What is a Black Belt?

Black belt is a term that instantly creates certain connotations within a person’s mind. Our own personal definition of a black belt is the biggest influence upon what type of black belt we are or will become. By the same token, the example of current and future black belts will have a massive influence on the popular definition of the term. Looking at it that way, as a black belt my responsibility to the future of kung fu is massive. Two thousand years of tradition is being redefined by today’s black belts. I definitely lose a lot of sleep when I consider the current state of today’s black belt standard.

I have spent the past day thinking about what qualities I value in a black belt. For me they all can be characterized by the quality of leadership. A black belt is someone who:

• thinks of the term “black belt” as an adjective, not a noun
• values innovation over imitation
• shuts up until he/she has put up
• lives simply and mindfully
• has passion in his/her craft
• earns respect, not demands it
• values reconciliation over retaliation and reflection over reaction
• skilled enough to be confident in his/her craft and humble enough to be aware of how much more there is to learn
• is a perpetual student who never stops learning
• is a control freak who takes responsibility for what they put into their body, who they allow to influence them, and how they choose to interpret things
• disdains mediocrity
• holds himself/herself 100% accountable for success or failure
• understands the quality of his/her words and actions have an impact upon the quality of the world
• believes in the power of example

For me the term black belt refers to a way of life that embraces mastery. It is not a tangible destination but rather a constant never ending journey.

“He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.” - Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)