Surface vs Depth

I found an old stock of dishwasher detergent in the store room I was cleaning out. It is the exact same tab detergent that I am still using but with a difference. These vintage detergent tabs are individually packaged in foil wrappers. The current version is the same detergent tab enclosed in a water soluble coating. Obviously this new method is reducing the amount of waste that is ending up in the landfill. This is a very good thing. What I am wondering about is the environmental impact of the water soluble coating used on today’s version. What chemicals and processes were used to create this solution and what are the long term impacts?

I have no doubts that the manufacturer initiated the change to address environmental concerns. I also have no doubts as to the depth of their concerns. Most corporations focus only on short-term profits for their shareholders, not on the sustainability of their business practices or the health of their customers and the planet that is serving us all. My point is, the manufacturer made the change to improve public perception of their product’s environmental footprint, and any actual benefit to the environment was, if at all, a collateral benefit. In essence, their change was perception-driven and had no soul behind it.

I see this same issue with people’s kung fu. Some students train to learn while others train to be promoted. While the two approaches may appear to serve mastery, only one approach has soul behind it. Those training to learn show up to class with a plan and a purpose. They control their lesson and ensure they get what they need. Those training to be promoted never have a specific plan and rely upon their instructor to map out their progress. This is only half of the educational formula. The instructor is there to teach and the student is there to learn. If either one of the two does not have a plan, any knowledge passed on is only superficial.

Unlike my dishwasher detergent company, kung fu cannot be superficial. There must be soul behind our intent so all our energy is applied to mastering the art beyond just superficial ranks and appearances. There are two types of black belts - those who wear the belt and those who live the life.

“It takes time to practice generosity, but being generous is the best use of our time.” - Thich Nhat Hanh (b. 1926)