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Master Fearhoral
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:38 am

things at my martial arts school have been going great we have gotten a few new white belts each one is showing rapid progression and are sharp as hell. but my concerns have now been drawn to my own sensai. he has been sitting down and talking with me alot about his own mortality. giving me speeches of hows hese getting old and how he wont be around forever..it use to be light but recently ever since the passing of two very close masters and friends of our dojo he has been talking about it more often...one time he even teared up telling me how proud he was of me and how my next promotion im looking to double...im trying to be as positive as possible with him but he is giving me these talks as if hese got only a short amount of time left on this earth....im scared for him but at the same time im trying to be strong.

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:32 pm

Master Fearhoral

things at my martial arts school have been going great we have gotten a few new white belts each one is showing rapid progression and are sharp as hell. but my concerns have now been drawn to my own sensai. he has been sitting down and talking with me alot about his own mortality. giving me speeches of hows hese getting old and how he wont be around forever..it use to be light but recently ever since the passing of two very close masters and friends of our dojo he has been talking about it more often...one time he even teared up telling me how proud he was of me and how my next promotion im looking to double...im trying to be as positive as possible with him but he is giving me these talks as if hese got only a short amount of time left on this earth....im scared for him but at the same time im trying to be strong.

Death comes for all people and is a reality that most martial artists live with intimately as part and parcel of what we do. While I am not familiar with your master's age or his medical status it is natural for people of a certain age to start considering the great beyond. They question the legacy that they have left behind. In the case of the martial arts instructor it is a noble one. They teach people discipline and self-defense and create confidence, health, and security.

It is possible that your master looks upon you as a logical successor to his legacy, wanting to confirm that when he eventually passes his own teachings will be passed on by someone that he believes can continue the line of master and student. This is part of his way of giving "fair warning" that he won't be around forever and he expects you to take up his work where he left off.

Do not fear the death of a revered master. He has spent his life doing noble work and will be remembered in the many lives that he has touched. Celebrate his life and use the early warning to prepare yourself to continue that work if it is your choice to do so.

quiet_way
Vice Captain

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Yo-ko

Hallowed Prophet

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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:26 am

Master Fearhoral

things at my martial arts school have been going great we have gotten a few new white belts each one is showing rapid progression and are sharp as hell. but my concerns have now been drawn to my own sensai. he has been sitting down and talking with me alot about his own mortality. giving me speeches of hows hese getting old and how he wont be around forever..it use to be light but recently ever since the passing of two very close masters and friends of our dojo he has been talking about it more often...one time he even teared up telling me how proud he was of me and how my next promotion im looking to double...im trying to be as positive as possible with him but he is giving me these talks as if hese got only a short amount of time left on this earth....im scared for him but at the same time im trying to be strong.

to utilize a corny saying to help convery my point, "rejoice for those who become one with the force." No matter what your belief system is, be happy for your instructor. He has passed on a great deal of knowledge to you and his other students, and if anything this is him comming to terms with his own mortality and the fact life is not eternal, at least not on this relm or plane (depends on belief system).

What you can do for him is train with all your conviction and heart. Dont just love the teacher, dont just love the form you practice, but love the ART! Allow the art to grow. Talk to him, explain to him that he still has plenty of time, and that even then the knowledge he passed on to you will be passed on to others, and that is a form of living. Show him how his many lessons have impacted your life, and that death is just another form of discovery. "Say not in grief: "He is no more," but live in thankfulness that he was."

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:56 am

Master Fearhoral

Yoko's pretty much covered it, but I'll say this.

We stand on the shoulders of our trainers and masters in spirit. The lessons and knowledge they give us, we in turn not only pass to others but expand upon through another lives lessons and experiences.

I want you to think about how many "Ghost" you see every day.

Memories associated with people to the right words or actions.

When you use that technique, and I'm sure you have one, that your master hammered into your head, can you not hear his voice?

I know I do with my right cross. "Keep your elbow in Jess.. alright fix your shoulder and that's perfect.... ok now one more good one."

I can hear it clear as day.

Its with everyone, even people who still live. The lesson they taught you instill a part of them in your mind.

Winterwolf78

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