The Universal Martial Arts Academy and Training Center does not have a big sign out front. It's a non-profit karate school, which sits nestled inside a glass walled room at the back of the Legacy Fitness Center, in Denton, North Texas. The school is small, almost intimate at times. Sifu (that is, Master) Alvin Mack discourages more students than he takes on. "Anyone can teach how to kick and punch," the tenth degree black belt insists. "But I will only take on a student who possesses the capacity to understand my philosophy of the martial arts:
It's not about power. It's about grace. It's not about anger or fear. It's about peace.It is not about knowing your opponent. It's about knowing yourself."
When Sifu allowed me to become a member of the school, one of his first observations was a question. "Do you have any spontaneity at all. You think too much?" And yes, the man is rather straightforward. Well, duh. . . I am a professor. But, I'm afraid Sifu Mack might have a point. I've been giving the matter some thought. In the West, we're taught to analyze and engage our minds in all manner of intellectual endeavors. But no one ever gives us lessons in how to turn the darned engine off. There are times when our keenest sensibilities arise from observing our surroundings without filtering what we see through preconceived frameworks.
I've begun to master a few ways of quieting and thus gaining control of that "monkey mind" inside my head, rather than have it jerk me around with whatever thoughts attached to emotional entanglements flit through it. I can focus on my breathing, or the step by step physical details of a martial arts form, or a silent mantra. I'm learning.
Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI, and President Samakuva, are in Washington for meetings. We return tomorrow back to Angola. I am writing this small note just to say Hi.
Alcides Sakala