I have now internalized some things that prior to now have only been words. To grow and get better I need to immerse myself in what I am doing. My tendency is to sit on the sidelines and look in rather than getting on the field and getting involved.
I am analytical and like to make decisions based on Fact. There are some times where facts are not what is needed but a desire to change your self and things around you. Because of that a decision to do or not do something has to be made a more primitive level below the consciousness level. I have read that this is at the primitive level within ones brain. This is the area of the brain that protects us from danger. An example would be that if you are crossing a road to look to see if a car is coming. One does not consciously make this decision to wait till the car passes but does so at a primitive or instinctual level. This part of the brain has allowed us as a species to survive.
It is this level of the brain that also holds us back when we are wanting to get out of our comfort zone. To gain mastery one must go above and beyond the ordinary, on a constant basis. It is the primitive area of our brain that holds us back because the ordinary is comfortable, it is easy and most importantly it is safe. Most people have self doubt but some know how to quite that self doubt that originates in the primitive part of the brain. I am working to control the primitive part of my brain and not let it control me. This way I can move forward on the path to mastery.
Engagement in my study of Kung Fu is what I need to do. After this past weekend at Pandamonium I now understand the meaning of engagement. I understand beyond the words and have seen some great examples by students and Sifu's at our Kwoon what engagement really means.
Mr Sand
