Many of students who began their training in the garden dojo of Miyagi Chojun Sensei would recall stories relating to how strict he was with regards to the cleanliness of the training area. Even the smallest of stones and weeds would need to be removed by hand before training could commence. Of course, Miyagi Sensei was no doubt trying to instill certain qualities in his students, but the stories also bring something else to mind.
Teaching karate is very similar to tending to a garden in some ways. New students can be compared to an unmarked packet of seeds. On the outside they all appear very similar, but you never really know what they will grow into until they begin to form.
The good thing about a mixed bag of seeds is that you will get many different types of plant. Some will have nice bright flowers, whereas some will be more hardy, and able to retain their leaves for longer in harsh conditions. Some might even look a little weak or appear to struggle in the conditions, but their perseverance and strength of character secures them a place in the garden alongside the other plants who seem to accept it and help it along when the conditions get hard.
Every now and then however you will find a weed hidden amongst the others, which needs to be removed right away before it gets a chance to spread its influence across the whole flower bed, spoiling the garden.
The weed can be compared to a student who has an excuse for every occasion. On Friday night training they have to work late, on Sunday morning they have a cold, on Tuesday they can’t possibly do push ups because their dog got hit by a car at the weekend, and being down on all fours brings back such painful memories. These people are only fooling themselves, and will never gain anything from karatedo; but we need to be careful that their influence doesn’t spread across the dojo like the weeds in the garden.
If other students see this person getting an easy ride whilst they are struggling away, the temptation is there to try the same; take the easy route. This is not the students fault as they are new to the art, and probably do not completely realise what is happening inside their head. The fault lies with the sensei who hasn’t been attentive enough to the situation, or maybe hasn’t had the strength of character to deal with the problem.
This same comparison also applies to students with a bad attitude, or unsavoury character.
I think there may be something to be learnt from Miyagi Sensei’s approach to gardening. As soon as you notice the weed growing in the garden, get rid of it before it takes hold, or be prepared to compromise the overall appearance of your garden.
Nicely put and how true it is! Thank you
Nice analogy.
It’s also true of the way in which some student ‘bloom’ early while others may need a little more individual care…
Also kind of reminds me of the way Miyagi Chojun Sensei would tailor his training to the needs of different students by individually selecting specific kata that best suited their character and body type. We all do require slightly different conditions for optimal growth
You know Garry…so much depends on the skill of the gardener and why they are spending time cultivating seeds (students) in the first place.
Could be they do it for a living, or it could be they do it for the love of it. Either way, the reson for ones involvement will dictate the actions one takes when confronted with a problem.
You’re fortunate to have a great gardener looking after you. A person who I have no doubt at all will do what it takes to allow you to grow well, put down your own roots, and in time, “Blossom”. But others are not so fortunate…these are the Hydroponic students who look similar at first, until we realise their not grounded in anything at all….just thin air!
Now…I guess we have to ask ourselves a few of questions herelike, which method is best? Best for what? Are the two things even the same?
Keep the garden clear of weeds by all means, but let’s first establish that the gardener knows what there doing. Not all gardens are the same. Not all karate is the same (even when it falls under the same name,like goju-ryu)…and clearly, not all teachers are the same.
Personaly, I’d sooner be a weed in some people’s gardens than a whole bed of roses in others.
Talk with you soon!