Balance of Spirit

The spirit is important to develop the balance of life.  The spirit is greatly involved in developing the balance of life.  Spirit is the philosophical thought.  Philosophy is a thought process of thinking and analyzing.  Philosophy is the process of asking questions.  If we put involved thought and ask questions, then we can develop ourselves to be more balanced.  Martial arts teach that balance is achieved through physical, mental and philosophical conditioning.  Often times, “spirit” is confused as being taught with religious context.  There are many religions that use the word “spirit” in its teachings, so it is easy to develop a misconception of thought in regards to what the martial arts teaches.   

Martial arts teach a person to be more understanding.  Martial arts teach that we can be better people by taking a philosophical look at the world that surrounds us.  We may also be better people by taking a better look at our own internal world.  By looking at our actions, asking questions and analyzing our choices, we can develop ourselves.  Without asking questions, as with philosophical thought, the same mistake may be repeated.  This can be applicable to all levels of life.   

If there is failure, then we can analyze and question the reason for this failure.  If there is imbalance, we can seek to find out why this imbalance exists.  Through recognition, analyzing and asking questions, we can become more balanced.  This balanced state will not only develop within the human condition, but also be reflected in the outside world.  We will not only develop ourselves to be better, but we can serve as an example and affect the outside world that surrounds us.  This is not easy.  Just like the physical and mental condition, maintaining the philosophical thought process takes discipline.  It is a daily practice of improvement.  

The philosophical process has been around for thousands of years.  The philosophers of ancient times are considered to be some of the most influential people in history.  Periods of history are full of philosophical thought, which were developed on the basis of asking questions.  Philosophers took observation of their surroundings, the internal and external conditions.  By observing and analyzing, they developed schools of thought considered important even to this day.   

It is through philosophical thought and development of the spirit that the individual can become morally sound.  If we take careful consideration, we can better develop the ability to see what is moral.  There are many issues of the world involved in moral debate.  Many lives are lost to wars because of issues involving moral rights of the people.  History has been written based on changes made by observing and asking questions.  Where would we as a human race be without the ability to develop philosophical thought?  Where would we as individuals be without the ability to develop ourselves by looking at the world that surrounds us?  By looking at our world and looking at ourselves, we can develop a more balanced life.