What Does Humility Have to Do with Martial Arts?

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by The-Millenial, Feb 21, 2017.

  1. The-Millenial

    The-Millenial New Member

    So in my time of training through Taekwondo, I have found that there is so much more to learn than how to throw a kick. While working on becoming an instructor, I have seen many of the "life-lessons," such as honesty, perseverance, and gratitude, take root in my training, both mentally and physically. Another big one, through becoming a leader in martial arts, is the importance of humility as both a martial artist, and a leader. My instructor wrote a thesis on the topic of humility link removed

    I have found, can sometimes be the hardest skill to possess as a leader, but it could easily be one of the most important. Humility is not a bad thing, I don't think. It keeps our leaders in check, and it makes us humble, if accepted and learned from, and I think everyone needs to be humbled every now and again! To a student, seeing their instructor accept humility graciously, and learn from it; that is how they (the leader) will be more honoured by their students. What do you guys think? What have you learned about humility?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 21, 2017
  2. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    I'm afraid we don't allow links back to personal sites.

    Please do though post the text on MAP, as this is an interesting topic for discussion.
     
  3. Pretty In Pink

    Pretty In Pink Moved on MAP 2017 Gold Award

    A thesis? Really? Are you sure it wasn't an article?
     
  4. Ben Gash CLF

    Ben Gash CLF Valued Member

    It's a hangover from the integration of Confucian social values into the newly emerging professional martial arts schools of the late Qing dynasty.
     
  5. AussieGirl

    AussieGirl Valued Member

    I think humility is important in life, and therefore also in martial arts. It is the acceptance that despite how much you study, train or try, you will never know everything and there is always more to be learnt.

    For me, humility shows itself every day in training as I watch the teens and early-20s "kids" in my class imitate helicopters as they do spinning jump kicks whereas I manage to only get a foot off the ground. But it also appears when I have a quiet conversation with the young kid who can't concentrate or sit still, only to discover that his parents never spend any time with him, and he's just lonely, confused, and desperate for approval and affection...

    In short, humility is learning that the world does not revolve around you.
     
  6. MI_martialist

    MI_martialist Valued Member

    To guard against impetuous courage.
     
  7. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    In the martial arts context -- There's always someone faster, or stronger, or faster and stronger. And anything can fail on any day.

    Corollary: You're going to beat me one of these days. It's inevitable. :dunno:
     
  8. Tom bayley

    Tom bayley Valued Member

    as we all know there is no ego or politics in martial arts
     
  9. Ben Gash CLF

    Ben Gash CLF Valued Member

    And no thanks button on MAP
     
  10. Smitfire

    Smitfire Cactus Schlong

    I'm really humble. Like...I'm just amazing at being humble. Probably the best person at being humble there's ever been.
     
  11. El Medico

    El Medico Valued Member

    Yeah? Well,we'll see what turns up after Mr. Micawber finishes that background check on you,Uriah.
     
  12. axelb

    axelb Master of Office Chair Fu

    I think there has to be a balance. As we progress, especially in competitive martial arts, we will find we win and lose some.
    If you work hard then you have a high chance of winning more, and your ego can inflate.
    This also applies to untested arts; as far as you know you are getting better and "winning" because you never lose, the ego can grow more so in those environments.
    Fast forward to when either of the above are defeated this can lead to a big mental defeat, particularly if this occurs more often.
    On the flip side, you need confidence in your skills, too far the other way and you may feel that your skill is worthless leading to your desire to train to dwindle.
     
  13. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    “If I tell you I'm good, probably you will say I'm boasting. But if I tell you I'm not good, you know I'm lying.”

    ― Bruce Lee
     
  14. Dunc

    Dunc Well-Known Member Moderator Supporter

    Having a big ego generally makes people want to punch you

    Being humble reduces the number of people who want to punch you and increases the number of people who underestimate you

    So it's just good sense really

    Plus you'll learn more, develop better etc etc
     
  15. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    humility means the group gets on together, which means you have a large dojo to train with, and group of people to socialise with.

    All of which means you'll get better, quicker, and not worry about getting jumped on your own.
     
  16. Madao13

    Madao13 Valued Member

    They might want to punch you but at the same time you make them feel nervous around you and they think you are significant.

    Being underestimated is overestimated IMO.
     
  17. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    And how is that going to work in a group? They'll be a constant battle for dominance, which conversely why sport arts drive up standards.
     
  18. Dunc

    Dunc Well-Known Member Moderator Supporter

    but the the people who are arrogant and/or motivated to climb to the top are less likely to feel that way

    Yeah maybe, and of course ego can be a big motivator for people to develop
     
  19. David Harrison

    David Harrison MAPper without portfolio

    I'd argue that is cooperation in the face of competition that really drives standards up.

    Fighters show humility to their coaches, even though they could wipe the floor with them, because they know they have something to learn from them. It is the teams that work together to improve fighters that drive up standards.

    If it were all competition and dominance, you'd never get past schoolyard brawl standards because no-one would want to share anything with anyone.

    Competition is the motivation, but it isn't the driving force for improving standards, IMHO.
     
  20. Thomas

    Thomas Combat Hapkido/Taekwondo

    I agree that humility is one of the most important things in the martial arts.

    As an individual practitioner, it is very easy to get caught up in the art (and your blooming skill) and get 'too proud'. Humility is knowing that no matter how good you are, you may not always win.

    Also, as you learn an art, you learn some dangerous material and how to hurt people. Being humble and in control of yourself holds you back from using that when it isn't needed.

    As an instructor, humility is learned when you start to look at other arts and other practitioners and see that no matter how good you (and your art) is, there is a way around everything. Instead of closing your doors and becoming 'secret', you need to open your doors, evaluate how other do things and work to find responses that will work for your students.

    In life too, humility is key. I'd like to think that the martial arts have shown me that you need to be open minded and need to be open to new ideas, all of which make dealing with work and family much easier than trying to "win" every time.
     

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