It is often assumed that a Karateka (i.e. a practitioner of Karate-do) is extremely fit by birth and has an inherently fearless nature. And many shy away from getting trained in martial arts because they're prejudiced about their capabilities. I can tell you that it was the same case for me. My parents had admitted me to a dojo run by a very accomplished Sensei when I was quite young. There were a multitude of other students of my age and even younger, who pursued Karate very diligently. And by diligence I mean enduring rigorous, and often cruel and harsh, training sessions. I backed out. I was weak in my mind rather than physically. I was afraid of getting beaten up and humiliated. I was afraid of getting tested.
For many years I kept away from karate, and had even started to hate all karatekas. Though I tried to maintain my fitness in other ways, I had lost the true focus and perseverance, the tenacity that enabled one to pursue his/her goal uninhibited by any insurmountable obstacle.
But I embarked on the journey keeping only the words of Asai Sensei in mind: "People should forget everything and jump head first into what they want to do. Although, the average person can't comprehend such a way of thinking, or to be in such an enviroment, it this type of enviroment, however, that is most essential for one's success."
I have tried to gain an understanding of one of the oldest and yet mythical martial art forms in human history. And I find my quest pulling me into a bottomless pit, an abyss vouching for the fact that the human body and mind can be stretched beyond the comprehensible capacities. And in this pit one is not consumed by darkness but by ever brightening light of Nirvana or Enlightenment.
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