"If you're going to do something as well as it can be done, give yourself plenty of time. High quality does not come of haste."
"The key is not to think of doing things right every time; the thought seems too overwhelming. Just do it right one time: this time, right now. That's all you ever have to worry about.
Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and do it that way every time."
"Too many of us today want instant gratification.... We want reward without work. We want the thinking done for us. We want to understand something right away or we can't be bothered. This attitude demeans the accomplishments of those who are true masters."
"But do not feel overwhelmed by the length of this journey. All you ever need do is focus on one thing, what you are doing. Stay on the path and put one foot in front of the other - that is all. There is joy in the struggle."
"You must take care not to make mistakes. But when they happen, learn from them. Use your mistakes as a springboard into new areas of discovery; accidents can hold the key to innovation."
"Frustration results when the body will not perform as the mind directs, or the mind becomes confused about what it wants the body to do. These confrontations are an integral part of training. They bring us face to face with our motivations and limitations: Why are we putting in all these hours of practice? Why do we desire what we desire? Are we willing to make the sacrifice necessary to progress? Are we asking more of our body than it can do?"
"Through the frustration of learning a new skill, we learn humility - how much we don't know."
"Your spirit here must be one of total resolution; as martial artists like to say, 'Tighten your mind.' You may arrive here like a wild colt, scattered and unfocused. Through training, learn to harness your raw energy and charge like a racehorse. Other beginners arrive with the spirit of a tired nag. Through training, they learn to build up their energy the way one strengthens a little-used muscle."
"To progress, think like a rock climber. At times it may become necessary to move laterally before moving upward. At other times it may be necessary to rest and regroup. Or even move down a step, before continuing. Remember, a pattern of two steps up, one step back is still progress. Do not think of these moves as anything other than part of your overall path of advancement. Sometimes you attack, other times you tack. The spirit is always the same; only the strategy differs.
"Never underestimate the potential of ego to lead one astray, no matter how hard you train or what your point on the path. The rush of learning a new skill, the flattery that accompanies a touch of success - these things can overinflate any person's ego. Too much praise can do damage just like too much criticism. Measure a compliment the same as you measure a critique. If you think you've arrived somewhere, you've got that much farther to go. One can lose the Way in an instant."
"Most things in life lie beyond our control - we can't simply snap our fingers and produce the desired result. All we can do is perform our duties the best way we know how. If we do things the right way and our spirit is correct, the results won't matter. We can hold our heads high regardless of the outcome."
"Those who wish to earn the black belt here should accept, at minimum, five responsibilities:
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zen in the art of dressage
"ClassicalDressage.com" and "Zen in the Art of Dressage" are both productions of Shana Ritter and Dr. Thomas Ritter.
"Over the long haul, the path of development consists of stages and plateaus. The dedicated beginner will see rapid improvement in the early going, but after a while the rate of improvement will taper off. We can work and work and work and not see any progress. Then suddenly, we move up to a new stage of ability, as though arriving in a meadow clearing out of a jungle.
"Be aware that the farther on the path you go, the longer the plateaus get. During these times, you may feel like you're in a rut. The way out is to stay focused on your training - what you are doing right now. Don't look ahead to where you want to be, and don't look back thinking, 'I've only come this far.' If you put in an honest effort, you will break through to the next level. You can't make long-term progress conform to your timetable. It has to happen naturally. A flower blooms when it's ready to bloom. Let it be.
"When arriving at a new stage, do not think your difficulties will vanish, either. Each level of achievement brings a new set of problems. This should be understood beforehand."
A responsibility to yourself
Apply yourself and develop your talent to the fullest capacity, without excuses.
A responsibility to your talent
Put your talent to good use, not to bad, in the service of something outside yourself, and do nothing to waste it.
A responsibility to your art
Express your song truthfully, in the face of all opposition.
A responsibility to your audience
Respect those who come to you with open ears and foster a sense of community.
A responsibility to the Way
Act as sensei to those who sincerely seek to find their own path, and share with them what you know to be true. The Way is for everyone."
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Last Update: May 04, 2001