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Essay Questions for 3rd Dan Applicants – Haedong Kumdo
1) Can you explain what energy is and where and how it moves inside your body? If you are going to explain and teach mental training, you should study and know how to learn it.
Response:
Energy is loosely termed as “force” or, in martial jargon, “life force”. Whilst the terminology is accurate, it is not complete. Energy is not merely a thing for it is dependent upon intent to manifest itself. That is, my approach to how I want to connect and flow with it. This is the main reason for Kihap, to gather, focus and channel energy at the right moment!
Energy provides momentum to all things in the universe, even below the domain of atomic structures. The latest scientific data is now revealing that it is not matter that forms the universe but rather energy in varying concentrations (Eg: Epigenetics). This idea, of course, doesn’t imply that suddenly energy supersedes matter rather, that truth is revealed as scientific method catches up with spiritual connectivity; a reductionist view will always
lag a philosophical view.
When teaching the concept of energy, I liken it to water. Water is necessary for the proliferation of life. It is a fundamental building block for our reality. It surrounds us at all times (except within a vacuum) but we can’t always see it, because it is constituted in varying levels of concentration or forms (liquid, solid, gaseous). As a puddle, it is inert, and easily dismissed because we aren’t using it directly however, as a lake, ocean, or river, we see it differently because now it has the potential to become a resource that we can connect with directly. We can access it, use it, direct it, focus it and also be overwhelmed by it. Energy is the same. It is easily dismissed if we are not paying attention to it because for us to assign a value to it, we need to 1- recognise it, 2- access it, 3 – harness it and 4- use it. Like water, it never is destroyed, it reconstitutes itself as it is returned to nature.
Like water, to access energy, we need a structure or a system – KiMu and training is our structure (it meets the 4 conditions mentioned above). The techniques allow us to identify, access and gather it, our body is the method of delivery. Obviously, if the body is insufficient, then our ability to utilise energy is compromised so, we train the body, spirit, emotions, and mind to synchronize and optimize the system (body). The more we align our different domains (mind, body, spirit) the better our ability to utilise energy to generate momentum in the world.
2) With the understanding you have of energy and its movement inside the body, explain what is good for our body and mind. Why?
Response:
If energy provides momentum or motion, utilising energy in a positive and productive way necessarily benefits our mental, emotional, and physical domains.
Energy generates movement, energy provides sustenance, energy opens internal channels that facilitates healing and growth, but it can also damage us. It is, therefore, critical, that we maintain ourselves to keep internal energy stores in balance with nature and our rate of consumption.
When we exercise properly, eat well, get enough sleep, nourish our minds, and balance our spirit then we are sewing the body with the best resources to allow our system (body) to use energy efficiently and effectively.
If we poison ourselves, such as in the case of too much alcohol, smoking, poor food choices, too much negative stress, uncontrolled emotions, or a lack of exercise then our system is compromised and adverse reactions can manifest themselves: Cancer, for example. This comes from within us, you can’t catch it externally! A profound saying that encapsulates this idea clearly is, “it doesn’t matter what the fruit looks like, if the tree is poisoned or corrupted, then so is the fruit”.
Like anything in life, if we want great results then we must be mindful of the methodologies needed to achieve that outcome. Optimising our system (body) through the appropriate access and utilization of energy is the best way of achieving homeostasis. Homeostasis, therefore, is the natural, optimised functionality of our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual domains.
I like to summarise this concept in a 5 “P”’s model:
1- Poor Preparation Produces Piss-Poor Performance, or
2- Pure Preparation Produces Perfect Performance.
The comparison between the two models is clear. In the first instance, if I plan poorly, then the outcome isn’t commensurate with my intent. In the second, pure preparation aligns with my desired outcome.
3) What is the relationship between mind and body when practicing martial arts? How can that be extended to personal life?
Response:
The relationship between mind and body is critical for harmonization with nature. I like to think of this relationship as a resilience model. There is a symbiotic connection through three essential domains of resilience that, when operating optimally, creates spiritual resilience. This is not a linear or deterministic model. We need to understand that if there is a deficit in one or more domains, the other areas also suffer accordingly in a lateral way. I define Resilience as our ability to whether adversity or to rebound quickly, to continue forward, should misadventure visit us.
