Henry's Corner Archives

Henry Pak’s regular update on Master Daher’s early Taekwon-do career and the history of IL Shim International Taekwon-Do

2011 – Henry Pak

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner December 2011 (2)

2011

Dear Friends

As another year draws fast to an end and we reflect on the achievements and challenges we had in 2011, let us be thankful for the fellowship and camaraderie we share through our art of Taekwon-Do. I have simply titled this article 2011 so I can freewheel and talk about various issues that concerned and affected us in this year that is coming to a close. After all it is the festive season and I am allowed to let loose and be a bit expansive, aren’t I? So here I sit in the tranquillity that night offers, floating through the vast and endless energy of the universe and surfing the freedom of my mind. How poetic! Settle down, Henry!

The litmus test of a discipline is its ability to provide the cohesion which keeps its members united under a system of belief which promotes our growth as human beings and our growth happens in relation to other people because, as independent as we like to think ourselves to be, we are not solitary beings and our lives are inextricably linked with those around us.

In one of my previous contributions titled “The Unifying Force of Taekwon-Do” I dwelled on the universal appeal that the core values of Taekwon-Do have and how it serves to unite the people of our world. There is literally a supermarket of belief systems out there. Look around you and you can hear them being sold. Just listen to them! “Gather around everybody and tell us what you need! Boy, do we ever have one that will make you the life of the party! Here is one that should suit you but if it doesn’t make you popular we will exchange it for another one! As a matter of fact why don’t we tailor make one for you!” Ethics and morality are up for sale and people choose belief systems based on how “convenient” it is for them and not based on their truthfulness or validity. The core values of Taekwon-Do are not for sale. Our tenets are what we believe everyone should embrace as the foundation for building a better world.

The moral obligation of a Taekwon-Do instructor has a close correlation to faith. A belief is theoretical and faith is practical. You can believe something is true but unless you live your life according to that belief it is not faith. To use the vernacular, faith is “Putting your money where your mouth is.” If we have faith in the art of Taekwon-Do, we will be the vanguard of the protection and propagation of its core values. The instructors need to be in philosophical agreement that our focus is on the edification of the individual.

We are practitioners of the art of Taekwon-Do. An art is a product of human creativity and Taekwon-Do is a way of life. Hence we are meant to be pursuing a way of life where we are practicing and disseminating the values we uphold. I have experienced the unlimited power of the mind to both create and destroy. When I stood on the crossroads of either total oblivion or salvation I experienced an epiphany, a realization that it was either an inability or unwillingness to put my beliefs into practice that was at the root of my problems. That is, I had to convert my beliefs into faith. I had to live my life according to my beliefs. Once again, you can believe in something as much as you like but it is purely academic unless you are putting it into practice.

For a Taekwon-Do practitioner, how this power which exists in all of us is channelled will depend on both internal and external factors. What is certain is the importance of training, discipline, and moral guidance, both endogenous through self reflection and exogenous through proper counsel to overcome the impediments to channelling this energy in the proper direction.

I am delighted that Master Daher has a new found determination to propel Il Shim Taekwon-Do to the heights that we all know it can reach. A mountaineer may climb the Everest simply because “It is there,” but we must take Il Shim Taekwon-Do to the zenith of its potential because “We can and we must.” Simple words that are pregnant with moral obligation for we must propagate the core values of Taekwon-Do. Grandiose, it may be, but the intention must come from a humble heart or it will be self defeating.

With news of the resurgence of Il Shim Taekwon-Do we are filled with joyful anticipation for the advent of glorious days ahead for our organization. When an organization goes through a spurt of growth, it is easy to bask in the favourable turn of events and neglect to maintain the momentum and use this opportunity to propel us to greater heights. Success would be self defeating if it breeds complacency and not foster greater ambitions.

The reconciliation between ethics and business is a perennial issue for commercial entities, especially ones like ours which is supposed to focus on the moral enrichment of its practitioners. We may feel as if we are constantly treading a fine line between integrity and the pursuit of profit but, for an entity such as ours, focusing on our core values should deliver profit as a natural by-product. Hence we remain faithful to our determination to not focus on the making of money as practitioners of Taekwon-Do but paradoxically end up achieving profit through concentrating on our core values.

Improvisation and adaptation are keys to survival, relevance and progress but isn’t there a timeless quality about Il Shim Taekwon-Do that sets it apart from other martial arts organizations? In other words what is our USP (Unique Selling Proposition)? Without this element we would be just another martial arts organization wading through a sea of mediocrity.

