The sum of our obstacles will always be greater or equal to our own prowess.
A good martial artist is always looking to test their mettle or kigai (氣概). Interestingly, the kanji for kigai translates as “condition of one’s energy.” One’s mettle is “their ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way.” Thus, if the condition of our ki is strong, then our mettle or ability to handle difficult situations would also be strong. In order to test our mettle, we must face adversaries who are kotekishu (好敵手) or are “worthy opponents.” The reason that we choose someone who is a worthy opponent or someone of superior ability is because in the martial arts, we aiteshidai (相手次第) or “we determine our attitude according to our opponent.” If our opponent is shoteki (少敵) or a “weak opponent,” then they won’t bring out the best in us. In sumo, sumo wrestlers are supposed to kokyu wo awaseru (呼吸を合わせる) or “synchronize their breathing with their opponent’s prior to the start of a match.” On the surface, they synchronize their breathing for timing reasons. In a deeper sense, there is this idea that a person of greater or equal strength breathes differently than a person of lesser skill. Therefore, the synchronization of breathing becomes a metaphor meant to mean that a stronger opponent behaves differently and, theoretically, breathes differently and thus by synchronizing with a superior opponent, we become greater as a result because they bring out the greatness in us. In the west, we say “iron sharpens iron.” The Japanese equivalent is sessatakuma (切磋琢磨) which means “to improve by mutual encouragement.” The best martial artists know that the stronger they are, the more difficult opponents they will have to face. It seems unfair, but this truism seems like one of the unfortunate laws of the universe. Thus, the sum of our obstacles will always be greater or equal to our own prowess. This gives us the opportunity to rise to the level of our challenge. That is why the best always want to oomonogui (大物食い) or “defeat a superior opponent.” In battle and in life, we don’t get to choose our opponent and so we must always be ready. That is why a good martial artist is always supposed to assume that their opponent is of equal or greater skill. This assumption enables them to never be caught off guard and it also enables them to be ready to rise to the occasion. For most of us, our greatest opponent, battle, or adversity has yet to be revealed. When it does come, we won’t know if we will rise to the occasion or be crushed by the weight. That is why to get a better sense, a martial artist is always seeking out greater opponents or challenges to test their mettle.
Today’s goal: In everything you do, don’t take the easy route - challenge yourself.
Watch this short video of author Robert Greene discussing challenging yourself.