A different Angle

A couple of weeks ago I was, for one reason or another, not seeing any progress being made in my kung fu these past few months. A big part of it, (something I know is wrong) is the fact that I was concentrating on the curriculum. I noted all that I need to learn, looked at how long I have been at this level and did the math to estimate when I would progress further in rank. I attempted to analyze every possible reason why I was "progressing too slow" for my liking. 

I figured I was stretching myself too thin with everything I am attempting to accomplish with my kung fu. I decided this year to utilize the requirements of the I Ho Chuan to learn two Wu Dang forms, one weapon form and one hand form from Sifu Beckett. This took my attention away from Kempo. I was starting to feel like I might not be up for the challenge, that it was slowing down my progress.

There is a serious problem with this way of thinking. This is not a mathematical equation, there is no absolute. After listening to a different way of looking at it, I realized that it is not the specifics that are important when progressing, but the concepts. If you try to cling on to specifics, you will always be attached to them. You lose the ability to improvise and grow from one experience to another. 

Although some of the movements and stances are slightly different from Kempo, learning this other style of kung fu through its forms has allowed me to begin fixing problems with my technique I didn't even know I had. I just needed to approach it from a different angle.

Even though my attention has shifted slightly and my "curricular progress" has seemed to slow down, my kung fu skill level has improved greatly. I have a much better appreciation for where I am in my training. It's about what I'm learning, not where I am in relation to everyone around me. The curriculum is a tool to aid me in my journey, it is not the journey itself.

Take care everyone.