We are all aware that our core values are special but let us not forget that there are other martial arts organizations that also aspire to morally and spiritually uplift its members. Hence, I am suggesting that our uniqueness comes not only from the SUBSTANCE of what we are but from the DELIVERY of this content. The success of Il Shim Taekwon-Do will be achieved through the projection of our image as an organization which focuses on and

promotes integrity, respect, justice, humility and charity and demonstrating how through the practice of Taekwon-Do we can instil these values in everyone. We are all aware that these values are universally embraced but it is by packaging them in the spectacular techniques of Taekwon-Do and educating the public about the connection between these values and the physical manifestations of Taekwon-Do that we should be able to attract many people to come and participate and enjoy the benefits of our art. All public exhibitions and tournaments must be accompanied by a clear explanation of the substance of our art so as to change the public perception that Taekwon-Do is just a fancy form of fighting. I fervently believe that, once we can change the public perception of Taekwon-Do and introduce them to the moral and ethical foundations of our art, membership will boom. In an age of world-wide turmoil, insecurity and chaos, the core values we embrace have special relevance.

There may be some people out there who are saying, “But I just want to learn how to defend myself!” This is fine too, except if you do not immerse yourself in the spirit of this art you will be missing out on all the riches it has to offer. There is also another angle. The physical techniques of Taekwon-Do will allow you to defend your body but the spirit of this art will arm you with the fortitude to deal with the chaos in this world. Don’t you wish to protect both your body and mind?

I have been made aware of a comment by two different people regarding my articles for our web site. These two readers felt that my articles “would go over people’s heads.” Please allow me to respond. I am simply writing in a manner and style which I have written in all my life and the contents are what I believe to be the core issues but they obviously felt that my articles were either too in-depth and/or the vocabulary and expressions I employ are beyond the grasp of many people. I sincerely appreciate any feedback and I invite people to send them to me directly but may I say that I do not agree with “dumbing down” the expression of one’s thoughts since this is condescending to the readers.

When I read a book by a renowned sociologist many years ago, I recall him saying in the introduction that he did not believe in talking down to his audience because this is essentially condescending. He meant that he would use the full length and breadth of his power of expression to deliver his thoughts and it would be up to his readers to decipher what he wrote if need be and investigate and question his message.

So I agree that it is up to readers to challenge themselves to digest and hopefully gain some new insight. Our main objective in communication is to be as clear and precise as possible. Anyway, I never thought my articles would be difficult for most people to comprehend.

We are in the business of morally and physically enriching people. In order to do this we must vigorously challenge the existing paradigm and elevate our approach so everyone is encouraged to contemplate in-depth on our reason for being.

One other comment I would like to make is that those of you who have read all my articles to date would have noticed that there has been a recurring theme in many of them. I have been trying to encourage the practitioners of Il Shim Taekwon-Do to stay focussed on core values as this is the heart of the art and my entreaties in this regard may have sounded esoteric to those who are new to our discipline. To take away the core values which are contained in the student oath and tenets is tantamount to taking the soul out of the art. Training in Taekwon-Do without concentrating on the spirit of the art is like reducing it to a system of physical movements.

May I say that I appreciate all feedback because it is through your comments, encouragement and criticisms that I will also grow.

I wish you and your families all the best for this festive season and may there be peace on earth in the New Year!

Please send me your thoughts to henry239@tpg.com.au

28 December, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Respect

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner December 2011 (1)

RESPECT

Dear Friends

Respect is a word that gets bandied about in this world and is a concept that is frequently cited as being central to human interactions, both with others and oneself. Hence it would be worthwhile for us to stop and ponder upon what this word actually signifies and the impact and consequences of the presence or lack of this quality in our lives especially as practitioners of Taekwon-Do.

There were a couple of incidents that I had heard of and encountered recently that spurred me onto writing about this concept here.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I had encouraged a young man who resides in my neighbourhood to go and observe an Il Shim Taekwon-Do class since he had expressed an interest in studying a martial art. He went to the Parramatta branch and along the way he stopped to ask someone who was instructing some form of fitness class where the exact location of the Taekwon-Do class was. To cut a long story short, this instructor attempted to stop this young man from taking up Taekwon-Do since he claimed he could teach him a different style of fighting that would be more effective in a combat situation and he proceeded to denigrate our art of Taekwon-Do. How base is this! Not only does this man lack an understanding of the efficacy of Taekwon-Do as an art of self defence but he has resorted to a tactic which shows no respect to others.

I am a member of the Lions Club and one of the principles we are taught to abide by is that in promoting our own business it is not necessary to tear down the business of others. Even as a commercial tactic it is not wise to disparage your competition since your motive will be transparent to your clients and you will lose credibility. There is nothing wrong with selling the merits of your own business but it is ethically wrong and commercially counterproductive to speak disrespectfully of your competition.

The second catalyst for this article is Master Daher’s answer to someone’s question at dinner a few days ago. He was asked by someone what Taekwon-Do was all about and he simply said it was about respect. I thought about this afterwards and felt that this was one nice way to sum up our art and spurred me on to contemplating the correlation between Taekwon-Do and the concept of respect.

