■ The correct Foundation and Self-Acquirement of Martial Arts Training

[진영]

In Korean 국문 번역
■ 무예수련의 올바른 기본 터득과 체득 ( 2023 계묘년 새해를 맞이하면서)
https://cafe.daum.net/uwhkf/MbWZ/48?svc=cafeapi

■ 무예수련의 올바른 기본 터득과 체득 ( 2023 계묘년 새해를 맞이하면서)

 
 
The following contents were writings from the beginning of this year, expressing the attitude and determination for welcoming the New Year. Today, once again, I read the following content and translated it into English to share with many people around the world. It is a long sentence, but I hope you find it helpful if you read it through to the end. (July 10th, 2023). 
 
아래 내용은 2023년 계묘년 새해를 맞이하면서, 새해를 임하는 자세와 각오를 써 내려갔던 글인데,
아래 내용을 한 번 더 생각해 보면서, 영어로 번역하여 많은 사람들과 함께 공유하고자 오늘 다시 올려보았다.
긴 문장이지만 끝까지 읽어서 도움이 되었으면 좋겠다. (2023년 7월 10일 월요일 밤)
 
====================
 
■ The correct foundation and self-acquirement of martial arts training
- Techniques, Philosophy, Healing  

The United World Haedong Kumdo Federation, under the name of the organization, has been promoting and spreading Haedong Kumdo worldwide for 23 years. In 2001, it held an official seminar  at the Tulsa Convention Center in Oklahoma, USA and published the text book for two swords training. That same year, it showcased the first stage performance of Haedong Kumdo at the Busan Cultural Center, introducing the Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu HK. Since then, I have been visiting nearly mor than10 countries each year, and in 2009, finally, it hosted the World Championship. Despite the busy schedule and the challenges faced, the federation has continued to thrive thanks to the special connections with people from various countries.

Every time I step onto the plane, there is an indescribable excitement that leads me back to my initial passion. 
Over the past two years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, overseas schedules have been greatly reduced, and many dojangs are still facing serious management difficulties. However, starting from this year, it seems that overseas schedules will become particularly busy once again.

As I approach my 70s, a time when I need to take care of my health, I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the past and rekindle my mental and physical well-being through the two year period of the pandemic. As we welcome the Year of the Black Rabbit in 2023, I have shared my thoughts and determination about martial arts training. I have emphasized the importance of mastering the fundamentals of martial arts and the essence that guides it. Through martial arts training, I have strived to provide my own perspective on how to live a fulfilling life based on physical and mental development and conscious change through daily practice.
 
My motto for this year,
"Strong in body, strong in mind." 
 
Nowadays, through the internet, we have easy access to remarkable individuals showcasing their skills and talents on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. We are constantly amazed by their passion and draw fresh energy from them. Therefore, you aspire to be more passionate and adventurous this year. I think that's a fantastic goal! Engaging with passionate and creative people through YouTube, social media, and other avenues can be truly inspiring. I hope you have a year filled with enthusiasm and embrace new challenges!
 
■ Improving Quality of Life through Martial Arts Training
 
As we welcome the Year of the Black Rabbit in 2023, 
let's take a moment to reflect on ourselves and revisit our initial aspirations.

Ultimately, the final task can only be "Strong in body, strong in mind," 
which can be both the easiest and the most challenging. 
It will ultimately determine the quality of our lives.

In other words, we must contemplate how practicing martial arts can elevate the quality of our lives. 
Our bodies should constantly be in motion, while our minds, as long as our physical beings are alive 
and breathing, should be shaped by the repeated experiences of right and wrong, good and bad. 
This process will foster personal growth and maturity.
 
■ We must constantly move forward with passion for what we want to achieve 
and a challenging mindset in order to truly live.

With passion for what we aspire to and a courageous mindset to embrace challenges, 
we must continually strive forward. At the age of over 60, if we don't keep our bodies in motion, 
if we neglect our daily practice even for a day, it is no different from leaving a rusting vehicle to decay. 
We can't help but be certain that our physical machinery will quickly deteriorate.

