Originally published by Totally TaeKwonDo Magazine
January 2021
Will of Steel
By
Grandmaster Doug Cook
info@chosuntkd.com / www.chosuntkd.com / www.ustaweb.com
The world today is a complex and dangerous place filled with reward, sacrifice and, most urgently, extreme adversity significantly more intense than we have ever experienced before in modern times. And unlike in the past where political or material woes threatened our sanity, we cannot negotiate our way out of what beleaguers us presently. No word or deed from whatever source can turn the demon at our door away. Not this time. World leaders, to a great degree, cannot be trusted to guide us simply because they are not magicians. They, like all, are impotent against the onslaught of unmitigated disease; the inhumanity and indifference of a microscopic monster bent of the devastation of our species. Yet, as we know, hope abounds in the form of a unique molecular grouping that even now is rushing to the rescue, cobbled together by a few illuminated pharma wizards optimistically in the nick of time.
So….where does that leave us. How, as resilient martial artists - as rare a breed as we are - can we fortify our minds, our bodies against the debilitating stress that we have globally endured for the past ten months?
We are born into the lives we lead deserving nothing more than what we gain from honest work. Some believe that in order to get ahead you must think first and foremost of yourself. Nevertheless, while destiny may be fulfilled by the actions we channel towards our quest for personal success, both in our martial arts training and in private pursuits, we must possess a compassionate heart and remain sensitive to the needs of others. Perhaps most important, however, we must cultivate a Will of Steel, the strength necessary to protect ourselves and our clarity of mind from punishing hardship.
Will of Steel, also familiar to the taekwondoist as Indomitable Spirit, the last but perhaps the most important of the Five Tenets, can further be quantified as the psychological muscle required to abide radical pain and suffering whether it be unique to the individual or external in nature relating to someone we know and love. It is the ability to remain focused regardless of concentrated distraction in order to provide support and stability to those around us at a time when they may need it most. Often it is irrelevant whether the trouble is physically or mentally rooted since the despair it creates results in the same emotional distress. Exhibiting a Will of Steel may begin by merely acting the part; putting on a game face and attempting not to waver while in reality your heart is plagued with fear. This may be a very difficult task to accomplish particularly if the crisis you are facing has come as a shock or surprise.
Fortunately, traditional taekwondo provides a platform upon which a Will of Steel can be nurtured. However, being a martial artist does not automatically qualify the practitioner as being someone gifted with this brand of enduring strength. On the contrary, having shed the bravado many people artificially display in trying times, we as taekwondoists, by virtue of the humility demanded by diligent training, appreciate the great effort required to genuinely develop the simplest component of a strong character. Yet, our ability to remain open to change and self-improvement gives us a leg up in our attempt to generate what amounts to internal resiliency. Furthermore, to realize the virtue of a Will of Steel one must approach their training with sincerity and purpose, fully appreciating the value of Do, or the Way. Mindful practice of any classical martial way assumes that the practitioner is intent on a path of excellence, a road towards holistic development and not just in search of combat skills. Paradoxically, it is through the practice of these combat skills that the martial artist nurtures moral fiber.
Regrettably, turmoil frequently lingers causing a Will of Steel to float on a foundation of patience. Pandemics, sickness, financial strain and family unrest have no determinate timetable forcing the individual to undergo unremitting anxiety and confusion. However, any martial artist devoted to their practice can testify to the fact that patience is the cornerstone of progress. The waiting period between color belt levels for instance is clearly an exercise in patience while the time span between dan grad levels is decidedly measured in years. This custom of waiting breeds undeniable patience that can be superimposed on almost any situation in life; even awaiting the termination of a worldwide pandemic.
Moreover, if the practitioner is following the path of traditional taekwondo, then certainly meditation and its related benefits is a vital ingredient of their training regimen. There are many goals of meditation in the martial arts, but when attempting to build a Will of Steel, serenity of mind in conjunction with Ki enhancement, is a major contributor. Sitting in quiet reflection for a period of fifteen minutes in the morning or evening can prove to be a potent elixir when faced with an unending stream of anxiety. Likewise, the period of meditation can be used to visualize Ki fortifying the mind and body against the constant worry. The universal life force is not only an effective tool in amplifying combat technique, but in a practical sense, acts as a shield against bodily damage positioning it as a worthy ally of Indomitable Spirit. Consequently, Ki not only projects, but protects.
When examined closely, all aspects of taekwondo training can have a profound effect on the promotion of a Will of Steel. Something as basic as a solid front stance (ap koobi), when executed correctly, can have an enormous centering effect on the human psyche. Sparring, too, with its tendency to point out our strengths and weaknesses within the framework of a combat environment, fosters courage in the face of danger. Clearly, this is no small contribution when dealing with uninvited suffering.
Additionally, breaking or, kyuk pa, while sometimes viewed as the theatrical, dramatic component of taekwondo, realistically develops focus and willpower. Comparing the destruction of a seemingly unyielding block of stone to a life challenge that must be dealt with and conquered, ultimately prepares the spirit for unforeseen challenges. Even the simple act, if it can be termed as such, of hard training enriches the senses through chemical reactions in the body leaving the martial artist refreshed and invigorated following an intense class.
The classical martial arts offer support for the cultivation of a Will of Steel when viewed from their various philosophical perspectives as well. Most styles that train in a traditional manner acknowledge the influence of Zen (Seon) Buddhist doctrine. Plainly put, one of the key elements of this spiritual paradigm is the principle of existing in the here and now. This permits the practitioner to appreciate the moment in its fullness rather than becoming anxious about the future or regretful when looking backwards to the past. If approached in this manner, the specter of misfortune can be relegated to a place on the periphery of our consciousness rather than permitting it to assume center stage in our daily routine thus consuming us with worry; and these days, fatigues and deep despair. By the same token, Taoism teaches us that everything occurs in its appointed time and as clinical as this notion may initially appear when seeking solace from unbearable emotional pain it does presume a grand design outside the current scope of our understanding. Remaining focused and devoted to one’s traditional taekwondo training often results in the distraction one needs most when dealing with difficult times. In a therapeutic sense, while it may not be the decisive answer to every problem, it represents a lifeboat in a sea of troubled seas; an oasis in a desert of doubt.
Totally Taekwondo
Magazine Issue 143
January 2021
At some point in our lives we are all faced with the necessity of defending ourselves when faced with intense emotional stress or physical danger; 2020 is undoubtedly one of those times. Life is not exclusively Yang, but Eum as well; often jubilant but in darker times, less forgiving. How we deal with this dichotomy dictates the quality of our existence. It is the goal of the martial artist, especially those cognizant of the Way, to live life to its fullest whatever the definition of that may be to the individual, to accept change gracefully rather than view it as a knife to the throat. However, a Will of Steel is yet another hardened tool to be used in our quest for self-fulfillment and provides a worthy adversary to extreme adversity.
Grandmaster Doug Cook, 8th Dan Chang Moo Kwan and 7th Dan Kukkiwon-certified black belt, is owner of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York, a senior student of the late Grandmaster
Richard Chun, president/CEO of the United States Taekwondo Association, and an Advisory Council member of the World Martial Arts Alliance. He has authored 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. Grandmaster Cook has been a monthly contributor to Totally TaeKwonDo magazine since 2009, and can be reached for seminars, Korea training tours, online ZOOM workshops or questions regarding USTA membership at www.chosuntkd.com, www.ustaweb.com, on Facebook, or through email at info@chosuntkd.com.
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