The first domain is emotions. When we can control our emotional reactions to external, or internal, stressors we can observe an instance dispassionately and objectively. By realizing that our natural state is not one of calm resolve but of fight or flight instincts we can recognise that emotions is useful, but like fire, needs to be managed else it will sweep us away in the moment. This might be a useful survival strategy, but rarely is it a good mid to long-term approach.
The second domain is mental. Typically, this idea is represented as “how I think controls how I feel and consequently, how I act”. If we let negative thoughts permeate our consciousness, then we develop negative feelings about our environment and this always leads to negative manifestations of that though process, thus, a stymied, and rigid perspective of the world. Conversely, positive thoughts create an environment of creativity and enthusiasm and keeps us moving towards our goals. This mental thought process is rewarded through the dopaminergic systems of the body (reward center); essentially, we feel good about implementing the strategy we are using to produce positive outcomes.
The third is the physical. Physical resilience allows us to typically, endure hardship, absorb damage, overcome adversity in the “real”/physical world. Having a healthy, robust system (body) provides our mental and emotional states armour to deal with challenges. If the physical system is weak, then we cannot endure stress and that then creates a series of cascading failures impacting the other three domains of existence.
Martial arts training, done properly, develops every domain of existence in balance. As we improve our skills and knowledge, our emotional, mental, and physical resilience also develops; essentially, we are more capable of navigating adversity to produce a positive result. But, just like martial arts training, if we focus, or neglect, aspects the strategy, the system becomes unbalanced and this destabilization of the system and produces negative outcomes. Eg when weight training, if all I do is focus on how I look, then I sacrifice utility, movement, flexibility, connective tissue etc. The same principle exists in our martial training, if all I do is fight, focus on the hard aspects of martial arts, then I sacrifice the spiritual, the art-form is not part of the sojourn, hence, I am a husk.
To achieve the proper relationship between mind and body, I must apply a holistic strategy; one that addresses, emotions, mind, and body together and when that occurs, my spiritual resilience emerges.
4) What practical examples can you give of learning the above (energy, relationship between mind and body, what is good for the body) through your training in martial arts?
Response:
2020 and 2021 has been a year of unique challenges and paradigm shifts. These changes to our way of life have created an environment that is quite destructive to optimal mental health. People are finding that breaks in their routines, the inability to function in a way that they are comfortable with, changes to how they interact with others, how they see their environment and deal with adversity has created a very toxic environment that divides or separates our mind from our body.
If we let the caustic ideas and opinions of external forces seep into our consciousness, then we create spiritual disconnection: homeostasis is disrupted, and we no longer function optimally because our domains of resilience are out of balance. This obviously impedes our ability to synchronize with energy creating a series of cascading internal and external failures that negatively impact us. Essentially, if we succumb to this chaos, we are caught in a whirligig of spiraling negative change.
Proper martial studies teach us, at a fundamental level, a simple and reliable method for managing this chaos, courage and patience. The old saying, “if it were easy, everyone would do it”, applies here. If you want to develop excellent martial practices and techniques, then you must be prepared to fail. Overcoming failure takes courage and patience. This environment of self-centeredness and jealousy, impatience and hedonism move us away from the “art” of Martial Arts: Jordan Peterson Rule 7, 12 Rule for Life, “pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient”. Proper martial studies focus on meaning, interconnectedness, compassion, integrity and other characteristics of this nature, characteristics necessary for living a “good” and “productive” life.
I know, from personal experience, that if I let my martial studies become a second priority then there is a tangible and significant negative impact on my health, my attitude, my emotions, my physical integrity and consequently, my spiritual resilience. If I let this happen, everyone else suffers right alongside me. My martial journey allows me to expand my consciousness, develop a greater understanding of my world and keeps my ego in check: there is always someone better than I and I know nothing. This is not an excuse to stop but rather, impetus for me to improve. I still have important things to do, experiences to experience and people to help.
5) If you know all of the above well, what will you do next? How will you develop yourself for your next level in martial arts and in life?
