self review

[American HKD]

Greetings,

After reveiwing many things I wrote on various threads I see alot of it's really non-sense. Not that some things I wrote are false, but mainly there's little benefit to Hapkido as a whole.

I was thinking of not writting here so often cause it seemed to serve little purpose to the Art but who knows?

I did meet some very nice people here like Thomas, Jim H, and a few others and If I was near them I like to trade ideas and train.

What if any good has been done by all this chat?

[JimH]

AmericanHKd,
Not posting as much is non sense.

We are grown ups with opinions and ideas,we are here to exchange ideas and to enlighten those who start out or to entice those thinking about it.

Your posts are your ideas,your beliefs in your school,your training and your Grand Master,never call those non sense.

Your posts stimulate thinking and allow fro responses,do not deprive the board of your wisdom and your point of view.

Hapkido benefits from conversation and an exchange of ideas amongst others of like minded interest,you definately add to all these points.

I anticipate the day to meet you and others from this board because the exchange is done as grown ups and all of it has merit.

The decision to continue to post or not is up to you,I hope you continue.

All the Best and All My Respect as you are true to your art,your Master and Yourself.

Jim
(Now jump in and start typing and generate some discussion)

[American HKD]

AmericanHKd,
Not posting as much is non sense.

We are grown ups with opinions and ideas,we are here to exchange ideas and to enlighten those who start out or to entice those thinking about it.

Your posts are your ideas,your beliefs in your school,your training and your Grand Master,never call those non sense.

Your posts stimulate thinking and allow fro responses,do not deprive the board of your wisdom and your point of view.

Hapkido benefits from conversation and an exchange of ideas amongst others of like minded interest,you definately add to all these points.

I anticipate the day to meet you and others from this board because the exchange is done as grown ups and all of it has merit.

The decision to continue to post or not is up to you,I hope you continue.

All the Best and All My Respect as you are true to your art,your Master and Yourself.

Jim
(Now jump in and start typing and generate some discussion)

Very Appreciated!

Thanks

[JimH]

American HKD.
You asked:
"What if any good has been done by all this chat?"

You have created chat ,which has led to education and enlightenment.

I for one have been so intriqued by your posts ,so much so that I have looked at the Sin Moo Hapkido site with Grand Master Ji Han Jae in hopes of buying some of his material to broaden my mind as to more of what exists out there in Hapkido and especially to see the things you speak of in regards to GM Ji Han Jae.
(I saw the site has the release to be in 2004 ,but they are still taking preorders,but I am still ineterested in more knowledge on this specific Topic)

My desire to see and learn more is due to you,and this is a credit to you, I bet more people also decided to look and see and get more info Thanks to you.

That is what this Chat does,creates interest in that which we enjoy and have dedicated YEARS of our lives to.

[mixmastersenior]

Dear Master Rosenberg,
Like JimH, your posts and opinions have inspired me to delve more deeply into the roots of Hapkido and the techniques of more traditional kwans. This has been most rewarding. Your opinions are not always the same as others, and they certainly don't need to be. But they are always thoughtfull and well considered. IMHO, any art form (including Martial Arts), should be a living, breathing, growing entity. And even though an art may grow and change, it should never forget its roots, where it came from. Martial artists
like yourself are the caretakers of the art, making sure that no matter how far
the apple may fall fom the tree, the tree ramains healthy and produces more
apples. Sorry to mix metaphors like that. to put it simply, your threads make me think, and that is a good thing.

[Utotin]

Regardless of whether or not everyone agrees with all your opinion, you post stimulate some lively discussions and offer us alot of food for thought. I, for one, always look forward to your posts!

[dngrruss]

Mr. Rosenberg-
while you and I have butted heads a few times, I truly believe that open discussion of any subject does nothing but help.

Besides, without you, butting heads on this board won't be as much fun :D

[Thomas]

I have learned a great deal from people like Master Rosenberg here at the site. Yes, things can get heated but in my opinion, as long as people are learning and sharing, it's good. Sometimes there are people who post only to create bad feelings... I can do without them.

I think the long term results will be good. I think the sharing and contributions from various groups of Hapkido (and non Hapkido people) can only result in a greater deal of tolerance and cross exposure in the future. I would gladly walk into almost any of the Hapkido forum posters' dojang and fully expect to be treated very well as a student and come a way with great learning.

