why I study martial arts
This particular question has been on my mind a lot lately. Seems like lately we’re always talking about the fact that people are on the mat for different reasons. Some people want the exercise. Some want skill in physical combat. Some just want to learn to fight. Others want to protect themselves. All of those are valid reasons. And none of them are mine.
I think my reason is more spiritual and mental in nature. It is a great mental discipline, but it’s also a great way to clear the mind out at the end of the day, forget everything else and just leave it at the door. There’s something profoundly spiritual about it as well, though I couldn’t point to anything and say there, that’s why I do it. I get something on the mat I don’t get anywhere else. Again, it’s something that defies words. Some emotions, some tings that feed your soul are beyond description. They can only be experienced, not described.
I know I’ve talked about martial arts and spirituality in the past. Somehow, I still haven’t started doing the things I need to do to make happen what I want. I have the plans for it - I just haven’t started putting it into action yet. My plan was to do that this week while I am on vacation, but I haven’t even gotten close to doing that yet. I’ve been so busy doing other things that I’ve neglected it. It’s really a question of priorities. Why is my physical life so much more important than my spiritual life? Intellectually, it isn’t. Yet I seem to make physical life a priority over other matters. Didn’t think I’d ever say this, but perhaps I’m becoming a bit too practical as I get older.
When all is said and done, I study martial arts for me, for the things it brings me. There’s nothing like the feeling at the end of a good class, walking out under the night sky and looking up at the moon and stars. It’s a great way to relieve stress, and build character too. I don’t know everything it has done for me and to me - I’m too close to myself to see it all. I do notice little things from time to time - how I move differently, better coordination, aware of things I hadn’t even noticed before. I’ll keep on studying, even after reaching black belt, hopefully this November. There’s far too much to learn to think that I know it all. The nature of my training will change - keeps changing, in fact, but it will continue.
And that may be the ultimte reason I study - there’s always more to know.