“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” ― Buddha
Each week we discuss a Black Belt Attitude topic with the kids in our Warrior Talk. This week the topic is Creating Awareness. Please pass this on to as many people as you can. Like dropping a pebble in a pond, the ripples can have a significant effect on someone else’s life.
In any self defence situation, awareness is your best defence. Often our minds are so cluttered that we forget to pay attention and miss what is right in front of us, or is about to sneak up on us. Creating awareness through the practice of simple meditation can help heighten our senses, not just of our own space but also the space around us.
For kids, this basic mindfulness can start by simply closing their eyes and listening to the sounds around them for a few seconds. For adults, we can pay closer attention to and focus on the breath. When your mind is taken away by your thoughts, don’t hold on to them, don’t judge them, don’t attach to them, simply come back to the breath.
DOJO ETIQUETTE
A quick reminder for everyone of a couple of important points on how to behave in the dojo.
The dojo is a place of learning, growth and self-understanding. It’s not just a hall, a room or a mat. As such, it’s important that we respect it from the moment we walk in, to the moment we leave. We do this by coming to attention and bowing, both on our way in and out. This is a great way to remind ourselves to be fully focused on all our thoughts, words and actions while inside the dojo.
Kids: while you’re inside the dojo, whether training or waiting for your class to start, or waiting for your siblings to finish their class, please don’t talk. It disrupts other classes going on. If you need to talk, please step outside the dojo if it is safe to do that, i.e. if your parents are there with you.
Parents: we would kindly ask, once you’ve dropped off your kids for their class, to either wait outside the dojo, or even perhaps visit the nearby shops and cafes and return to pick your kids up at the end of their class. This will ensure that we uphold our duty of care for the kids and minimise disruptions to class. Please also ensure your kids arrive on time for class. We know and understand that things can get hectic and everyone is busy, but please do your best to be on time.
Adults: training commences the moment you enter the dojo and finishes when you leave. The dojo is not a social club, so please keep talking to a minimum during class. In the dojo the noise and fuss of our everyday world is quiet and we can let go for a moment our worries, concerns and preoccupations. We can become present and still and be. Everything within the dojo is designed to keep you present. When you are present in the moment you are living now.
Have a great week, and see you in the dojo.