Comments on: Humbling Experience http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:49:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Sherri http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience/#comment-345 Sherri Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience#comment-345 Well, the first impression I got was either you must be giving the impression that you think you are "all that" or he was testing you to see what kind of person you really are. Don't forget, the Bible says "too much pride" is a sin. Gandhi and his wife cleaned the latrine like everyone else (if you ever saw the movie). But who knows, he might've only been testing you to see what your reaction would be. Isn't that a part of martial arts is to teach "self-control?" and like you said...humility? You did the right thing... Well, the first impression I got was either you must be giving the impression that you think you are “all that” or he was testing you to see what kind of person you really are. Don’t forget, the Bible says “too much pride” is a sin. Gandhi and his wife cleaned the latrine like everyone else (if you ever saw the movie).

But who knows, he might’ve only been testing you to see what your reaction would be. Isn’t that a part of martial arts is to teach “self-control?” and like you said…humility?

You did the right thing…

]]> By: Tim http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience/#comment-346 Tim Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience#comment-346 I've been reading your entries for awhile now and I've got to say you've got me intrigued in visiting Japan - it sounds like an amazingly different world. As far as the gym experience, I think you handled it nicely. Maybe it was a test to see how "we Americans" would behave? You mentioned that no one was looking in your direction - would that have been out of respect to you? I’ve been reading your entries for awhile now and I’ve got to say you’ve got me intrigued in visiting Japan - it sounds like an amazingly different world.

As far as the gym experience, I think you handled it nicely. Maybe it was a test to see how “we Americans” would behave? You mentioned that no one was looking in your direction - would that have been out of respect to you?

]]> By: Paul Green http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience/#comment-347 Paul Green Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://blog.ejovi.net/2004/03/24/humbling-experience#comment-347 Hello, I have lived in Japan / Okinawa for about 10 yrs off and on. I also had the privledge of studying Martial arts also (Goju-Ryu).. In short, Cleaning of the floor is a just that, cleaning of the floor, and usually ment for the lower ranks., In olden days, your seniors did the same, as well as a bunch of OTHER CHOIRS. (loyalty to instructor and his teachings is everything) ((you will notice that most "all" japanese students stay with ONE sensi, or withen the same "KAI")), unlike westerners, they do not flip flop from one dojo to another, or train in multiple styles. Heck, I had to clean the floor of my dojo, but in such a way as it built up my arms, and legs and back...(ie.. on all 4's, no knees touching.. try that...) I did not feel humiliated, but knew it was "Part of the Program", and in a way looked at it as "TRAINING"..( and i did this for about 1 year, ever Mon/Wend/Fri), after each class. Also I will add, that although it sounds funny, and like slave labor, my instructor Sensi Meitatsu Yagi, and other senior's did look after me. I was the only "white belt (QUE)" student, everyone else was at least sho-dan. Their are many parculiar things in Japan, In a way, sort of like opposite's, Ah, but enjoy the experience, for understanding another culture is worth the humiliation and degredation, if only to become a better person, and stronger in mind, body and soul. (and i do not mean the ability to Kick someones ass). But the ability to deal with others who "ARE" different in ways, and instead of looking at them as piculliar/funny, rather understand what/why they do things the way they do. But I am sure you knew that, BTW if you had not cleaned the floor, you would have been looked at like a "Spoiled GAIJIN", who can't even help clean up the dojo he is training in... Thanks for sucking it up... Paul Green --- Hello, I have lived in Japan / Okinawa for about 10 yrs off and on. I also had the privledge of studying Martial arts also (Goju-Ryu).. In short, Cleaning of the floor is a just that, cleaning of the floor, and usually ment for the lower ranks., In olden days, your seniors did the same, as well as a bunch of OTHER CHOIRS. (loyalty to instructor and his teachings is everything) ((you will notice that most “all” japanese students stay with ONE sensi, or withen the same “KAI”)), unlike westerners, they do not flip flop from one dojo to another, or train in multiple styles. Heck, I had to clean the floor of my dojo, but in such a way as it built up my arms, and legs and back…(ie.. on all 4’s, no knees touching.. try that…) I did not feel humiliated, but knew it was “Part of the Program”, and in a way looked at it as “TRAINING”..( and i did this for about 1 year, ever Mon/Wend/Fri), after each class. Also I will add, that although it sounds funny, and like slave labor, my instructor Sensi Meitatsu Yagi, and other senior’s did look after me. I was the only “white belt (QUE)” student, everyone else was at least sho-dan.
Their are many parculiar things in Japan, In a way, sort of like opposite’s, Ah, but enjoy the experience, for understanding another culture is worth the humiliation and degredation, if only to become a better person, and stronger in mind, body and soul. (and i do not mean the ability to Kick someones ass). But the ability to deal with others who “ARE” different in ways, and instead of looking at them as piculliar/funny, rather understand what/why they do things the way they do. But I am sure you knew that, BTW if you had not cleaned the floor, you would have been looked at like a “Spoiled GAIJIN”, who can’t even help clean up the dojo he is training in… Thanks for sucking it up…

Paul Green

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