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Becoming Nobody, Which is Really Somebody

Updated: Jan 25

Ram Dass said that “You spent the first half of your life becoming somebody. Now you can work on becoming nobody, which is really somebody.”


Karate black belt


Have you ever been to a Karate grading? In it all the senior Sensei’s wear Black belts that are actually quite threadbare – the colour of black hardly recognisable, the dye worn and the once tough cotton, now soft and frayed. They look scruffy almost.


Is this some odd cost saving measure? Are Black belts more frugal than most ? Maybe it is a trust thing… You only get one belt – so don’t lose it, right?


If I was a Black belt – wouldn’t I want to look as smart as those newly appointed to my ranks?

Why are the senior Dan grades not proud enough to want to look their best in front of their students and the watching public?


These simple questions intrigued me.


The single answer to them all –proved to be hugely insightful, an epiphany almost – an insight into the philosophy underpinning Karate which changed my entire outlook on the sport and also on life – my personal fear of failure and in truth altered my approach to any future challenges I now take on.


Let me share what I learned.


There is a very clear reason for the condition of a Senior Sensei’s belt. It is based on traditional Japanese thinking and it goes to the very heart of learning, leadership and personal growth.


The coloured belt system exists only to satisfy the ego of the Karate student. As the pupil gets stronger in the art, he/she has their ego rewarded by the ‘outward’ trophy of another coloured belt – one closer to the black belt they ultimately crave. The colored belt tells the world the student’s level of proficiency, their skill, at best it’s a reference point for further improvement , at worst it can even serve boastful tendencies.


However – when the black belt is finally achieved – the individual transitions quickly from pupil to teacher. This is an important change.


As a Sensei they are deemed to have acquired sufficient knowledge that they are now trusted to teach others. From this moment on – the Sensei’s purpose should be devoting their time and attention to build the capability of others.


And so, over time, as the Sensei ties and reties their belt to teach, the colour and texture of their shiny black belt begins to fade and wear… Until eventually, over many hours and years of teaching their black belt loses its colour and slowly returns to the colour white. This is the art of humility.


For the Sensei this is a good thing as a threadbare white belt serves as a symbol, a constant reminder, that he/she was only ever a white belt all along. An honourable and experienced Sensei needs no further trophy to acknowledge their progress.


Ego no longer is a driving force for the individual; they have no truck with it. Energy must now be invested in others. Becoming a successful Black belt is actually an object lesson in humility.


Yet, while our ego can get too large, our consciousness has no upper limit.


It is true that once consciousness has got too large it won’t stuff back into the box. Spiritual awakening does involve humility, but it is also irreversible.


Namaste.


Sending you love, light, and blessings brothers.


Olly

Dr Olly Alexander Branford MBBS, MA(Cantab), PhD.

Fully qualified and certified coach


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Hello,

I am very pleased to meet you. Thank you for reading this far. I very much look forward to connecting with the highest version of you, to seeing your highest possibility, and to our conversations. Please do contact me via my email for a free connection call and a free experience of coaching.

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I have a Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences from Trinity College, Cambridge; a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Cambridge; a PhD Doctorate in Scientific Research from University College London (UCL); a Medical Degree (MD/MBBS) from The Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London and have been a doctor and reconstructive trauma and cancer surgeon in London for 20 years. I have published over 50 peer reviewed scientific journal articles, have been an associate editor and frequent scientific faculty member, and am the author of several scientific books. I have been awarded my Diploma in Transformative Life Coaching in London, which has International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accreditation, as well as the UK Association for Coaching (AC), and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). I have been on my own transformative journey full time for over five years and I am ready to be your guide to you finding out who you really are and how the world works. I have written 400 articles for you and an eBook to guide you on your transformative journey, which are all available for free on my website - click on the link below:


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