Devotion and Self-Realization: Musings of a Martial Artist

Have you ever had one of those mornings where self-doubt sets in? According to Dao-Meng, the author of 365 Tao, if we entirely devote ourselves to our path with faith and commitment, our determination will build momentum. Several points come to mind. First, we will no longer need an alarm to get out of bed; our purpose will motivate us. Second, the road to our destiny, which may have seemed crooked and winding, will now appear straight and clear. With this newfound clarity, nothing should deter us. While pessimists may argue against this proposal, we must remain clear on what we want and why we must pursue it.
Furthermore, we should concentrate our heart, body, and spirit on our desires, even when discouraged, thus unifying our personality. Finally, we should not distinguish between our ethical thoughts and moral behavior. Only then will no desire remain out of reach, no path to our goal be closed, and none of our actions be out of place.
Devotion provides commitment and focus, “making a crooked path straight,” a wayward mind conformable, and all our actions consistent. So, when we take the time to invest in our own self-cultivation, doing all that is necessary to ensure that we walk the path of self-realization to fulfilling our full potential, this then demonstrates to others what one can achieve with hard work, dedication, and commitment to cultivating the very best of our heart, mind, and body. Everyone has innate potential and gifts. Concerning martial arts, dedicated training can help anyone unlock their full potential. It teaches us to focus our minds and bodies, using our commitment and dedication to develop our skills and refine our craft within and without. Plus, martial arts training allows us to challenge ourselves, expand our boundaries, and learn the lessons of failure that we can apply to situations outside of the movement, allowing us to truly reach our highest potential. So, by practicing the art of self-cultivation in a martial arts context, focusing on self-actualization with the goal of full self-realization, we take the necessary steps down a path to unlock our full potential and, in the end, become an exemplary model of fortitude, spreading a positive and inspiring message to others.

Stay Inspired and Inspirational.