Whom Do You Watch
By Ms. Marian Schwartz
The
privilege of viewing excellent technique demonstrated in higher black belt
patterns was accorded me recently by means of the modern magic of video tape.
Although the stature and general appearance of the Black Belt thus featured
obliged recognition, it is sometimes difficult to discern definite features
clearly in amateur recordings of this kind. I had seen the pattern before,
exhibited in person by the man I thought I was watching on the tape. The stance,
timing, precision of technique, pace of the pattern, breathing, attention to
detail in angle and concentration of power could only be one person. However,
when I heard the "Kiai", the voice was not the one I expected. I
watched more closely. This was not Dr. McCain, as I my first appraisal had
supposed, but his personal instructor, Mr. Aregis.
In
scrupulously observing Mr. Aregis and perceiving the similarities mentioned
earlier between this man and his student, it was evident that the student had
focused not only on the overall appearance and form of the pattern, but also on
the important smaller elements that are the substance of the integrity of the
pattern.
The
instructors of Mid-California Tae Kwon Do Porterville were encouraged by
comments from Master Hardin when he and Mrs. Hardin came for Black Belt Camp. He
was pleased that Choong Sil Tae Kwon Do was thriving so far from its source in
Tennessee. Because of Dr. McCain's diligence in following his instructor so
closely, and our willingness to follow Dr. McCain, the details of our mechanics
and the way in which we conduct ourselves reflect what Mr. Hardin considers to
be important about our style of Tae Kwon Do.
In
the absence of our busy Chief Instructor whom do we watch?
There is much we can learn from each other, higher and lower ranks alike.
However, the main focus of our study must be upon those things that we
have seen our Instructor do and those things that he has pointed out to us
specifically. We can trust that in doing so with all our effort, understanding
and abilities that we will come closer to what our Tae Kwon Do should look like.
In
development of character, an important part of Tae Kwon Do, whom do we watch?
Our ranking superiors are men of exceptional integrity, and we may learn much
from them. But there is one Perfect Man, who not only exemplifies perfectly all
good qualities, but enables those who trust Him to press toward the mark of
doing the same. Looking to Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith; Hebrews
12:2. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of
the Lord. II Corinthians 3:18.
Each one of us will have a distinctive quality to our style because of differences in body weight, flexibility and personal perception. But the individual gain from working to do techniques exactly as prescribed are lessons not learned in any other way. God has made us each with unique personalities. He still requires that we obey his will expressed for our lives in the Bible, and in doing so we will know Him. Will we look like the excellence of our instructors? We shall be like Him.
