Attitude When Attending Martial Arts or Spiritual Teachings
This is just a sincere advice not only to potential students and attendees, but to anybody else in the general public.
It is said that there is always at least one person in the class who will consciously or unconsciously create some problems or distractions or disharmony in any class. From observation, both as a martial arts student and instructor, as well as in generic classes (of which I have attended hundreds during my professional life), this unpalatable statement has some merit.
We are human beings, so it is understandable that we have our own personal baggage. We are damn egotistical and opinionated too, and I am sure of that too. I am the same as everybody in this respect. But it is possible that some individuals somehow think they are not egotistical and they know quite a lot, and they are in a position to make judgements on everything. Moreover, they want others to know and acknowledge that they are quite “with it”.
Some students may have studied quite a lot, and that is good. If they are so ‘with-it’ already, then, they definitely do not need to attend any courses. That is for sure. If they need to, or wish to, then they should be a little more humble and admit they still are at the learning stage and therefore, come to the course as a “student willing to learn”. They should not impose their superiority complex over the other students or the teacher.
Everybody has an opinion, just as everybody has a nose! You may have yours, but so do I, and billions of others too. Everybody thinks they are right, and things should be this way or that way. What makes you think that you are right and others are wrong. Why come to a course and free-lance your opinions and load it on others? This is a dangerous egotistical game you are playing. Please stop!
We have all these baggage, but, the true purpose of attending any teaching is to learn from engaging constructively, amiably, and whole-heartedly all-the-way in the course. This positive and constructive attitude is the only way to benefit fully from the course. Anything short of this is not doing yourself a service.
Moreover, it is ‘okay’ (not quite so really) to waste your time, money and effort by being pushy, or negative, or critical during a course. Please think of others! They also paid their moneys. They invested their time and energy. Only to be distracted and side-tracked and discouraged by your pushiness, critique, negativity, non-compliance, whinging etc etc. Please have regard for other students. They are sincerely trying to learn. Please give them a chance even though you may not want your chance.
The great teacher Confucius said that of every 3 people he meets, at least one person can teach him something. I respectfully wish to amend this to “Everybody you meet is able to teach you something”. Therefore, is it possible that you can learn just one small thing from me if you put your ego and opinions aside?
Leave your emotional baggage and egos behind. Therefore, please be nice! The course is not the place to indulge in your ego games. It is for learning. Do not distract or discourage others.
Thank you very much for reading this very important message.
John Chow
26 January 2005