08 January 2013
3000 Bows (or sore knees versus egos)
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| Master Chang supervising a rank test |
As I'm no longer located in London I'm no longer a student at Chang's Hapkido Academy. I was there for less than a year, but it made me into a martial artist, of a sort. It's certainly shown me what discipline and training can do for a person. One of my last sessions was my green belt rank test in early December.
The Hapkido rank tests happen about three or four times a year. They are special occasions, as Master Chang comes over from Chicago to supervise, evaluate and inspire all of the students. At the end of the test, when everyone has done the skills they've been working on, he gives a mini-lecture.
This last time he came over he told a story that I found particularly inspiring.
A university professor goes to Korea to interview a grand master. Before he is allowed to see the master,, the man waits a long time in an outer chamber. When they finally had a chance to speak the master listens to the man's request. He thinks a moment, and then responds.
"Okay, I will do as you like. But first you must bow to me 3000 times."
The professor is shocked. And indignant. He flat out refuses, then pleads to interview the master anyway. The master says no, not until the man agrees to bow. The professor storms out, outraged.
He did not get his interview - did not achieve his goal. He thought the egotism of the master was too much, the request was too demeaning to agree to.
He didn't realize that it was not the master's egotism that prevented him from getting the interview, rather it was his own.
That story just puts me in mind to think about how to treat those whose work you respect, who've come before you and done things you hope to one day accomplish and have lessons to teach. Does showing respect and being humble denigrate yourself, or does it allow you to begin the long process of subduing your own ego, allowing you to progress further and faster in your chosen discipline? That's obviously a rhetorical question. Showing respect for others means giving respect to yourself and your own process.
As an end note, I've just received the news that I passed my test. I'm now a green belt in Hapkido. As excited as I am, I'm really trying not to get a swelled head about it.
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Yo Ryan! Good story, it chimes with that hunch that we entertain a lot of superfluous,fantastic and frankly ridiculous notions of our own self-importance and that these are more of a hindrance than anything else. A hindrance to what though? To everything I want to achieve (super Will) or to being something closer to my true self (real/authentic Will)? Maybe super Will is just as blind as the Will who doesn't want to bow 3000 times to Ryan, Hapkido green belt master?
ReplyDeleteAlso, only a genuine master could really demand someone to bow 3000 times before them. It's only because we accept the possibility that some individuals are special or possess some kind of special or subtle "spiritual" authority that the story has the resonance it does. How do you know you know and that it's not just your ego dreaming he knows he knows?
I need answers Ryan!
Sorry Will. Answers I don't have. But my theory is that super Will and real/authentic Will are the same person, and it's difficult to become 'that' person (super-actualized), because you have to work outwards (strive, work, be driven) and also go inwards (reflect, shed layers, become vulnerable). And you don't have one without the other, and each is difficult and it seems counter-intuitive to do both at the same time.
ReplyDeleteAnd in terms of following leaders, or being leaders - I have no idea. Do what feels right. And then sometimes do what makes you uncomfortable, because that's right too. I think.