The Spiritual component of the Martial Arts

     I will not digress into a diatribe upon religion, for this is not my intent with this composition—I desire to discuss and actually emphasize the omission of Spirituality in society and in particular the Martial Arts. There seems in our world today to acquiesce to a wantonness to appear to be religious, rather than actually being Spiritual, and thus Spirituality is lost.

     Even within the Martial Arts community, a microcosm of society as a whole, the Spiritual component has been lost. In days of old, Warriors yes honed their physical bodies, but they meditated to improve their Spiritual selves and to become enlightened. They did so as well so that they would internalize not only the physical/combative element of their existence and training, but to as well evolve by internalizing “Qualities of Character”(1) such as:  “Humility…Loyalty, Integrity…honor, Mercy, and Discipline…,”(2) to name a few.   

     Today these qualities are not emphasized nearly as much, and thus not internalized, for this emphasis/component has become downtrodden by a focus upon attaining promotion and rank and or money and praise. The attention to the development of Character—which can only be attained through the Spiritual— for most practitioners, is not highlighted and or not taught at all. Thus, as significant to the development of one as a Warrior as it is, and thus to the whole of the Martial Artist, is lost. Warriors of old were poets, and philosophers, as well as skilled killers. They meditated and worshiped—though we may religiously not ascribe to their philosophies, such as I am Christian, and many of them were Buddhist, the emphasis upon Spirituality was not in one iota overlooked. Furthermore, though my religious beliefs may differ, I can still appreciate, and thus acknowledge that the spiritual component of my training so profoundly affects my mental and physical and thus cannot and shall not be ignored nor neglected. They trained to protect, and defend not merely for fame and or as we sadly tend to be more concerned with tournament victories and belt promotions.

     As well, theirs was the epitome of an, “lay your life on the line,” era in time. When they fought, people were killed and or wounded. They knew someone would die and fought anyway as that was the code, founded upon truth and true honor, by which they lived. Today, ours is more often than not, “a way of,” mindset and inferior approach to training because for many it is not about “life or death,” respect, integrity, honor nor discipline, nor a commitment to excellence in execution of one’s Art. Again, due to the loss of the Spiritual Component, in many cases training more so is a preoccupation with the material trappings of training; trophies, and belt ranks, and the like in addition to pats on the back as being the baddest on the block, or in the Dojo.

     What is your Spiritual depth? Is it as a shallow pool or puddle that has no tributaries in or out of it? Alternatively, is it more as if a running river stemming from a snow covered pristine mountaintop magnifying GOD’S glory and “Qualities of Character”? This pure and wholesome source, so high and elevated, causes that river to flow downhill, enhancing and giving life to all that drink from it, as it travels to the deepest ocean. Moreover, said ocean’s ebbs and flows, which are vaporized by the Sun that return to its original source, that beautiful mountaintop, as falling snow.

     It is time for a resurgence and re-commitment to the Spiritual component—not merely tradition per say, but a re-commitment to logical, sound, wise, practices that will allow for us to maximize and develop our character, skills and bodies as a whole. So that we may become the very best, we can be as people and Martial Artist—for these should not be separate.    

     We as Martial Artist and warriors should not merely be self-centered takers, focused solely upon or own promotion and or accomplishments. We must as well be sacrificing givers—enriching and enlightening the world, and yes when needed enforcing justice through our warrior honed skills and tactics.

     We need to be far more like wise “Dragons” than mere ferocious tigers—and this can only be accomplished through our Spiritual development and growth and a commitment to "Qualities of Character"(1) such as, “Humility…Loyalty…Integrity…Honor…Mercy and Discipline.”(2)

(1) Mr. +Shaun Damon Hagler  1^st Degree Jr. Instructor of the Arts

(2) Mr. +Todd Durgan 7^th Degree Senior Professor of the Arts