I have been reflecting on this question for quite some time. Obviously, because I'm posting this on the very last due date. Today, I went for a 4 mile run in a public park. It is designed to be a hiking trail, so it is very secluded. Despite this, I did run into my sister-in-law and her boyfriend as they were hiking. During my run, I knew I had to develop a view to write down on this subject. I believe what has been holding me back from answering the question is the feeling I am setting my opinion in stone. Now I know, that is not true. I'm writing my definition and view at this moment in time. It could change tomorrow, next year, or 25 years from now, and that's okay.
Today, my view is simply mastering something. Yes, something is very broad. But, people can be the master of anything. It can be making cupcakes or growing fantastic tomatoes. Both can be wonderful things.
The term master is used frequently in martial arts. I have seen "masters" of their art who deserved the honor and I have seen those who in my opinion did not. It is nothing more than an opinion. When I teach my cross country team the proper form in running, I hope they master those taught skills. I also hope it increases their speed in order to win events. I have seen these taught skills slow students down. If it is temporary, and their speed increases with the improved form, I'm okay with that. If that speed does not return, I'll probably tell them to go back to what they were doing before. Many NFL scouts got all over Tim Tebow's case because of his throwing motion. He worked on it at a training center near my home, and he ended up being drafted in the first round. His college coaches decided to leave it be. He has 3 college national championships to his name. Who cares about his throwing motion. Well, NFL folks do, but when his time comes, and he is not winning, they may go back to letting him do "his" thing.
In martial arts, I attempt to master a technique, form, and application of those things. To me, mastery is a goal right now. I honestly do not feel like I have mastered anything in martial arts. I simply try to get a little bit better every day. Perhaps one day, Sifu Steven or Master Tom will inform me that I have mastered something. I will be honored, but I will continue to get better every day. I tell my runners on my cross country team, "Just try to get a little better every day, and everything else will take care of itself." I also adapt and try new things as I see fit. I believe that is an important key in kung fu...to adapt. If one does not adapt, they will become stagnant, and they lose what they have already mastered. Many kung fu masters are very good at adapting, and I believe Master Tom has done a wonderful job adapting to the changing world around him and well as his own skill set. It is why he is a Master. Yet, in other systems such as TKD and karate, I have seen individuals not willing to change, and they are in their 30s and watching class from the sidelines. They chose not to adapt or change. They do not see past being able to do a jumping spin kick. They have master in front of their names, but all they do is count in Japanese or Korean. That's sad to me. Yet, I have seen a wonderful world in Chinese martial arts. It is something you can honestly practice at 8 or 80, and much of that has to do with adapting to the surrounding world, but more importantly, to the always changing YOU.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Meanings of Master/Mastery
What does “Master” or “Mastery” mean to me?
These are two very different terms. I think of one as a person, and the other as an action.
I keep “master” in my mind as a martial art kind of concept. Martial arts is the first, and as yet only, place where I have become comfortable with the action of clasping my hands together to bow in respect before my teacher. That person has to have achieved mastery of the skills I wish to learn, though the title of master may not yet have been conferred. But more than that – because there are many, many people with great martial arts skills -- the concept of master is much larger than mastery of skills – in martial arts and elsewhere.
In my definition of the term, to be a master of an aspect of life – be it a physical skill, an emotional management, a technical achievement – brings with it a requirement to share that mastery. Many of the definitions of master also suggest teaching. Sifu Steven, in his post on http://franklinkungfu.blogspot.com/, mentioned meeting Chen Yong Fa, the keeper of the Choy Lee Fut discipline. If the keeper does not teach, the knowledge of the style will not be sustained. To be a master of something means to have achieved a level of skill that is somehow individualized – a master does not just copy or imitate. A master has internalized and understood the thing, added to its life through that understanding, and assured its continued life by teaching it to others.
Mastery of something is required to be a master, though I think of mastery as much more personal. One can achieve mastery through hard work, perhaps even through self-learning, without a mentor, through trial and error, just as juggling, magic, language or math. It seems a more casual concept than becoming a master. Having mastery of something does not automatically make one a master.
Perhaps I think of a master as someone worth learning from and mastery as something one has learned very well. Anyone can achieve mastery of a given thing, with enough work and dedication, but not everyone can become a master.
These are two very different terms. I think of one as a person, and the other as an action.
