The pristine white belt isn’t just an accessory; it’s a symbol of the beginner’s mind. “Shoshin”.

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on DEC 27, 2023

The pristine white belt isn’t just an accessory; it’s a symbol of the beginner’s mind. “Shoshin”.

 

Should you wear a white belt when you visit or join a new dojo?

Why? Because you would be expressing ”Shoshin” (初心) - The Beginner’s Mind. You’re not there to “prove” anything... You’re there to LEARN! This requires an attitude of humility and lack of preconceptions.

Wearing a white belt when at a new dojo is a sign of respect to the teacher, it shows respect to the black belts and other students of that dojo, until invited to wear your belt by head of that dojo….. but most instructors will tell you to wear your belt.

Personally, unless I’m teaching or by prior agreement, stepping onto the tatami for the first time in a new dojo, I always reach for the same belt - pristine white. This isn't mere coincidence; it's a conscious expression of “Shoshin”.

For this moment in time I am but a humble student, ready to unlearn and absorb all things new and different.

The allure of martial arts often lies in the pursuit of mastery, the desire to climb the ranks, to wear belts woven with the threads of skills practices and trained over time. But the paradox of Shoshin lies in recognizing that progress begins not with proving what you know, but with acknowledging what you don't.

It's a shedding of pride, a willingness to be a blank canvas upon which new insights and understanding can be painted.

Imagine your mind as a closed book, bound by preconceived notions, rigid expectations, and the weight of past experiences. When its pages remain sealed, your journey of understanding and personal development is confined.

Yet, unlock the cover, and an entire library of knowledge opens up.

This isn't to say that experience holds no value. On the contrary, the seasoned practitioner carries a wealth of knowledge. But Shoshin reminds us that experience can also be a double-edged sword, forging rigid patterns and blinding us to new possibilities.

The white belt, then, becomes a symbol of a beginning - a preface to the unknown, to the humbling reality that true mastery is a lifelong journey, not a destination marked by colored fabric.

The pristine white belt isn't just an accessory; it's a symbol of the beginner's mind. Stepping onto a new dojo's tatami, you can shed the weight of past achievements and approach training with humility and openness..… And we all know practitioners who need a bit of that!

This isn't about "proving" skills; it's about learning, and that requires an uncluttered mind, wanting new knowledge.

Experience is valuable, of course it is, but Shoshin reminds us that true mastery is a journey, not a destination marked by belt color. So, embrace the white belt, the blank canvas for growth, and step onto the mat ready to learn, unlearn, and discover.

As Kenwa Mabuni wrote; “初心忘れるなかれ” (Shoshin Wasureru Nakare) - Never forget the spirit of first beginning.

Do you wear a white belt when joining a new dojo?

 Photo Credit: Seishin International www.seishin-international.com