It's easy to "hate" one kwan or another... until you talk to its members and get to know and value them. That's what I think this forum does.

Thank you all!

[American HKD]

Greetings

Thanks to all for the kinds words it means alot.

I saw a bit too much negativity in some of our discussions in certain areas, I prefer to continue with more postive ideas of inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness in regard to different branches of HKD.

I still believe there is a serious problem in HKD as a whole with too much mixing and matching of techniques from outside sources, and too many uneducated Instr. teaching many misconceptions, but that's probably true in all the arts.

Also HKD is not an elective system as is mixed MA although many look at it as such becuase it was started that way by Ji Han Jae, with additions of kicks, weapons, etc. However since it's codifcation in the early 60s Doju Ji has not added or subtracted any techniques, however he did introduce a life philosophy when he renamed his art Sin Moo HKD in the early 80s.

My ultimate reason for being here is to educate in regards to HKD and not argue with people, but sometimes I feel I have to put my foot down when I believe I'm hearing incorrect notions about HKD.

So I'm sorry to anyone who I may have offended in that regard, sometimes I can frustrated when I read some incorrect ideas about HKD.

My goal is basically to keep HKD tact with it's original teachings which is very difficult task especially todays day and age. Uneducated Instrs. rank for money, commercialism as indeed ruined many systems today.

You all must realize any fool can dismantle any MA system in no time flat compared with the effort it took to build it and keep it going.

Thanks to all!

[JimH]

"So I'm sorry to anyone who I may have offended in that regard, sometimes I can frustrated when I read some incorrect ideas about HKD.

My goal is basically to keep HKD tact with it's original teachings which is very difficult task especially todays day and age. Uneducated Instrs. rank for money, commercialism as indeed ruined many systems today. "

American HKD,
From your quote above,I must say that you do a Great job of getting your point across as to what you believe Hapkido,especially Ji Han Jae's Hapkido, is, and what it is about.
But
In a changing world and ever changing aspects of the art we all Love,(whether good or bad) this is,in my opinion, a heavy Burden to place upon yourself (especially in an open,written forum like this) and I can see where it is difficult to continue to Butt heads to try and maintain Original Tradition as handed down to you By your Instructor Ji Han Jae.

I enjoy our discussions,I enjoy (and see) your points,I appreciate your Loyalty to your art ,your school and Your GM.

Do not take to heart what you read as incorrect versions of what you view as True Hapkido,know that what you do is true and continue to post because your knowledge insight and post stimulate thought and the need to want more.
(the goal of these sites is:to exchange,to enlighten,to help and enjoy,you provide these and I Thank You)

[nj_howard]

It's easy to "hate" one kwan or another...
Thomas, I'm sure you're right (unfortunately) when it comes to some people, but it really shouldn't be easy to hate a kwan other than one's own... I think all legitimate kwans are striving for the same thing - the preservation of the art and the betterment of their members. And both of those goals are admirable.

btw, Mstr Rosenberg, I also enjoy reading your posts, and admire your dedication to Hapkido and to Ji Han Jae.

Maybe we should just consider ourselves a "big tent", like the Republican Party. :)

[American HKD]

"So I'm sorry to anyone who I may have offended in that regard, sometimes I can frustrated when I read some incorrect ideas about HKD.

My goal is basically to keep HKD tact with it's original teachings which is very difficult task especially todays day and age. Uneducated Instrs. rank for money, commercialism as indeed ruined many systems today. "

American HKD,
From your quote above,I must say that you do a Great job of getting your point across as to what you believe Hapkido,especially Ji Han Jae's Hapkido, is, and what it is about.
But
In a changing world and ever changing aspects of the art we all Love,(whether good or bad) this is,in my opinion, a heavy Burden to place upon yourself (especially in an open,written forum like this) and I can see where it is difficult to continue to Butt heads to try and maintain Original Tradition as handed down to you By your Instructor Ji Han Jae.

I enjoy our discussions,I enjoy (and see) your points,I appreciate your Loyalty to your art ,your school and Your GM.

Do not take to heart what you read as incorrect versions of what you view as True Hapkido,know that what you do is true and continue to post because your knowledge insight and post stimulate thought and the need to want more.
(the goal of these sites is:to exchange,to enlighten,to help and enjoy,you provide these and I Thank You)

Greetings,

Maybe you're right I'm taking these things too seriously. But there isn't multiple truths as some may think.

