June 16th, 2022
I have seen so many promising martial artists quit that I have literally lost count. These students were not lost due to injury, illness or boredom, but due to the periodic testing process in the studio. These are students who failed to promote to the next belt level, and upon the posting of the test results they left the training hall, never to return.
As an instructor, I am always careful to explain to everyone who is about to test just what a belt is all about. I can explain it in as clear as manner as possible, but somehow it still doesn’t take root for some people. Too bad, but just as well, for these people who quit after not promoting would have eventually quit for some other reason. Not promoting serves not as a reason, but as a convenient excuse.
It is interesting to note that in the early days of martial arts training there were no tests or promotions, and despite the romantic and philosophical implications of all the different colors of the belts (white symbolizes “purity,” etc.), the real truth of the matter is that everyone began as a white belt because uncolored fabric was less expensive and more readily available. The uniforms were tied with a simple belt, and though they were occasionally cleaned and replaced, the belts were not. People’s belts became black from the dirt and sweat from years of training, not from a testing process. There is something very appealing to me about this history, because it symbolizes an attachment to the process of training, rather then the result.
We live in a results orientated society, where the purpose of doing something is to reap some sort of reward. From earliest childhood, children are told that if they do this then they will get that. It is the enlightened parent who impresses upon their children that doing something can be its own reward. Unfortunately, a lot of people work to earn money so they can marry and have children, only to feed and clothe and shelter them until they are old enough to get there own jobs and keep the cycle going. These are the people who suffer the classic “mid-life” crisis of looking back and wondering if they have done anything satisfying with their lives. There are so many people who hate their jobs, yet continue doing them because the results seem so tempting. Invariably, these are the same people who manage to acquire things, but still feel empty. These people are result orientated, and result orientation does not guarantee satisfaction. You have to love the process, regardless of the direction it takes. In martial arts training, the training itself must be more important then the belt which you wear. You must love the look of yourself throwing that perfect kick more then the look of yourself wearing the next belt.
On the island of Maui is a town called Hana, accessible by a scenic yet narrow, two-lane road which twists and winds its way around the island. Tourists are often told that they must take a trip to Hana, and many do only to discover upon getting to Hana that the town is quaint but not much to look at. It’s the road which makes the trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize this while they are on the road. All they are thinking while they are on the road is getting to Hana, and they miss the best part of the trip in the process.
Training and testing are not unlike this. The only proper attitude for a student of the martial arts to have is that the training is the key. The purpose of testing is to ask the Head Instructor whether or not you are ready to move to the next level. If you truly love training, then even if you don’t promote, you certainly won’t fail. If you promote you will continue to train, and if you don’t promote you must also continue to train. There is no losing. A person who is honestly concerned about their progress will want to hear what the Head Instructor has to say. You must really want the results of the test, regardless of what it is. Testing is part of the process, not the conclusion or final step, and not promoting is, sometimes, part of the process as well. Love the process. If you don’t, don’t test.
Now I am aware of the lure of the ego, for this is what we are talking about here. The new belt does something for a person; a feeling of accomplishment, acknowledgment, and approval that you have done something well, recognition from your peers… I know. I have been, and at all times, continue to be there. The only thing that I can say is the same thing I tell myself; give it up, and let it go. Train for the sake of training. It is only when you let go and become immersed in what you are doing that you get closer to the truth.