From Sensei Michael Mackay-
Midtown
Karate Dojo
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"What is faith worth if it not translated into action?"
- Mahatma Gandi
In the context of the dojo, many exercises, traditions, rituals and
policies need to be taken "on faith" for a multitude of reasons:
supplying "reasons" for everything can take up the entire
class; we spend to much time "explaining" or "thinking"
about things instead of "just doing" them. Being able to accept
certain principals on faith shows a willingness to trust (specifically,
to trust our ancestors). It frees us from the fears of uncertainty and
the endless loops of questioning.
Gandi's twist on faith reminds us that accepting ideas without complete
understanding does not mean we abandon them in our day-to-day lives.
The principles we take on faith are meant to be put into action - every
day - inside the dojo and out. This exposes them to the test of time,
where some may flounder and others will surely survive.
