TanDao

They Combed Their Hair At Thermopylae

October 21st, 2008

FRESHAIR

“Human life  has always been lived on the edge of a precipice. Human culture has always had to exist under the shadow of something more infinitely important than itself.” — CS Lewis

In martial arts, attention and preparation for every possible life and death situation are the basics. Life is never without crises. Our daily distractions often allow us to ignore this truth until something frightening happens and forces our attention.

In this difficult time, many of us are paying close attention and taking the full force of the blow; not dealing with crisis is worse. Yet, even in our disillusion and devastation, life goes on. It more than goes on. In life and in tandao’s evolving martial artist, the basics comprise only part of the journey. The integration of the warrior/scholar/monk (body/mind/spirit) is essential.

Far beyond mere survival, in the worst of times, humans explore thought beyond limitations of crisis. We do much more than exist. In his essay on war, CS Lewis wrote of our human history saying we do not put off merely cultural activities until disaster is averted or conflict resolved. Waiting until life is without danger to seek out knowledge and beauty is a moment that will never come. We do not wait.

Long before the film 300, Lewis told us that men will conduct metaphysical arguments in condemned cells, propound mathematical theorems in beleaguered cities and make jokes on scaffolds. The warriors combed their hair at Thermopylae. Though knowing their death was imminent, those Spartans honored being alive by understanding the importance of what is left behind. This ensures continuity. We honor the evolution of our culture, this is our nature.

In early times, Neanderthals managed survival. The Cromagnons transcended root needs as their culture emerged. They learned strategy, and by painting tales on cave walls, created art and history. Though for a time the two groups existed side by side, the Neanderthal, held in place by its limitation, died out. Moving past the predicament of survival, early man, the conscious, thinking man, was born.

We are not only resilient, but we have the urge to move into higher and loftier thought.  It is the foundation of human progress. Our survival is ensured in our ability to do more than survive. Man is more than the fight.

Toni Josephson

Entry Filed under: General