Knowledge is knowing the right answer. Intelligence is asking the right question. ??
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“The world is full of people who are determined to be somebody or to give trouble. They want to get ahead, to stand out….” ~ Bruce Lee
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Everybody wants to progress, everyone wants to wrap themselves in another black belt, but very few are willing to look in the mirror to see where he or she is, right now.
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Most of the karate seen and practiced today is what the Japanese call, “Omote”. Which means “surface” in English. Almost; “What you see, is what you get!” If it looks like a ‘spear-hand’, it is a ‘spear-hand’, etc.
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There are so many people who read the name of the technique in Japanese (nukite from above), and assume this is the only use for that technique (that’s another article in itself).
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But there are many more levels to your techniques than this. Unfortunately most people are happy just punching, kicking and “blocking” and moving on to the next belt or grading, without even considering there is more.
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One of the best signs you are progressing is asking questions. But when looking for the answers to these questions you must try to avoid confirmation bias. Finding an answer that you already believe in. Do not be biased toward the sources that have information that you already agree with. Always keep an open mind, perhaps seek evidence that contradicts your original opinion.
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You must ask the right questions. If you don’t know how to ask the right question, you will discover nothing.
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? Photo Credit: Nicolas Wauters…. Inspired by Jesse Enkamp