In general, people today possess a much higher level of martial knowledge (notice I did not say martial skill) than they did 50 years ago, let alone in feudal times. The information is out there if you put in the time and effort to find it. So then, why does this veil of secrecy surround most advanced, higher-level martial knowledge?

Some instructors try to claim some moral high ground by saying that these dangerous techniques should be controlled and limited in terms of who can acquire them. Let’s face it, if your opponent is far superior to you, a high-powered rifle at 300 yards is an easier, better option than 30 years of intensive martial arts study.

Other instructors cite traditions in attempt at justification that is just another version of the provincial explanation "because we’ve always done it that way" which implies either: (1) no knowledge of the origins of a tradition; (2) a close minded, static approach to any subject; (3) a condescending attitude toward whomever they are addressing (i.e. you’re not worthy of an explanation); or (4) all of the above.

There are many traditions and traditional ways associated with martial arts. The point the contemporary martial artist must understand is that there are two general categories for these traditions: (1) those that bear directly on the attainment of martial skill, and (2) those that exist for a societal purpose. In the first case, we find the passing down of tried and true techniques and training methods; methods and techniques proven effective over time. A traditionalist in this sense is actively interested in preserving and perpetuating the art, by implication (i.e. valuing and searching for martial skill) adding to it, and being a part of that tradition. Just as important is what we don’t see: blind, unquestioning adherence to tradition for the sake of tradition; that brings us to the second case.

In the second case, we find traditions rooted in a feudal culture that evolved to stratify and solidify a hierarchical social order; some trappings of this past will always remain as they are entwined in the very fabric of the cultures from which many martial arts evolved. We see these trappings in many class rituals; this is not necessarily a bad thing, you merely need to understand the distinction. Let’s look at what this means in practical terms.

Understanding this distinction differentiates the type of person who merely studies one style of one martial art, embraces it as the best and One True Way, becomes a master of that style, and calls it quits to learning; confident he has it all. Many people still do that today; that sort of provincial attitude merely sets you up for defeat.

In contrast is the person who realizes that no system is perfect and complete within itself and, by extension, no one culture or historical time period provides all the answers. This points the way to the future and marks one as understanding that martial art is a dynamic, living/breathing entity capable of growth and change, adaptability and flexibility. When you understand the true value of martial art lies in this open-minded philosophy, not in the specifics of the techniques, you understand one important aspect of "the form is the art, but the art is not the form." Back to the reality of secrecy.

Present day reasons for secrecy can generally be subsumed under the heading of personal power; which means ego aggrandizement, money, or both. So when you find someone who makes secrecy a major issue, you can bet there will be a lot of groveling and hoops to jump through if you study with them, and you better get your wallet out.

Does this mean that everything is immediately available to anyone as soon as they walk in the door; can you go straight to lesson # 427? No, and this is the reason. There needs to be a distinction made between advanced and secret. Advanced techniques require exceptional balance, coordination, timing, precision, and power; qualities only gained through years of experience. If you don’t possess these attributes, you either cannot do the techniques or you end up hurting yourself or your partner in your attempts to do them. Not teaching people who do not

possess these attributes is only being a responsible instructor.

There are two types of people in this world: knowledge sharers and knowledge hoarders. Secrecy is the reason some techniques and methods have not been passed on and have died out. Which group do you think is responsible? The true masters are remembered for what they taught, not for what they kept secret.

When you talk to people who have done martial arts all their lives, it immediately becomes apparent that this is one of the best things to ever happen to them. If a person truly feels like this, then it only makes sense that they would want to share it, preserve it, and pass it down to future generations. That’s why we have it; because generations of men have spent their whole lives studying, learning, and teaching to bring this to us. Is it meant to stop with just a select few? My answer is no. If you are serious, hard working, and have a desire to do this, then it should be available to you; the other side of this coin is that any responsible instructor needs to be convinced that you will be responsible in your actions with it.

So, if you accept the definition of advanced techniques and reject people who keep them secret for their own personal gains, does that mean that what you see is all there is? Are martial arts just a compilation of tricks and whoever has the biggest pile wins? No. The qualities that help define the experience as an art are the true "secrets" in martial arts.

Most of the time, the true "secrets" are staring you in the face; you merely have to develop enough to recognize them. What follows are some examples of what I consider to be some of the most important aspects of martial arts’ study; no, all the secrets aren’t here, but if you understand these, you’ll be able to figure out the rest on your own.

