The Fettered Mind of the Martial Art Student

When a beginning student properly executes a technique, it is often not repeated properly a second time.  This is a sign of a fettered mind.

Whether by awareness of oneself’s accomplishment or stated by the teacher, the student’s mind stopping on that moment to reflect is what puts the student into the absence of enlightenment, defined as ignorance.

This is also true when reflecting on an improperly executed technique.  Regardless of the outcome, the student’s mind is fettered, and thus the repeated technique fails.

The outcome is not the cause of the next event.  The student’s ignorance or enlightenment determines the next outcome.

Through practice and repetition, the student must learn to not admire nor disapprove of one’s own outcome in order to become enlightened and effective.