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The Martial Artist’s Life
By Prof. Emeric Arus, Ph.D./Soke, 10th Dan.
I assume that people know the difference and the connection between these three words: Body, Mind and Spirit unity. Usually everywhere can be seen the aforementioned three words in such way: Mind, Body and Spirit unity. The body comes first. A participant will act physically (of course with the mental understanding about the martial art).
The mind “active” participation comes after the body participation. Lastly the spiritual participation will close the circle of unifying these three important factors. Anyone who would like to participate in life long martial arts has three stages.
The first stage is named by Japanese experts SHU – means that the period in which you are is the beginning and is mostly physical stage. The budoka must obey the rules and regulations established by his/her instructor without questioning the importance of the different aspects of the training (techniques, tactics, physical conditioning, philosophies of the martial arts practiced, and other aspects). The budoka must be a loyal and dedicated person at this stage. The SHU stage lasts approximately 10 years of arduous training. This stage named as the obedience stage.
The second stage is HA – in which the budoka evolves in a mental stage and his or her participation is less physical. In this stage the budoka experiences different tactical solutions, develops a better mental awareness in a confrontation, and he/she can maneuver an opponent better not just physically but mentally too. This stage is coinciding with the usage of many combinations used/adapted to different fighting situations. In this stage the budoka can use his/her fighting or teaching experience on his/her favor and not necessary to follow the instructor advice. The HA stage lasts approximately 10 – 12 years to 20 years and above. This is the divergence stage.
The third stage is the RI – the most advanced stage in the budoka’s life. This stage is from 20 and some years which could last to the end of the budoka’s life. As longer this period from the 20 years and up as more mature the budoka becomes. At the beginning of this stage the budoka enters in a so said spiritual stage of a higher awareness of his/her personal life. Martial arts become a “Way of Life” of the participating budoka.
In this stage the budoka is calm, modest clear-sighted and well balanced individual who can judge not only for himself/herself, but also for others. The culmination stage is coming after 60 years of age and he/she could have the highest rank 10 th degree black belt. Of course the 10th degree black belt does not make him/her best, but it is a standard of the budoka’s proficiency including body, mind and spirit awareness. This is the separation stage.
