Thought for the Week (October 1st 2000)
Michael Mackay, Yon Dan
Midtown Karate Dojo

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"Mirages"

In reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" with my seven year old, we came upon the magical "Mirror of Eristed" which has the power to 
show us "nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts." 

Harry, who has never seen his family, beholds his parents and ancestors smiling back at him. Others see themselves holding the coveted Quidditch Cup (a sort of Emmy award). But those at Hogwarts Academy lucky enough to find the mirror seldom see beyond the mirage. 

As Professor Dumbledore warns, "This mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible."

The dojo mirrors will hopefully show nothing more than technical flaws. But the martial path often reveals, like the Mirror of Eristed, our deepest desire. Perhaps it's to be respected, loved or feared by others; to foster harmony or enlightenment within ourselves or the world; to boldly go in time, space or material well-being where no one (at least not 
us) has gone before. 

The particulars are unique and bound to change over 
time. But diligent training - mental, physical and spiritual - can give us this insight, provided we stop and look for it. By seeing our deepest desires with the clarity of a polished mirror, perhaps we can then move forward in the real world towards attaining them, or simply letting them go.

Arigato gozaimasu, Kyoshi,

Michael Mackay, Yon Dan