Humility is not the abdication of self, but rather the transcendence of self.
Humility is being true to who we are and manifesting that truth in a way that fits into the situation or circumstance within which we find ourselves.
Humility is not being so full of ourselves that we take up all of the air in the room, leaving no space for others to be who they are. Neither is it thinking so little of ourselves that we shrink away from being present and taking a stand for what we believe in.
Humility is being right-sized inside and out. It is fitting in, but not backing down. It is having a voice, but not making noise. It is never doing that which is unnecessary, never creating dissonance, and never causing discomfort.
Humility is true courtesy, true etiquette, and true graciousness because it is both genuine and appropriate to the relationship at hand.
Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.
Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Artwork by Ana, except where otherwise noted
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Positive change begins by asking newer, better questions. Inquisitiveness, then, can be seen as a positive trait. This is generally true, but there are times when asking questions hinders progress, rather than aiding it.
Sometimes we do not need to know everything in order to accomplish the mission, task, or goal at hand. In some cases, the need to know more is actually just a means of procrastination or resistance to the process, a way of injecting our ego, opinions, or prejudices where they are not needed or wanted.
Other times, having too much information too soon will actually slow us down, either when time is of the essence or when the ‘why’ will become evident as the result of the action, not before it. Knowledge without understanding can cause unnecessary friction, especially when we face something new or frightening wherein understanding is the result of hindsight not forethought.
Action has a greater potential to change our thinking than our thinking does to change our action. Too many questions prior to action can lead to conflict, both internal and external, inaction, or both. Our instincts are more reliable and powerful than our intellects anyway, so we are better served by quieting the latter to listen to the former if we truly value growth and progress.
Meditations on God 