The Difference between "Sul" and "Do."

While I was training with Grandmaster Wonik Yi in Austin Texas one night we had an interesting discussion on the reason he choose the name Tukong MooSul over Tukong MooDo.

It has been over ten years since that conversation and it is becoming more clear to me all the time.

Grandmaster Yi is a very wise man, he knows that no matter how deeply he touches any one individual's life, he cannot teach them the "way" that is referred to in the word "Do." He knows that he is quite capable of teaching the techniques, that is "Sul."

I say this with complete respect for Grandmaster Yi.  It is a wise man that knows his limitations. These limitations are not only his, they are also ours. Yours and mine.

Now, over a decade later I am re-learning this principle. The way cannot be taught, it must be caught. This simple truth has been presented to me as the plain simple truth that it is. I look at some of my former training partners and I see that a few of them have caught the "way", and others have not. I know that some have not been looking for the way, and others have been avoiding it.

I have been consciously searching for the truth, the "way of living that is in harmony with the universe, and in line with what I feel I am put on this Earth at this time to learn."

I know that my "way" is not the same way that any other individual will best evolve. I have learned that I am a Soul, a drop of the essence of the Great Spirit. I also know that every experience I have is for my growth, learning and evolution.  I know that this is also your truth. We are each unique Soul's on a journey of growth. What we make of our experiences is what helps to determine our next experience. That is why sometimes we are presented with the same lesson over and over again.

So why am I writing about this in a martial arts web page? A good question, indeed.

As much as I respect Grandmaster Yi, I am in a place in my life where he is not my primary teacher any longer. Please do not misundertand me, I have a deep respect for Grandmaster Yi, But I am now in a more Spiritual phase of my life than I was 10 years ago when I was living in Austin. Part of my evolution has been the normal evolution we all go through in our thirties and into our forties. Part of this evolution has been different than the normal. I still highly recommend Grandmaster Yi as a martial arts instructor, and state quite clearly that I have never seen anyone that has the movement ability that he does. The man is awesome.

In my own internal search I have had to learn to listen to the 'still-calm-voice-within.' This is a voice that we all have. I know that when I listen to that voice I make the correct decision for the correct reason, every time.

I started training in the martial arts, very nearly 20 years ago, I was looking for "the way." I knew that, but what I did not know is this truth ~ the way must be caught, it cannot be taught. I trained very hard and made some very good choices along the way. I found a great instructor that was willing to share his deeper insights. I thought that the trouble I had learning "the way" from him was due to the language barrier between us. This demonstrates the limitations of my perspective of the truth though; a large part of that difficulty came from the fact that there is NO LANGUAGE that can teach the way. Time went on and years later I moved to Seattle WA for more training and experiences.

In Seattle I had some great times, worked with some wonderful people, and the distinct honor of training one young man up to Black Belt. I also had the honor of training 1000 women (plus or minus a few, but not many) realistic full force self-defense. All of these experiences helped me to evolve and begin to transform my life.

But there has been a limit to how far I was able to travel on the purely physical plane of martial arts training. My focus now is a lot more internal.

Grandmaster Yi told us many years ago that he could teach us the techniques, but it was up to us to learn the "Way". He said "I can teach you Tukong Moosul, it is up to you to make it Tukong MooDo." Now I am starting to get a feel for my "way", and I know the wisdom of his words. Who knows, in another 25 years I may even be able to rationally explain it. In the mean time I just have to keep my intention and attention focused where they are.

The strongest lessons I have learned have all come from personal contemplation. I encourage everyone to contemplate why they are alive. What is it that you are supposed to do with your life. I have spent years on this question. This is how one becomes able to 'catch' the way. I have caught my answer.I now know that it is not my will, it is "thy will."

This is why Tukong Moosul is "techniques" and not "the way"; we each have to catch our own way, and find our own path.