Philosophy

philosophy…is a proverb in Soo Bahk Do philosophy (Chul Hak) that goes deep. Would you rather eat a sumptuous 7 course meal in a billionaire’s home, or would you accept a bowl of rice in a poor family’s hut, where you know the family will not eat that day because you visited? Clearly the latter is the better choice, and has more meaning for the visitor and the host.

Accepting this proverb gives us the opportunity to make small gestures count for more than large gifts. For example, a friend has invited you to a party. You go. You have a great time. Do you call again the next day to thank the person, again? Do you send a small thank-you card in the mail? Do you take the time to at least mention how great the party was the next time you see the person? – This last option is the most common, because it doesn’t take any extra effort. And why make an extra effort to show your appreciation?

Appreciation, or heartfelt thanks, is what Koreans call ‘ma-om’, meaning heart and spirit. It is not just a question of, “Did you help someone in need?” it’s “What was the motivation behind your helping them?” The question is not, “Did you, or were you quick enough to bow?” It should be, “What kind of a bow was it, and what was the motivation behind it?” “Was it a bow of obligation, or a bow of opportunity?”

We, as members of a Do Jang that doesn’t focus on flash, but prospers from good philosophy, cannot ride on knowing this alone. Action needs to be taken. “It’s already done, Sir!” needs to be the mantra of someone who wants to be a leader. The phone call to a fellow-student asking them if they are coming to class needs to be done, because it is an action of ‘ma-om’. Only by actively coming together through our heart-felt actions as Do Jang members can we come together and truly improve our moral training, and prosper.

By focusing on details as we execute our techniques (Ki Sul), we begin to expand the focus towards human relations in and outside of the Do Jang. A good Soo Bahk Do practitioner practices his/her Hyung unto perfection, and then uses this training as a basis to work on character, thus becoming ‘Moo Do In’ (soldiers of the martial way).

To summarize, gestures go a long way. The instructors at Glendora Soo Bahk Do are not teaching for a big reward. Their reward is when a student bows correctly, or offers to take out the trash, or asks a question in class or outside of class. Their reward is the phone call from the student to say they won’t be in to train as expected. Their reward is when something that needs to be done around the Do Jang is done, after the instructor was away for the week-end. Their reward is consistent attendance from the student-showing sincerity in their training. From the standpoint of the student, the short-term benefit is a good sweat, an encouraging atmosphere, a challenging task accomplished. But ultimately, their reward is to know that what they did for the Do Jang will ensure it to be a place for the continuation of our universal philosophy to pursue good, and promote peace through strength.

Martinov Five Principles

I had the distinct honor and privilege to act as one of two Regional Examiners for Region 9 between 2006- 2012. With Mahony SBN, we developed teaching concepts that were important for the membership. In order to teach a class, or clinic, there must always be a guiding light for both the theme and the emphasis for training. Though these ideas were usually provided to me by Jang SBN, or Messersmith SBN, the overarching theme always followed Martinov Sa Bom Nim’s five basic training principles: (from right to left) Direction; Movement; Penetration; Power; and Awareness.

Second Heavenly Nature

What? Does this mean the higher you can jump, the closer you are to heaven? No. It has to do with habits. One of the benefits of training in the ancient Korean Martial Art of Soo Bahk Do, is that it teaches you the value of repetition.

One tends to speak about habits only in the negative, which is only natural in Western society. Good habits are developed through repetition; therefore “bad” habits can be changed into “good” habits with discipline and motivation.

Small good habits can develop into bigger ones, which in turn can affect others.

The 10 Articles of Faith

  1. Be loyal to one’s country: Sacrifice to fulfill your duty to your country and your people. This is based on the spirit of Hwa Rang.
  2. Be obedient to one’s parent and elders: Children should be dutiful to their parents and parents should be charitable to their children.
  3. Be loving to one’s husband or wife: From the mother’s body develops man’s happiness, as harmony and affection form love between the sexes.
  4. Be cooperative to your brothers: Hold together with cooperation and concord.
  5. Be respectful to elders: Protect the rights of the weak with courtesy and modesty.
  6. Be faithful to your teacher: Learn the truth through practice of duty, loyalty, and affection.
  7. Be faithful to friends: Honor friendship and be peaceful and happy with harmony and faith towards all mankind.
  8. Face combat only in justice and with honor: Be able to distinguish between good and bad with fairness and rightfulness.
  9. Never retreat in battle: Sacrifice for justice with capability and bravery.
  10. Always finish what you start: Move to action with sureness and with hope.

Eight Key Concepts

The eight key concepts of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan and their literal translation:

  1. Yong Gi – Courage (Brave / Energy)
  2. Chung Shin Tong Il – Concentration (Clean, Clear / God / Govern / One)
  3. In Neh – Endurance (Endure / Patience)
  4. Chung Jik – Honesty (Right / Straight)
  5. Kyum Son – Humility (Humble / Humble)
  6. Him Cho Chung – Control of Power (Power / Manage / Right)
  7. Shin Chook – Tension and Relaxation (Relaxation, Expand / Tension, Contract)
  8. Wan Gup – Speed Control (Slow / Fast)

Less is More

…is a proverb in Soo Bahk Do philosophy (Chul Hak) that goes deep. Would you rather eat a sumptuous 7 course meal in a billionaire’s home, or would you accept a bowl of rice in a poor family’s hut, where you know the family will not eat that day because you visited? Clearly the latter is the better choice, and has more meaning for the visitor and the host.

Home Rules for Children

Soo Bahk!

I Will……..

S Set the recipe for straight ‘A’’s daily:

  • When I come home from school, I will drink water or juice to refresh.
  • I will sit down to do my homework
  • I will preview what I will study tomorrow in school.