Patience

Last week, I was given similar advice by teachers in two seemingly unrelated disciplines: kendo and music.

In kendo, during keiko (free practice) with a fifth-dan sensei, I tried hard to take initiative and ended up attacking non-stop, without really controlling the pace of the match. Rather, the match went on neither my nor on my opponent’s terms – kind of like the match in my recent grading examination. It felt rushed and hectic, certainly not projecting the yondan-level of pace and control that I was aiming at. The advice I was given after the practice was that I should have slowed down and observed the opponent: this is practice; you should make an opening and let the opponent hit you. Even if you receive a strike, you should learn from it: “Oh, this is his speed. This is his distance.” Then, you can use this knowledge in your own oji-waza (counter-attacks).

During a violin lesson on the same day, I was learning to play with an accompaniment. My problem was that I was not holding the long notes sufficiently long and as was “running away” from the accompanist.

Basically, both in music and in kendo, I lacked patience. I anticipated what was coming up next and didn’t let the current event unfold to completion. I think this is a general problem, and I am not unique in making this mistake. My daily life is over-scheduled with activities, both work- and family-related, especially during the pre-holiday season, which for me also coincides with the end-of-the-academic-term rush to complete various teaching obligations. As I go through the day, my focus shifts from the task at hand to the next item on my calendar, and as a result, I shortchange the present moment awareness. I cut short the long note I am supposed to hold.

As usual, there are positive lessons to learn from any consistent mistake, including this one. First, the very fact that I can identify and analyze the issue means that I am already on the way to correcting it. The real problem is when I am not even aware of something being out of place. As Morpheus said to Neo in “The Matrix”, which is my all-time favourite movie:
— …It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
–What truth?
–That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.

Second, the good news is that even in the midst of a hectic, over-scheduled life there are moments when I not only can, but indeed, am expected to, to pause and enjoy the long notes.