When
the heart of taekwondo beats, it gives life to the advancement
of supreme discipline,
the achievement of noble character, and the cultivation of an enlightened
worldview. It breaks the bonds that bind us to the Earth and again, as adults,
allows us to feel the wind beneath our feet rather than merely around them. It
fuels a passion unrealized by quotidian man and supports the Buddhist doctrine
of Beginner’s Mind, filling us with a continuous sense of
wonder and renewal. It
is a strong heart, not predicated on simple physicality, but supplemented by an
unhindered stream of benevolent intent bent on enriching the common good. And,
with each thump, the elements of confidence grow, urging us to appreciate life’s
path rather than being blinded by its daily perils.
The
heart of taekwondo cannot be found on an anatomical chart or described in
medical texts. It refuses to be broken and has the resiliency to mend quickly.
It beats to a personal rhythm, uninfluenced by the proximity of others and,
while easily pierced by Cupid’s arrow, it remains impervious to the barbs of malefactors
critical of Korean martial tradition.
Within
its chambers flows the chemistry of respect for all living things regardless of
taxonomic hierarchy, chronological placement, social status or scale. The
unique relationship between junior and senior as dictated by Confucian ethic is
implied in all interactions between teacher and student, venerated master and
worthy disciple. And, where dissention arises, a clear, meditative mind
tempered by measured yet decisive behavior, dominates.
But,
the heart of taekwondo, in order to maintain the extraordinary health vital to any
major bodily component, demands precise, frequent and vigorous exercise. Defined
by its very nature, the national combat art of Korea is first and foremost an
action philosophy where words can never replace movement. And, since the road
to hell is paved with good intentions, so the heart will fail if will is not bolstered
by technical superiority manifested through repetitive, martial motion.
Yet,
sadly, the heart of taekwondo is not impervious to injury, doubt and
discouragement. It, like any organ, can fall prey to unlooked-for disease that,
if left unchecked, will ultimately result in severe consequences. The demon of
self-doubt, similar to existing cardiovascular maladies, can have a devastating
effect on the spirit, as can a perceived lack of challenge or constant,
unflagging negative criticism on the part of an inexperienced or insecure
instructor.
And,
too, the heart of taekwondo must be a brave heart, resolute in the face of
adversity, courageous against all odds. It must exhibit the fortitude of
enduring strength, both physically and emotionally and, subsequently, beat in sync
with others who temporarily require an umbrella of comfort in times of extreme need
or unmitigated suffering. And rightly so, since to many, the martial artist
represents a superman of sorts, prepared to rescue those less fortunate in the
ways defensive strategy, mentally and physically.
Nevertheless,
while fierce, the heart of taekwondo must remain soft and pliant as well,
mirroring the Eum/Yang; that most classic of Taoist symbols so aptly
illustrating the duality of opposites compounded by a flexible acceptance of
constant change. And so, naturally, compassion, amplified by the ancient wisdom
of the Hwarang-do, not to inflict needless pain through the use of unwarranted
force in battle, remains a hallmark of the sincere martial artist.
Not
surprisingly, the heart of taekwondo has been known to skip a beat at the
thrill of competition, knowing full well that years, if not decades, of focused
training composed of hard work, sweat and blood, ultimately distills down to
one, single moment in time where one is destined to win or lose; where the exceptional
athlete is given the opportunity to stand atop the podium adorned in Olympic
gold.
Conversely,
any organism with a beating heart can undergo attack. Frightening yet
recoverable at best, fatal at worst, the trauma caused by a medical event of
this nature, at minimum, is certain to leave lasting scars not soon forgotten.
It is when political machinations, self-aggrandizement and unbridled egos come
into play that the heart of taekwondo is forced to tolerate unbearable stress
threatening to stop its constant, stable cadence in its tracks. Too often,
organizations and individuals, primarily driven by blind ambition, have permitted
dollars to trump tradition; victory in the ring at any cost to eclipse longstanding
martial virtues intended to govern malicious deeds and a clear lack of
sportsmanship. Since its inception, the historical fabric of the Korean martial
arts, here and in Korea have been stained with uncertainty but, at the same
time, cleansed by righteous objectives at the behest of men and women who brook
no detours on the path to excellence striving for an elevated brand of taekwondo;
largely due to these tireless, gallant acts of perseverance, at its very core
the heart of taekwondo remains sturdy, munificent, fortified by ritual and
capable of such majestic achievement. It beats in time with the maturation process
of the martial artist physically, spiritually and intellectually. Its autonomic
action frees us to concentrate on basic skill, advanced technique and the
unblemished performance of poomsae, hyung or tuls that represent the
comprehensive catalog of traditional taekwondo.
Yet,
the health of this singularly crucial muscle can never be taken for granted. It
must be cautiously protected, professionally nursed back to health when in
danger of illness and dynamically stimulated in order to carry on an unwavering
pulse of proficiency. Because once the heart of taekwondo stops beating, never
to be revived, there is certain to be no taekwondo. No taekwondo. Consider it.
Support
the heart of taekwondo with diligence. Nurture it. Cultivate its might and,
above all, practice – hard.
Grandmaster
Doug Cook, 8th dan black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo
Academy located in Warwick, New York, a senior student of the late Grandmaster Richard
Chun, and author of four best-selling books entitled: Taekwondo…Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior, Traditional Taekwondo - Core Techniques,
History and Philosophy, Taekwondo – A
Path to Excellence, and Taekwondo Black
Belt Poomsae: Original Koryo and Koryo, along with its companion DVD. He can be reached at www.chosuntkd.com or
info@chosuntkd.com.
