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I have been sick with a really bad cold since before New Years. I missed the first two weeks of training.
I've been doing some reflecting on my training since I returned last June. A thread in one of the forums mentioned what it meant to be "humble". I heard the following a couple of months ago from another MA practitioner who heard it from another. I'd like to share it.
"Humble people do not think less of themselves, they think of themselves less."
The above sums up for me what defines "humble" and describes my sensei to a T. He has for the last twenty five years or so been devoted to dispensing his knowledge to numerous students at our dojo as well as others he has visited.
His knowledge and friendship are his gift to us.
A few years ago I made a very brief return to training, but my mindset was not one that was conducive to receiving instruction. Where did this arrogance come from? An environment that fostered the ego. It's interesting to look back and realize how much that attitude crippled my ability to really learn.
I was told by the deshi that when he'd asked sensei if he could remove my name (amongst others) from the rank board, sensei said, "No, they all come back sooner or later." I'd been away for almost ten years.
I am only beginning to grasp the importance of openness and humility in training and daily life.
01-19-2005 12:24 PM 