How long will it take me to get a black belt?
It was a question that I get asked from time to time by those starting the martial path, and unlike other teachers I don’t take offense by it.
It is a natural question.
In our culture, given the popularity and misconception of the martial arts, there is this idea that a black belt equals a master status, or at the very least it means that the student knows *something* about the martial arts.
New students want to know how long it will take before they get good at the martial arts, they are looking for a model to compare themselves against.
Understandable.
A level of proficiency.
We sometimes hear ridiculous assessments by educators trying to equate the martial arts to an academic approach, stating that a black belt is equal to an undergraduate degree, and that different levels of black belt equal a masters or doctorate degree.
Is this an accurate model when you are trying to compare proficiency and ability?
How does one explain the martial arts to somebody outside the dojo, outside of the training?
Perhaps a story?
Imagine a martial arts temple, or a dojo to the gods of war atop a mountain.
At the perimeter of the temple is a large gateway, a martial gate.
You don’t begin your lessons inside the temple, but rather outside it.
Those first martial arts lessons, those first few years are outside the martial gate. You are learning how to move your body, learning about distance, timing, balance. Learning about yourself, and how to move- taijutsu. This self-discovery leads to a choice.
At a certain point one makes a decision.
They can leave the training, having learned valuable skills about life and themselves, movement, philosophy, and ways of moving the body, and take that as they continue the journey through life. Even if they never study the martial arts again, what they have learned about themselves and nature will allow them to lead an effective life.
The other decision point is to step through the martial gate, enter the temple, shrine, or in this case dojo and begin a full and deeper study of the art.
This would be the black belt level- entering the martial gate.
Continuing to use our imagination to capture a feeling, and explain an experience.
Training beyond the gate is before a shrine to the gods of war. One trains and practices, inspired by the teachings, and hopefully picking up on the transmission of the martial arts as the training begins to shift from the seen to the unseen.
Slowly one finds that they are at another martial gate, or rather at this point a hidden door to the dojo.
Can one pass through the hidden door and go beyond what is considered normal perception?
Something mysterious.
Now in stating this, understand, that the martial arts are not easy, but are very easy to master.
The martial arts are physical, correct training over many years, no shortcuts or fantasy, but rather hour and hours of physical training, leading to ability.
One has to have martial ability, but don’t worry about it, the teacher will take care of helping you to develop it.
The secret to mastery.
That easy secret?
Simple, just keep showing up to class and training, keep practicing on your own every day, keep pursuing the martial arts in your heart.
So how long does it take to get a black belt?