As a color belt, one focuses on the color black. The dojang wall even displays the phrase: "My goal is to be a black belt." Yet this is a shortsighted goal, as the focus on the achievement diminishes the benefits of the years of training. This reality becomes apparent to the newly promoted black belt as they reach their "new beginning." He thought that a black belt would fulfill some void within himself, yet emptiness soon replaces the initial contentment. Many students quit at this point, hollowing their understanding of that color black.

One cannot overly fault those who quit. Training is hard and requires special discipline. It is easy to give up training and consequential achievement, yet it is difficult not to distinguish the preparation and triumph. However, he who does not perceive training and achievement as a duality will attain liberation.

At that point, the martial artist sees new mountains, both near and in the distance. He no longer asks "why" when waking up early to train or seeks belts, medals and titles. He simply sees more mountains- and their ascents- and hears the challenge of experience calling his name.

Grandmaster C.J. Park, Ph.D.