Grandmaster Hee Il Cho
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BLACK BELT TESTING
WASHINGTON, D.C. USA
JULY 11TH 2010
Over the past forty years of training, studying, and teaching the art of Taekwondo it has become apparent to me that there are four distinct attributes that interrelate one’s progression. Taekwondo although a very demanding physical martial art emphasizes the development of the complete person thus training the mind as well as the character of each practitioner.
These four pillars of Taekwondo are as essential as a chair with four legs. To remove one or more of the legs of the chair will not only prevent someone from sitting, the chair has no value if not balance properly by all four legs. The same holds true for the four pillars of Taekwondo.
Pillar #1. Self Discipline
Pillar #2 Self Control
Pillar #3 Self Reliance
Pillar #4 Time and Commitment
Self Discipline: the ability to do whatever is nessary to achieve whatever goal one has in mind. To not look for rewards or gratification from others to push yourself beyond any comfort zone, to have a set of standards that you live by that you know are for the good of all and not compromise them for anyone of anything. A self discipline martial artist is one who never makes excuses nor misses his or her training even when they do not fill up to it. A self discipline marital artist is a person of great loyalty and respect for their instructor, art and fellow students. It is the understanding of self disciplined martial arts that they have a responsibility to future generations of upcoming marital artist that they must live by example both on and off the do-jang floor in order to preserve the quality of real marital arts. Self discipline is extended far more than the halls of the do-jang. A self-disciplined martial artist is one who is in constant preparation doing what needs to be done NOW and not later. There is no room for procrastination. Self discipline will have a positive aspect on every aspect of a martial artist’s life from family to work to health and personal finances. Disciplining oneself is one of the pillars that will reinforce all the other pillars of Tae Kwon Do.
Self Control: If you can not control yourself you will never be able to control an opponent. In the do-jang self control is a must, if one looses their temper it can lead to serious injuries. Outside of the do-jang it is paramount that Taekwondo practitioners realize that they are not part time martial artist there is no such thing, you do not have a season, a sabbatical, or retire if you are a true martial artist. You must strive to live according to the code of ethics that Taekwondo teaches. Self control is living in respect of others. Self control is in very simple terms controlling yourself in everything you do. We are all tempted in one way or another; whether it is of the body or the mind. The natural tendency is to give in to pleasure now and have problems later, or as the saying goes, “Short term gain, long term pain.” Developing self control teaches us to sacrifice and control our emotions and our actions for long term happiness and success. It is said that one minute can change your life forever; developing self control takes a lifetime of preparation and discipline. By constantly training one’s self-control, the one time you may need to really apply it may save your life or catapult you to success.
Self Reliance: Our society today is always looking to blame someone or something. It is the parents fault, the teacher is wrong; the priest is too stringent in his teachings. This is not the mind set of a martial artist. In the do-jang it is only you no one can make you better you must do it for yourself. Your success depends on one person you. Being self reliant is not being egotistical and not accepting the advice and teaching of others it is just the opposite it is you putting to work the advice from parents, teachers and other with more wisdom. As the saying goes “Life is a gift from God, What you do with your life is your gift back to God” the greatest gift a child can give their parents is the being able to be self reliant and do for themselves. This will give the parent peace knowing that their child can stand on his or her own. The same is true for a Taekwondo instructor, a Taekwondo Master or sabonim devotes his life to his students very few will stay with there instructor today. It is very unusual that students keep training after black belt. A self reliant marital artist gives back to his instructor by keeping his teaching alive and passing his art onto the next generation of upcoming students. Developing self reliance takes discipline and control. Setting goals is easy, but achieving your goals requires hard work and dedication. Being self reliant will enable you to set a pathway or training routine that will require you to DO instead of wish. Depending on oneself assures that your destiny is in no one else’s hands but your own.
Time and Commitment: Nothing worth while comes over night. Anything of value takes time. There are no shortcuts to success. As a sign reads in Shihan Marty Manuel’s dojo “Everyone starts at the Bottom”
Again today people want instants results with little effort. Time to a martial artist is irrelevant. Training becomes a habit a way of life. Earning you rank is more important than purchasing a useless piece of paper that says you are something that you know you do not deserve of because you can not rush time. Time and commitment to a martial artist is training day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. I tell my black belt students when you stop training you are no longer a black belt, you are previous black belt but are not a real black belt because you are no longer putting in the time to be a black belt.
The Four Pillars of Taekwondo interwoven through effort and dedication. They are the four legs to one’s life, never achieving perfection but always striving for improvement.
As I test for my 8th Degree Black Belt, I must thank everyone who has inspired and helped me with my Journey in Taekwondo and Life. Without each of you, none of my dreams would be a reality.
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