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21 |
The respect |
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Today's world is often marked by the loss, to a greater or lesser extent, of values deemed essential, coupled with a disappearance or blurring of the traditional points of reference that enabled us to chart our course in harmony with ourselves and others. Respect is one of these values, and it stands as an immutable value in the Martial Arts universe. Inborn or acquired? As with other aspects of the individual, we might ask whether we are born naturally "respectful", in the same way as we are born intelligent, honest or sincere. In fact, without getting into complex theories about the individual, the notion of respect is one that must imperatively be acquired, just like knowing how to read and write. In this sense, it is the environment, and the environment alone, that will build the individual, or rather, influence the way he builds himself. If we take the example of the "wolf-child", i.e. a being who would be totally isolated from the human species and left to his own devices to ensure his survival alone, the notions of good and evil, and also of respect, would have no meaning, only the "reptilian" instinct of survival would exist. Start at the beginning This apparent euphemism is in fact no euphemism at all, if we consider the chronology of existence. The infant reacts first and foremost to its so-called "primary" needs, but perceives other beings, in this case its parents, or educators, in any case those who nurture it and on whom it depends. And very quickly a trial of strength is established, in which he gauges the effect of his resistance, his cries, his demands, aimed at the sole satisfaction of his needs and desires. This is where learning respect comes in, through an awareness of the existence and value of others, which quickly leads to a sense of balance in the exchange. Forging a social life Continuing through school, college, etc., the individual will be constantly exposed to situations in which he or she will have to exchange and cohabit with others. Through successive, sometimes difficult experiences, he or she will discover that recognizing the existence and "value" of others, as well as knowing how to give as much as want to take or receive, are essential to progress, in every sense of the word. This applies to parents, guardians, educators, teachers - in short, to all those who represent, not the established order, but the embodiment of values specific to human society in general, whatever the political, religious, ethnic or other specificity. A school of life... The Dojo plays an essential role in the acquisition of the notion of respect. The well-known rituals, in particular bowing, whether to the Dojo itself, to the teacher or to partners, materialize respect towards the place where you train, the elders who pass on to you what they learned before you, and finally those without whom you cannot progress, or even practice in the desired conditions, namely other practitioners. Beyond greetings and gestures, your state of mind must be permanent. It will be reflected in your attitude, and will enable you to establish that form of communion in the exchange, which creates the atmosphere conducive to quality and beneficial practice. Striving not to dominate or dazzle your partners, but to remain humble and simple, while sincerely giving the best of yourself without compromise, is the best way to progress together, and is the mark of practitioners who stand "above the rest". Don't give up Entering a training program is a choice freely consented to by the person making it, and it must be to decide from the outset to be in tune with it. Any casual, relaxed attitude, marked by the least effort, is not only a lack of respect, but an affront to all those who seek to surpass themselves, who resolutely engage in an unrestricted face-to-face with themselves. This is not to say that we should systematically seek suffering and the absence of pleasure. But the latter will come of its own accord on a different basis. All conventional assaults, and in general all work in pairs, must be particularly marked by mutual respect and respect for the exercise practised in common. The secret of progress lies in reciprocity. As some experts sometimes say, you have to know how to put yourself "at the other person's pace", and not react only to yourself. Certain exercises, such as the traditional "Iaï" or "Kumite from afar", are typical of this notion. If you don't "melt" into your partner, you have no chance of reacting correctly to an attack, with the right timing. The big winner If you maintain this kind of respect for others at all times, you'll soon realize that, in fact, everything begins and ends with respect for yourself. Respecting yourself also means maintaining a healthy physical and moral lifestyle, having that very special feeling when you look yourself in the face that "nothing is lacking", and telling yourself, as in J. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", that the important thing is only to "make good use of the time allotted to you". |
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