The Teachings · Mind, Body & Spirit
Adapted from the teachings of
Grandmaster Kyong Sik Song
A reflection on character, balance, and sincere practice.
To become a good martial artist, we must first understand the importance of life. We must study how all life connects and how we belong within the greater whole of the universe. This understanding grows through sincere practice, careful reflection, and the way we conduct ourselves each day.
The practitioner must therefore become a serious student of life. Every experience offers an opportunity to learn, strengthen our character, and bring the mind and body into balance.
Three principles form the foundation of this practice: the mental, the physical, and the spiritual. Each supports the others. Together, they guide our development as martial artists and as human beings.
Cultivating the Mind
Mental development begins with a good attitude and sound discipline. Honesty, good character, and a positive outlook give our learning a firm foundation.
Honesty requires us to examine ourselves sincerely. We must recognize our weaknesses as readily as our strengths and remain willing to receive correction. When we make mistakes, we must learn from them.
Discipline gives us the patience to continue this work. A positive attitude helps us meet difficulty with a willingness to improve. These qualities become meaningful through our actions: how we treat others, how we respond to challenges, and how faithfully we practice what we have been taught.
Caring for the Body
Physical development rests on moderation: neither too much nor too little.
Good nutrition, appropriate exercise, and a healthy living environment free from undue stress support the body and its ability to practice. We must learn to recognize what strengthens us and what disturbs our balance.
This requires attention and good judgment. Consistent effort must be balanced with proper care. Through moderation, we develop habits that sustain our practice over a lifetime.
Developing the Spirit
As the mind and body develop together, they support the spiritual foundation of martial arts. Grandmaster Song describes this as building good karma through the quality of our thoughts, choices, and actions.
This practice calls for a persistent and unwavering mind, supported by a proper learning environment. It calls for keeping the body free from alcohol and drug use, cultivating compassion and dignity, and developing good judgment and clarity of thought.
It also requires appreciation for nature and a mind capable of adapting. We must remain steady in our commitment while staying open to learning.
Good deeds must become a continuing practice. Spiritual development grows through the care and sincerity we bring to daily life.
Character and the Highest Level of Practice
Grandmaster Song describes the highest level of martial arts as the “saint level,” in which a practitioner develops a connection to the energy of the universe.
Dedication allows us to develop many skills. Yet, in this teaching, dedication alone cannot bring us to the highest level. True character is essential.
A person may present an appearance of virtue or convince others of abilities they have not developed. Grandmaster Song reminds us that we cannot fool nature. He describes this requirement for genuine character as nature’s safety switch.
We must therefore be careful about the image we hold of ourselves. Believing that we possess understanding or skill does not make it so. Self-deception can obstruct our development, especially when we use excuses to protect ourselves from correction.
There is no shortcut and no compromise that can replace the mental, physical, and spiritual foundation.
Practicing with Sincerity
Meditation is also essential to the highest development described in this teaching. It includes proper breathing, visualization, and the continued cultivation and expansion of individual energy. Good life practices and the consistent performance of good deeds support this work.
Throughout our practice, we must remain mindful of self-justification. We must examine our motives, seek the positive in our experiences, and persist in our efforts to improve.
These lessons offer a starting point for every practitioner, whatever their experience. We can practice honesty today. We can show compassion, care for our bodies, appreciate nature, and accept a lesson with humility.
There is no shortcut to becoming a good martial artist. The foundation is good character, cultivated sincerely and expressed through the way we live.