Good morning.

 

I am pleased to announce that I have passed my Bar Vocation Course with excellent results. Yesterday I was privileged to be called to the Bar by the Honorary Society of Gray’s Inn and I am now a Barrister. To reach this position has been a process of over 4 years constant studying (7 years if you include my first degree), and has certainly not been easy, but if I can change one thing then it has all been worth while…

 

What I would change is the image that many people have of martial artists as ‘mindless fighter’, little better than thugs. I’m sad to say that in too many cases this general view may well be justified (and indeed one of the reasons I expect so much more from students of our schools). Martial arts does, of course, involve fighting techniques – it is one of its most unique characteristics. However, this does not mean that this is what it is all about. Chinese Wing Tsun is a fighting art, but not just an art about fighting… The whole point of the art is to actually educate yourself and develop a greater understanding of yourself and humanity. So in many ways being a martial artist means being on a quest for enlightenment – certainly a far cry from simply ‘brawling’.

 

As a martial artist while you learn to improve your understanding of your body and have greater control over its movements you learn to reflect inside. The physical is in many ways the easy part; looking inside, assessing your weaknesses, fighting your ‘demons’ and trying to become a better person for this insight is far harder. Many people can never do this, but as a martial artist you are not trying to be what other people are. In fact, almost by definition you are trying to become what most people to not have the courage or determination to be. This in turn helps you find your place in life; something that sounds easy, but in reality is far from it.