One of the things you often hear in the dojoPlace of the way; a place for strengthening and refinement body, mind and spirit; training hall is “don’t get stuck”; as if we had some choice in keeping our assemblage of parts from getting frozen in place. Our stiffness in body and mind can be a perennial source of frustration.

You’ve probably experienced the brain freeze of whole techniques completely vanishing from memory. A more subtle form of mental pause happens when we rush through techniques, unsure and unaware of what we are doing.

Our incompetence is illuminated and exasperated by the fact that there is a person on the receiving end of it. Equally exposed is our partner’s ability or inability to adapt, neutralize and render our clumsiness harmless. Grabbing, twisting, smashing, breaking, we hurt one another. It’s no different off the mat. With words, expressions, our overall demeanor, we do the same thing.

Maybe one day we’ll be perfect. We’ll know all things and flow freely from one moment to the next, responding appropriately with a huge generous spirit. Until then we’ll have to do our best with our imperfections. We’ll have to forgive ourselves and make every effort to do better. It’s difficult but it’s our promise and pledge to push one another to genuinely meet.

I make a request. Please forgive me as I forgive you. Let’s train.