Many people start martial arts training to become dangerous or to earn the coveted rank of black belt.  I am going to concentrate on the issue of becoming a black belt.  Reason being, I've had numerous conversations with people inquiring about this.

The History of Color Belts

My research shows that the legendary Judo creator, Mr. Jigoro Kano, started the color belt system as a way to measure his students’ skills when paired with other Judo players. The color belts are a visible recognition of accomplishment.  Mr. Kano created the black belt rank to represent completion of the first step of training, which is mastering the basics.  Once you earn a black belt, it is like starting over at white belt again, but just on a more advanced level.  It's important to look at earning a black belt as reaching a destination.  The destination is less important than the journey.  The journey involves becoming stronger, more flexible, more knowledgeable, and more humble.  The journey will forge your body, mind, and spirit.

How to Earn the Black Belt

To earn a black belt you start by finding a martial art that interests you.  Then you find a good teacher.  A dojo located in a convenient location makes it easier to attend regularly.  A wide range of serious training partners also helps. If you are an adult, I would encourage you to not go train with mostly children.  Children normally require more attention and have less focus.  This may slow your progress since the teacher may have to use more instructional time helping the children.  Training with teenagers can be beneficial.  They are usually in great shape and will present you with a friendly and energetic challenge.  Most importantly, you must devote yourself to training.  Martial arts is not something you do only when it is convenient.  It is a way of life—used to strengthen the body, mind, and spirit.  It is a step-by-step training process designed to take you from no knowledge (emptiness) to a wealth of knowledge (well-rounded).

Lao Tzu said: “The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” As you approach the black belt testing day, you will realize that the color of the belt is not as important as the lessons learned and the obstacles overcome along the way.

Lotus has a syllabus of required testing material for you to perform and complete to be awarded your black belt.  The syllabus is important to preserve the integrity of the style.  For example, it is not fair if one student has to complete a torturous test, while another student in the same style gets awarded a black belt for performing a less rigorous test.  When that happens, it degrades the integrity and respect of the style and its members.

Who is a Black Belt?

The martial artist, especially the black belt, strives to live the martial way.  The martial way is a way of life that promotes harmony, knowledge, integrity, respect, and courage. 

Possessing harmony means you have conquered your inner warrior.  Confucius said, “He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.”  Being in a state of harmony keeps you in control.  Nobody can hurt you emotionally or anger you unless you allow them.  You are slow to anger and you don’t feel you need to prove your skills by beating people up or teaching them a lesson.

Knowledge is power because knowledge promotes confidence.  Due to many hours of hard training, you have learned much.  You know the proper way to punch and kick, and also the proper way to block and defend against a multitude of attacks. Your knowledge of martial arts and the human body make you confident on the mat and outside the dojo.

Integrity is adhering to a strict moral and ethical code.  This code is practiced by respectful traditions, such as bowing to your instructors, students, and classmates.  The bow is not a religious act, but an act of respect and discipline.  Martial arts without rules is nothing more than violence.

There are many people who are respected out of fear, but the black belt earns respect by showing respect.  The black belt doesn’t forget that he was a white belt at one time.  A black belt strives to refrain from thinking "I am better than so-and-so.” He knows he cannot compare his struggle or achievements to other people.  This is why a black belt encourages everyone in the continual pursuit of improving the quality of one’s life through the martial arts.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but doing what needs to be done in the face of fear and adversity.  The black belt test in itself is an act of courage.  You are performing all your movements and having to fight other well-trained classmates in the presence of your instructor, fellow classmates, friends, and others.

This does not mean black belts have no faults.  Black belts are ordinary people who try harder and don't give up.  True black belts strive to live the martial way by practicing these virtues every day.  Application of the martial way on the mat and outside the dojo is one of the traits that brings black belts together. As a black belt, strive to apply these principles to every aspect of your life.

Written by Tucker Axum