"THE WAY"
by Jim Clapp

"This is the way...that is the way...is this the right way...who knows the way...what is the way?"

The way is only known by those who have traveled it.  They are the ones who can show the way to those that have the desire to know it...and then, those who meet those who are on their way become part of the way...for them...

And so the story began so long ago when a weary traveler stopped and asked a wise man to show him the way.

"Why are you here?" asked the wise man.

"So that I can find out where to go next on my journey up the mountain."

"Why did you stop walking?"

"I am tired of doing the same thing over and over again and going in the same direction...it is boring for me."

"Have you not been successful so far?"

"Yes..."

"Then why is it you want to stop?"

"I have listened to many people along the way, and they have said the same thing as what I have told you.  I need a break.  I want you to give me what I need."

"I will try to help you, but you must help yourself as well...you have the power to be anything you want to be; and, do anything you want to do...but, you must not change your course of action...only your course of thought."

"You must now focus every ounce of your power and all that you've learned so far into doing one thing...and only one thing.  You must look within and find out who you truly are."

"I know who I am...I am me."

"Go beyond the you that you think you are and you will find the you that you truly are...it might surprise you."

"How do I do that?"

"You must first know what gives you your power...and what you do with it.  Listen to your heart...find out why you do the things you do...and think the way you do...and feel the way you do.  Then you will come close to knowing the moment...the present...the gift you've been given by the Creator."

"Oh wise man, Is there anything I can do that might help me discover those things?"

"Yes...have you ever thought of doing a martial art?"

"Oh sure, hasn't everybody?"

"Then go now and seek out a teacher in a martial arts school...he must be able to teach you from the inside out...the mechanics are the flashy part of the art...learn what is on the inside.  Then all that you do will never be the same again...you will never be bored...you will learn the true path of self-discovery...and what it means 'to be in the moment'..."

So the weary traveler left and went off to find a martial arts school.  After searching for some time, he came upon one and began his learning process.  He liked it.  He was improving month by month...then year by year...Finally he made his Black Belt.  He thought that this was it...the end.  But, then he listened to his teacher and his heart, and he knew that it was not.  He had to keep going further.

And so he kept up his martial arts  training...learning more techniques...refining his basics...improving his mental and physical abilities...earning more degrees of Black Belt...until one day, his teacher came to him after class and asked him to stand in front of the mirror and look at himself.  He did just as the teacher asked without questioning (just like he had done for years before).

The teacher asked him to tell him what he saw.  The student told him that he saw himself:  a man in a uniform wearing a Black Belt.  The teacher stared at him and told him to continue practicing and learning.

Some time had passed and the teacher once again stopped the man and asked him to look in the mirror and tell him what he saw.  Once again the man told him that he saw a man wearing a martial arts uniform with a Black Belt.  Once again, the teacher told him to continue practicing and learning; but, also asked him what was he practicing.  To this, the man replied that he was practicing what he learned: the basics, the techniques, forms and sparring.  The teacher told him he must train harder and longer.

After years had passed, the teacher approached the man once again and asked him to look in the mirror and tell him what he saw.  This time the student said that he saw a man in a uniform with a old and tattered Black Belt; and that the man looked tired...and bored of being asked to look in the mirror time and time again...and seeing the same old thing.

But, the teacher asked him another question.  "What have you discovered by teaching and training yourself each day...what have you developed?"  To that he responded:  "I have learned that I have a stronger body than when I walked into the school and that I can use the martial arts to keep it that way.  I have also a way to keep my reflexes sharp; stay on good balance; maintain my coordination; and, improve my endurance.  Plus, I can keep good mental clarity...keep my mind focused...and reduce tension and stress from building up.  And I can do it in an environment that supports and encourages me to do this.  I thank you for allowing me to have a place in your school, my teacher."

The teacher smiled.

The student understood.  

As the student glanced back at the mirror he saw the weary traveler looking once again youthful...standing next to the wise man...

And they both went up the mountain together...side by side...helping each other along the way...and those that would come after them.  For they knew that the way is only known by those that have traveled it...and what a beautiful way it is...

Note:  This story was created by Jim Clapp after much discussion with his good friend, Buzz Durkin (Founder, owner, and Head Instructor of Buzz Durkin's Uechi Karate in Atkinson, New Hampshire...also a fellow Board member with Educational Funding Company / International Martial Arts Association).  The topic of the conversation was 'the true way of the martial arts...and how those that have been around for decades can impart that knowledge to school owners, teachers and students' so as to help preserve the true integrity of the martial arts.'  Thank you Mr. Durkin...you are appreciated and valued as a long-time friend and fellow martial artist living the way.