So what is the meaning of respect? It is almost like asking people what the meaning of love is. Respect is a word that is oft-expressed but has a nebulous form in most people’s consciousness. Allow me to define it. RESPECT IS THE GENUINE INTEREST IN AND CARE FOR THE HUMANITY OF OTHERS. Hence, self-respect would be the recognition of the inherent worth we have as human beings and maintaining our dignity.

To respect someone is not about offering blind obedience or absolute submission. In essence, respect is a concept void of any hierarchy. Respect should not be confused with fear or deference. It is about equality and, ipso facto, is about mutual regard for each other. We respect noble qualities in others and their talents and achievements but we also respect their needs and their desires. We do not have to like someone or agree with their views to respect them. Respect is about acknowledging every human beings inalienable right to dignity and equal consideration. Respect is not about tolerance since tolerance is about forbearance and respect is about genuine caring and recognition of the worth and needs of others.

One of the lessons I never forgot from my course on the Theory of Diplomacy at university is that even when you are victorious you need to give the other side a face saving way out because, first of all, subjecting your opponent to humiliation shows no respect for their right to dignity. Secondly, if your opponent is humiliated you will have created an enemy who will not forget you. If you can show caring, compassion and respect in your victory you may be able to maintain peace and your opponent may accept their defeat as one chapter in their journey and they will respect you for the respect you have shown them. That is why in Taekwon-Do tournaments we need to show our opponents the respect they deserve. Even in victory we must demonstrate our noble qualities and acknowledge the worth of our opponents and if not share the prize, at least, celebrate our common efforts to advance the higher values of our art.

In Taekwon-Do respect is shared by all members as a vital element in achieving the goals of being champions of freedom and justice and building a more peaceful world. The student oath to respect the instructor and seniors is valid in the sense that students need to submit themselves to the instructions of their instructors and seniors in order to facilitate their learning but essentially respect should flow in every direction. This will maintain cohesion and a culture of goodwill where we can focus on using Taekwon-Do to create a better world.

Food will nourish your body but respect will nourish your heart!

P.S. Please do not hesitate to send me your thoughts to henry239@tpg.com.au

11 December, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

WHAT ARE WE TEACHNG?

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner November 2011 (1)

WHAT ARE WE TEACHNG?

Dear Friends

I recently encountered three people who were interested in the martial arts and wished to either commence or resume training. Naturally, I encouraged them to have a look at our web site and consider the merits of Il Shim Taekwon-Do.

The comments made by two of these people served to me as both a stark reminder of the woeful state of affairs in the martial arts world and the difficulties facing those who are searching for a suitable school.

One young lady commented that “It would be difficult to find an instructor who would teach the higher noble values of martial arts because these days they just seem to focus on the physical aspects.”

Another young lady I spoke to had, in fact, trained in Taekwon-Do for eight years in another school, the name of which I will not mention here for the sake of integrity. I have witnessed demonstrations by this school on a couple of occasions and walked away less than impressed. She said she regularly attended classes twice a week and attained her black belt but quit because she felt that it is meant to be an art but the classes didn’t satisfy this need.

Both ladies are making the same point. Their desire is to participate in a martial art not only for the physical benefit but ultimately to enrich the spiritual dimension of their lives but the schools that they have come into contact with did not fulfil this need.

Why does this not surprise us? It is because in martial arts we are in a field right now where mediocrity is spawning more mediocrity. How sad is this!

I have absolutely no qualms about engaging in general criticisms about the state of our field. One of the main impediments to the development of any organization, industry or discipline is the lack of introspection and the ability to engage in honest self-examination. The most tragic part of this is that there are instructors out there who are not even aware of the delusion in which they are participating in. Hence they do not know what their potential students want and how to deliver what they need.

The moral enrichment of students is an area which too many instructors treat in a cursory or perfunctory manner. The physical training becomes routine, students are never truly introduced to the substance behind the facade and their training either lacks purpose or they are training for the wrong purpose. Students can be impressed by the power, agility and acrobatics they witness in a dojang but it is meant to be a way of life and, in order to ensure that the students adopt the art as a lifelong pursuit, the art behind the mechanics have to be inculcated.

I was told that somebody once reacted to my advocacy of properly synthesizing the moral and physical sides of Taekwon-Do by saying, “But we are not a religion.” Excuse me!?!?!? Where did that come from? I have absolutely never thought of Taekwon-Do or for that matter any martial art as a religion. This person’s reaction clearly demonstrates that there are many people engaged in martial arts who believe that the talk of tenets, principles and higher values is just a bit of mumbo jumbo which we use as window dressing. No wonder the world of martial arts is in the state that it is in at the moment; disorganized and unable to attract proper interest from the public.

True instructors of Taekwon-Do are not simply teaching an effective form of self defence but they are leading people to experience and live a more meaningful life by instilling the higher values we abide by in our discipline. It is too easy to be so caught up in the logistics of running a school that we forget the soul of the art.

