On the art in “Martial Arts”

“To do a dull thing with style — now that’s what I call art.”

–Charles Bukowski

Bukowski’s quote is important to our practice: in one sentence, he hits the root of it all.  What makes a “master” is not “advanced” technique: instead, it is doing everything in an advanced way.  We are all tempted to think that basics are dull, but when you begin to truly understand them, I believe you will be hard pressed to find anything dull about them.  I am endlessly fascinated by the ways in which minute twitches, imperceptible even to the eye, change the techniques dramatically.

That’s what makes what we do a martial art.  In any kind of art, some of the simplest work is also considered to be some of the best.  Japanese artists will make a lifetime practice out of drawing the enso — the circle that is popularly brushed in Japanese calligraphy (shodo).  It’s the same circle, over and over, but they actually never draw the same circle twice.  Every punch you throw is also a completely unique creation.

When you look at things from that perspective, your practice should never be dull or boring.  With that spirit, you become a martial artist and not the usual monkeys that you see wearing black belts, waving their arms around and having no idea what they’re doing.  This quality is what makes true martial arts a life-changing thing to practice, and an exceedingly rare thing to find.  Dedicate yourself with all the effort you can spare.  Don’t waste a moment.