If you’re like me, you think of spirituality in the dojo like an energy, peaceful state of mind, and uncluttered spirit (“Leave it at the door!” – Sensei). But the energy changes for me as we do varying exercises that challenge every end of our energy. For example, the 20-second times drills with self-defenses is a high-energy environment compared to meditation and reflection at the end of class. In short, I experience different forms of spirituality during class. The truth is, martial arts is very holistic, promoting physical fitness, but also a “high culture” that is mainly spiritual in nature (Cynarski). The background of martial arts develops this spirituality we experience in class today.
The roots of spirituality in the martial arts ultimately originates from the eastern philosophies that many martial arts specialties came from. For example, Robert A. Trias brought Shuri-Ryu karate to the United States from Okinawa, a neo-Confucianism country based on promoting “a unified vision of humane flourishing that would end with a person becoming a sage or worthy by means of various forms of self-cultivation” (Berthrong). This explains why much of Shuri-Ryu and many other martial art forms base their moral values on self-cultivation. Studying and practicing Budo pathways in particular help us as martial arts practitioners realize body-mind-spirit through a lifelong process of cultivation (Cynarski).
Many of the spiritual techniques we practice in the dojo help us to self-realize and self-cultivate. For example, when we meditate and reflect on the class, we explain what our favorite part of the class was and why. Had Sensei not asked that question, we may have never thought deeply about WHY that technique was important to our growth. In a spiritual way, martial arts have vital qualities that assist in human development and enable a transgressive and transcendent dimension to a person’s education, mainly through self-realization (Cynarski).
Something I love about spirituality in the martial arts is that everyone can be included in this spiritual atmosphere. In other words, religion does not affect spirituality in the dojo. Cynarski states, “Martial arts prepare us to fight in self-defense, but they affirm an attitude of non-violence, and have been adopted in countries with radically-diverse cultures” (Cynarski). In other words, we can share this special art in all forms with people all around the world who are drastically different from one another. Martial arts is available for people everywhere, regardless of identity! This is what makes us such a diverse, exceptional group of people.
Works Cited
Berthrong, John. “Neo-Confucian Philosophy.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
Cynarski, Wojciech J., et al. “Martial Arts in Psycho-Physical Culture, Ido Movement for
Culture.” Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct 2014, pp. 33-38. EBSCOhost,
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