Except for Jung Ki Kwan and one other Kwan they're the only folks who follows Choi's system in tact.

The rest of us all follow Ji's Brand of Hapkido (KHA, KHF, IHF, WHF, WHA, IHF, Jin Pal, ICHF, etc.) he is our root and source as I said before. With that in mind we all have the same source, what people do with it and still call HKD is the crux of the matter.

How far can one go? HKD has many of shoots all wanting to do thier own thing and subscribing to the fact thier HKD when they look nothing like HKD.

Did all these off shoots get thier blessing from the founder after all he's still alive or did they blow him off and start thier own concepts?

Why wouldn't people want to learn from the source if possible it only makes sense. Master Ji is not so rigid that you can't explore HKD to the fullest he encourages us as Instr. Also the KHF teaches original HKD as per Ji Han Jae.

Do you have any idea how many off shoots there are that have no clue who Ji Han Jae or what he teaches? Where do they these folks get thier knowledge from or technical training and application?

Wouldn't it make sense to learn Karate from Funikosh, Judo from Kano, Aikido from Uysheba, JKD from Bruce Lee if one could or at least a direct student of these people?

Who would want to go several steps down the rung and learn from someone with lineage issues or who mixed everything together or only has a few years in the system?

If you want HKD the real thing is still available for now. If you want MMA or to cross train that's Ok to but it's not HKD.

Just food for thought!

[mixmastersenior]

Dear Master Rosenberg,
you are absolutely right. Those who are seriously studying Hapkido as a Martial art and not just for self defense should definitely seek out and at least meet, if not study under GM Ji. I know I would be thrilled beyond words to do so. The opportunity has not yet arisen. But if we see Ji Han Jae as the Father of Modern Hapkido (we'll say Choi Yung Sul was Grandfather), then there are many of his "children" out spreading the word. And just as in life, different children will reflect on the family tree in different ways. Each with their own distinct personality. It is clear that some have strayed from the original teachings just as some have stayed very close to GM Ji's concepts. I am certainly not in a position to say who is true and who has gone too far. But I agree with your assertion that to understand Hapkido as it was originally conceived, one should definitely go to the source.

[JimH]

"Maybe you're right I'm taking these things too seriously. But there isn't multiple truths as some may think."

If you find the conversations to be frustrating,in my opinion you are taking things way to seriously,enjoy the chats and post your view without worrying about the others
(I say this as I do not want to see you stop posting because you feel you are hitting a brick wall,as you are not,you are heard)

I also agree there are not multiple truths. Traditional Hapkido is clearly defined and alive today in Ji Han Jae and his followers and the purists followers of Choi's Hapkido.
But
The Hapkido that appears that add to the core art are still Hapkido just not traditional as to the teachings of Ji Han Jae or Choi.

The truth is that many Masters and Grand Masters who follow the traditional teachings Have No schools,they have no following,while the non traditional,in that they do not adhere to the strict teachings of Ji Han Jae or Choi,prosper.

In New York for example:
GM Chin Il Chang,a direct student of Choi, and touted as the Heir to Choi,has no school and has had none for years.
Why?

GM Tong Lee a follower of Ji Han Jae,has no school and a very small following who move place to place to train.
Why?

GM Ik Jo Kang had 5 schools and has had to come out of retirement to keep one school alive.
Why?

Many who prosper teach Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido and the Tae Kwon Do for kids pays the bills,they have to offer more than traditional,singular ,Hapkido to stay alive and they are not full time instructors,they cannot afford to be.

Then there are Masters who are Ranked and certified under GMs who are True ,Great,pioneers who have Black Belt students who cannot roll,who cannot take a throw or a fall and who ,outside their specific Dojang, cannot make a simple wrist lock take down work,like it is foreign material.

I do not have the answers,but I do understand why many Hapkido Masters add on,so they can make a meger profit and keep doing what they love.
(Like Master Fairborz Azhkah,for one example, who has also added wing chun,BJJ and FMa to his art of Traditional Hapkido)
But
I also do not think this takes away from their Hapkido,it just alters it from the Traditional lines of Ji Han Jae and Choi.(For a Truest,a Pureist this is a no no and I agree,but it is a way to keep the art alive and get it to the populace)

I understand the plight of the Purist to keep the art as it was/is and it is a challenge to keep it tue as it has been for Martial artists through the ages.