I keep “master” in my mind as a martial art kind of concept. Martial arts is the first, and as yet only, place where I have become comfortable with the action of clasping my hands together to bow in respect before my teacher. That person has to have achieved mastery of the skills I wish to learn, though the title of master may not yet have been conferred. But more than that – because there are many, many people with great martial arts skills -- the concept of master is much larger than mastery of skills – in martial arts and elsewhere.
In my definition of the term, to be a master of an aspect of life – be it a physical skill, an emotional management, a technical achievement – brings with it a requirement to share that mastery. Many of the definitions of master also suggest teaching. Sifu Steven, in his post on http://franklinkungfu.blogspot.com/, mentioned meeting Chen Yong Fa, the keeper of the Choy Lee Fut discipline. If the keeper does not teach, the knowledge of the style will not be sustained. To be a master of something means to have achieved a level of skill that is somehow individualized – a master does not just copy or imitate. A master has internalized and understood the thing, added to its life through that understanding, and assured its continued life by teaching it to others.
Mastery of something is required to be a master, though I think of mastery as much more personal. One can achieve mastery through hard work, perhaps even through self-learning, without a mentor, through trial and error, just as juggling, magic, language or math. It seems a more casual concept than becoming a master. Having mastery of something does not automatically make one a master.
Perhaps I think of a master as someone worth learning from and mastery as something one has learned very well. Anyone can achieve mastery of a given thing, with enough work and dedication, but not everyone can become a master.
Master
I like the first definition of "master" from wordnet "an artist of consummate skill". That is the definition that speaks to me when I think of a martial arts master.
What does it take to be "an artist of consummate skill"? How does one know when one gets to that level? Does mastery of different skills require different levels of ability?
These are a few of the questions that come into my mind when I think about mastery of martial arts. The next time Master Tom Pardue ranks me up, I will have the title "Master" in his system. That is why these questions are important to me.
Knowing me as I do, there is a very good possibility that I will never really feel as though I am an "artist of consummate skill". I have a tendency to see what the future potential is more than I see what my current accomplishments are.
I do feel that mastery of different arts/sports/skills require different levels of skill and training. For example, Mastery of checkers is very different from mastery of chess, and mastery of "Go Fish" is different from mastery of Poker.
When it comes down to it, to me, mastery is still a mystery.
definitions of master from wordnet
Noun
- S: (n) maestro, master (an artist of consummate skill) "a master of the violin"; "one of the old masters"
- S: (n) overlord, master, lord (a person who has general authority over others)
- S: (n) victor, master, superior (a combatant who is able to defeat rivals)
- S: (n) master (directs the work of others)
- S: (n) headmaster, schoolmaster, master (presiding officer of a school)
- S: (n) master, master copy, original (an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made)
- S: (n) master, captain, sea captain, skipper (an officer who is licensed to command a merchant ship)
- S: (n) master (someone who holds a master's degree from academic institution)
- S: (n) master, professional (an authority qualified to teach apprentices)
- S: (n) passkey, passe-partout, master key, master (key that secures entrance everywhere)
Verb
- S: (v) master, get the hang (be or become completely proficient or skilled in) "She mastered Japanese in less than two years"
- S: (v) overcome, get over, subdue, surmount, master (get on top of; deal with successfully) "He overcame his shyness"
- S: (v) dominate, master (have dominance or the power to defeat over) "Her pain completely mastered her"; "The methods can master the problems"
- S: (v) master, control (have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of) "Do you control these data?"
Adjective
Sunday, May 2, 2010
My strengths and weaknesses
My greatest weakness as a martial artist is my tendency to avoid attacking very much. This I have been noticing more and more lately and have been trying to fix. This has proved much harder than I first expected (especially after eating a couple sidekicks), but I'll keep trying and maybe someday it wont be so much of a problem anymore. I am also easily thrown off my game by mental warfare.
My greatest strength as a martial artist (correct me if I'm wrong) is my defensive ability. As I said before I'm not very good at attacking so in result I have spent a lot more time practicing defense. However even I my strengths I am finding weaknesses. Such as my inability to block attacks not commonly used (ask Eli if you don't believe me). however most of the time I think I'm not the easiest person to hit.
My greatest weakness as a member of my family is my tendency to procrastinate. Like leaving chores and such until the very last second. I also tend to think more about what would be good for me than what would be good for my family as a whole.
