Preserving the Art

Check out the press release I put up at

http://www.shoushu.com/node/13

I haven't seen the show but I'm really happy about it. I figured this sort of thing would happen but didn't think it would happen this soon or on mainstream TV. Especially MTV

SSW 

The dates of tragic events tend to stick in peoples minds. It is said that emotion enhances memory and I know first hand this is true. I remember every detail of Jan 02, 2002. It is the day myself and so many others lost the man who was very much a father figure to all of us.
I'm sure everyone knows I'm talking about Da' Shifu Al Moore, the man who made Shou' Shu' what it is today.
 
It seems fitting to me that we remember this always on the first working day of the year. The day when we put the holidays behind us and get to work. We plan our year and begin to set that plan into effect.  Da' Shifu was all about getting things done. He always had numerous projects going on. Projects ranging from installing a windmill to pump water which would irrigate the area we used for Shou' Shu' camp to working with his Shun Shifu's to perfect their knowledge. He was most often seen in a holy pair of greasy jeans, an old work shirt, and a tattered hat. He wasn't much for putting on airs and was easily embarrassed if someone gave him a formal salute outside of the studio (which happened often). He didn't really even like titles. His true title was Sijo Da' Shifu but he wouldn't go by that. He had no use for it.
 
Da' Shifu was all about passing the knowledge down properly. Anything else didn't have much purpose.  
 
This morning my wife and I were reminiscing a bit. She said "You know we really don't have anywhere to go visit him. No grave site, no place where his ashes were spread. But that's ok, we have him here. We remember him and honor his wishes every day here. His picture is painted on the wall and that is better because we are reminded of him and what he wanted every day."
 
I agree.
 
Over the last several years I've had a lot of realizations as to why he did things certain ways. Things that I disagreed with I now understand. Some of these things that I butted heads with him on but I always listened and remembered. Now I get it.
 
One thing I have seen over and over is the importance of humility in the martial arts. He lived it and he professed it. He always said and made sure I heard that once the ego got out of control it was all over. If it happens to a martial artist that martial artist is done. He can no longer learn and most certainly will regress.
 
I am sad to say that I've seen this phenomena a few too many times. I've seen very physically talented martial artists with amazing potential lose it when their ego got a hold of them. These people are most likely done forever. Their talents wasted. Their knowledge never to be passed on. A total waste as far as being a part of furthering the art.
 
I am also guilty of allowing it. This saddens me. I know that in a few situations had a I been harder on a few of these individuals they may not have developed the huge ego that ruined them. I wasn't as wise then. I didn't understand what he had taught me yet. Now I do. At least a little better.

I am consoled in the fact that he learned these lessons in the same way I did. It is a very hard lesson to learn. Much is lost in the process. I remember his stories which related to this. They are similar to mine.

 I've seen others that I've had no influence over fall prey to the lure of titles and belts. Trading in what they know for prestige. Training out of themselves what Da' Shifu taught them in order to receive rank in the new ways. I don't fault them. It's hard to put myself in their shoes and understand, but I imagine most didn't really realize what they were doing. Probably not even something they thought about. I don't know. But even if they didn't think about it I suspect they felt something was wrong. Instinct knows.

However on the brighter side many have done well. Many carry on the art in it's original form and retain their own humilty. Many go on to become outstanding teachers and pass on the art. Many learn the lessons of Shou' Shu' and what is truly important. These people are the future of Shou' Shu'. Those are the people that we try to make better than we are. Just as Da' Shifu tried to do with us. I hope that you are or will be one of these future great teachers.
 
It's been six years since Da' Shifu's passing. Time for the dust to settle. I finally feel it has settled. I'm confident that this is the year we see his wish come true. That all of those that he taught will come together and share his knowledge. He played an interesting trick on all of us. He told us many times he did not teach all of his knowledge to one person but he did teach all of his knowledge. He set it up so that for all of the knowledge to be put back together many of his students would have to get back together as a group and share what they know.
 
I am happy to say I am part of at least a small group doing this. I am hopeful that the group will grow. We have many great teachers in our group. There are others that have contacted me. There are many many more out there that we have not seen nor heard of in years. Hopefully they will join us and share what they have.
This is what Da' Shifu wanted. He said it many times. I'm sure he knew that the organization would split after his passing. True Shou' Shu' probably could not have been preserved without that happening. But he set it up for it to come together again. I believe it is time for that to happen. I've seen it happening in small ways. I believe that will accelerate.
 
So we start off this new year. Thinking of Da' Shifu' and all the great things he taught us. Planning our work. Looking forward at all the great things to come of it. That is our greatest salute to him.
 
Happy New Year
 
Shun Shifu Weaver