Do Not Trust Me" – A Master’s Guide to Martial Arts Wisdom

[진영]

I have been teaching Haedong Kumdo for many years through international seminars. The frequency of training sessions with masters or instructors in each country is usually once a year, occasionally two or three times in rare cases.

Teaching something in depth, providing various explanations, and helping students internalize knowledge through physical practice is never an easy task.

Thus, I focus on guiding practitioners to understand the core principles of movement based on the natural mechanics of the body. Beyond that, I encourage them to develop their own philosophy and explore the relationship between martial arts and healing, following the principles of nature. Rather than simply memorizing techniques, students are led to experience and reflect on the deeper meaning behind their practice.

Naturally, there are language barriers that must be overcome for proper understanding, communication, and connection. However, the biggest challenge remains the limited training time due to geographical distance. When in-person sessions are rare, it becomes even more crucial for students to take ownership of their training and actively engage in self-improvement.

While teaching, I often share a lighthearted yet meaningful remark with high-ranking practitioners such as masters and instructors, as well as with experienced students:

During sword training, there are moments when I unknowingly perform a movement in the wrong direction or momentarily forget a certain part of the technique.

At those moments, I say: "Do not trust me."

And when someone suddenly asks about a specific part of a sword technique, I often respond: "I don’t know."

○ The first statement conveys an important lesson: no one is perfect—we are all the same in that regard. Rather than relying solely on the instructor’s memory, each practitioner must take responsibility for their own training, remain diligent, and strive to retain their knowledge. This phrase also serves as an invitation to engage in shared learning, encouraging practitioners to observe, analyze, and refine techniques together rather than passively receiving instruction.

○ The second statement does not imply actual ignorance. Instead, it reflects the reality that among the countless sword forms, it is natural for a specific detail to momentarily escape one’s mind. More importantly, it is an invitation to think together—to engage in collaborative discovery. In essence, it means, "Let’s explore and find the answer together." This reinforces the idea that martial arts training is not merely about intellectual understanding but about learning through the body, repeated practice, and firsthand experience. My teaching method, even when conducted internationally, incorporates this philosophy.

As a result, in some countries, instructors have adopted this approach themselves. When their students ask unexpected questions, they also respond with phrases like "I don’t know" or "Do not trust me," making the training process more engaging and enjoyable. This encourages students to think critically, seek answers through practice, and develop a deeper, more personal understanding of their martial art.


March 31, 2025

Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo Kim Jeong Seong