The Path Least Taken

The path of the teacher chose me.  I just wanted to learn martial arts and train.  Such a simple life in hindsight.

Training as a warrior as taught me to constantly judge the people around me.  It is the Way of the Warrior to observe; the weather, the ground, the air, everything so we know our place.  Yes, we constantly test the people around us by what they say and their actions.  Students believe I reserve judgement until their test...and I let them.  But the true test is really in between the "actual" testing.

Folk believe me above judgement being the Head Instructor, not so.  I also judge myself, much harsher than the students.  It is the only way I can manage what I do.  Each choice is weighed for the betterment of oneself.  I make a mistake, I fess up.  I don't know the answer...I shrug. 

It seems lately I have had my own series of tests and judgements.  Each one is a choice with something I desire versus my Dharma as a teacher.  Each time I have chose my Wuxia brothers and sisters.  I have found when something is too good to be true...it usually is.  The martial arts have never failed me.

I have been unemployed for going on 5 years now.  I do work odd jobs to make ends meet and it is stressful.   I do not mind the 100+ hour work weeks to make the mortgage.  This does cut into my training time and my teaching effectiveness.

I recently turned down a job that would have made it possible to pay my bills.  It would be nice to not worry about money on a daily basis, going out to eat more often, and traveling to my sacred spots in the world to recharge.  But it meant turning away from the school; turning away from Wuxia.

Being a ronin is not easy, not glamorous.  We train everyday and press one more rep out.  Most folk don't get why we do it and fail to grasp how we do things others cannot.  There is no gold medal waiting for us, no superbowl ring, nothing really.  Miyamoto Musashi once said "today is victory over yourself, tomorrow is your victory over lesser men."  This information is something only Wuxia seem to understand.

Ours is not the easy path.  To fathom the path of Wuxia, imagine yourself in a world where only six others understand you.  Now you get the meaning the banner above.