Cover Story with Grand Master Cho
TKDT: What about taekwondo as an art of self-defense?
MASTER CHO: Taekwondo is a self-defense art, but it requires a highly
spiritual sense of self-control. Many people who are not informed about
taekwondo have the misunderstanding that it is nothing more than
fighting,kicking, and fist blows.
I believe the primary goals of taekwondo may be divided into two main
objectives: to achieve the balance through physical exercise; and to achieve
the best spiritual maturity through discipline. I know these objectives are
difficult, but they can be achieved through the practice of taekwondo. But this
doesn't mean that if you achieve physical balance, you will reach spiritual
maturity. Taekwondo requires something more than physical power in order to
break bricks; but to fly in the air and successfully meet a target, a student must
also harness his or her forces of reaction, balance, breath control, and speed
control. This involves harnessing their mental and spiritual forces.
Those who practice taekwondo cultivate spiritual force by focusing on
self-denial and self-control. Traits for which a martial artist should strive
include: benevolence, justice, trustworthiness, faithfulness, sincerity, loyalty,
goodness, and wisdom. If martial artists attain these qualities, they have a
good start in succeeding in the practice of taekwondo and in life.
Senior Master Brad Trent cover page
spiritual and physical make-up when they practice taekwondo?
MASTER CHO: This is true. But there are other things involved in this
process. One area that martial artists and athletes have in common is focus.
Focus is needed by everyone, not just those who practice a sport or martial art.
No matter how sophisticated the technology, it will not help if you fail to
concentrate your efforts. This is more complex than it seems. It involves
choosing a path that is correct and dedicating your mind and body to walking
that path. A martial artist and athlete may have an advantage over others
because their bodies are already conditioned and probably are healthier than
the average person. No matter how focused and dedicated you are towards
reaching a goal, if your body is unfit, you may not be able to reach .
martial art instructor should possess and how he or she should teach martial
arts.
MASTER CHO: The teachers of martial arts must develop the spirit of each
student. An instructor should help each student to realize his or her full
potential and help to cast out harmful traits such a greed.
I believe there is a crisis today. That crisis is the huge number of problems that
humans face in just living their lives. People are uncomfortable about the
instability and uncertainties of life. A capable martial art instructor can help to
alleviate this crisis of modern life by helping his students to develop their minds.
Master Paulette Schreiber
