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"What's point?", I can hear you asking. "How does this relate to personal development, martial arts, self-defense or my life?" After all, aren't we different than a sandwich?
I don't think it's answer that will drive point home as much as a question: If a burger can be made up of materials, effort, energy, intention and connections of so many that it almost touches lives of every other person on planet - how can we believe that we, as so-called 'individuals,' can be any different? After all, haven't each one of us been influenced, positively or negatively, by other people, places, and situations that caused us to believe, act, and engage world way we do?
Can you imagine how different you would be had those influences been different or not there at all? Just think about what motivated you to take up martial arts training. Regardless of whether it was for self-defense, allure of Asian culture, or soemthing else - you were first exposed to those 'other things' - giving you your reason to take up arts. The saying goes, "no (wo)man is an island," and it's true. No matter how much we would like to be an 'individual,' we are nonetheless, tied to every other human being on face of planet - if by no other means than water we drink and air we breath. The law of interdependence teaches us to recognize value in all things and to treat everything as though it were 'me.' Only then can one be sure that we are not acting in an egotistical, self-serving way that will harm, alienate, or hinder ourselves or others.
What does this have to do with our training? It is person who recognizes and acts knowing that this is true who builds his or her world rather than isolating themselves as important and in contrast with everything and everyone else that is seen as 'obviously' of lesser value. It is ego who must be "right" and "righteous" that needs to attack others - to fight for 'right.'
There is an old saying that goes: "the truest measure of a person's character is in way he or she treats those least important to them." Once we understand, and can 'see', how our every thought, word, and action acts upon world, we can take control of process and decide to build a character that takes responsibility for way it affects others. No longer will we act out of a state of disconnection and isolation, but move purposefully through our world with compassion and disciplined action.
We have a choice. We can be 'nice' to others because it's proper manners to do so, because we expect to get something from them, or because we have to live with them. Or, we can treat others with respect and honor because we recognize that we are already connected to them in some way already.
Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. To learn more, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com