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 The
Meaning Behind Our Logo
 Many
students have been asking about the meaning behind our Logo, a full
explanation is long overdue.
Taken
from the Norse Runic Symbol known as the Valknut, the "Knot
of the Fallen" traditionally represents the relationship between
the three worlds in Norse Mythology, which can be interpreted as
that which was, that which is, and that which is yet to come.
Specific
to our school, this represents the Sage's role in Life, as a caretaker
of knowledge, the Sage is responsible for learning as much as possible
from the teachers that life presents, and passing it on to future
generations; effectively, the philosophical underpinning of our
school.
In
Norse mythology this is a warrior's symbol, and it also represents
the link between those who have fallen in battle, and those whom
they died fighting for. Similarly, in Martial Arts, many, many sacrifices
have been made to bring you the knowledge that you will acquire
in training, and this tradition and history must not be forgotten.
Future knowledge is dependent on an appreciation and understanding
of the past.
In
many cultures and Martial Arts systems, the triangle is also seen
as highly representative symbol, often used to describe footwork
patterns, relationships of angles of attack and movement, leverage
and distance. Metaphorically, the Triangle represents the three
stages of knowledge that we identify in our curriculum: the Obvious,
the Strategic (or Tactical), and the Sublime.
The
Obvious is the level of understanding that one possesses when first
introduced to a concept or maneuver. After time and practice, and
further observation, the student becomes aware of the Tactical and
Strategic value of that information. Later still, after many years
of diligent practice and introspective contemplation, the wisdom
of how and why the information exists becomes apparent; that is
the Sublime.
At
any time in your training at Sage Arts Unlimited, you will possess
each of these levels of understanding to varying degrees, hence
why the triangles are interlocked.
The
triangle is also significant for the fact that it is a continuous
shape, which represents a cycle of order and the return to original
perspective. The truth is that study in Martial Arts is never a
matter of "finishing" in a linear sense. Rather, one will
often return to the same material that they began with, and in doing
so, learn to become a beginner again. This cycle of learning is
never-ending and at the core of the human experience.
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The Role of the Sage
I
take a great deal of wisdom from the Tao Te Ching, in which,
one who follows the Tao is considered a Sage. I find it to
be highly beneficial to many types of students to teach from
this perspective:
XXXI
Weapons are the
tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.
Weapons are the
tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?
He enters battle
gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion
as if he were attending a funeral.
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Our Slogan
"Pluralitas
Non Est Ponenda Sine Necessitate" or
"Plurality should not be posited without necessity."
Known
as Occam's Razor, these words are of the medieval English philosopher
and Franciscan monk, William of Ockham (ca.1285-1349). I find this
quote to be an appropriate summation of the underlying philosophy
of Jeet Kune Do.
In
a nutshell, Plurality suggests a division, a choice, and a separation
of different forms of potential. In Martial Arts, when a person
decides that they are a particular type of fighter, they are also
instantly deciding to be insufficient in other areas. When a person
decides to focus their development as a dedicated grappler, they
are also deciding to forgo development in striking skills, weapons
skills, trapping skills, etc.
A
good fighter should have a base of skills which allow them to respond
intuitively, appropriately and without hesitation to any situation,
and so must be well-rounded (you've got to do it all). Exclusion
of techniques in Martial Arts training should be cautiously done.
Plurality
in Martial Arts comes from a sense of identity placed in a set of
techniques, a strategic perspective, or a set of traditions. This
often causes deficiencies and limitations.
Plurality
in Martial Arts is also often superficial. The distinctions and
separations amongst the various styles and systems of training are
largely political and unnecessary.
Occam's
Razor is also summarized to in the following manner:
"One
should not expand beyond what is necessary,
the number of entities required to explain anything."
I
hold this concept to be critical to sound teaching, and use it as
a mark for communication, against which I can measure my classes
and lectures. I train my instructors to hold this in mind when they
demonstrate for our classes, and find that many great teachers also
follow this guideline intuitively.
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