How many schools are there which induct their new students with a structured program that lays the foundation for their progress? Are the students made aware of the spirit of the art? Instructors will make sure that new students learn all their basic physical movements and positions correctly because this provides the foundation to build upon more sophisticated and complex techniques but what about laying the proper moral foundation? What about ensuring that students are fully aware and appreciate the values that underpin the art?

The identity of a martial arts organization is two dimensional. It is both a school which teaches its students and a commercial entity that serves its clients. So imagine how multi-skilled an instructor has to be to become successful!

No one ever said it is easy but there is a multitude of eager students out there. We just need to provide the correct moral and physical armour that they are looking for to deal with this chaotic world.

Let’s go get them!

9 November, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

REAL EMOTIONAL CONTENT

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner October 2011 (1)

Dear Friends

Real emotional content! Can anyone guess who uttered this line in which movie? ………. It was Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon. Whatever criticism we can make about the quality of the acting in his films there is no doubt that Bruce Lee was a special individual and his skills in martial arts were extraordinary. Sorry, my friends, but I am sure you can agree that it is difficult to write regularly on the topic of martial arts without at least once dwelling on this individual and his enormous contributions to the popularisation and propagation of our discipline.

Unfortunately, due to various factors such as the need for commercial appeal, return on the investment made and lack of funding, the art got buried in commerce in Bruce Lee’s movies. He was avant-garde in his approach, a pioneer and an innovator. He had an intellectual and unbiased attitude to martial arts that transcended all boundaries and was both entirely practical and philosophical. Even though the cinematic qualities of his films were low grade they maintained an element of realism by not resorting to the fantastic and unbelievable stunts of “Kung Fu flicks.” At least Bruce Lee’s tales were underpinned by some moral and theory behind the techniques. Gee, I feel like a movie critic now!

There are two lines in Enter the Dragon which have remained in my memory. The first one is what I mentioned above and the second was “Power is the value that makes all other values possible.” This second line was said by, not surprisingly, Han, who was the bad guy. This statement did not stay in my memory because it was in any way palatable but because it represented the extremely pragmatic view of an amoral person who sought dominance over others rather than harmonious co-existence. It succinctly expressed the naked ambitions of a person whose beliefs are the very antithesis of what a true martial artist should hold in his or her heart. What an apt statement from the bad guy!

Needless to say, I am not intending to focus on Han’s view of life today but what Bruce Lee said to his protégé in the beginning of this film. Real emotional content! For those of you who haven’t seen the film, this took place in the beginning at what was supposed to be the Shaolin Temple. Bruce Lee was instructing a student and suggesting that he allow his emotional content to propel his kick rather than let it be a purely mechanical movement or let anger be the driving force.

In one of my previous contributions, I asked if you ever wondered what drives that kick and punch, whether you have ever considered the emotional content of all the moves you make in a dojang.

Let us consider the anatomy of a kick or punch. The dissection reveals two different seemingly opposing parts, the physical and the emotional, which in fact complement each other and interact as parts of a dynamic system. Here you are finding the concept of yin and yang operating within a single martial art technique.

When a technique has the proper mechanical components, that is, if the physical execution has been carried out with the correct stance, angle, coordination, etc., maximum force will be achieved. Correct? Of course not! What really propels the technique to achieve maximum effect is the emotional content of the practitioner.

The correct physical execution of a technique will result in a quantifiable and calculable amount of force. It is the emotional content which provides the impetus that propels that kick or punch to achieve far greater force beyond the mechanics of the move.

Then, what is this emotional content? It is the raw energy derived from the focus which is achieved by the clear objective we have in mind. I do not mean the objective of simply executing a proper technique so we can break that board or tile, but the more profound raison d’etre of a martial artist, the tenets that we uphold, the belief system which gives us our identity as Taekwon-Do practitioners.

Let us draw an analogy to sales. When I train sales consultants, I always remind them that purchasing decisions are not ultimately based on rational reasons but emotions. Utilising product knowledge and convincing clients of the benefit of a product or service is simply the basic mechanical step, which undoubtedly has to be handled well, but if you do not get them emotionally involved in your offerings you will not close the sale. The ultimate objective of this process is for the client, the company and sales consultant to all win.

Likewise in Taekwon-Do, the mechanics of the technique is the skeletal component, but the flesh and blood is the emotional content. It is when the practitioners are practicing with the spirit of the art, the emotional content, in mind that they are able to execute the techniques with much greater effect and relish the noble pursuit of building a better world.

Do you remember this aphorism? “It is all in the mind!”

8 October, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

The Mysticism of Martial Arts

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner September 2011 (2)

THE MYSTICISM OF MARTIAL ARTS?

