tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post981579012551023238..comments2008-07-13T00:32:53.972-05:00John Vesiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04434740196022601040noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-52921924049281834992008-07-13T00:32:00.000-05:002008-07-13T00:32:00.000-05:00"Life is not for martial arts, martial arts is for life."Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105690557558901441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-22572981801435949222008-05-05T15:28:00.000-05:002008-05-05T15:28:00.000-05:00Mireille:<BR/><BR/><I>Formation of one's character into a more mature, responsible, self controled, and respectful person is the main goal of Karate ( in my opinion) learning how to defend oneself is a bonus.</I><BR/><BR/>This is what Gichin Funakoshi espoused. Donn Draeger also said actual combat effectivenes was but a "by-product"; that, again, character-building should be held as the highest priority in the martial arts. And I totally agree that rank and such can be an obstacle if they're taken out of proper context and understanding.John Vesiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04434740196022601040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-79073457313145307562008-05-05T04:53:00.000-05:002008-05-05T04:53:00.000-05:00I agree totally with all that you have said on this posting. Formation of one's character into a more mature, responsible, self controled, and respectful person is the main goal of Karate ( in my opinion) learning how to defend oneself is a bonus.<BR/><BR/>Also, the perfection of one's character doesn't end when a person reaches a level such as black belt, I believe that it is an ongoing struggle until one's dying breath to accentuate the positives, and diminish the negatives in our personalities. Our limbs may lose flexibility, and strength with age, which makes it all the more important to train our minds to become more flexible, focused, and alert.<BR/><BR/>I believe that it is a sad thing that so many modern Martial arts clubs focus on gaining belt ranks, and tournament medals over forming the inner character of their students. The lessons that build character will help that person to be a happier, healthier, and safer human being in the future.supergroup7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01918610819952156537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-68431880156416204422008-05-03T17:56:00.000-05:002008-05-03T17:56:00.000-05:00Thank <I>you</I>, FTTS. Welcome to my site.John Vesiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04434740196022601040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-63599658717035021762008-05-03T13:11:00.000-05:002008-05-03T13:11:00.000-05:00I quoted you in my blog. Thank you for your insights.Face to the Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207320399924278118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-47000063312039585712008-05-03T12:06:00.000-05:002008-05-03T12:06:00.000-05:00Bob:<BR/><BR/>Excellent! Looking forward to your review.John Vesiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04434740196022601040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-18107174218611798152008-05-03T11:25:00.000-05:002008-05-03T11:25:00.000-05:00Just ordered a used copy!<BR/><BR/>:-)Bob Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599662252662686373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-36970178943406106882008-05-02T09:14:00.000-05:002008-05-02T09:14:00.000-05:00Mat:<BR/><BR/><I>I still rely on myself to get better, no matter the sensei.</I><BR/><BR/>I hear that. In the end, we only have ourselves to fall back onto.John Vesiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04434740196022601040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-28739190650137001322008-05-02T08:58:00.000-05:002008-05-02T08:58:00.000-05:00I'm pretty lucky to have a good school and mature people to train with. The age average has something to do with it, for sure.<BR/><BR/>Is it just me or all the personal growth I get from my training, I got on my own?<BR/><BR/>In fact, I can say that I would not rely on karate training to get to another place, maturity wise.<BR/><BR/>The best training I got is at home. On many aspects.<BR/>:D<BR/>This is not to put down my sensei. He's the best I've ever had. I still rely on myself to get better, no matter the sensei.Mathieuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06914289317924626891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-89751706977057371072008-05-01T01:04:00.000-05:002008-05-01T01:04:00.000-05:00Thanks, BBM.<BR/><BR/><I>...one can definitely tell a black belt who gets it and possesses the right qualities from the ones who don't.</I><BR/><BR/>You really need some of the ones with the "right qualities" to make that comparison. Otherwise not-right will appear normal. <BR/>----------<BR/><BR/>Bob:<BR/><BR/>In the meantime I linked the title to Amazon.com. I should've done that in the first place. Enjoy that book, it's a good one.John Vesiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04434740196022601040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-37657373709042514532008-04-30T05:45:00.000-05:002008-04-30T05:45:00.000-05:00I Googled that book and am going to get my hot little hands on it. I've been spending way too much time on work and/or training. A little recreational reading is in order. This one sounds right up my alley! I may review it on my blog when I'm done.Bob Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599662252662686373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14230162.post-58801130476395149012008-04-28T19:32:00.000-05:002008-04-28T19:32:00.000-05:00These are all really good points/observations. It's so true what you say and one can definitely tell a black belt who gets it and possesses the right qualities from the ones who don't.Blackbeltmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04069495769299557679noreply@blogger.com