What do you do in your spare time?

I had the pleasure of attending the Detroit school’s anniversary seminar over Memorial Day weekend this year.  On Friday night, Sigung Moy Tung gave an excellent kung fu lecture.    During his discourse, he said, “If you want to master kung fu, there’s no such thing as practicing kung fu in your spare time because in your spare time, you will be resting.”  This statement caused me to reevaluate how I train kung fu.

To achieve mastery in any given endeavor requires discipline, dedication, and hard work.  It may not be convenient to practice kung fu everyday.  Those who are on the path to becoming masters will do it anyway.  They will make it a normal routine in their lives.  Therefore, they will rest in their spare time, as their training has already been completed.  The hobbyists pursue kung fu in their spare time.  If it is not convenient for them to attend class on a particular day, they may take that day off.  Training is much more flexible.

Is it bad to practice kung fu as a hobbyist?  Not at all.  A multitude of benefits can be derived from the pursuit of kung fu that will enrich your life and a high level of kung fu can be cultivated over time.  By attending kung fu class multiple times a week, you’re already way ahead of most people and you’re developing a great skill set to boot.  But can one expect to rival the skills of the greatest masters by attending kung fu class 3 times a week for a couple of hours as one’s sole training?  Do Olympic athletes compete after spending an average of six hours a week training?

By distinguishing levels of training and commitment, you can choose to step up to a higher level of dedication.  Follow your own kung fu path and it will show you where you need to go.