The populace and their needs dictate the wants,those who seek pure and traditional will seek that,those who seek more,expanded versions will seek that.

As Martial artists,and more defined as Hapkidoists, we want to keep our art alive,we serve a small ,niche,demand to begin with in martial arts,we need to recognise differences but work to maintain our core ,for the core contains the life of any form,be it traditional to Ji Han Jae or Choi,to the expanded versions.

I do not dislike the traditional,I have spent many years with GMs and Masters of traditional,my problem with them was none ever stayed in business long enough,now the version of Hapkido I study is an expanded one,with an Instructor who got his Hapkido Black Belt under a traditionalist (GM Myung) but at least he has been around for ,more than, the 10 years I have been with him.

I feel I belong under the banner of Hapkido,because this is what we do,again not purist traditional,but I cannot go to an ecletic site or MMA site and talk, joint locks,ki strikes,dan bong,cane and fit in,but I also do not want to upset traditionalists by trying to make them see how we fit together.

Again,what I do is not Traditional in that it does not fit purely under the teachings defined by Ji Han Jae or Choi,But the core and the method of what I do is,the majority of it,taken from Ji Han Jae and his teachings.

This commonality is what we share,not the add ons,so let us celebrate what we share and not get upset trying to redefine what we are not ,or do not share.

This is my view,not to cause conflict but to find common ground.

As always,with respect to all.

[Hapkid0ist]

Don't worry JimH, your family. And reguardless of types and branches of HKD, we all have what is most important in common, the passion!

[American HKD]

"Maybe you're right I'm taking these things too seriously. But there isn't multiple truths as some may think."

If you find the conversations to be frustrating,in my opinion you are taking things way to seriously,enjoy the chats and post your view without worrying about the others
(I say this as I do not want to see you stop posting because you feel you are hitting a brick wall,as you are not,you are heard)

I also agree there are not multiple truths. Traditional Hapkido is clearly defined and alive today in Ji Han Jae and his followers and the purists followers of Choi's Hapkido.
But
The Hapkido that appears that add to the core art are still Hapkido just not traditional as to the teachings of Ji Han Jae or Choi.

The truth is that many Masters and Grand Masters who follow the traditional teachings Have No schools,they have no following,while the non traditional,in that they do not adhere to the strict teachings of Ji Han Jae or Choi,prosper.

In New York for example:
GM Chin Il Chang,a direct student of Choi, and touted as the Heir to Choi,has no school and has had none for years.
Why?

GM Tong Lee a follower of Ji Han Jae,has no school and a very small following who move place to place to train.
Why?

GM Ik Jo Kang had 5 schools and has had to come out of retirement to keep one school alive.
Why?

Many who prosper teach Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido and the Tae Kwon Do for kids pays the bills,they have to offer more than traditional,singular ,Hapkido to stay alive and they are not full time instructors,they cannot afford to be.

Then there are Masters who are Ranked and certified under GMs who are True ,Great,pioneers who have Black Belt students who cannot roll,who cannot take a throw or a fall and who ,outside their specific Dojang, cannot make a simple wrist lock take down work,like it is foreign material.

I do not have the answers,but I do understand why many Hapkido Masters add on,so they can make a meger profit and keep doing what they love.
(Like Master Fairborz Azhkah,for one example, who has also added wing chun,BJJ and FMa to his art of Traditional Hapkido)
But
I also do not think this takes away from their Hapkido,it just alters it from the Traditional lines of Ji Han Jae and Choi.(For a Truest,a Pureist this is a no no and I agree,but it is a way to keep the art alive and get it to the populace)

I understand the plight of the Purist to keep the art as it was/is and it is a challenge to keep it tue as it has been for Martial artists through the ages.

The populace and their needs dictate the wants,those who seek pure and traditional will seek that,those who seek more,expanded versions will seek that.

As Martial artists,and more defined as Hapkidoists, we want to keep our art alive,we serve a small ,niche,demand to begin with in martial arts,we need to recognise differences but work to maintain our core ,for the core contains the life of any form,be it traditional to Ji Han Jae or Choi,to the expanded versions.

