The Shidoshi, or Founder of our dojo, seemed to be preparing everyone, young and older for the moment in life he had already reached, the time when we'd begin to age. At that time, the physical aspect of Chinese Kenpo Karate had to morph into the spiritual.
"Your body will grow older," he pointed out. "What do you do, then? What will be your source of power?"
Like a multiple choice quiz, there were three possible replies. We could achieve effectiveness by:(1) Restoring physical prowess; (2) Increasing mental acuity; or (3)By developing and drawing upon spiritual power.His choice was (3), noting that spiritual power is "Unlimited."I can't share all of his teachings, nor would I want to, or be permitted to, but I would like to explore and build upon a select few.In this article, we're going to talk about one way to build spiritual power, which transmuted properly into the physical, will make us potentially more effective than when we we thought of ourselves as peak physical specimens.The Power of PostulationWikipedia offers this basic definition of postulation, which I'll apply to the martial arts:"In traditional logic anaxiom orpostulate is a proposition that is not proved or demonstrated but considered to be either self-evident or subject to necessary decision. Therefore, its truth is taken for granted, and serves as a starting point for deducing and inferring other (theory dependent) truths."When we postulate, we DECIDE to be strong. Instead of looking in the mirror and taking our cue from what we may see, superficially; graying hair, wrinkles, and a loss of muscle tone, signifying aging, we should decide that image isn't us.We replace it with a portrait of vitality, we see the youth and vital energy still present, that can achieve anything we call upon the body to achieve. Aging, from the standpoint of postulation, is also a DECISION.Succumbing to a societal expectation that by 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 we are inherently weak, we disable ourselves, expecting and even producing aches and pains and disabilities."I'd better slow down," I've heard the voice in my head whipering as I jog or train with weights. That warning springs from the wrong postulate, one that expects, and therefore prompts, decline.If you look at the positve-mental-attitude and self-help literature, you'll see reflections of the concept, nearly everywhere, simply not applied to the martial arts.Several authors call postulating the "Act as if" principle. Want success? Act as if you already are successful. Want strength, speed, balance, power?"To he who already has, more will be given," says the Bible. Believe you are weakening, and what strengths you have will be taken away.Every martial art boasts examples of elders who seem to never break down the way others do, physically. Perhaps physical vitality has been a birthright, bestowed by good genes.I think it's more probable that these icons of iron have hardened themselves from inside, forged from a spiritual furnace."If you believe it, you can achieve it." That principle helped you to earn your martial arts rank.You simply stopped believing.Time to remember!Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top speaker, sales, service, and negotiation consultant, attorney, TV and radio commentator and the best-selling author of 12 books. He conducts seminars and speaks at convention programs around the world. His new audio program is Nightingale-Conant's "Crystal Clear Communication: How to Explain Anything Clearly in Speech & Writing." He can be contacted about professional speaking and consulting opportunities atgary@customersatisfaction.com.
