isshinryuronin
Senior Master
After a few decades I had all the basic techniques and principles down pretty well. To be honest, they were actually very good. My speed and power were about as good as my innate physical ability would allow. All in all, I was a good karate practitioner for a 3rd degree black belt. The years of drilling, practicing, and learning paid off. By 4th degree I knew the full system and had a good understanding of the nature of Okinawan karate.
Going into 5th degree I started to think, "Is this all? What else can I do? Just hang around, put in more years toward wrapping some red around my waist and try to stay in shape to not embarrass myself in old age? Or is there another physical level out there?" Continuing my training, I discovered there was.
Sometimes I was actively searching for that "higher level" in punching or stepping for a specific result. But it can be hard to search when you don't know what you don't know. Sometimes when you don't know what you're looking for, it unexpectedly finds you, even if you weren't trying to find anything. I've found these serendipitous moments don't come when you're drilling, I think because you're too focused. By definition, when you're focused on a thing other things get blocked out, and one of those "other things" may be just the thing that gets you to that higher level.
When I've had those "aha" moments it's usually been when alone, just "messing around" doing kata or throwing random techniques. Then you realize a move you just did felt different, felt better. Now you have to figure out why and try to replicate it. Did you accidentally pivot differently, drop your weight at a certain time an extra half inch, flex your buttocks, or one of a hundred other subtle little things? Not the least of which is your mental state/spiritual attitude. When doing MA at an advanced level I believe one must be open and relaxed. This not only allows your technique to flow out, but also allows strange new things to flow in.
You never know then such "aha" moments will come. You may get one as a colored belt (but not be experienced enough to realize it was important). But I think this is rare as beginners need to focus. Most of mine came at 3rd or 4th degree or after. If I have one of these moments once every 4 years, I consider myself lucky. They are small things, but for me very exciting and allow me to refine my art beyond any curriculum.
Going into 5th degree I started to think, "Is this all? What else can I do? Just hang around, put in more years toward wrapping some red around my waist and try to stay in shape to not embarrass myself in old age? Or is there another physical level out there?" Continuing my training, I discovered there was.
Sometimes I was actively searching for that "higher level" in punching or stepping for a specific result. But it can be hard to search when you don't know what you don't know. Sometimes when you don't know what you're looking for, it unexpectedly finds you, even if you weren't trying to find anything. I've found these serendipitous moments don't come when you're drilling, I think because you're too focused. By definition, when you're focused on a thing other things get blocked out, and one of those "other things" may be just the thing that gets you to that higher level.
When I've had those "aha" moments it's usually been when alone, just "messing around" doing kata or throwing random techniques. Then you realize a move you just did felt different, felt better. Now you have to figure out why and try to replicate it. Did you accidentally pivot differently, drop your weight at a certain time an extra half inch, flex your buttocks, or one of a hundred other subtle little things? Not the least of which is your mental state/spiritual attitude. When doing MA at an advanced level I believe one must be open and relaxed. This not only allows your technique to flow out, but also allows strange new things to flow in.
You never know then such "aha" moments will come. You may get one as a colored belt (but not be experienced enough to realize it was important). But I think this is rare as beginners need to focus. Most of mine came at 3rd or 4th degree or after. If I have one of these moments once every 4 years, I consider myself lucky. They are small things, but for me very exciting and allow me to refine my art beyond any curriculum.