”Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry … To apply a rule with natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting the words of the rule ‘obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities of the situation’, is mastery.”
-George Polya, mathematician (1887-1985)
We learn; we apply. Doing so in a flexible, creative way is the path I suggest. White belts learn what they need to – in a more confined “do this” way. Advanced martial artists apply “rules” in creative and more flexible ways to blend well with the “opportunities of the situation”.
First, learn what you don’t know; then, apply what you do. Beyond that, create what you don’t know and apply what you haven’t learned. pgmb
Awesome blog Senor thank you very much for this insight.
Easier said than done! But well worth the effort. Thank you
The journey of discovery is a great thing. But it is difficult to think outside of the box and discover, when we have a society that dictates “follow the rules exactly”. We are led to believe that we master something when we follow the rules exactly and do well at the task, but who says being outside of the box isn’t mastery? That time out of the box could leave to a better understanding, which could enhance your mastery. Thanks for this!
“opportunities of the situation” is such a polite way to describe beating somebody up