In Martial Arts classes, we were taught about the Yin Yang Theory, about how in all good there was evil, and in all evil there was good. While as a Christian, I can't say I fully subscribe to those beliefs on a religious deity level, in other philosophical terms with regards to people, I do understand and have seen it displayed in both real life and fiction.
Some of you who have read some of my earlier blogs might have read my blog post about Master Legend and Superhero, who were complete equals and opposites in nearly every single way. It was a perfect representation of the ideas spoken of by Mr. Glass in the movie Unbreakable. Both Master Legend and Superhero have been mentors of mine, each one I felt represented an extreme version of myself but in opposite ways, as if I am what you get if you mix each of them together as one.
In the Karate Kid movie (I specifically reference the first movie) along with the follow-up TV series Cobra Kai, we see a rivalry between Daniel Larusso of Miyagi-Do, and Johnny Lawrence of Cobra Kai, later forming his own Eagle Fang Karate, and even a temporary alliance of the two, Miyagi Fang!
The two seem to be equals in terms of fighting skill, although throughout the first movie, Johnny was seen as the dominant fighter, until Daniel wins the tournament. Fast forward a few decades until their big alliance to team up to teach a class together. It didn't go as well as they had both hoped at first, considering the mixed and conflicting messages of the teachers. In my opinion, they both are right in how they teach. But as they later figured out, they should teach separate classes, yet still maintain their alliance.
It's important to have different teachers teach you different ways, so you can find your own balance, and your own ways. It's easier to do when you expose yourself to a diverse selection of types of teachers.
Superhero used to be hard on me for every mistake I made. Master Legend defended me from every attack on me that happened because of mistakes I made. Not to consider them like parents, but similar to how when it comes to parents a mother and father might have different styles of parenting. One the strict authoritarian and the other the supportive one. But it also displays the fact that two opposing aspects of heroism can also achieve great results. One does it by showing you your mistakes so that you know right from wrong, while the other one who is on your side whether you're right OR wrong, offers you that unconditional loyalty that everyone in this life needs. One teaches you heroism, the other gives you heroism.
Sensei Kreese refused to see any tears or weakness from Johnny when he learned that the young Johnny Lawrence was being physically abused by his step father. While Mr. Miyagi used his healing abilities to heal Daniel's injuries. They're both right, as both teachers helped their students become stronger, although through different methods, even when they say the other is wrong. So who do you follow?
You have to find your own way. You are not alive to merely be an echo of the world, but rather create an echo into the world. If all you were exposed to was one way of teaching that is what you would become. If you are exposed to a different balance of teachings, you learn what works best for what situations. You become both stronger and wiser.
In the Marines, I learned the difference between training smarter and training harder. Many people might assume the Marines is 100% physical and 0% mental. Doing pushups, running, and shooting rifles. How hard could it be, right? Really it's 100% physical and 100% mental. Same as with my real life Jedi training. When confronted with conflict, the Jedi in me wants to behave like Mr. Miyagi and try to avoid conflict as much as I can until the fight comes to me. The Marine in me knows that in order to maintain peace, one must be willing to show strength and fight because if violence is the only language bullies understand then we must be better at communating their own language with them. The level of fear and respect you obtain from that might also be given to potential future victims. But the Jedi aspect also guides people to use diplomacy to avoid or end conflict if and when possible.
So one must know the right times to be peaceful and when to make war, when to train smart and when to train hard. When to indulge, and when to fast. When to exhaust yourself and when to relax.
There are already systems of martial arts known as Bushido (the way of the warrior) and Budo (the martial Way), so I realized why not create a system known as the way of the Hero. I looked up in Japanese and it would be called YushaDo. There could even be one called the Way of the Superhero. But they would be mostly the same thing. It would be a continuous work in progress over time. It would have a philosophy and strategies to it, ones that act as a balance to Bushido and Budo.
More to come over time. And may this idea live on over time and may others feel welcome to add their own versions and interpretations to it also.
