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Aug
11
I run a couple of jiu-jitsu schools now and I’m quickly learning the difference between being the master of your school and being a servant of your school—me, I’m a servant. Some people open up a school and they put themselves on a high pedestal, they demand respect, they’re egocentric and condescending. They think their students are lucky to be in their presence. Basically, they think they’re the shit and everybody loves the smell.
Of course that’s not how it should be. If you open up a school, you are the servant, not the master. You are there to help—help your students—and your students will support the school. I think of myself as the school’s monk—I take care of the temple so the disciples can pray there. It isn’t my temple I’m just a follower like everyone else, I’m just there to make sure the place stays suitable to pray in.
I’m not the master of my school; I don’t want to be, I’m its humble servant, a jiu-jitsu monk.
I agree wholeheartedly with the idea that we are merely gatekeepers of the temple of Jiu-Jitsu. I begin and end each class with bowing. I do this to pay respect to those who came before me and those who will come after. I believe that this respect is equal. People may think that they are bowing to me but they are very mistaken. I am in fact bowing to them. I have learned much more from the students than they can ever conceptualize. Every question that is asked is a learning experience for me. Without these questions, I would not be the teacher that I am. As I help the student open a door that was previously unseen, I too get a glimpse of what lies inside. And, more importantly, without the questions from the students of the academy, it may be easy for the gatekeeper to begin to think that he/she is in fact the ruler. And the ruler of the kingdom does not like new doors being opened. Because, it could be an usurper to the thrown hiding behind a simple question. For once you open the door and view what is beyond, there is no coming back.
Well said.
Its good to See you Men maturing in the right way.
Just remember a lot of people are coming to America to sleep in the bed that Gracie made. It doesn’t make them bad people. It is good for them to help expose the world and the people to our art. But I am afraid, that they will never understand the Gracie philosophy about life and jiu-jitsu. Fortunately Pedro is one of the family, and i’m proud to read these comments. Behring, Sauer, Machado. It is a small extended family. There are exceptions out there. I think BJ PPenn is one of them. He is doing a great Justice to the world of MMA. Even if my family doesn’t agree. Everyman has a false pride deep down inside. The trick is learning to prevent it from exposing itself and leading your life astray. Hopefully someday you can all make it to japan, to feel the origins of the “BOW” and the cultural reasons behind it.
That is why I joined at West Side. I’d been in a few schools where we were expected to venerate the “Master” of the school. They would strut around like demi-gods. Prideful fools. It may make Mark blush but one of his best attributes is just like this post says his view in teaching. Keep up the great work, Mark.