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So often we associate the Shaolin Monk performing  Kung-Fu when we envision the martial arts master. We picture Zen Masters and old Asian men with long beards saying wise things that just suddenly make life make sense. Why is this? Why don't  we, a predominantly Judeo-Christian Society, picture David beating Goliath or the like? 

Zen is so inculturated into the martial arts for one very simple reason. The martial arts were born in India/Asia, where Zen Buddhism, at the time of their growth and development, was the primary religion. The founder of Zen Buddhism, Bohidarma, is also fabled to be the creator of King-fu, although this is unsubstantiated. How then can an Jew or Christian go beyond the level of a fighter throwing punches and kicks, especially if they start later in life and become a spiritual martial artist? 

Easy, stick to what you know and use the lessons you learn in karate to more deeply understand what you have been taught about Moses and all the names you know. I personally have found that my karate study has helped me profoundly when it comes to understanding and living out the tenants of my religion and spirituality. 

We live in a new age-society where it is "Vogue" to be a spiritual "Jack of all Trades" . That leaves a lot of people who have not "Mastered" themselves however; the end result - the multitude of unhappy people you see cursing at you on the 405 Freeway every day on the way to work, where you in turn get cursed by your boss and end going home and releasing a day full of tension by kicking the cat halfway to China for purring against your leg when you walk in the door. Jacks are only good at beating cards with little or know value, as is demonstrated in our society of Spiritual Jacks.

Karate teaches you commitment, to focus on one thing and explore it deeply, discovering all the rich treasures it has to offer. Although this can extend to all areas of your life, especially relationships, this essay is about religion. I am a Catholic, but some of my closest acquaintances in karate are Jewish. We use our martial background to both become the best we can at what we are. In essence, karate teaches us to be a Master of one trade. 

Oddly enough when you do this, cutting off the other paths that are supposed to offer you happiness, using the lessons taught you by martial arts to commit to the course of action you have chosen for your life's journey, is when you find peace. You come from a place of knowing about God, to a place of knowing God; big difference in the two. You know yourself through your studies in karate, thereby much else;  that, in the end is the truest purpose of the martial arts.