I do not dislike the traditional,I have spent many years with GMs and Masters of traditional,my problem with them was none ever stayed in business long enough,now the version of Hapkido I study is an expanded one,with an Instructor who got his Hapkido Black Belt under a traditionalist (GM Myung) but at least he has been around for ,more than, the 10 years I have been with him.

I feel I belong under the banner of Hapkido,because this is what we do,again not purist traditional,but I cannot go to an ecletic site or MMA site and talk, joint locks,ki strikes,dan bong,cane and fit in,but I also do not want to upset traditionalists by trying to make them see how we fit together.

Again,what I do is not Traditional in that it does not fit purely under the teachings defined by Ji Han Jae or Choi,But the core and the method of what I do is,the majority of it,taken from Ji Han Jae and his teachings.

This commonality is what we share,not the add ons,so let us celebrate what we share and not get upset trying to redefine what we are not ,or do not share.

This is my view,not to cause conflict but to find common ground.

As always,with respect to all.

All good points!

[shadow warrior]

Although many of the topics related to Hapkido have been explored and beaten to death over the past few years on this form, this excersise has had one important result; we have established a view of the Hapkido landscape and the people who populate it!

Before the forum communication explosion, very little direct information and opinion exchange was occuring. Although now, one might now put forth a case for overexposure and mundane rehashing of old well worn arguments.

However, we can not deny that many people involved in the Hapkido world have made their particular points of view known. From debunking myths to helping people understand where they fit within the Hapkido stream, much has been gained.

Diversified opinions in almost all areas of roots, origins, inclusion, exclusion, real, pure, political bent, commercialism, requirements leads me to conclude that someone who is not familiar with Hapkido would be MUCH MORE informed if they read many of the heated threads on here.

Those of us who are instructors with our own schools and a long history in Hapkido, owe it to people in general to make information available and let people make up their own minds about issues and perspectives.

We love martial arts and Hapkido in particular, so of course we have very passionate opinions about what we do. Unfortunately, we ALL know that politics is the festering demon of non co-operation. Mix that with old Korean rivalries, business orientation, rampaging egos and you get a micro reflection of the world today.

If Hapkido in its root manefestations is to flow into the future, we need to keep contirbuting in ways other than direct teaching. We should continue to throw in our two cents as we deem fit.

Maybe in our older years a virus of co-operation might aflict many of the long term survivors left standing!

IMHO

Keith Stewart
Head Instructor
East West Hapkido

[Jointlock]

Mr. Rosenberg,

I felt that I should reply to this thread since you and I have had our disagreements in the recent past. I have found some of your comments to be arrogant and at times hypocritical. But, hey nobody is perfect.

On the same token, some of the things that I have said have been out of line. The internet and this forum are a strange medium. It gives everyone a voice to speak freely and share their views with anonymity and little repercussions. It is hard to put across things that require tone and facial expression get your point across. So many things can be taken out of context in the written word. In my opinion this is where most of the anger and frustration comes from.

That being said I know that I would act differently if I were to meet you in person. I highly respect my elders whether it be in age or in skill. I am positive that you have the skill and the knowledge to back up your rank. I know that I would definitely enjoy training and learning from you.

There have been several times when I have met instructors of a higher rank that their skill level, in my opinion, was lacking. Still I treat them with the respect that their rank calls for. Why do I do this in person, but on the internet not give the respect due to a particular rank? This is something that I have contemplated a lot lately.

As far as training with GM Ji. That is not really an option for me at the moment. Due to where I live, my money situation, and lack of time it is not really an option to train with him. My instructor was promoted to 5th dan by him, so I'm sure that what he is passing on is good information.

I say keep posting. You have created good threads that have made me contemplate many of my ideas on training. I enjoy reading your views.

[American HKD]

Mr. Rosenberg,

I felt that I should reply to this thread since you and I have had our disagreements in the recent past. I have found some of your comments to be arrogant and at times hypocritical. But, hey nobody is perfect.

On the same token, some of the things that I have said have been out of line. The internet and this forum are a strange medium. It gives everyone a voice to speak freely and share their views with anonymity and little repercussions. It is hard to put across things that require tone and facial expression get your point across. So many things can be taken out of context in the written word. In my opinion this is where most of the anger and frustration comes from.

