Black Belt Essay- the seed
Every once in a while, one of my students makes a comment, makes an observation, or just does something so nice it makes me cry. Being an instructor carries with it ,great responsibilities to give out information and to challenge minds to learn. Sometimes the challenge goes un fullfilled. Sometimes the challenge is reached. Whatever the case, our responsibility is to pass on what we know. We hope that our students excell and surpass our attainments and set new goals for their students.
I would like to share with you one of these moments- this is from one of my new Black Belts:
Kuntaw
Through the course of the following essay I will relate Kuntaw to a tree in many ways and from many different perspectives. The rationales backing the declarations, resemblance, and relationships are my own and have been formulated only from my own experiences, practice, training, research, and insights.
Let us begin with the seed. The seed in this example shall be pure thus far so as not to complicate the issues being brought to light. Pure as it has had no influence, as the new Kuntawista has had no real influence outside of his family. Entering the Bothoan, the Kuntawista feels helpless, but eager. Here is where the foundation for a lifetime of training and growth should be established. The Kuntawista learns to set goals for himself, learns the processes for learning physical techniques (form, focus, speed, power, remove, control, counter, reset), discipline, respect, and honor. He also learns to trust his instructor. These qualities will follow the Kuntawista throughout his life in his martial arts training, and in all facets of his life. If this foundation has not been laid, has been missed, set aside, or dismissed, the seed will not grow properly. The seedling may even grown crooked. Regardless of the flaws that may have taken shape and built upon, until the Kuntawista learns and incorporates these qualities, he can never be truly healthy. Frustration, aggravation, misguidance, and trouble may find this seed and prevent it from ever developing at all.
The seed that adhered to proper instruction and received guidance cracks and sprouts it’s first seedling. The Kuntawista has begun to experience growth not only in his martial arts abilities, but as a healthy well rounded person. The seedling’s first direction is toward the ground. The beginnings of roots. Like the seedling, the Kuntawista also is not capable of supporting branches, leaves, seedlings let alone himself in his new journey. But the roots have begun to set in. The philosophies, core values of the art, and the basic movements are becoming part of the Kuntawista. Soon he will be ready to stand and weather the adversity that is destined to come.
The seed has developed into a branchling. It no longer sits helplessly, barely rooted in the ground. I begins to stand tall. It stands 10 feet from the ground and it‘s roots have dug in deep enough for it to withstand almost any storm that blows past. The Kuntawista has reached the yellow/green belt level. He clearly bears a resemblance to the black belts. A stranger can see the style and the techniques that differentiate the Kuntawista from the more traditional martial artists. The basics are now ingrained in the Kuntawista. His skills are elevating but his interest in balance, energy, theory, and technicalities are surpassing his physical ability! With the fundamental values and systems in place, the Kuntawista can now focus on studying more advanced skills.
The branchling has grown sturdy and thick. It is 50 feet tall. It’s roots are so strong, deep, and complex, that there’s nothing natural that can cause it to waiver. It’s branches have grown long and have sprouted leaves. The mature trees look to the young tree and are pleased. The tree has found it’s place in the forest and is contributing to the system by providing shelter for the animals, producing oxygen in it’s leaves for all living things. It’s strong roots hold the earth together beneath it. The Kuntawista is a brown belt, ready for his black belt test. The roots of the system are so deeply embedded that it has become a permanent part of him. Even if the training stops at this point, the Kuntawista is forever changed. Like the young tree, the Kuntawista has found his place in the club, and is so much closer to finding his place in this world, and balance within himself! His acquired skills allow him to provide protection for himself and his loved ones from adversaries both physical and mental. He is a role model for the lower ranks in the club. He is able to help hold them together and help guide them on their own personal journeys.
The tree has reached maturity. It is 150 feet tall. It’s roots and branches will continue to grow for the rest of it’s life. There is now something different about the tree. Seeds have formed on its branches and are falling to the ground. They fall close to the tree, and it’s the tree’s purpose to protect the seeds, and provide the model for the seedlings to follow. No matter what the circumstances, the seeds can never BECOME the tree. They will always have the tree to look to, even after it has fallen, but they stand where THEY stand and must grow and develop into themselves. They will all clearly resemble the tree, and they will all have parts of the tree’s traits, but none will ever grow to be the tree that protects them now. Some will grow taller, some shorter, some thicker, some thinner, and every combination that can naturally follow.
The Kuntawista is at least a black belt now. Like the tree, his seeds are his new students. It is his RESPONSIBILITY, not his job, to pass along ALL aspects of the art both physical and mental to his students. To leave out any part of the formula will lead to incomplete students and a watering down of the system that has been passed on to him. The lineage that follows him will not only be weak, but a disappointment to his instructor and to the system itself. Like the tree, the Kuntawista will continue to grow for his entire life. Physically and spiritually. Notice we’ve replaced mental with a deeper term. Spiritually. The art is a part of your soul now, it is unshakable and compliments every aspect of your life. It has become a part of you.
Buzz, you’ve changed my life forever. You and Kuntaw were exactly what I was seeking. Being a part of Kuntaw has been the best single thing I’ve done for my life every step of the way. I will pass on the art as it was passed on to me. All of it. I will produce students that are better than me, and I will continue to grow as a martial artist and as a person for the rest of my life. Thanks to you and your leadership both in the art and as a friend, I am a balanced, happy person inside. I will always be indebted to you and I hope that if you ever need anything that I can help you with, you will let me know.
