The Martial Artist's Life

By Prof. Emeric Arus, Ph.D. / SOKE, 10th Dan

I assume that people know the difference and the connection between these 3 words: Body, Mind, and Spirit unity. Usually everywhere can be seen the aforementioned 3 words in such a way: Mind, Body and Spirit unity. The Body comes first. A participant will act physically (of course with the mental understanding about the martial art). The mind active participation comes after the body participation. Lastly the spiritual participation will include the circle of unifying these three important factors. Anyone who would like to practice life long martial arts has three stages.

The first stage is named by Japanese experts SHU - means that the period in which you are is the beginning and is mostly physical. The Budoka must obey the rules and regulations established by his or her instructor without questioning the importance of the different aspects of the training (techniques, tactiques, physical conditioning, philosophies of the martial arts style practiced, and other aspects). The Budoka must be a loyal and dedicated person at this stage. The SHU stage lasts approximately 10 years of arduous training and this stage is also named as the obedience stage.

The second stage is the HA – in which the Budoka evolves in a mental stage and his or her participation is less physical. In this stage the Budoka experiences different tactical solutions, develops a better mental awareness in a confrontation, and he or she can maneuver an opponent better not just physically but mentally too. This stage is coinciding with the usage of the many combinations adapted to different fighting situations. In this stage the Budoka can use his or her fighting or teaching experience on his or her favor and is not necessary to follow the instructor advice. The HA stage lasts approximately 10-12 years to 20 years and above. This is the divergence stage.

The third stage is the RI – the most advanced stage in the Budoka life. This stage is from 20 and some years and could last to the end of the Budoka life. As longer this period from the 20 years and up as more mature the Budoka becomes. At the beginning of this stage the Budoka enter in a so said spiritual stage of a higher awareness of his life. In this stage the Budoka combines his or her life as a martial artist with his or her personal life. Martial arts become a “Way of Life” of the participating Budoka.

In this stage the Budoka is a calm, modest, clear-sighted, and well balanced individual who can judge not just for himself or herself, but also for others. The culmination stage comes after 60 years of age and he or she has the highest belt 10th degree black belt. Of course the 10th degree black belt does not make you the best, but it is a standard of the Budoka proficiency including body mind and spirit awareness. This is the separation stage.