"In Search of Our Fathers" by Soke Rudy Duncan Reprinted from Spring 2007 Newsletter

I have spent most of my life studying the Martial Arts to improve myself and to become a good instructor to pass the art on to my students. I have had the opportunity to have studied with some very gifted, talented and knowledgeable Martial Artists over the course of time. This has allowed me to develop my martial arts skills as well as my knowledge and appreciation of the history of the art which I study and teach. Over the past year there have been numerous martial artists who have died who have had a major impact on the art and lives of others. As many of these individuals pass, a lot of the martial arts pass with them. We are fortunate to have learned from them and many of us are continuing to pass on what we have learned to others.

I am reminded at this time when I was a young boy and someone ask me who my hero was or who I wanted to me like. I thought very carefully and answered I want to be like my father. It is not unusual for a young boy to imagine growing up like his father. The values and lessons which I learned as a boy with my father I carry today. Not only in my life as a father, husband and son but also in my martial arts training. I have had the opportunity to travel around the country and meet many martial artists over the years. What is amazing is how many of them are in search of someone to lead them, to take them to the next step, or to put them and their dojo on the map. Perhaps the answer is inside them as opposed to someone else. Knowledge is gained through experience and life and can’t be given to you by someone, but only experienced by yourself. I have come to recognize that my students have given me the most important gift of all and that is their love of the art and the years of dedication and practice at my dojo. I have watched young boys turn into young men, and young girls into young women, who in turn will become fathers and mothers and pass their art to their children.

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