The Chinese term kung fu speaks volumes; yet it is seldom appreciated. Yang Jwing-Ming gives a succinct and useful definition in his book Shaolin Chin Na: "Kung Fu, in the Chinese language, means "energy" (kung) and "time" (fu). Together both words mean a kind of patient accomplishment. To master any skill naturally requires patience or energy and time; this term can be applied to non-martial skills such as music and art. When a person has mastered his particular skill, he may be said to have kung fu. The term became associated with martial arts because the mastery of any martial system required, and still requires, years of dedicated practice."

Time and effort is the key to any martial accomplishment and reflects and teaches us about all of life’s activities: what you put into anything is what you get out of it. This statement is simple enough and that is why it is seldom appreciated in its depth and breadth.

When you first begin to study martial arts, time and effort usually means going to a class and physically working out. There are many people who never go beyond this aspect. For those that do, they eventually realize that all quality, long-term martial artists have one trait in common: the ability to practice on their own. Effort is then tied to discipline and time is tied to priorities. This is where you refine your technique, and begin to develop on your own. At this point you discover things like the techniques the Chinese call "20 year techniques", so called because that’s how long you will practice before you understand them, and this is where you will either embrace these techniques with a determination to pursue them to the point of accomplishment or you drop by the wayside. At this point you understand that the definition of effort includes taking the initiative and doing more than is required of you.

After 20 years have passed, you look around and realize that in the process, martial arts have become a part of everything you do in life; the work, the play, the relationships are all influenced and approached with skills you have learned on the mat. You also look around and begin to realize the number of contemporaries you have is ever decreasing; having fallen victim to time and effort.

As the years pass, you become aware of the next great enemy of time and effort: arrogance. As soon as you feel like you have arrived/ you are a "master" and know it all, your time and effort in your personal development begins to fade. If you successfully pass this hurdle, you begin to look at others with a new appreciation and awe of those that truly possess kung fu.

Another secret is the ability to identify and pursue quality martial arts. The first part, identification, is based upon your values and goals, which define quality; this is a very relative and subjective area. My personal definition has a number of components.

In general mind, body, spirit terms, quality means that a system, approach, or technique offers skill (i.e. concrete practical, martial results) and mental/spiritual development based upon knowledge and experience; you get better with age. This drops by the wayside approaches that are combat ineffective, produce short-term results with long-term consequences, or are based upon youth, speed, and strength.

Once you have determined what quality means to you, how do you pursue it? Find the most experienced practitioner within practical limits that shares your definition of quality and study hard. This is not as easy as is sounds; thus the next secret.

All the old guys have an inner circle of students that get personalized attention; everyone else gets the commercial version. How do you get on the inside? Remember rule #1: Everything is a test.

The first thing you will need is time and effort (surprise). The next thing is attitude: some examples from my experience. When a man with 60 years experience demonstrates the most elementary technique you: (A) watch attentively, observing like it is the first time you have ever seen the technique (even if you have done it 10,000 times) and attempt to execute as demonstrated; or (B) give glancing/bored attention, say I know, while you anxiously wait to show and tell this guy how you do it. Yes, I’ve seen this; later the old man told me, "You know why I teach you and not him? Because he set himself up as my contemporary. If he knows as much as I do, he doesn’t need me to teach him anything." Onward.

What comment are you looking for from the old man: (A) "That was really good; you looked just like the founder of the system when he did that same technique," or (B) " you move like a 500lb. block of ice. Relax and try this." Here’s a clue; when the old man starts stroking you, you might as well leave if you really want to learn something. Stroking means he’s not taking you seriously and is therefore not seriously trying to teach you; he is most likely, however, seriously after your wallet. Constructive criticism means he’s trying to help you learn something.

The last great "secret" I’ll share with you has already been touched upon (told you they are right in front of you). The character Ju in jujitsu is often translated as gentle; this is somewhat misleading. A broader interpretation of this kanji conveys the ideas of flexibility, pliability, adaptability, yielding, and change. The problem that most often presents itself is that most people understand and utilize these concepts in purely physical terms; remaining locked into their rigid conceptual/mental frameworks. The true secret is to remain open-minded and to embrace these concepts intellectually and spiritually at every level of accomplishment. When you so this, you continue to learn and understand.

Thus, the true "secret" of martial arts lead you to technical (the form) mastery, and an appreciation of art, which is never mastered.