Dear Friends ,

As practitioners of Taekwon-Do, especially those who are black belts, have you ever stopped and given thought to the reaction you often get when you reveal that you are an exponent of this art? Besides the interest and admiration you might engender, the uninitiated implicitly senses that you are engaged in something more than a physical discipline. Many people harbour inklings that there is a mystical element to martial arts including Taekwon-Do. What are we to make of this?

I presume a lot of you would have seen martial arts films, popularly known as Kung Fu flicks, where the actors perform fantastic feats that defy the laws of physics and the boundaries of human endurance and strength. People receiving countless blows to their heads and body but continuing to fight like they have been merely bashed with a pillow, actors moving as if there was an absence of gravity and eliminating scores of opponents as if they were swatting flies are some of the familiar scenes.

Not only are these films poor entertainment but they do a disservice and trivialise what is meant to be a serious discipline. To be fair there have been some productions which have aspired to impart higher morals to the audience but most of them have had wanton violence as their main ingredient when gratuitous violence is the very antithesis of the spirit of martial arts. Look at our third, fourth and fifth Student Oath. “I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.” “I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.” “I shall build a more peaceful world.” However, it is not the mindless violence which violates these principles that I wish to focus on here but the general public’s perception that martial arts is more than a systematized form of self-defence.

Throughout history there has been a myth perpetuated about martial arts being disciplines that possess some formula that allow their practitioners to transcend the limits of normal human ability. Like any other form of systematized physical activity, in martial arts output is a function of input, that is, the level and quality of performance depends on the level of effort and methodology. Speed, power and agility of a martial artist are dependent on the same physiology as any other physical movement. The mental and emotional aspects of martial arts are important factors determining the efficiency and effectiveness of the techniques but this also holds true in any sport.

I had the opportunity to watch a demonstration by the Kung Fu monks from the world famous Shaolin Temple some years ago. They were magnificent athletes with extraordinary skills but nothing they did could be labelled supernatural. They were highly trained, disciplined and skilful but so are other elite athletes.

Then what is it about martial arts and more specifically Taekwon-Do that is qualitatively different to mere sports? In other words, what makes our art transcend the psychology and mechanics of a sport? It is our higher purpose. It is not mysticism, it is our higher values.

I mentioned in one of my previous contributions that there are two objectives to boxing. Firstly, it is to knock out your opponent and secondly, to make money in the process. Acquiring a sound body and a sound mind is an objective of any sport but that is where it ends apart from the potential financial benefits of being a professional. However, Taekwon-Do is supposed to be a way of life with a nobler purpose.

There is a recurring theme which underlies the tenets and oath of Taekwon-Do. I suggest it is humanity. This is a quality, whose absence would forbid us from pursuing the higher goals of Taekwon-Do. Even the tenets of perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit which ostensibly concern the self, in fact, ultimately allow us to serve others better. Hence the accomplished Taekwon-Do practitioner is one who shows humility. He or she is not ego-centric and is humbled by the realization that the more knowledge we acquire the greater our understanding of how little we actually know.

Taekwon-Do is not a mystical art per se. It transcends the realm of sport through its core values which ultimately aim to create a better world.

Noble in motive and fluid in motion!

23 September, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

The Unifying Force of Taekwon-Do

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner September 2011 (1)

THE UNIFYING FORCE OF TAE KWON DO

Dear Friends

In my last contribution, I mentioned the unifying force of Taekwon-Do and the need to dwell a little further on this subject matter. What sets a discipline like Taekwon-Do apart from other systematized physical pursuits is the higher values which this art embraces that transcend all races and nationalities and has broad appeal.

Even in a country like Australia where people may appear rather expansive and tolerant with a laissez faire approach to life the cohesive power of Taekwon-Do offers our society a way of life which represents a struggle against its parochialism. Very often the persona disguises the bigotry lurking within us all. We need to accept the imperfections of our nature and recognize that the task is to constantly chip away at our flaws and imbed in our consciousness the need to strive against the inequities that exist within us. Taekwon-Do offers us a framework for action in this regards.

Master Daher’s success in Taekwon-Do is testimony not only to his indomitable spirit and the opportunities this wonderful nation offers but what this art offers to the dedicated.

The first tenet of Taekwon-Do, courtesy, recognizes the equal value of all human beings. We may not be created equal in terms of physical or mental attributes but we are created equal in the most important sense, in our value as a human being. This is why Taekwon-Do prescribes respect for all other human beings regardless of their race, gender, age or station in life. How wonderful it always is to watch people from various backgrounds and walks of life in a dojang training in harmony towards a common purpose.

The survival and longevity of a system of belief is dependent upon what I would like to call its absolute value and its relevance to society. By absolute value, I am referring to its goodness which transcends all other culture specific values and has universal appeal. It may sound redundant to speak of an absolute value and relevance in the same context but absolute value gives a discipline universal appeal whereas relevance to prevailing social climates gives immediacy.

