For fellow Sifu, Masters, or instructors. Do you teach what it means to have warrior spirit?

I'm not an instructor, but I think I can help with the question.

My instructor in Hapkido (who taught far more than just hapkido) taught me a lot about the things your saying. He didn't teach everyone...actually, out of a total of probably 80 people, he only taught three or four of us about those sort of things. Sure, he would throw references in the form of theory and philosophy during class, but would never go deeper than that.

Even though he openly taught me, I got a lot of information from books like Go Rin no Sho and Hagakure...but he helped bring things into perspective.

He always said I had great potential, could learn fast and was an excellent student. I'm sure he thought the same of the others. I'm really grateful for what he taught me.

He's in the Air-Force, nearing retirement, and was able to go to Korea and Japan, and got to train in the traditional schools with direct descendants of the great legends. He has an awesome collection of person experience.

Our school teaches history and culture along with Chinese martial arts. Included in this are the lion dance and more pertinent to your question, the martial moralities. These include:

Morality of Deed:

Humility

Respect

Righteousness

Trust

Loyalty, and

Morality of Mind:

Will

Endurance

Perseverance

Patience

Courage

Each one of these is a philosophical point in itself, and even if we do not address these concepts directly in every class, it is our attempt to embody them at all times both in and out of the school. Also, being a part of the Ching Wu (Jing Woo, Jing Wu, Jing Mo, etc...) system, we make it a point to emphasize these moralities.

While a relatively new concept, we teach martial arts not just for actual application and self-defense, but also the more philosophical aspects which could correlate directly into every day life. I believe in Japanese arts, the idea is "Bushido", and is illustrated, for example, by a fierce samurai warrior who is also well-versed in flower arrangement. The term "kung fu" itself roughly means "hard work over time"... This being such, I echo my father in saying to my students, "Everything worth doing is worth doing right," whether it be martial arts, flower arranging, or performing work duties at a full-time job or in school.

I suppose to better answer your question, the term "warrior" would need to be better defined!

Thought-provoking question. Thank you.

EDIT: I understand what you meant before you went on to clarify further, but allow me to clarify my statement concerning better defining what a "warrior" is: I didn't mean that YOU had to define it better, but rather, I was speaking in generalities.

Is a warrior a perfect fighting/killing machine? Is it like the Terminator? Or would the perfect warrior only fight when absolutely necessary and offer mercy where warranted?

I tend to believe in the latter, and would therefore deem the philosophical aspects extremely important. It's what differentiates a martial artist, or true "warrior" from a mere average, run-of-the-mill fighter.

Great question. I am not an instructor. This was a personal choice I made years ago. However, my late instructor taught me ( I think because I needed the discipline more than the others ) that a true warrior embodies both the killing ability with the merciful capability given to all men. He gave me an old analogy I'd like to share with you. ( Actually, I think it's written in some ancient text somewhere.)

"For those of us who prize peace, and harmony above all else. There are certain rules we must apply. It is better to check rather than injure. Injure rather than cripple. Cripple rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. Kill only to survive. Yet, should the need arise to kill in order to survive. You must act with ruthless efficiency."

Although I teach Classical Arts, I do not try to instill any ideas other than the Principles and Concepts that govern the arts.

My last assignment at work gave me access to a large open area in the back of the business that I managed so I went back there every day to practice kata. A young lady that I saw everyday started smiling at me every time she saw me. A week later she approached me and told me that she watches me train through her office window. Before she saw me, she said that I gave an impression of being a "profound" and "serene" person and when she saw me "doing my thing" she realized why.

I don't live by any "code of honor" or "philosophy" other than being polite, courteous and helpful - I know it's hard for you all to believe but that is the way I really am.

I have often been referred to as "stoic".

The truth is that I am always going through things in my mind that maybe I have heard or read - contemplating.

That has nothing to do with any applied Philosophies or Warrior-ism but I am often told that I looked like I "did something", because I was "different".

I only instill in anyone - not only to past students but to kids I saw grow up, people seeking knowledge in general, to always take what I tell them and research it to see if I am giving them facts or if I am speculating.

I stay away from things that are "religious" and philosophical. I believe in God and the Messiah but they have nothing to do with religion.

Belief Systems have powerful effects on people and in the world in general. The Bible tells us that people will believe lies rather than truth.

I believe RESULTS!

Big Pharma will tell us that using herbs, vitamins, nutrition and energy principles is "quackery" but if you research the most prestigious peer-reviewed science and medical journals, you will find the results of studies done by scientists and medical practitioners all over the world proving the very things smeared as "quackery" as effective, often at a high level against diseases like Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, etc.

How many Pharma commercials do you see on TV during 1 hour of programming? How many side effects are mentioned after? How many times do you hear the word "fatal" associated with pharmaceuticals? Many! Many, and MANY!

The principles and concepts of martial arts, when taught outside of the "wisdom" and "philosophical" theories ALONE, will instill characteristics in people that lead to enlightenment.

It just comes with the territory.

Through the training of martial arts alone, you become a higher human.

You are elevated to a different level.

You become Enhanced.

This has been my observation.

I don't feel that is something that can be taught. I think it's something that can be grasped only by the individual who chooses to push himself past his own breaking point. I can only push him so far.

When he has matured enough to push himself, he gains something other people don't have. An extra discipline and drive.

I think if the individual sticks with it and gives 100% of himself at all times, he will end up earning that spirit. But I can only start him off.