That being said I know that I would act differently if I were to meet you in person. I highly respect my elders whether it be in age or in skill. I am positive that you have the skill and the knowledge to back up your rank. I know that I would definitely enjoy training and learning from you.

There have been several times when I have met instructors of a higher rank that their skill level, in my opinion, was lacking. Still I treat them with the respect that their rank calls for. Why do I do this in person, but on the internet not give the respect due to a particular rank? This is something that I have contemplated a lot lately.

As far as training with GM Ji. That is not really an option for me at the moment. Due to where I live, my money situation, and lack of time it is not really an option to train with him. My instructor was promoted to 5th dan by him, so I'm sure that what he is passing on is good information.

I say keep posting. You have created good threads that have made me contemplate many of my ideas on training. I enjoy reading your views.

Greetings


Thanks for the bashing it had to happen I asked for it in some sense I guess.

I can tell one thing my tech is not lacking, not perfect but very acceptable by most accounts esspecially Doju ji.

However it's usually the other way round esspecially with the HKD off shoots and wantabes and 1st dans who have no business teaching. What do thier students looks like?

Was that arrogant or just stating some facts based on my own expirience?
You're right about one thing, whats my tone or posture arrogant or layed back who knows?

[Thomas]

However, we can not deny that many people involved in the Hapkido world have made their particular points of view known. From debunking myths to helping people understand where they fit within the Hapkido stream, much has been gained.

Diversified opinions in almost all areas of roots, origins, inclusion, exclusion, real, pure, political bent, commercialism, requirements leads me to conclude that someone who is not familiar with Hapkido would be MUCH MORE informed if they read many of the heated threads on here.

Nice post. This is why I keep coming back and keep looking at those "heated threads". It's nice when the same participants can "sit down together" on other threads (or even in real life) and share. Heated threads don't have to be bad, as long as people are learning and sharing. And as long as people can disagree and still be "friends".... life is good! :)

[JimH]

The forum of the written word is a hard one to master,we are not,for the most part,professional writers,so what we write is read and interperted by the reader in a certain way.

Two people reading the same writing can develop different intent.

I try to read the post as informative,rather than read to find confrontation or acceptance.

If we had voice comms ,telephone or in person,I feel we would have more agreement than dispute.

In Person we could not only speak but demonstrate what we mean and clarify our points,with just written words this is difficult,but I enjoy it as an exchange none the less.

I appreciate everyone who takes time to post as I see varied points and think about where my point is coming from.

Adult debate is alot better than childish rants of "my style is better than yours" and "My master can beat your master",lol, I would rather have good discussion.

I do not know how many different books and videos I have purchased as a result of reading or participating in discussions on various boards.
( I am here to learn as well as exchange and enlighten,I am a life long student seeking knowledge from where ever I can get it as long as it ends with me with something one step better than when I began)

I look forward to more exchanges and the opportunity to see from another view.

Thank You all

PS
For those who just read the posts ,get involved,voice an opinion ,put out a thought,write something,(as long as it stays adult over kiddie crap) lets exchange and grow.
(for all those who checked in ,as Hapkidoists, we should have more than a dozen or so regular posters)

[billz]

However it's usually the other way round esspecially with the HKD off shoots and wantabes and 1st dans who have no business teaching.

Actually, I am aware of many 3rd and 4th dans who have no business teaching. It is not the rank....it is the person.

[Hapkid0ist]

For better or worse, these posts help those out there that do not have a clue about us. People who still think we are TKD and Aikido. Yes there are going to differing opinions and beliefs, but hell we are individuals. It is supposed to be this way. These posts also help us to learn and grow from each other, reguardless of rank and experience. Even the gups can teach the masters sometimes. They have fresh eyes and sometimes unbiased thoughts about it all. They are not yet biased towards the particular arts in many cases and can see things we have ignored, forgotten or just never saw. And bringing things up on these forums makes it harder for any one person do just blatently disreguard what others are saying. If you try then there are dozens or other people ready to call BS, Troll or whatever at the drop of the dime. The forums can help to keep us open minded and honest. We get to talk with Hap Ki Doist that any other way we may never meet or know in our lifetime. Yes at times we are going to piss each other off. It happens. And at times you just can't seem to express your ideas and opinions the way you want. Its gonna happen. And there will be times when nothing comes out right and there is nothing but fights. But it is gonna happen. What can we do about individuality and human nature? But I for one, especially on here have found one of the more active HKD forum sites as well as one of the most civilized. I hope you stay around to keep the rest of us honest and keep this HKD forum site at least as good as it is.

