SINCERITY THOUGHT BY RICHARD HACKWORTH

Sincerity on Your Martial Arts Journey by Richard Hackworth

As martial artists we expect to attain certain character traits from our training. The teachings of a traditional teacher should guide you down the path of developing wisdom, benevolence, and bravery. But none of that can be achieved if you do not apply yourself sincerely to your practice. 

We know that the character development aspects of our art are not meant to be taken lightly. Far too many of us feel momentarily inspired, but then to completely forget once we are immersed in the difficult efforts to perfect our physical skills. But to forget these “important ideals” is to lose the Way of this art. And if that happens, we will lose an important opportunity to truly develop ourselves.

The character trait of sincerity builds on the other moral virtues and the cultivation of sincerity is one of the central themes that run through Confucian philosophy. In the Confucian classics, many virtues are named and discussed in detail. For example, there are extended discussions on the meaning and practice of virtues like propriety, righteousness, filial piety, loyalty, sibling love, obedience, self-discipline and so on. This being the case, of all the virtues that could possibly be chosen as guiding lights, why would these traits be expressly singled out? 

There are five universal ways [in human relations], and the way by which they are practiced is three. The five are those governing the relationship between ruler and minister, between father and son, between husband and wife, between elder and younger brothers, and those … between friends. These five are universal paths in the world.

Wisdom, humanity, and courage, these three are the universal virtues. The way by which they are practiced is one.

Practicing with sincerity develops our humanity and courage. These traits go hand in hand with benevolence and bravery. These universal virtues are the foundation of our training philosophy. 

Sincerity in the Chinese culture is considered “the Way of Heaven.” To think how to be sincere is the way of man. He who is sincere is one who hits upon what is right without effort and apprehends without thinking. He is naturally and easily in harmony with the Way. He who tries to be sincere is one who chooses the good and holds fast to it.

We explain sincerity in the martial arts in this way: “Without sincerity and a serious commitment to training, a student will not make sound progress and will not be able to develop his or her skill to a high level. The student must dedicate himself or herself to the art and must honor the heritage of the art and their Master. Sincerity is required and grows with the cultivation of wisdom and benevolence.

Here, it is evident that sincerity is not only a matter of being a nice person who is truthful in speech. Rather, it involves “commitment,” “dedication” and even “honor.” By this definition, sincerity is a difficult virtue that takes unrelenting effort to cultivate.

We can observe that there are two kinds of people. On one hand is the person who is sincere without conscious effort; on the other hand, is the one who cannot do it effortlessly and who therefore wishes for and actively strives toward perfect virtue.

Is this a hard thing to do? Certainly. But is it an unattainable ideal that we can publicly admire, but privately dismiss as unrealistic? Not at all. To achieve it we are taught to Study it (the way to be sincere) extensively, inquire into it accurately, think over it carefully, sift it clearly, and practice it earnestly. When there is anything not yet studied, or studied but not yet understood, do not give up. When there is any question not yet asked, or asked but its answer not yet known, do not give up. When there is anything not yet thought over, or thought over but not yet apprehended, do not give up. When there is anything not yet sifted, or sifted but not yet clear, do not give up. When there is anything not yet practiced, or practiced but not yet earnestly, do not give up. If another man succeed by one effort, you will use a hundred efforts.

If another man succeed by ten efforts, you will use a thousand efforts.

If one really follows this course, though stupid, he will surely become intelligent, and though weak, will surely become strong.

These words are certainly complementary to give “serious commitment to training” and that a student must “dedicate himself or herself to the art.” If we take these words to heart, then we will be practicing sincerity towards the art that practice and recite student oath before every class. And in doing so, we would surely, however slowly, become better and finer people ourselves. So, the next time we say “sincerity,” let’s try to think “I mean it: I won’t give up until all of this – both the skills and the virtues – becomes second nature.

About the author: Richard Hackworth is a multi-arts Grandmasters and the USA Director for the World Martial Arts Congress. He holds master level rankings in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Korean Sword, and Tai Chi. 

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