Posted by: elmcityslim
Little Rituals - 07/25/05 01:38 AM
Here is a fun topic.
Does anyone have any little rituals they do? Something special you do before, during or after training and/or class? Maybe a spiritual/ religious thing?
Here is an example of what I mean:
I have recently built myself a belt rack (maybe a sign that I am in this for the long run). It currently has 16 spaces for belts, but I will probably have to build a new one depending on my sense moving me slowly threw the ranks or having me skip a stripe here or there. Everyday after training at home or class, I kneel in front of the belt rack and place my belt on a small shelf I built on top of it. The belt is wrapped in a pattern that causes a ying-yang shape in the middle.
I also wear my belt during home exercises and training out of respect for it.
Posted by: Shidokai
Re: Little Rituals - 07/25/05 08:06 AM
Rituals...
I shower after I train. And I wash my uniform. Usually promptly, as both I and my clothing tend to smell something like bad cheese if I don't. Most certainly a ritual. I am honoring the gods of soap and water and calling down their blessing.
I talk to my teachers and ask them lots of quite probably annoying questions that they answer politely. I usually do this both before and after practice. I guess that's a ritual.
I wake up every morning, look in the mirror and say "Ugh...ever growing beer gut. Gotta train more." That's kind of like a ritual.
Posted by: JohnL
Re: Little Rituals - 07/25/05 09:00 AM
I'm suprised that after you've been out for a run you don't hang your shorts up and kneel in front of them to honor them.
They must be feeling left out!
I think you're going a bit OTT.
Posted by: funstick5000
Re: Little Rituals - 07/25/05 05:37 PM
i think its everyone to their own really. i see what elm city slim does as a similar thing to the samurai honoring their katana and armour which i think there are a few Iaido practicioners on here who refuse to do tameshigiri to aviod dishonouring their weapons and the sword-smith.
Posted by: sumrandom
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 12:41 AM
yeah i definately bow to my toothbrush every morning before i use it...
the thing with iadoka/samurai bowing to their weapons is a little diff to bowing to something like a belt.
you bow to a belt because it might be important to you, it signifies a fair amount of effort, i don't do it, but hey, i can maybe see the motivation.
bowing to a sword on the other hand isn't because it's important to you personally but because it is an object that deserves respect in its own right and for a number of reasons; it's dangerous if you are careless with it, it is (for a samurai) your means of defending yourself and it has been crafted with a huge amount of care and hard work. (the list could go on)
a simple belt is none of these things which is why i don't afford it such respect.
Posted by: sumrandom
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 03:44 AM
oh and you buy a new belt for every stripe? hmm we just use electrical tape..
Posted by: GaryHanson
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 07:54 AM
My ritual:
At the end of every lesson, our sensei calls "Rei" and we all bow.
Doing the bow, I quietly mumble to myself "Well at least I should be able to do a bow correctly without being told off"
I am hopeless at MA and find myself corrected at almost everything I do
I mumble this each and every time ...
Gary
Posted by: SANCHIN31
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 11:11 AM
elmcity,
That is a little weird to me. Bowing to your belt rack and all.No,that's alot weird. I don't bow to objects or idolize any belts,swords or anything inanimate,but to each his own.
Posted by: Christie
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 11:14 AM
I agree, I don't see a purpose in showing respect to something that you've either earned through your own hard work or doesn't work unless being used by yourself. A belt is earned, I don't see why you would idolize it, a sword is doesn't work unless the person uses it, again, why idolize it. It is useless on its own.
Posted by: SANCHIN31
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 11:19 AM
*feints*
Christie and I agree on something!
Posted by: harlan
Re: Little Rituals - 07/27/05 11:35 AM
'Question everything'. As a child of the '60's, I have always been anti-ritual. Actually looking at rituals as quaint social markers upheld by those who prefer to slide through life without thinking about anything.
So, I thought that the MA I started, with its lack of 'official' ritual, was the perfect fit. However, to my surprise, I find that I do like a little ritual. Even if it is just bowing in and out.
When I practice during the week at work, I use the school's wrestling gym. A huge room, with mats, and blank walls except for an old black and white photo of a long-dead wrestling coach. And darn it, if I don't find myself bowing in and out to Homer.
Posted by: elmcityslim
Re: Little Rituals - 07/29/05 01:37 PM
Ha. Worshiping a piece of wood...thats almost as silly as....
No, I dont worship it. Its more of honoring my training and the first thing I ever really devoted myself too. I'm on vacation in NJ right now, but I still find two hours to train in my hotel room. Seriously.
I think anyone on here knew me better, they would know it wasnt weird and understand what I'm saying. I'm a nice guy to all my friends, but everyone knows how lazy and unmodivated and fat I used to be.
Posted by: JohnL
Re: Little Rituals - 07/29/05 01:47 PM
Hey, if it works for you!
Whatever floats your boat.
Posted by: Boomer
Re: Little Rituals - 07/29/05 02:54 PM
Rituals are all well and good (if there's no animal/human sacrifices), I guess. But it seems like you're looking for a personal connection/ meditation. Also, know that there's a difference between "rituals" and "traditions".
Posted by: roniwankan
Re: Little Rituals - 09/23/05 02:54 PM
My little and particular ritual is think:
Gijutsu yori shinjutsu/Spirit is more important than tecnique.
Silly thing, but I make the samurai soul burns in my heart.