Thumb through the section of the phone book devoted to martial arts and you
may conclude that there are about five masters to the square mile in some
places. Typically, their training uniforms are bedecked with stripes,
patches and embroidery. Many of them are the sort of people who will happily
announce their status as masters at every opportunity, printing their title
on their business cards, on their stationery, and so on.
(Dave
Lowry)
Enlightened?
'Enlightenment' is a dubious concept. It has a certain finality to it. It
suggests that a person has reached a conclusion.
Surely this is a false premise? Is there an end to
learning, to insight, to
understanding?
It seems somewhat unlikely.
Words like 'enlightened' and 'master' suggest that the individual has reached
the
pinnacle of their art.
As if they were somehow perfect...
Surely, 'perfection' denotes a condition where nothing can be
added?
To be perfect is to be complete.
Who could make such a claim? Who on this planet is complete? Do any of us
believe ourselves 'perfect'?
Mastery
The very notion of 'mastery'
is questionable.
Maestros and so-called geniuses are people who have given themselves over to
their art.
They have set aside their arrogance and their ego.
By embracing the teachings of their art, they have transcended mediocrity and
truly gained skill.
Instead of
forcing a result, or willing a conclusion, the person
has sublimated
their sense of 'self'.
The individual has become one with the art.
You cannot gain real skill by trying to control the art. Instead, you must
surrender to it. You must
let go.
In a very real sense, you do not master the art. It masters you.
Skill
Taoism teaches us that a singer who sings well should take no
credit for their
abilities.
It is simply what they are able to do.
A skilled tai chi person should not be impressed with their own ability.
It is simply within their capacity.
Being good at something is one thing. Letting it go to
your head is something
else entirely.
Teaching tai chi
A person may be capable of demonstrating magnificent tai chi skills, but
does this make them a good
teacher?
Being a good exponent and being a good teacher are two different things
entirely.
Teaching is about
communicating ideas, inspiration, empathy, patience and differentiation.
It is about dismantling material and explaining it carefully and systematically.
It is about passing on knowledge. It is about cultivating
insight and creativity
in others.
Being a tai chi master is no guarantee of teaching ability.
Fame
We live in a culture where people adore
fame, celebrity and all the
paraphernalia that goes with it.
There is a tendency for people to get carried away. They become fans. Groupies.
They become obsessed.
Rock stars and TV
personalities are just people. Just like you.
Be entertained by all means, but do not lose all sense of perspective.
The martial arts world is not the entertainment industry.
It is a quiet place of intense study,
introspection, discovery and communion. It
has no interest in celebrity.
Authority
People are quick to give masters and gurus power over them.
The student wants the skills for themselves and is eager to learn from
the master. This is understandable.
But being a student is quite different to being a 'groupie'.
Your teacher is not a rock star, or a celebrity. They are a martial arts
instructor.
Not every master knows how to teach their art. Many may not even possess a
cogent
syllabus.
You cannot afford to
blindly follow anyone.
Even if your teacher is very good at all aspects of the art, do not give them
your adulation.
That is not your relationship.
They deserve your respect and your attention, but not your servile fawning.
Cult of the personality
The danger with charismatic
figureheads is that
everything becomes about them.
The cause, the system, the ideal is lost and everything revolves around that one
person.
This is not good.
Do not give your teacher control over you. Their role is to teach you tai chi,
not become your guru.
A real master
There are good
teachers out there. People who may or not call
themselves 'master'.
People who quietly work at their art day after day, and share the bounty of
their
journey.
If you are open enough, you may well find one.
But be careful. Be discerning. A real master is not so easy to identify.
It is quite likely that their abilities will be intricately folded within their
art.
Their every lesson will contain the subtlety of a zen
koan,
with ramifications that echo across the breadth of your training.
You will only come to perceive the depth of their skill as you undergo a
change in yourself.
Page created 14 March 1998