Response:
I would like to think that I am confident within my knowledge of energy and its interconnection to martial arts, however, to develop to the next level, to ascend and evolve in need to be more consistent. I need to practice every day! I must allot time to develop my thoughts and ideas, my skills and knowledge; I must be patient! I need to commit to myself for the benefit of those around me for if I can improve the way I experience the world, expand my consciousness, become a better communicator and teacher, then I become a better human being.
My goal for 2022 is to reopen JYSKR Australia and the Tosa Martial Academy. I know that this will take a lot of work and discipline and dedication, but I feel that it is what I was designed to do. I am also going to continue my martial studies, developing my Kumdo and Hapkido skills and knowledge. I feel that everything I have experienced so far, has been in preparation for this event. I want to share Haedong Kumdo throughout the world! It has saved my sanity and given me a perspective that I must share with others. This is the next chapter in my story.
6) What are your thoughts or experiences on meditation upon a cliff, a rock or a similar natural environment?
Response:
I am in awe of nature. I can’t imagine how our world simply functions at a meta level, let alone at a macro one. There isn’t a forest, cliff, ocean, sunset or night sky
where I am not overawed at the magnitude of it all. There is a divinity to nature, something grander than I. I am a speck in the mosaic of the divine and feel fortunate that I should occupy this space, this time, this moment.
In saying that, I am most at peace when I venture into a forest. I feel emersed within the ecosystem, as one with the energy, revitalized and renewed. I love the absence of judgement, and the nimiety of grandeur. I am simultaneously overwhelmed and quietened before its presence.
I read in the Tao Te Ching, that the optimal place to occupy, on a physical, mental and spiritual domain is the point between chaos and order, Yin and Yang; that divisory line between creation and oblivion. For me, walking through a forest is that place. It is where the ego is fully subjugated in the presence of true and genuine humility.
The place I enjoyed training the most was at my old acreage block, beneath a huge Poinciana tree. That place, seen in most of my training videos and photos, was a spiritual place for me. I never tired of training beneath that tree, feeling the grass and earth beneath my feet. I was physically unified with the universe there.
7) What is the relationship between ancient martial art teachings and modern life? Should you look backward or forward in your training and your life?
Response:
The structure of history is a guide to how we should approach the future. The lessons that the past have to offer are incalculable so, we must revere tradition but be mindful of the needs of modernity.
One of the guiding principles of martial arts is utility or practicality. A martial art must be practical, in any age because when studied properly, the student comes to realise that the practical skills and applications of martial arts are secondary to the way or “Do” of conducting oneself in a community. Understanding the “Tao” is the whole point of martial studies. Hyper focusing on which style is better is engaging the ego to make a judgement and that is always corrupted by the priorities of the one making the judgement.
I think, to fully answer your question, we need to understand the motivations of the student. Why study martial arts? What is it about martial studies that drew them to the institution in the first instance? What are they hoping to achieve?
For me, my goal is to measure myself against who I was yesterday. If I am improved, then I am following my “Tao”. Obviously, I want to be a great martial artist, especially in the eyes of my Grandmaster? I think the answer to that question is imbedded within your second question, Should you look backward or forward in your training and your life? I propose that it is impossible for me to understand and achieve my “Tao” without looking back into my training and my life, because if I don’t engage in that process, then how can I map it? Who am I then comparing myself to? Who am I answerable and accountable to; if not myself? Anything else, to me at least, seems mute.
8) Do you have a beautiful mind? If so, what does it mean? Can you describe it in a way that can be taught to your students? Can you explain how to achieve it through martial arts training?
Response:
I would describe a beautiful mind as a mind that is open, inquisitive, thirsts for knowledge but understands that everything comes at a cost, recognises that we are all at the mercy of our own egos and is mindful of that fact and embraces the concept of falling forward.
I first heard the concept of falling forward from the lips of Denzel Washington, in a motivational speech he gave at a university, and I thought, what a great concept! Everything else listed in that first paragraph is straight forward. The concept of falling forward is what I want to focus on and what I explain to students.
