Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Essay
(June 3, 2000)

Philosophy

Philosophy is something studied by many people of a very high intellect because it is a very complex subject and can be interpreted many different ways, depending on the person and how they think of things. Philosophy is a very large part of Tae Kwon Do, and needs to be studied by students to find the true meaning of what and why things are done the way they are. I have found many viewpoints of Tae Kwon Do that I never would have known existed if I had not searched them out. Tae Kwon Do is not simply a sport or way to defend one self from attackers, but can become a way to gain inner peace if you look hard enough. I know it sounds like a cliché, but this is what I have found. After training, I feel better about life and myself both physically and mentally because I have the sense that I accomplished something that night.

Martial arts are not about creating violence, but stopping violence, and attaining peace with yourself and others. People that I know, who do not train in any martial arts do not understand this, and I think that it is unfortunate that they don’t. My friends do try to see my point of view; however, I believe that this needs to be experienced before it can be understood. Somewhere I have read that Tae Kwon Do strives to bring out the best in all people, and it is hard work through physical, mental and spiritual training of the body, mind and spirit.

Being positive about life and showing responsibility within the community assist in bringing the best out of anyone. The earth is broken down again and again until we reach one person. These people connect and bond, forming a family. Families join together forming communities, then nations and we are back at the planet we first started. And all of this started with one person, who, with their Tae Kwon Do training, can influence the world if they tried. I want to be able to have the chance to influence others in a positive way, the same way that I was influenced when I first joined.

Being able to see past racial borders and physical differences are hard. I have been at both ends of the rope, and do not like either one. It is hard sometimes to look past someone else’s differences to notice the person is human being who is the same inside, but I try. Many other people I have seen do not try at all, and I find that sad because they are missing out on getting to know themselves and others alike. One thing I have learned is that Tae Kwon Do is not all physical training. All of Tae Kwon Do uses physical exercise to be able to build the mind and spirit. It is not just learning a pattern of blocking, kicking and punching, but to be able to use the various blocks, kicks and punches to my personal advantage.

To have the skill and be able to put them together, forming a defense technique that will work against other opponents. The true meaning of Tae Kwon Do is found within the person, of what they have accomplished and what they will in the future.

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