 |
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Sifu, you often speak of the closed door students, the ones you
really put all your faith into. I to would love to achieve this level,
but what does it take to achieve this status?
Nothing
but standing fast in your efforts. A teacher simply watches his or her
students. The ones who hold fast in training and show the respect a good
teacher deserves are the ones the teacher grows to trust. Sadly,
however, many fail this simple test of time. Often when students reach
the higher levels they begin to slow down in their efforts, and take on
a know-it-all attitude. They usually slow down in their training where
in fact it should increase. They forget all that the teacher has taught
them and how hard the teacher worked to teach them his or her skills.
A teacher waits to see what the student will do when he or she needs the
student, and usually the students fails this test of dedication and
loyalty. The ones who are always there, the ones who learn and continue
to learn, the ones who stand by the teacher 's side ready to help in any
way possible to foster the arts, these are the ones who a teacher
loves and trusts. The seldom seen student, the complaining student, the
criticizing student - this kind of student could not possibly pass on
the arts intact to the next generation.
We pass on more then just skills, but also the traditions, the love for
what we do, the philosophy of our art. Without these essentials the
arts are meaningless. So, if you desire to achieve the trust and love
of your teacher, stand fast in your efforts and dedication and before
you know it the teacher will be calling you into the door.
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
|
|