Falling forward implies to fall/fail, or descend in an uncontrolled manner and forward, is self-explanatory. What Denzel is talking about however, is much deeper and profound that simply taking a tumble. The concept of failure is frightening to many people. It is one of the most prevalent reasons for people to develop psychosis of fear which can even lead to, in extreme circumstances, a failure to start something for fear of failing that endeavour. If we look at life as a series of experiences that build a grander narrative of what and who we are as individuals, we can see that it is full of instances or events where we triumphed and failed. No-one has gone through life without experiencing failure so why does it present itself as such a barrier for some people? The answer to that question is expectations. Everybody understands that failure is a part of existence, what they don’t like or can’t integrate, is that we fail more often than succeed, and that true success only emerges after failure! Everyone sets expectations. Those expectations are often unrealistic, not because they are unachievable, but because the person isn’t willing to make the necessary sacrifices to learn the lessons that then facilitate success. To fail forward is to courageously accept this reality, remove the ego and expectations from the outcome and focus on the process of learning. Switch the thinking from easy to difficult, embrace that notion that nothing of significance comes without sacrifice and when you get it wrong, ie fail, make sure you are paying attention to the process, not the feelings associated with missing the perceived goal, be emotionally resilient, and that, in and of itself, is in fact failing forward. Because every failure moves you inexorably closer to your goal.
Being a student of the process is the defining quality of a champion. Understanding the concept of delayed gratification allows us to whether the storms of disappointment. Building on the lessons of little losses wins the war in the end.
9) When you teach martial arts, do you only teach fighting skills? If not, what else do you do, and is mental training included? Can you explain what it is in reality and how it works?
Response:
When I teach martial arts, I am providing an answer to a question. That answer is, through self-improvement, you can overcome most challenges in life. The following ideas are parts of the larger education of my students.
I believe that martial arts are mechanisms for holistic self-improvement and development, obviously that includes all the aspects of martial studies. How I do this is by educating my students on the life cycle of conflict at the start.
Let me start by defining the key terms:
Conflict – conflict is merely a situation whereby an individual experiences varying states of resistance on their way to a perceived or actual goal.
Violence – violence is the state of gaining dominance through force.
Fear – fear is the mind’s natural response to perceived levels of varying threats, measured against predetermined tolerance limits.
To deal or manage this cycle a student needs to understand the internal triggers that flag a response. The triggers activate at varying levels or stages that occur in an emotional, mental, and physical domain.
Conflict
- Conflict is inevitable
- Acknowledging conflict doesn’t absolve a person from having to deal with it.
- violence is the result of a failure to communicate effectively
- fear will ever be present in a conflict situation
In some situations, there are no “good choices”, but if we can assume responsibility for it, then at least we get to make the decisions on how to navigate it and there’s a powerful message of empowerment in that!
Emotions
Being able to control your emotions makes you a powerful individual.
When stress or resistance (conflict) confronts you, your ability to objectively look at the situation will empower you to understanding the underlying causality and respond, before reacting to those stressors. Here are some simple strategies students can use to control their natural, emotional reaction whilst it is happening:
- Understand their natural emotional reaction to stressors
- Learn to anticipate reactions and understand the types of stressors that tend to trigger us
- Take deep, slow breaths to calm down the Sympathetic Nervous System
- Distance emotional reaction by trying to observe the incident (imagine you are
- Try to remain genuinely curious about what it is the aggressor is trying to convey, genuine curiosity and anger can’t occupy the same emotional space simultaneously
- Don’t feel rushed into responding to someone else’s demands
- Their drama is NOT your emergency
- If someone is targeting you, it is conceivable that they are intimidated by you – this means that you hold the upper hand in the altercation
- Students choose to, or not to have the POWER in the engagement
Physical development
- do at least 10 minutes of physical exercise everyday
- practice techniques until you don’t get them wrong
- eat healthy food before junk food
- get plenty of sleep
During classes we place a great amount of focus on routine, respectful behaviour and discipline. We also have fun and set challenges!
If students can be mindful and present of these strategies when confronting conflict, they aren’t surprised when it happens. This gives them time to properly assess their situation and make the necessary responses. This exercise, and we practice it through sequences, drills and encounters, fortifies the mind (developing mental resilience), places emotional response and reactions in their appropriate places (building emotional resilience) and the practical exercises, skills, and combat training (building physical resilience) creates a framework that the student can then lean on to support them in times of duress.