Ultimately, Taekwon-Do is about moral and physical enrichment. This is what we as practitioners and instructors offer to the rest of the world. This is the relevance we have in this chaotic world. We seek to introduce more people to our art so, as it is mentioned in the Student Oath, we can become champions of freedom and justice and build a more peaceful world.

My friends, let us spread the word!

12 September, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Memories

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner July 2011 (2)

MEMORIES

Dear Friends

In one of my previous contributions, I commented on the interconnectivity of our lives’ events and their complex causal relationships. Our participation in Taekwon-Do brings us some interesting experiences and I thought I would share an episode from my past.

In the mid-seventies I had the opportunity to travel to Ethiopia in Africa. I was a teenager attending Sydney Boys High School and very dedicated to my training in Tae Kwon Do under Master Young Ku Yun at the Australian Tae Kwon Do Academy in Sydney. My father was posted to Ethiopia as the South Korean Ambassador after having served as Consul General in Sydney and my sister and I went to visit our parents in Addis Ababa (capital city of Ethiopia) during our summer holidays.

It was one of the more exotic places I would have the pleasure of visiting and I looked forward to seeing my parents and anticipated an adventurous time. The flight into Addis Ababa was itself a bit of an adventure. My sister and I were flying Ethiopian Airlines and the entire cabin was full of Chinese people in their Mao uniforms. I am guessing they were some sort of government delegation from communist China on an official visit to Ethiopia. They were all staring at us stony-faced and were probably wondering what these two offspring of capitalism were doing.

Addis Ababa is seven thousand feet above sea level and has a shortage of oxygen. No need to go anywhere else to do high altitude training! This is probably one of the reasons why Ethiopia has produced some world class marathon runners. Until I got acclimatised, I was developing headaches when I worked out and I noticed the locals had a habit of gasping for air when they spoke.

I could go on forever describing my experiences there, but since this is not a travel diary I am writing, I will exercise the self control Tae Kwon Do practitioners are supposed to have and desist.

My father informed me during my stay there that an American diplomat, the Second Secretary at the American Embassy, is a fifth degree black belt in Taekwon-Do and has invited me to attend his class which he conducts at the American International School. His name was Robert Walson and I later learnt that he was considered by General Choi Hong Hi to be one of the foremost authorities on American Taekwon-Do at the time. Mr. Walson, in fact, helped General Choi Hong Hi write the comprehensive book on Taekwon-Do which was first published in 1972 and there is a picture of him with General Choi Hong Hi in the beginning of the book.

I was a first degree black belt at the time and, when I got to his class, Mr Walson wanted me to help him conduct his class. I did this with pleasure and one of the things he wanted me to do was demonstrate various jumping kicks to his students since he was unable to do them due to an injury to his ankle. I missed the bag with just one of them, which was the jumping back kick. Mr Walson was kind enough to tell the class that this was the most difficult of all the kicks. A jumping back kick is one of Master Daher’s favourite kicks and I am sure, if he had done it, he would have kicked the bag off its chain.

Some of us were invited back to Mr. Walson’s house after the class and, as we were talking in his living room, the cries of hyenas in the bushes nearby reminded me of which part of the world I was in.

When I look back on this experience, I realise how Taekwon-Do had already gained so much popularity and reached the far corners of the world.

The task ahead is to protect the essence of Taekwon-Do and not allow any rogue elements to corrupt the spirit of the art. The moral culture of Tae Kwon Do has to be maintained and developed. There is a unifying force in Taekwon-Do because it contains values which transcend all races and nationalities but perhaps we can dwell on this further some other time.

Have you ever considered the emotional content of all the moves you make in a dojang? Have you ever wondered what drives that kick and punch? Have you ever pondered upon the significance of those physical actions? We also need to contemplate on these issues sometime.

May we bring about peace and harmony through the practice of our art.

25 July, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Identity Crisis

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner July 2011(1)

IDENTITY CRISIS

Dear Friends

Whatever endeavour we are engaged in, our primary task is to lay the foundation by establishing the objective we are seeking to achieve. This objective defines our identity and provides a focal point for our efforts.

Whether as an individual or a social structure, possessing a clear identity provides us, internally, with the clarity of purpose and, externally, a well defined message about what we stand for. The psychosocial state of disorientation brought about by the lack of a clearly defined identity becomes apparent through the visible angst and incoherent expression of purpose by the individual or organization.

In general martial arts have been suffering from an identity crisis for a long time and Tae Kwon Do has not been immune to this state of confusion. This loss of clarity over what Tae Kwon Do actually signifies was not caused by a change in the original doctrine of Tae Kwon Do but because of two other reasons.

Firstly, the hijacking and bastardisation of the art by those who wish to profit from it by making pretences of purity but using the art as a vehicle for their selfish purposes.

Secondly, Tae Kwon Do has been allowed to stagnate by not keeping it in step with the changes in the world and thus maintaining its relevance. The spirit of the art does not have to be compromised for it to adapt to the real world.

