…
So, ultimately, my hope is that everyone who seriously wants to expand their knowledge base and training progress be willing to recognize where they are coming from, and be able to listen to others viewpoints… from there, there can only come more learning and a deeper understanding of what you thought you knew before the conversation started…
