"Self-praise and over-confidence is a sickness that corrupts training." - Hohan Soken (1889-1982)

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on APR 20, 2023

"Self-praise and over-confidence is a sickness that corrupts training." - Hohan Soken (1889-1982)

 

The martial arts are more than just physical techniques used for self-defense, or competition. It is a way of life that involves self-discipline, respect, self-awareness and more.

One of the most important aspects of martial arts is understanding the role of ego and its impact on both personal development and martial arts practice.

Ego can be defined as a person's sense of self-importance or self-esteem. In martial arts, ego can manifest in different ways. Some individuals may have an inflated sense of their abilities and believe they are superior to others. They may be overly competitive, seeking to dominate and win at all costs.

When you have an inflated ego, you may become complacent, believing you have already achieved mastery and stop learning or improving. This can lead to stagnation in your practice and limit your potential, and if your an instructor, that of your students.

To truly excel in the martial arts, it is crucial to strike a balance between the two extremes of ego. A healthy ego allows for self-confidence without arrogance and a willingness to learn and grow continuously. Individuals with a healthy ego recognize that there is always more to learn and strive to improve continually.

An uncontrolled go can affect interactions with others in the martial arts community. An individual with an inflated ego may disregard the opinions and feedback of others, leading to a breakdown in communication and collaboration.

Karate, is a martial art, but few people know what art really means. Art is not something you hang on the wall in the dojo to impress others. Art is something you do, and it always involves a learning process. The problem is, some people hate learning. Do you know why? Because to learn something new means admitting that you didn’t know something in the first place….. It’s you ego calling. And some instructors are too afraid of finding out how little they actually know.

There is always something new to learn. So let go of that EGO and be a perpetual student, and try to learn more, welcome the opportunity to learn, from everyone, even if your ‘style’ is different.

There is always another level. Even the things you know right at this moment, has a deeper level, a deeper understanding. Mastery means you’re a master of what you know, and an apprentice of what you don’t.

It is the quality and depth of your knowledge that is important. Not how many techniques, or belts you can collect, or how much art is hanging on your wall.

Being open-minded is really important in advancing your knowledge, and of course it is only possible if you assume that you don’t have all of the information.

This is an essential characteristic for progress, for advancing in your martial art. It can be difficult when the new information counters your long-held beliefs. But the payoff is well worth it as you gain valuable new knowledge and a new perspective.

Morals, ethics ,values, knowledge, have literally nothing to do with ANY individual martial art, and EVERYTHING to do with the individual martial arts instructor. The oldest and most respected art in the world can be ruined by a single instructor with a poor ego.

“Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.” - Frank Leahy (1908-1973)

So when misunderstandings grow, cut your ego….. and learn.