In this hyper-materialistic world we live in, the desire to attain wealth far beyond what we require to fulfil our essential needs becomes the impetus for so much of human activity. Financial prosperity as a by-product of the proper instruction of Tae Kwon Do is a legitimate consequence but for too many instructors Tae Kwon Do is a business first and an art second.

Boxing has two main objectives, firstly, to knock out your opponent and secondly, to make money in the process. At least there is no pretence here. Whether you agree with the concept of pugilism as a sport or not, at least its proponents and practitioners do not attempt to deceive the public by pretending to aspire to higher ideals. Where is the integrity in a Tae Kwon Do instructor who forgets that the tenets of the art are its core values and simply pays lip service to them while focusing on being financially successful. The sad fact is that most of them are not even effective at making money and the irony is that living by the tenets of Tae Kwon Do would actually bring greater riches both spiritual and material.

Beginning with the introduction of Tae Kwon Do as an Olympic event, the prevalence of tournaments may have contributed to the popularization of the art but there is a real risk that these events will also trivialize the art if the “spectacle” is not supported by a clear demonstration of its tenets

Change is a certainty and the world is a different place now to what it was at the inception of Tae Kwon Do. The doctrine and the timeless tenets of Tae Kwon Do may remain unchanged but the delivery of its message has to be adapted to the changing environment we live in.

In an age of world-wide turmoil, conflict, insecurity, anxiety and breaking down of traditional institutions, what is the role Tae Kwon Do can play to deliver the peace and harmony which this art is supposed to help achieve? By demonstrating the inner peace we achieve through the practice of this art and by sharing our core values through proper instruction we can show others how through our art we can achieve stability and transcend the chaos that surrounds us.

Do we know what we are and do we know where we are going?

11 July, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

IL Shim, The Concept, From the Abstract to the Practice

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner June 2011 Issue 1

IL SHIM, THE CONCEPT, FROM THE ABSTRACT TO THE PRACTICE.

Dear Friends

Just as change is an inevitable element of life, organizations will either evolve or wither. Although change may cause feelings of uncertainty, it is the bold who embrace it and constantly challenge the parameters within which they operate.

Approximately 23 years ago Master Daher felt a need to restructure his organization in order to use it as a vehicle to pursue his new goals. He confided this ambition to me and asked me to suggest a name for his new organization.

The name of an organizational entity needs to reflect its objectives and the aspiration of its leader. Considering the character of the leader, Master Daher, and his ambition to unite the people of the world under the umbrella of the art of Tae Kwon Do, the concept of IL SHIM or ONE MIND quickly occurred to me.

As you are all aware, the word IL means one and SHIM denotes mind or heart. Ancient people believed the seat of the mind was the heart. Hence, SHIM carries these two meanings. In fact, I have learnt that the Chinese character for SHIM is a crude diagram of the heart.

The beauty of the name IL SHIM is both in its duality and its component meanings.

Interpreted on an individual level it signifies single mindedness, individuality and strength of character. On another level IL SHIM means unity where many people come together as one to share the core values of Tae Kwon Do. Just as in the concept of yin and yang, in IL SHIM we have one concept that encompasses two seemingly opposing forces which complement each other and interact as parts of a dynamic system.

It is the resourcefulness and the strength of the individual’s mind that will eventually bring about the union of many individuals under the banner of Tae Kwon Do which will in turn through the nurturing quality of togetherness strengthen the character of the individual. So, on and on goes this harmonious cycle.

We humans as sentient beings with cognitive powers must stop to think about the meaning of our lives’ pursuits and whether the discipline we are engaged in has the values that we are willing to uphold, protect and propagate. Like the proverbial philosopher on a journey to discover the meaning of his existence, we need to establish the validity of our system of beliefs. Once we are convinced of the soundness of our doctrine we need to make it our modus vivendi.

There is a multitude of other Tae Kwon Do organizations in Australia affiliated with ITF. I sometimes wonder what it is that differentiates them. Each one makes some claim to superiority usually based on the quality of their instructors and some will even pay lip service to the moral enlightenment of their practitioners. These satellite bodies which are operating relatively autonomously with a loose affiliation with the main body of ITF have a responsibility to impart to its members the core values which identifies ITF Tae Kwon Do. Each satellite organization will inevitably have its own character and modus operandi depending on its leadership but fundamentally it is a question of whether their focus is on teaching and spreading the tenets of Tae Kwon Do.

At Il Shim International Tae Kwon Do we have formulated the most effective system of edifying the individual practitioner. We do not sit still like the hermit philosopher who has discovered the meaning of life nor do we simply bask in our physical achievements like gladiators but actively reach out and seek to unite as many people as we can in order to cultivate, share and enjoy the tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit.