My greatest strength as a member of my family is my ability to easily make amends and forgive others and my self. This has proved a useful skill both after an argument and when I let everybody else down.
My greatest weakness as a member of my community is (again) to leave everything until the last second. Also I tend to not have a very good idea of whats going on unless it has something to do with me directly. Examples include, not knowing about community events and not knowing about elections until the day they happened (this isn't so bad since I can't vote yet anyway).
My greatest strength as a member of my community is my ability to do well on a team and to work well with others. For example I am currently part of a leadership team at my school and we organize things such as blood drives, community cleanups, and donations to the animal shelter.
My greatest strength as a martial artist (correct me if I'm wrong) is my defensive ability. As I said before I'm not very good at attacking so in result I have spent a lot more time practicing defense. However even I my strengths I am finding weaknesses. Such as my inability to block attacks not commonly used (ask Eli if you don't believe me). however most of the time I think I'm not the easiest person to hit.
My greatest weakness as a member of my family is my tendency to procrastinate. Like leaving chores and such until the very last second. I also tend to think more about what would be good for me than what would be good for my family as a whole.
My greatest strength as a member of my family is my ability to easily make amends and forgive others and my self. This has proved a useful skill both after an argument and when I let everybody else down.
My greatest weakness as a member of my community is (again) to leave everything until the last second. Also I tend to not have a very good idea of whats going on unless it has something to do with me directly. Examples include, not knowing about community events and not knowing about elections until the day they happened (this isn't so bad since I can't vote yet anyway).
My greatest strength as a member of my community is my ability to do well on a team and to work well with others. For example I am currently part of a leadership team at my school and we organize things such as blood drives, community cleanups, and donations to the animal shelter.
note: The following is only my personal view and I am not trying to demean anybody by what is said.
I've been doing some thinking and have reached the conclusion that 30 push-ups/sit-ups a day is too easy. So for the past few weeks I've attempted to do 100 a day. I have discovered that it is not fun to wake up every morning and do a hundred and then have to sit at a desk for seven hours. It is also not enjoyable to do it at night and then be super sore in the morning. So Ive decided to customize my ten tigers goal by doing 70 push-ups and sit-ups a day. This should provide a challenge and still allow my muscles to function properly each morning. I was wondering what you guys thought. Should I just take it easy with only 30, should I push myself with 100, or should I go with the median of 70?
I've been doing some thinking and have reached the conclusion that 30 push-ups/sit-ups a day is too easy. So for the past few weeks I've attempted to do 100 a day. I have discovered that it is not fun to wake up every morning and do a hundred and then have to sit at a desk for seven hours. It is also not enjoyable to do it at night and then be super sore in the morning. So Ive decided to customize my ten tigers goal by doing 70 push-ups and sit-ups a day. This should provide a challenge and still allow my muscles to function properly each morning. I was wondering what you guys thought. Should I just take it easy with only 30, should I push myself with 100, or should I go with the median of 70?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
5 day food log
NOTE: I have 2 cups of coffee each morning. Otherwise, I just drink water. I do not drink soft drinks.
Day 1
2 granola bars
spaghetti
Special K with red berries and skim milk
popcorn
ham and cheese sandwich
Pringles
Day 2
granola bar
chicken wrap
baked potato with sour cream
taco
nachos with beef and cheese
cheese quesadilla
Day 3
granola bar
ham and cheese sandwich
corn nuggets
salad with reduced fat dressing
apple
homemade chicken noodle soup with Saltines
Special K with red berries and skim milk
Day 4
granola bar
Smart Ones orange sesame chicken with rice
6 slices of pepperoni pizza
Day 5
granola bar
peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Ruffles
beef enchilada
chicken burrito
chips and salsa
Day 1
2 granola bars
spaghetti
Special K with red berries and skim milk
popcorn
ham and cheese sandwich
Pringles
Day 2
granola bar
chicken wrap
baked potato with sour cream
taco
nachos with beef and cheese
cheese quesadilla
Day 3
granola bar
ham and cheese sandwich
corn nuggets
salad with reduced fat dressing
apple
homemade chicken noodle soup with Saltines
Special K with red berries and skim milk
Day 4
granola bar
Smart Ones orange sesame chicken with rice
6 slices of pepperoni pizza
Day 5
granola bar
peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Ruffles
beef enchilada
chicken burrito
chips and salsa
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