Master?

Is there really such a thing as a master? If so, who do you believe merits such a title?

Nick

Nick wrote: Is there really such a thing as a master? If so, who do you believe merits such a title? Nick

quick answer: someone who has really mastered the skill they are master of.

Long answer....let's see..in my opinion Bach was a master. He didn't just compose music, he made it live.
Wierd Al is a master too. Though his music is a little different than Bach's

crystalwizard wrote: Nick wrote: Is there really such a thing as a master? If so, who do you believe merits such a title? Nick quick answer: someone who has really mastered the skill they are master of. Long answer....let's see..in my opinion Bach was a master. He didn't just compose music, he made it live. Wierd Al is a master too. Though his music is a little different than Bach's

Weird Al doesn't have music.
He steals other people's music.

DiNalt wrote: Weird Al doesn't have music. He steals other people's music.

sigh. a parody is not stealing and he does not do parodies of anyone that hasn't given him permission but he does write quite a bit of his own music AND lyrics. And even if he didn't he IS a master at the art of parody.

"Is there really such a thing as a master? If so, who do you believe merits such a title?"

It is hard to say what a "master" is but i know if i had to give an example it would be George Simcox. The man could light up a room when he talked and when he was teaching he explaned things once and everyone picked up on it. He tested me for my 2nd kyu and that day i will never forget because i felt that i was in the presence of a master.


Nate
"if you think you can or you think you can't, your right"

Mastery is an ideal. It consists in extreme proficiency an a given art, at a level that cannot be surpassed. For example, comparing Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, if we assume for a while that they are masters, to try to find out which one is the best is absurd. Masters do not compete against each other. They have transcended any opposition.
We, "normal" human beings, do not have the tools to judge if someone was or is a master. We can only state that some are far above us in their field. However it must not prevent ourselves from trying to improve ourselves day after day.
"Dig a hole for your pond
Without waiting for the moon
When the pond is made
The moon will come on its own" - Dogen

LR Joseph

aikilouis wrote: Masters do not compete against each other. They have transcended any opposition.

Oh i dont know about that. the various composers you mentioned all competed with others in their day and in fact one of the acknowledged masters totaly ruined the career of someone else out of jealousy.

just because you have become good at a subject to the point of mastering it does not mean you have become more than human. Doesn't make you perfect or anything else.

Crystal Wizard,

This is an overall reply to your posts. Please do not take offense. This is my first post so I will attempt to be brief. I have noticed that although you put forth the "philosophies' of Aikido very knowledgablly, you seem to not practice them very well. I do not say this to incite an on going debate or anything, just thought an outsiders view might help you in your quest for "Harmony with the Universe". I notice that you tend to create post that ...to me at least...seem to directly contradict others before you. Now again....not a criticism...as I myself tend to enjoy a bit of debate for the sake of debate...

Just something I noticted....do with it what you will....

Peace all...Ken

Kenn wrote: I notice that you tend to create post that ...to me at least...seem to directly contradict others before you.

possibly, but as an example of why i tend to reply that way, notice the post on this thread that I replied to. The statement was made in such as was as to be a definate thing. 'masters have transcended...' which, while a nice idea and possibly true for a few and a great goal, is untrue in the manner in which it was stated.

Notice also i'm not contradicting you in this post?

[Edited by crystalwizard on December 26, 2000 at 08:38pm]

Maybe you have noticed that English isn't my mother language, and I might have expressed myself improperly.
Dear Kenn, if I hadn't taken the risk of being contradicted, I wouldn't have posted anything. CW's objection seems honest to me, and I can reply myself. Thanx anyway. You know, I'm not trying to find 'Harmony with the Universe', I'm just curious about where Aikido can lead to, and, though practice is my essential source of information, sharing experience with different people is a bonus.
Now, to answer CW, I'd say that the acomplishments of masters are in another dimension from the opposition(professional and personal) they had to fight during their lives. On the contrary, any art form (Budo included) is a way of overcoming man's daily trouble.
LR Joseph (was I clear enough this time?)

To both of the previous posts:

Fair enough....

Peace, Kenn