How do you feel about being told what to do? It depends on your culture, where you live, what the circumstances are, but I think most of us would prefer to do our own thing.
Yet, there are times when compliance, though not always easy, is a necessity. Military service, paying your taxes, stopping for the school bus are all examples of situations where you just have to follow the rules. But some times, expectations outweigh practicality and common sense. I have experienced this first hand in martial arts…among other things.
Traditional Japanese martial arts, (budo) are heavily influenced by a culture of compliance. There is a specific method for entering the dojo, folding a uniform, holding and sheathing a sword, etc. Practicing techniques in a regimented fashion and adhering to a strict code of conduct and formality are all a part of Japanese martial culture. And of course, a certain level of humility and respect towards senior students and teachers. But it has limits, especially in non-Asian cultures.
A huge paradox exists in traditional martial arts. On one hand, you have the aspect of humility that is more or less an expectation in a typical dojo. There is a very good reason for this: arrogant people do not learn well and do not play well with others. Having a sense of humility in and out of the dojo is part of the process of behavioral change that affects one’s entire life.
Humility towards senior students and teachers is an expectation in traditional forms. Unfortunately, in many schools it is more of a matter of compliance rather than genuine respect. Some people feel a sense of entitlement, certainly a sense of power once they attain that little, flimsy piece of cloth known as a "black belt." You’d think a few of these folks were putting on the Iron Man suit every time they don the uniform.
Ok, you’ve passed the tests, you’ve met all of the criteria. You can do all the kata, perform all of the throws and joint locks (on willing partners), maybe even hold your own in kumite (sparring). Perhaps you have moved up in the ranks and are well-known in whatever organization that your style is part of. Big deal. It doesn’t mean jack if you prance around the mat with an air of superiority. And therein lies the paradox.
Budo begins and ends with humility. Humility begins and ends with the understanding that your experience and title has limits. It means that you realize that you don’t know everything there is to know about a given art or subject and that you should always strive to challenge what you think you know.
And it’s not just ego that hampers learning. It’s also the notion that there is only one way to do things. I’ve trained in aikido dojos where I had the audacity to use a kick or punch or employ a throw that wasn’t part of the curriculum, and was subsequently admonished. “That’s not part of this art” is the typical response. When I was a young student in a karate school, I had the gull to ask about the practicality of certain kata (forms). The instructor told me I had no right to question any forms or methods until I earned my black belt. In other words, shut up, do what you’re told and be compliant. Don’t have thoughts of your own, don’t question the “evidence” of hundreds of years of technique. Be quiet, be respectful and trust me...I'm the teacher, you're the student.
You see, people with authority or a sense of it, don’t like to be questioned. You know what happens when you are questioned? You have to prove your response, your theory and yourself. And some of us believe that we are above that. We’ve been training a long time, longer than you, anyway. We have our rank, our status and our title. And those things should be more than enough evidence to satisfy you.
When I was younger, I had a similar attitude until I realized the only reason I didn’t want to be questioned was because I was afraid I couldn’t prove it. That has a lot to do with the notion that a martial teacher is infallible, which is complete bullshit. I think some instructors fear they will lose students if it turns out they cannot prove or demonstrate (under pressure) the rationale for a given technique. Nobody, especially an authority figure, wants to look incompetent. So, instated of trying to learn more or really test the theory, we just demand compliance. We say that blind obedience is a part of discipline and respect, part of martial arts training. It’s easier and safer than having to put in the work or suffer a little embarrassment. The other word for embarrassment is humility. Experiences like that spur us on to question, explore and train harder.
Personally, I have made significant changes to the way I teach karate and aikido over the years based on humbling experiences where the tried and true methods did not work when I needed them to. Of course, it may have been my lack of understanding or mastery. But if something didn’t pass the reality test and I couldn’t make it work reasonably well, I discarded it. I refuse to teach anything just because “it’s a part of the art.” I may not have high rank or titles in large organizations, but I’m not afraid to answer questions. And if someone proves me wrong, I try to look at it as a chance to learn and grow. Does it happen some times? Oh yeah. Does it sting my ego a little? Sure. That’s whole the point.
We insult a person’s intelligence when we remove opportunities to ask questions, assuming they are not experienced or smart enough to understand. Martial arts teachers who demand compliance despite valid questions are only masking their fear of incompetence. True masters are not afraid to be wrong some times. It’s how we continue to learn, grow and survive.
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho
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