The Martial Arts Teacher – A Painter
and a Gardener
By Jonathan Bluestein
As martial arts teachers, we can learn quite a lot by comparing our craft with other skillsets and types of teaching, art, and cultivation. Here in this article, you will find two such fantastic examples, with very practical lessons to them, applicable for us directly at our martial arts schools. Bear with me for a moment, as I make a necessary introduction to these ideas.
Aside from teaching the martial arts, I have several hobbies, one of which is gardening. My dearly beloved wife, on the other hand, is a painter. Consider with care, the innate differences between the methodology of a classical painter and that of a gardener.
The painter is an artist whose task begins with an empty canvas. He is drawn to fill in that blank with his vision. Little by little, more colour is added, one stroke aside or atop another, until a piece is formed. Frequently, judgment will dictate that constant remodeling of a corner or a scene be done, until perfection is attained. Many of the best painters past and present take months and sometimes years to complete a single image, because of this process of self-correction. The ability to revise repeatedly as means of achieving the ideal is considered a mark of technical excellence.
The gardener, however, is faced with a different reality. His work begins not with emptiness but rather with an already-extant substance with its own vision – a seed. Then, despite the fact that many plants require maintenance and management in their growth process, this is not considered effective. Under perfect conditions, with the right soil, proper sun exposure, adequate rainfall, timely sowing, harmonies companions and the likes of these, the organism will reach its optimal growth and yield on its own. The best of gardeners, past and present, work relatively few hours at their masterpieces. When meeting the conditions for which they were born, nature’s green children can find their way independently, and further human judgment and intervention is not necessary.
How ironic then, that in teaching the martial arts, I was always more of a painter than a gardener. I like my students to know what is expected of them, to correct their faults frequently, and to continuously revise their movements and thoughts until they can reach a satisfactory manner of performance, relative to their physical condition, age, and experience.
Yet, over the years I have learned to also operate more like a gardener when teaching. That is, to refrain from correcting people when they are succeeding, even if there are some mistakes. To not always reveal the answers for every twist and turn. To allow the person to express himself and his Self in movement and be patient with such exploration, for each student is a seed with its own vision and potential.
The best martial arts teachers can conduct themselves as neither the classical gardener or painter, but as the master of the art of Pen Jing (‘Bonsai’). Such people combine the foremost positive qualities of both former arts into one. They take upon themselves the care and maintenance of a miniature tree. In the process, is created a balance between the vision of the artist and that of the tree itself. Because the tree is kept at a modest size, each small modification to its structure may yield substantial repercussions. For this reason, the Penjing master must carefully choose and gently apply only those changes to the structure of the tree, which the organism itself is in agreement with. Eventually, the tree grows into a magnificent form which pleases the master and everyone who looks upon his creation. But this can only be an articulation which the plant itself saw fit to be molded into, for otherwise, it would not have grown well.
Some penjing trees live for centuries, and are catered for by several generations of individuals. The penjing tree is akin in that respect to a martial art, and each generation of practitioners manifests a unique and ever-changing relationship with it. The art likewise, has its own vision and a distinct manner of growth and expression. By adhering to these principles, which stemmed from the original seed, the art continues to thrive. This is the root of all traditional martial arts.
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- The Martial Arts Teacher:A Painter and a Gardener - May 15, 2018
How inspiring! Thank you.
I, as a student, think we can also learn from the seed itself, In that it is not afraid to grow by itself in addition to its gardener’s guidance.
Hi Jonathan, I loved the article. Reminds me so much of the differences between WeiQi and Chess. One starts with an empty board and gradually fills up. And the other starts with all the pieces on the board and gradually goes empty. Keep up the good work and stay above the fray.
Great article! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Most Inspirational..