We need to constantly ask ourselves this question. “Are we relentlessly striving to live by these tenets and propagate these values as the spirit of IL SHIM prescribes?” Are we so caught up in the physical aspects of Tae Kwon Do that we forget that the physical manifestations of this art is an expression of its tenets and tools with which we uphold and protect them?

Mind over matter. Sound Familiar?

13 June, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

In the Beginning………….

Henry's Corner

Henry’s Corner May 2011 Issue 2

IN THE BEGINNING ……………

Dear Friends

As winter settles in and the chirping of little feathered creatures in the trees brightens up otherwise gloomy mornings and evenings I reflect upon the swift passage of time and the inevitable changes we constantly experience. In this transient existence we call life I often stop and ponder upon the interconnectivity of our lives’ events and their complex causal relationships.

Every time I pass by the old building in Liverpool Street in the heart of Sydney which used to house the headquarters of the Australian Tae Kwon Do Academy where Master Daher and I began our training in the early seventies, I am touched by the nostalgia of times which left an indelible mark and forever changed our lives. If we are supposed to be the sum total of our experiences, then the years we spent at this Academy shaped our identities permanently. We were in our early teens when we commenced our training and Tae Kwon Do became a part of our self image. We may have come from a variety of cultural and racial backgrounds but we were united by the core values of Tae Kwon Do which had universal appeal. If we can define a culture as a set of values, then we were bonded by the system of belief in this sub-culture known as Tae Kwon Do.

We were members of one of the most successful martial arts organizations in Australia and wore our badges with great pride. Just recently Master Daher reminded me how, when he attained his yellow belt, he was so full of pride that he would carry his belt in his hand on the way and back from the gym so everyone could recognise his achievement. We believed we were training in the best system and convinced of the superiority of our school.

Discipline was strictly enforced during those days and classes were run in a quasi-militaristic manner. Sparring in the early days was conducted without any protective gear so, unfortunately, injuries were more common. Senior members commanded strict obedience and black belts were accorded the respect usually given to military officers. Even outside the gym we treated our senior members with deference. This was an indication of how Tae Kwon Do was not just an activity we engaged in for an hour and a half each day but an art which assumed a centrality in our lives.

We had commenced our training during a time when there was a surge of popularity in martial arts in Australia. Clubs were sprouting up everywhere and many people from all walks of life were eager to learn an art of self defence. There was a fascination for these disciplines and people wanted to explore what appeared so exotic. We did not conduct many tournaments in the early years but provided a multitude of demonstrations for the general public at a variety of venues including the Hordern Pavilion and the Sydney Opera House. The demonstration at the Opera House in the mid-seventies was a memorable occasion which was called “Tae Kwon Do Night” and held in the main concert hall. If my memory serves me correctly, we attracted an audience of about one thousand people that evening. Master Daher and I were the only two non black belts who were invited to participate. We were black tips at the time.

One of the other demonstrations I recall clearly was at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney. Hush, one of the most popular bands in Australia in the seventies, invited us to put on a fast and furious demonstration on stage before they would jump on and begin their concert in front of thousands of people with their song “Nunchaku Man.” This is another indication of the popularity of martial arts at the time.

The first Australian tournament organized by our Academy was held at the Alexandria Basketball Stadium in Sydney but Master Daher was absent from this event and there was a good reason. Apparently, our instructor, Master Young Ku Yun, would not allow Master Daher to compete for some time because Master Daher was too “enthusiastic” about “punishing” his opponents on the floor. Nevertheless, Master Yun would still put Master Daher on the floor if he needed to prove the superiority of our academy. Master Daher certainly has the martial spirit!

Due to the commercial success of his organization, Master Yun was able to operate a full time training centre which occupied one whole floor of that building in the centre of Sydney. Hence we were fortunate enough to have available to us a large and well equipped facility which we could use seven days a week. There was a main training hall, a second training hall, a private training room for black belts, a large change room, offices, etc. I still recall visiting our gym on the weekends when it would be completely empty with some of my fellow practitioners if we happened to be in the city and venting our youthful energy by going on a rampage against the punching bags, screaming at the top of our voices. It was great stress relief!

Training became an obsession for some of us. We were at the gym six days a week come rain or shine for many years. Some of us were doing supplementary training in private in addition to the formal sessions at the gym. The biggest danger we faced was becoming stale through over training. But not only did we train together, we often socialized with each other. So there was great camaraderie and many friendships were formed. Friendships that were based on mutual respect and shared values.

Out of the original group that trained at the Liverpool Street headquarters, to my knowledge Master Daher is the “last man standing.” He is the only one who never lost his passion for the art and maintained his full time devotion to it. I do not believe there was even a single hiatus in his involvement in the art throughout all these years. I harbour no doubt that he will continue to make significant contributions to the development and propagation of Tae Kwon Do for many more years to come.

Let the journey continue!

29 May, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton