Article: Ever wonder what makes a...
Ever wonder what makes a bud on an apple tree open into an apple blossom and not an avocado? Science tells us that every cell in nature emerges by first becoming aware of what its neighbors are steadily creating and then tapping into its own internal code for "the way" to contribute to the job at hand. This is how body cells know to build an ear as opposed to an eye, for example. Harmony is an integral mechanism. Likewise, our ability to get ourselves to where we want-and keep ourselves happy, excited, and free about choices with each new day-is determined by our attention to everything in our environment.
When we return to our primal state of peace and awareness and follow our bliss, we become optimistic, direct and thankful. We live simply, in accordance with our true nature. Our job becomes the art of fitting in with all that we are. We seek to feel part of all things and to see the Infinite in them. The martial arts provide us with self-empowering philosophical skills that can set us unconditionally free to reach our fullest potential, live as creatively as possible, and yet fit into any situation.
Traditionally, a martial artist's achievements are marked with different color belts ranging from white to black. You can mark your achievements in terms of belt color as you progress toward your own black belt in life:
* White Belt - you want more out of life and seek to achieve it.
* Yellow Belt - you discover that there are techniques
useful in assisting you to attain your goals.
* Orange Belt - you open to these techniques and learn them one at a time.
* Purple Belt - you begin to apply new techniques with the expectation of achieving what you are after.
* Blue Belt - you see that all techniques merge together as you participate from one moment of living to the next.
* Green Belt - you realize that these techniques are intended to create harmony with all of life, not to over-power or hurt it.
* Brown Belt - you stop thinking in terms of technique and simply go after what you need to get done in life without disrupting the natural order of things.
* Black Belt - you learn to not only do without doing but without expectation as well.
Martial arts is a complete system of life lessons, that, when applied, can help us become whole and get the most from our lives. Once we realize this, our quest becomes a journey toward the bliss and rapture of life, to more fully experience how magnificent it is to be a living creature among other living beings-not just talk about it. In my book, Be Like Water—Practical Wisdom from the Martial Arts I present more on these philosophies and the methods by which we can achieve them in our lives.
© by Joseph Cardillo