What makes you a good martial artist?

The topic what make you a good martial artist is the mostly overlooked among the martial arts community. There are many good martial artists out there, who are uniquely different from each other. Some are strong, some are fast, some are technical while some are out of control and uses brute force. If I am going to name few then I would disrespect all the great martial artists, who were legends who kept legacy to follow , and legend who lives up to date.

If I ask you what makes a good martial artists you may give me many answers. In the back of your head you will make countless list of qualities, attributes that a perfect martial artist may have. But actually are those qualities and attributes the good martial artist? That is the point I'm going to elaborate to you now. Following are few  attributes that makes a good martial artist according to many of you.

• Well reputed school
• Well reputed instructor with many qualifications
• Heavy training
• Dedication
• Fighting capability
• Well executed techniques

Yes ! You are correct there are the attributes that make a good martial artist. It's like robots make robots. But there are another few key factors that defines "good" martial artists from others. These things cannot be taught.

• Intellect
• Moral qualities 
• Compassion
• Research context out of their expertise and  adopt it
• Philosopher
• Selfless 

Unfortunately most of the time widely recognized fighters are not good martial artists. As I mentioned earlier they are byproduct of former list. Good martial artists embrace the truth and develop themselves, as they grow with others. Hope this will make a good discussion. Comments are always welcome.

Be water my friend ! ~ Sijo Bruce Lee

“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. 

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” 
― Bruce Lee

 Sijo Bruce Lee not only told about mentioned water properties. He also intentionally hidden its true meaning. Being water is the most ultimate thing ; because in this world, in earth, water is the base of life. So if you can be the base of meaning of living , within the human society it would be another aspect. Be a person who is not only seeks his personal gain , but to uplift others. Who wish to grow with others , not alone. Be like water in a huge reservoir, that many depend on it, but you never give up on your dependants.

As a martial artist our ultimate goal is to train our minds to be empty. Its a equivalent  version of "Moksha" or "Nirvana". Detach from worldly needs , but to involve in worldly matters. I think this is what taoism is described about. But in bushido (warriors way) we believe we must master our outer hard part to reach for our most inner soft part; the soul.  And to look at world also as what it is and see it as not existing thing. If you can see this truth, that nothing in this world exist permanently, you can give up your ego, but win every battle, externally and internally.

Jeet for life!