Home > Work > My Mastery: Continued Education Through Jiu Jitsu
21 " I have seen far by seeing through the lens of Jiu Jitsu. I have exchanged a great deal of physical health for these insights, and these were trades worth making. My efforts were worth the return. I have sacrificed much in the name of this craft. Not for trophies or belts or prestige. For these fall away like dust. I pursued this art so fervently because it was not actually Jiu Jitsu I pursued. It was myself. "
― Chris Matakas , My Mastery: Continued Education Through Jiu Jitsu
22 " Jiu Jitsu can be a source of total transparency such as a mirror, but it takes a conscious choice to see what it has to say. "
23 " Do not seek victory, for victory in itself will not serve you. Seek to understand what made the victory possible. "
24 " An arm bar in a vacuum is worthless. It is the realization of the truths which constitute that arm bar that is the real treasure we seek. "
25 " The infinitude of Jiu Jitsu allows for the infinitude of the types of practitioners. There exists a game for each and every one of us which is specifically possible within the confines of our particular skill set. "
26 " For the sincere student, it mustn't be enough to simply understand Jiu Jitsu. We must seek to understand ourselves. "
27 " I believe that which you study is only matched in importance by the sincerity with which you approach it. "
28 " There is no concrete way to play Jiu Jitsu, and this is why so many different types of people find joy in it. "
29 " Freedom from the thinking mind is our underlying goal for most of human activity. "
30 " Every opportunity with another was an opportunity to serve my fellow man. Every moment alone was a chance to grow and become more of who I already was. I instantly felt how great a life could be, and that was only made possible by service toward others. "
31 " Being part of the whole, as I grow so does that which contains me. "
32 " I believe the real reason we pursue anything in life is not for the thing itself, but for who we become on the way to its accomplishment. We strive to accomplish things in the attempt to mold ourselves. The greatest benefits Jiu Jitsu will have in your life will have nothing to do with Jiu Jitsu. It is this simple understanding that allows me to persist in my study. Even on the rare days when I may not have a burning desire to practice Jiu Jitsu, I am reminded that my practicing Jiu Jitsu is more accurately my practicing to become a better human being. The lessons I learn on the mat will serve me in every area of life-- personal development, relationships, business, and the like. "
33 " It is only when we admit our ignorance that we can hope to overcome it. "
34 " I believe we must pursue mastery for who we become along the way in its achievement. When we progress in Jiu Jitsu, that newfound experience and wisdom transcends into all areas of our lives. We use Jiu Jitsu as the vehicle for growth, but that growth radiates over all of human activity. Someone who devotes time and energy in learning this skill is learning far more than how to subdue an opponent. The student learns persistence, perseverance, pattern recognition, problem solving, and most importantly, learning how to learn. In the arena of life, these virtues are far more valuable than any guard pass. "
35 " We are free to live the life we have imagined, not the life imagined for us. "
36 " It is in community where we find our very selves. "
37 " We strive toward the middle, and we run from ourselves. "
38 " We must strive to become more daily. We must honestly assess our weaknesses and overcome them. We must work toward the highest possible version of ourselves. This is a worthy use of our time, but it is only when we do so with the ultimate aim of service to our fellow man that we really connect with something greater than ourselves. To contribute to the world in a positive way, this is the gift of life. "
39 " The beautiful truth about service is that we are afforded countless opportunities to be its vehicle. Every interaction with another is an opportunity to serve. From simply letting someone into your lane in traffic, to holding a door, to a kind smile. This is all service. I am humbled by this simple truth. We are given the opportunity to express the most meaningful use of our lives every time we interact with another sentient being. "
40 " I can think of no more worthwhile aim than pursuing mastery in this craft while transcending one's own limitations. "