I’ve been around the martial arts a while now and I’ve realized that while I possess no natural talent – I do have an advantage – I can simply set aside what I “know” and put myself in the mindset of a beginner.

A Full Cup

The late Senior Grand Master Ed Parker Sr. relayed a story where a potential student came to see a master and the master attempted to show the student some movements.

The student kept responding with “oh you mean this?!” and would perform the movements.

Finally the master said to the potential student “I would like you to practice these two things.” The master then proceeded to show the student a couple of simplistic movements and then told the student to return in a couple of months.

The student did as he was instructed and when the appointed date arrived, the student returned.

The master asked the student to demonstrate the movements and the student did so.

The master then asked the student to demonstrate his other skills. The student responded that he had spend so much time practicing the movements the master had shown him that he forgot everything else he “knew.”

The master then accepted the student and said “You’re now ready to begin.”

Setting Things Aside

If you’ve been in the martial arts for a while (or maybe not even that long – ask any green belt who “knows” the most) and you’ve more than likely accumulated a collection of techniques that you “know.”

But go to another school that does something very different or at least generally different from what you “know” and try it out.

Yes, there are a lot of skills that transfer from one style to another. You’ll probably be able to imitate the execution, but there’s so much more to martial arts than simply moving.

What if you put yourself in the mind of a beginner?

Approach something from the idea that you know nothing.

What do you see that’s different?

What do you see that’s the same?

What are the intentions behind the movements?

What is the strategy behind the art?

There’s an odd paradox with being experienced, but still retaining the mind of a beginner.

You need experience to see the questions to ask, but you need to humility of a beginner to ask the questions.