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| Due to the influence of the aforementioned Hwa Rang Do, modern Tae Kwon Do still retains much of the moral foundations of discipline, sympathy, and respect. The Orientals have for centuries been taught that the acquisition of martial arts skills contains a built-in responsibility for using such skills in a mature manner. This blending of brutality and compassion, competitiveness and courtesy, has not received as great an emphasis in Western cultures. Indeed, many Orientals feel they cannot comprehend or achieve the proper spiritual levels for Tae Kwon Do or Karate and consequently, they do not even try. Much of the ethical neglect in Tae Kwon Do can be blamed on poorly qualified instructors who lack a thorough knowledge of the historical background of the art. They often fail to instill the proper attitudes in their students. Instructors must stress that skills are not to be used offensively or just to "show off". Indeed, when the desired level of competence is acquired, the amount of self-confidence is usually also developed to the point that the need to prove oneself no longer exists. Maturity is required to conduct oneself responsively and with restraint. If a student does not demonstrate desirable personality traits, the instructor should withhold advanced training until the student is socially and emotionally ready. A Tae Kwon Do class must reflect these same spiritual qualities upon which all martial arts are philosophically founded. In addition to the development of physical skills, the conduct of a karate class must be such that it helps instill mature attitudes and behavior in students. Discipline is the fundamental attitude. Silence should prevail with respect for the teacher's instructions and out of respect for fellow students. Punctuality is demanded for the same reasons. By constantly stressing control in the dojang, eventually self-control will develop and carry over into other areas of one's life. A class generally begins with the command "line up". After the class has lined up, the highest ranking student will give the commands to bow. The first bow is directed to the chief instructor or Master. The second bow is to the flags, and the third bow is to the highest ranking student. These are executed to show respect. Occasionally, an instructor will provide time for meditation or breathing exercises at the beginning or end of class. It helps to clear the mind or irrelevant thoughts so the entire mental process can be devoted to learning Tae Kwon Do. The student will be pleased to discover that the deep concentration during the training sessions will leave his mind relaxed, refreshed, and free of emotional turmoil. |
