Attitude, like ki, is an essential determinant in the success of our training. A useful attitude helps us see clearly and deal with the world as it is. It enables us to crush our most secret and self-defeating illusions.
We enter the dojo and leave a certain kind of attitude outside. We affect a different attitude the moment we bow to the kamiza. The dojo attitude we cultivate is the foundation of every movement and breath we make on the mat, and our goal is to be able to take that intentional, cultivated attitude back out into the world.
As our comfort and expertise on the mat deepens, it is easy to get distracted from the task of cultivating our dojo attitude- attentive, relaxed, sincere, confidant, and respectful of energy and training of our partners. Even after decades of practice, vigilant attention to attitude, like breathing, remains essential to our growth. As soon as we think our learning is complete we are correct- in a way. As soon as we think we know it all, or as soon as we think our attitude no longer requires cultivation, we cripple our ability to improve and growth melts into deterioration.
So, some days are about training footwork, and some days are about noticing our own sense of superiority and identifying it as the illusion it is.
