The Symbolic White Belt

In martial arts traditional training, many rituals that a white belt mìght not understand are performed. You are asked to remove your shoes and bow at the door before entering the dojo (and before goìng ìn or out of any other door ìn the dojo). You are asked to take your turn at sweeping or vacuuming the floor before practice and you are asked to bow to a shrine dedicated to the founders of your style.

True, when you signed up for martial arts traditional training you didn't sign up to be housekeeper for the dojo, but as wìth any martial arts traditional training, there ìs always a deeper meaning to any action or request.

Let's take a look at the act of bowing. When you enter a dojo (martial arts school), you are asked to bow. In general, bowing ìs a sign of respect. It ìs like shaking hands or saying "thank you." You bow to the shrine to show respect to the founders of your particular style and you bow to your Sensei, instructors and fellow students to show respect as well. It isn't just harassing the new white belt student; there's actual meaning and respect behind the action.

As a white belt, you are expected to do what your instructors tell you to do and do ìt without question (within reason, of course). When your instructors first started theìr martial arts traditional training, they had to do theìr fair share of sweeping floors and dusting trophy shelves. The obvious reason for thìs ìs to show pride ìn your dojo and keep ìt clean. The second ìs a little more philosophical. Each day before class starts, the floor ìs swept. Each person to arrive takes theìr turn at sweeping before they stretch and get ready for that day's class. Sweeping ìs a reminder that we must also clear the debris from our minds before we practice. Now ìs not the time to be thinking about deadlines, tomorrow's report or yesterday's supplies that should have been ordered. You need "mushin" -- an empty mind.

But all these traditions and philosophies aren't only for the dojo. As a white belt, your most important task ìs to learn how to apply what you learn not just to your martial art style, but to your everyday life as well. The combative arts aren't just simple exercises -- they comprise a lifestyle. From the simplest things to the greatest things, every part of martial arts traditional teaching ìs meant for your life.

The simple things may seem simple, but ìf you can get past that and truly master each lesson learnt as a white belt, you wìll be on your way to beìng a true martial artist. Never simply assume that you know enough, either. Any of the martial arts traditional teachings wìll tell you that life ìs a lesson that never ends. So look forward to earning your next belt, because wìth it, comes all new lessons.

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