Therefore, the notion of "Move to Live" is ingrained in our minds at every moment.
 
I have no choice but to have more passion than before, 
because I know from experience that things don't just work out on their own.

There are more challenges than before, 
and I have no choice but to face my shortcomings, 
because I'm always aware of what I'm passionate about, 
what I'm open to, and what I want to achieve.

I have to be more careful than before, 
because the machine gets old and its shortcomings appear more frequently.

As my physical senses diminish, it becomes harder to adapt to my surroundings, 
because the body's mechanisms become weaker and less flexible over time.

I feel more acutely the shortcomings and age of my physical body, 
because as the physical organs deteriorate, I can see everything more clearly with a sharpened mind.

All of the above is for oneself to live well during their lifetime.
 

■ The Basics of Basics for Martial Arts Training

There are countless types of stretching, hundreds of techniques and ranks for promotion, training systems for weapon and unarmed combat, weight training, and various methods and processes ranging from light walking exercises. 

The more consistent you are, the more you realize that the volume decreases as it becomes optimized in your mind. 
Many techniques I teach are laid out on the palm of my hand. While the fundamentals of each martial art are important, it is crucial to understand the flow and essence of energy underlying each movement. This refers to the principles, laws, and truths of nature. 

Only through awareness of the flow of energy and repeated training can one truly understand the essence of martial arts and achieve the most efficient training based on their own level and ability. 

Factors such as the size of an association, the ability to remember techniques, or the skill to create and perform
techniques do not directly impact the essence of mental and physical training. 

While martial arts training is for the physical and mental well-being of modern individuals, martial arts itself guides one to overcome and adapt to their environment efficiently. It also leads to personal growth and mental training, although the level and degree may vary greatly.
 
■ Establishing and Pursuing the Right Philosophy through Martial Arts Training

The essence of mental training lies in making the body and mind healthy and contributing to everyday life based on that. Just as enlightenment through training is worthless without practical application, if it is not the case, it becomes meaningless.

In other words, through the promotion of mental training, one develops a foundation for wise judgment based on the harmony and balance of the ever- changing mind. It allows individuals to have the right family values, social values, national values, and global values according to their own level and degree, and fosters the pursuit of correct values and conscious growth.

Through martial arts training, one discovers the establishment and pursuit of the right philosophy, and comes to understand the principles of improving oneself and benefiting others. It also refers to the realization of the meaning of Simgeom (心劍), and the significance of the mind and sword in a fresh and profound way with the body and mind.

The enlightenment gained through such mental training is to guide oneself correctly, both physically and mentally, to live a little less difficult, a little less painful, and to pursue a better path until the end.

While individual meditation and prayer may provide solace and comfort to one's own mind, they do not in themselves lead to personal development. In other words, they are unrelated to the performance sheet (report card) in one's daily life.

This is because personal growth and maturity, in other words, a good result, can only be achieved through the collision of relationships with others and the repeated enlightenment through such processes, including good and bad experiences.

What can be confidently said is that when one becomes aware of and follows the flow of energy given by nature through meditation or prayer, one can perceive it more clearly. Even if one can see the light and even if one can see the unseen world that others cannot see in a video, it is insignificant compared to a grain of sand on a beach, and it is only comforting and consoling during the process of practice, unrelated to one's own performance sheet.

However, it is not a denial of such a process, but rather, one should not be attached to it. It is necessary to understand and acquire the essence, purpose, and reality that it brings.
 

 
■ Acquiring the Correct Foundation and Self-Acquirement of Martial Arts Training - Skills, Philosophy, Healing

Training in martial arts is about training the mind and body. It involves mastering the fundamental skills, exploring the principles, laws, and truths behind them through philosophical inquiry, and using that knowledge to understand the human body and even reach the realm of healing others.

Once you grasp the fundamentals and hone them, everything becomes interconnected. Depending on individual efforts and abilities, the three aspects of martial arts training, namely skills and their principles, philosophy, and healing, are all connected under one essence. 

