Читать книгу Scientific Karate Do онлайн
12 страница из 64
The individual can progress faster with this positive attitude than by conforming to a rigid norm not necessarily suited to his personality. In this way everyone can benefit from the practice of karatedo. A person not physically gifted can develop a strong spirit to compensate for his lack of speed or strength. This kind of attitude, transposed into everyday life, can induce the individual to search for fulfillment whatever his qualities or failings, by correcting the latter but relying on the former to achieve his goals.
The student of karatedo must always try to perfect himself. He should never become complacent, as there will always be something to improve. Whatever his rank, he should consider himself a novice who always has something else to learn. He must realize that hard training is the only way to better himself in every aspect of life, and that whatever the difficulties, he must never give up but fight to win over himself in an endless search for truth. Shiai and kumite provide the student with direct contact with others so that he can compare himself and improve. This is the true test of proficiency in karatedo. It does not necessarily mean that only the winners are understanding and progressing in the way of karatedo. The essential thing is to participate with dedication, always trying to better oneself, always trying to win. But winning should remain secondary because winning itself is not the goal, only an indication that the individual is on the right path toward reaching his goal. If winning were to become the goal, then the path would be lost for the losing student, who would get discouraged and stop his search for self-perfection. On the other hand, the one who wins would be content, having reached his goal, and again the true spirit of karatedo would be lost. To use a now famous Zen illustration, "One should not mistake the finger pointing to the moon for the moon itself." Winning is the finger pointing to the moon, and the moon is at the end of the long but supremely fascinating journey with oneself amidst the immensity of the universe.