Yes, it’s cliché, old, corny but true “with great… comes great responsibility.” Then why have so many of us forgotten this valuable principle? Having rank in the martial arts, whether it be a purple belt or a black belt, does not just represent the skill level you have attained but also the level of development in your character, the increase in your responsibilities — to yourself, school and training partners.
During a recent training seminar, after demonstrating a technique, the instructor asked the higher ranking students to pair off with the lower ranking students. There was some grumbling overheard about “I don’t like to, & why do I have to work with – the white belts.” I’m sure at some point we have all experienced this. Sure you paid good money to learn, and you want to get the most out of what’s being taught, and so did that white belt. We can discuss whether there should be a separate training time for beginners and advance students, and that’s a valid argument, more to do with logistics, but not the one being made here.
The instructor can only oversea so much of the class – he or she relies on their top ranking students to assist the lower ranks. Never forget, at one point in time, you were the one receiving instruction and assistance from your senior, and they likely did so willingly – knowing they received the same consideration.
Part of your responsibility to your class mates, is your responsibility to yourself. Being diligent in your training and constantly improving is what is expected from us as practitioners. However, just as we warm up and stretch our muscles to prepare for the vigorous training, we must also prepare our minds to be relaxed and pliable to receive and process the information we are given. It’s not just enough to pay attention, your dog or cat can do that if you waive a treat in front of them (well, maybe not the cat but you know what I mean). We must be open to receiving, placing ourselves in the beginners state of mind, open to all possibilities and changes. This means repetition, going over your basics, finding the flaws, looking for ways to improve, even in the smallest increment.
Some practitioners carry around a white belt in their training bag, not because they may lose their other belt or they expect someone to borrow it — rather as reminder of where they came from.