Martial arts as religion.
"This is my church. This is where I heal my hurts."
- Faithless, "God is a DJ"
Not including religion, not a part of a religion -- the art itself is the religion. Instructors as priests, giving support and knowledge. A religion, a community, a group of people dedicated to improving the self by breaking one's own limitations, and strengthening the body and the will. Using martial arts techniques to cleanse and focus oneself. Sounds good, right?
Sure it does. And on one level, I crave it: one another, I'm hesitant in the extreme to accept it.
It's always been the case that I need to believe in something. Be it pagan gods of trickery and enlightenment, be it christian gods of sin and salvation, be it the general living nature of the universe. I have a need to believe that there is something out there greater than myself. The catch is that I've learned that I cannot allow others to dictate the path I walk where religion is concerned: I can't believe in something until I've questioned it, analyzed it, and finally accepted it. Along the way though, I think I've become a hermit of sorts in terms of what/how I believe. I'm uncomfortable with the idea of being a part of a community of people, even if they believe as I do.
I'll probably end up continuing with it anyway.
By the way, Palo is hot.
"This is my church. This is where I heal my hurts."
- Faithless, "God is a DJ"
Not including religion, not a part of a religion -- the art itself is the religion. Instructors as priests, giving support and knowledge. A religion, a community, a group of people dedicated to improving the self by breaking one's own limitations, and strengthening the body and the will. Using martial arts techniques to cleanse and focus oneself. Sounds good, right?
Sure it does. And on one level, I crave it: one another, I'm hesitant in the extreme to accept it.
It's always been the case that I need to believe in something. Be it pagan gods of trickery and enlightenment, be it christian gods of sin and salvation, be it the general living nature of the universe. I have a need to believe that there is something out there greater than myself. The catch is that I've learned that I cannot allow others to dictate the path I walk where religion is concerned: I can't believe in something until I've questioned it, analyzed it, and finally accepted it. Along the way though, I think I've become a hermit of sorts in terms of what/how I believe. I'm uncomfortable with the idea of being a part of a community of people, even if they believe as I do.
I'll probably end up continuing with it anyway.
By the way, Palo is hot.