Only then can one truly experience the meaning of martial arts; skills of ma(musul), do of ma(mudo), mastery of ma(muye) according to the Principle of Nature. Whether it be the true meaning behind the sword techniques, the skills of archery or spear, or the essence of the healing arts, one can approach them more closely through actual experiences which may be given from nature.
 
Moreover, when one recognizes these fundamentals,

they can discuss finally
the stroke of a sword,

A. Skills of the sword
(a single movement)

B. Philosophy
(the essence and principles of the body)

C. Healing (human body)

After practicing the sword for about ten or twenty years, one gains relatively more freedom to create their own style of swordsmanship and takes pride in it. They may create videos, put their name on it, attach the name of an association to it, and even guide other students, despite having only one dojang(school). Other necessary skills are learned here and there, picking them up as they are seen.
They may buy certificates with money and suddenly claim to be a 4th or 5th dan on Facebook or other websites, showcasing it as their own career. Such things are quite common even online. It can be compared to doodles on paper or solving puzzles, rather than martial arts.
Alternatively, it is like teaching only memorized techniques as if it were the entirety of martial arts. For example, if elementary school students who have trained for about a year are asked to create a short form or technique in creative sparring with one or two swords or creative forms without weaponry, they can create it incredibly well, combining impressive kicks and movements with skillful sword techniques.


■ The Founding of Martial Arts 
 
The founding of martial arts is not solely based on exceptional physical abilities or technical skills. The three elements mentioned above must be inherently present and intertwined as the foundation. It requires a clear philosophy and martial skills that embody the distinct personality and determination of the founder, based on the principle of nature. This is what elevates the founding of martial arts to its pinnacle, becoming an inspiration and legacy for many, fostering proper character and cultivation through martial arts. Merely practicing martial techniques for a long time or claiming to have created a specific style does not make one a true founder. Even if these three elements are fulfilled, the levels and degrees can vary greatly.

However, if circumstances align fortunately, such as impeccable timing and unknown connections and societal conditions, the lacking aspects must be filled in. Otherwise, attempts to inject opaque historical significance and nonsensical philosophy would render it devoid of value for future generations. Even if it does succeed, it would forever remain a mere imitation. Without philosophy and alignment with the principle of nature, it cannot endure.
 

In the left picture, even if one trains rigorously and becomes physically strong and skilled in martial techniques in Area A, if they cannot understand the principles in Area B, their martial arts training can be considered incomplete. In reality, they would be missing out on 99 percent of the true essence of martial arts.

The term "martial arts (muye, mastery of ma)" encompasses both Area A and Area B. It means that one must understand the principles of both areas in order to truly grasp the meaning of martial arts. If one remains unaware, they may try to pass off their limited knowledge gained from various books or explanations as if they truly understand.

The principle , law, and truth of nature are inherently simple and clear. If one does not personally experience and recognize them with their body and mind, they will never find the correct and true way to reach the ultimate destination. It is like the loud noise of an empty vessel, persisting until the end.

In other words, it means living a lifetime within one's own delusion and simply going along within one's own limited understanding. Instead of learning when they don't know, they consistently claim to know even until death. It also means being unaware of being trapped in one's own well.
 
Now that the new year has come, there are no big ambitions, dreams, or special things to put on the bucket list. That kind of thing has long been a clumsy word. Rather, we hope to lead a more realistic, healthy, and wise life, pursuing a more ordinary and simple life, and in the process of encountering relationships, we have a more giving, understanding, and realizing heart, creating a life of learning at every moment. Because that is the best and the highest as a top-notch one for sure.

This year, above all, despite having experienced and passed through Corona, it is also a time when more careful attention is needed to our health and what we want to do than usual, as the risk is still unclear.

We hope that the new year of the Year of the Black Rabbit will be a year of working hard to make both our bodies and minds strong, making it a less regretful and more progressive year, adapting well to our surroundings with more passion and enthusiasm in everything we do, and living a healthy life as a person who is ordinary and simple.

January 1, 2023
JS Kim, 
Founder & President, 
Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu, 
United World Haedong Kumdo Federation