We’re coming up on our third full week in February and the theme at the dojo is “Conscience.” The idea of living by your conscience and trying to do the right thing is nothing novel. The interesting part, the part that makes each of us unique, is how we develop our conscience in the first place. The sense of our own moral code could be considered as important as the senses of taste, sight, hearing, etc, and developing it is an undeniable responsibility for each of us.
One resource I’m particularly fond of when it comes to developing conscience is this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said: “Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ And Vanity comes along and asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But Conscience asks the question ‘Is it right?'”
I like how this helps define what conscience is by listing what it is not. Together, these questions make up a sort checklist I’ve been using lately when making plans for my life. Because, sometimes a choice can be deceptive. On its surface, it might seem like the righteous thing to do, but if we take time to sit with ourselves, we often reveal a mixed motivation that needs to be sorted out before we move forward. Sure, something I’m about to do may be convenient, popular, and also moral. But, in the end, if I don’t make sure the answer to Dr. King’s final questions is “Yes”, then I’m steering my life somewhere I don’t really want it to go.
This type of exploration that hones our sense of conscience is also needed in martial arts. When we can chip away at our own motivations, until even our most basic instinct is for the protection of the whole, then we are able to really follow the code of Budo. And when we have to make those split-second decisions, we will know what to do.
We’re excited to explore how this deeper look at our own motivations plays into training this week. The techniques we’re getting into are:
- Sideways Ukemi – Side Rolls and Break Falls at your own level
- Strikes from Kamae Set 2 – Paying special attention to protecting our own bodies while we are striking!
- Sokuyaku Ken
- San Tan Ken
- Fudo Ken
- Hicho no Kata
- Chi Tobi
Speaking of character building, stay tuned to the blog for a post about how our Nature Adventures Summer Camps use adventure, games and fun to weave together character building, teamwork, science education and movement! Learn more about camps here.
Thanks for reading! See you in the dojo,
Sensei Nesta