Brian Soloman, Black Belt essay
I would like to share with you one of these moments- this is from one of my new Black Belts:
Kuntaw
Through the course of the following essay I will relate Kuntaw to a tree in many ways and from many different perspectives. The rationales backing the declarations, resemblance, and relationships are my own and have been formulated only from my own experiences, practice, training, research, and insights.
Let us begin with the seed. The seed in this example shall be pure thus far so as not to complicate the issues being brought to light. Pure as it has had no influence, as the new Kuntawista has had no real influence outside of his family. Entering the Bothoan, the Kuntawista feels helpless, but eager. Here is where the foundation for a lifetime of training and growth should be established. The Kuntawista learns to set goals for himself, learns the processes for learning physical techniques (form, focus, speed, power, remove, control, counter, reset), discipline, respect, and honor. He also learns to trust his instructor. These qualities will follow the Kuntawista throughout his life in his martial arts training, and in all facets of his life. If this foundation has not been laid, has been missed, set aside, or dismissed, the seed will not grow properly. The seedling may even grown crooked. Regardless of the flaws that may have taken shape and built upon, until the Kuntawista learns and incorporates these qualities, he can never be truly healthy. Frustration, aggravation, misguidance, and trouble may find this seed and prevent it from ever developing at all.
The seed that adhered to proper instruction and received guidance cracks and sprouts it’s first seedling. The Kuntawista has begun to experience growth not only in his martial arts abilities, but as a healthy well rounded person. The seedling’s first direction is toward the ground. The beginnings of roots. Like the seedling, the Kuntawista also is not capable of supporting branches, leaves, seedlings let alone himself in his new journey. But the roots have begun to set in. The philosophies, core values of the art, and the basic movements are becoming part of the Kuntawista. Soon he will be ready to stand and weather the adversity that is destined to come.
The seed has developed into a branchling. It no longer sits helplessly, barely rooted in the ground. I begins to stand tall. It stands 10 feet from the ground and it‘s roots have dug in deep enough for it to withstand almost any storm that blows past. The Kuntawista has reached the yellow/green belt level. He clearly bears a resemblance to the black belts. A stranger can see the style and the techniques that differentiate the Kuntawista from the more traditional martial artists. The basics are now ingrained in the Kuntawista. His skills are elevating but his interest in balance, energy, theory, and technicalities are surpassing his physical ability! With the fundamental values and systems in place, the Kuntawista can now focus on studying more advanced skills.
The branchling has grown sturdy and thick. It is 50 feet tall. It’s roots are so strong, deep, and complex, that there’s nothing natural that can cause it to waiver. It’s branches have grown long and have sprouted leaves. The mature trees look to the young tree and are pleased. The tree has found it’s place in the forest and is contributing to the system by providing shelter for the animals, producing oxygen in it’s leaves for all living things. It’s strong roots hold the earth together beneath it. The Kuntawista is a brown belt, ready for his black belt test. The roots of the system are so deeply embedded that it has become a permanent part of him. Even if the training stops at this point, the Kuntawista is forever changed. Like the young tree, the Kuntawista has found his place in the club, and is so much closer to finding his place in this world, and balance within himself! His acquired skills allow him to provide protection for himself and his loved ones from adversaries both physical and mental. He is a role model for the lower ranks in the club. He is able to help hold them together and help guide them on their own personal journeys.
The tree has reached maturity. It is 150 feet tall. It’s roots and branches will continue to grow for the rest of it’s life. There is now something different about the tree. Seeds have formed on its branches and are falling to the ground. They fall close to the tree, and it’s the tree’s purpose to protect the seeds, and provide the model for the seedlings to follow. No matter what the circumstances, the seeds can never BECOME the tree. They will always have the tree to look to, even after it has fallen, but they stand where THEY stand and must grow and develop into themselves. They will all clearly resemble the tree, and they will all have parts of the tree’s traits, but none will ever grow to be the tree that protects them now. Some will grow taller, some shorter, some thicker, some thinner, and every combination that can naturally follow.
The Kuntawista is at least a black belt now. Like the tree, his seeds are his new students. It is his RESPONSIBILITY, not his job, to pass along ALL aspects of the art both physical and mental to his students. To leave out any part of the formula will lead to incomplete students and a watering down of the system that has been passed on to him. The lineage that follows him will not only be weak, but a disappointment to his instructor and to the system itself. Like the tree, the Kuntawista will continue to grow for his entire life. Physically and spiritually. Notice we’ve replaced mental with a deeper term. Spiritually. The art is a part of your soul now, it is unshakable and compliments every aspect of your life. It has become a part of you.
Buzz, you’ve changed my life forever. You and Kuntaw were exactly what I was seeking. Being a part of Kuntaw has been the best single thing I’ve done for my life every step of the way. I will pass on the art as it was passed on to me. All of it. I will produce students that are better than me, and I will continue to grow as a martial artist and as a person for the rest of my life. Thanks to you and your leadership both in the art and as a friend, I am a balanced, happy person inside. I will always be indebted to you and I hope that if you ever need anything that I can help you with, you will let me know.
Brian Soloman, Black Belt essay
posted by Buzz Smith at 12:24 PM
2 Comments:
It's what makes teaching worth the while...
Awesome post Buzz!
Thanks- but it was his endeavor, I was just there to help
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