[Hapkid0ist]

The forum of the written word is a hard one to master,we are not,for the most part,professional writers,so what we write is read and interperted by the reader in a certain way.

Two people reading the same writing can develop different intent.

I try to read the post as informative,rather than read to find confrontation or acceptance.

If we had voice comms ,telephone or in person,I feel we would have more agreement than dispute.

In Person we could not only speak but demonstrate what we mean and clarify our points,with just written words this is difficult,but I enjoy it as an exchange none the less.

I appreciate everyone who takes time to post as I see varied points and think about where my point is coming from.

Adult debate is alot better than childish rants of "my style is better than yours" and "My master can beat your master",lol, I would rather have good discussion.

I do not know how many different books and videos I have purchased as a result of reading or participating in discussions on various boards.
( I am here to learn as well as exchange and enlighten,I am a life long student seeking knowledge from where ever I can get it as long as it ends with me with something one step better than when I began)

I look forward to more exchanges and the opportunity to see from another view.

Thank You all

PS
For those who just read the posts ,get involved,voice an opinion ,put out a thought,write something,(as long as it stays adult over kiddie crap) lets exchange and grow.
(for all those who checked in ,as Hapkidoists, we should have more than a dozen or so regular posters)
Lets not forget about incomplete thoughts or ideas from one person being distributed throughout a 5 page talk. Sometime we forget or just don't think about the full subject or idea. Or thoughts can be perfect in our heads but never come close to this way on the screen.

[American HKD]

Actually, I am aware of many 3rd and 4th dans who have no business teaching. It is not the rank....it is the person.


Greetings

You're correct, rank is only part of the picture.

[dngrruss]

With all this talk about internet anonymity, let me say that one of the things that I have actally admired about Mstr. Rosenberg is that he has his name and URL plastered on his sig. He does not hide behind the internet and fire written sorties from behind a wall. That shows a level of conviction and self assuredness that is worthy of respect.

I think, Mstr Rosenberg, that the arrogance lable and some of the heat, at least as far as I am concerned (I do not want to speak for others here) is when you come off like "if it ain't my way, it ain't real." You often mix opinion with fact, a common error in any debate.

That all being said, I respect you for your accomplishments and your devotion to the art we all love. I sometimes feel that we do not get the same respect from you. Thus the heat.

Again, just my own perspective.

[American HKD]

With all this talk about internet anonymity, let me say that one of the things that I have actally admired about Mstr. Rosenberg is that he has his name and URL plastered on his sig. He does not hide behind the internet and fire written sorties from behind a wall. That shows a level of conviction and self assuredness that is worthy of respect.

I think, Mstr Rosenberg, that the arrogance lable and some of the heat, at least as far as I am concerned (I do not want to speak for others here) is when you come off like "if it ain't my way, it ain't real." You often mix opinion with fact, a common error in any debate.

That all being said, I respect you for your accomplishments and your devotion to the art we all love. I sometimes feel that we do not get the same respect from you. Thus the heat.

Again, just my own perspective.

Greetings,

I try to give more respect to all in the future. Thanks!

I'm not intensionally trying to be arrogant at all, but I understand how that can be percieved in many cases.

In person I doubt any of you would think I'm arrogant. :)

[HapkidoScott]

Mstr Rosenberg and other hkdists, I enjoy learning from you all and hearing your opinions. I am still very new to hkd but I am an adult (debateable if you ask my wife!) and enjoy the discussions we have hear. I hope you all continue to write and even argue at times. We are individuals and are entitled to differing opinions and hey sometimes we disagree but I for one would welcome any of you to my school and my home as I would enjoy the oppurtunity to train with any of you.

Also, I apologize for having not been around much lately. I got a promotion at work and have been working a lot and training. Oh yeah then I have a family and have to sleep here and there but I will try and be around to exchange thoughts with you all. :)

[hollywood1340]

I know I've learned a lot from all of you and it keeps MY intrest alive, even if sometimes we do not all follow the same vein. That is why I keep coming back :D