I think it’s a tragedy that most people these days view the black belt as the end of a journey. When people begin martial arts training they make a goal to reach black belt. And upon reaching their goal they move on to the next thing. But reaching black belt isn’t the end of a journey, it’s the beginning of a deeper and more meaningful one.
Let’s assume the average time required to reach black belt is 3 to 10 years depending on the art you study. Is that enough time to master yourself and the techniques of that particular art; the thousands of minute details that effect timing, fluidity, effectiveness, and so on?
It’s not.
As you move up through the ranks of colored belts, the main focus is on learning how to learn, how to train effectively, how to pay attention to the smallest of details, and the basics of timing, fluidity, power, speed, agility, and other physical aspects of your art.
You also begin to transform as a human being, learning the concepts of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, self-discipline, courage, humility, kindness, collaboration, selflessness, focus, dedication, and confidence.
You learn where your physical and mental limits are and you’re trained to make a habit out of pushing yourself to expand those limits. That builds character and proves your dedication to your goals.
If you have a great instructor, you’ll also learn things like healthy communication, healthy nutrition, conflict resolution, project-based leadership, financial responsibility, and other practical concepts centered around redefining self defense. After all, nutrition is self defense for the health of your body. Financial responsibility is self defense for your family’s needs. See how it all ties in?
Understanding this, black belt can’t be the end. It can only be the beginning. The years you spend going through the colored belt ranks allow you time to begin to understand the concepts of everything I’ve talked about. Black belt is where you apply it all.
Black belt marks the beginning of the journey of true self-mastery and art-mastery. It’s the decades of your life that you dedicate to being an amazing human being, a teacher of your art, and an example for the rest of humanity. Reaching black belt is only a sign that your instructor believes in you, is confirming that you’ve met the standard of the basics, and is telling you that it’s time to start getting really serious.
Furthermore, if a black belt doesn’t continue to train they slowly transform from elite martial artist to everyday, regular, average, boring person. You lose the physical ability. And if you don’t hone the mental, social, and emotional aspects of living like a champion and a black belt, you lose those too. Black belt is not a status you keep forever. The belt is only as relevant as the person wearing it and if you stop training, you’re irrelevant.
Lastly, it’s important that our art and the life-altering concepts we work to develop get passed down to future generations. Martial arts curriculums are not static. The study of martial arts continues to evolve every year. Black belts lead the evolution of their arts. They are the ones who come up with the new techniques, new strategies, better ways to develop new students, bring more efficiency to old techniques, and pass on everything they know.
Without black belts who continue to train, serve, and give there is no such thing as martial arts for the next generation.
Black belt is the beginning of everything that is important. It’s not the end of anything. And those who train with the mentality that achieving black belt is some sort of conclusion have made a tragic mistake. They’ve missed the point entirely.
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