August 13, 2011
A Matter of the Heart
My first exposure to TaeKwon Do was in 1984 when my husband began training, and later our two daughters joined him.
As a beginning student, white belts are taught the "5 tenets" of TaeKwon Do. I knew these long before I became a student (in 1986). I helped our daughters prepare for "testing/belt promotions" by quizzing them on the meaning of their forms, number of movements, and other definitions as well as reciting the tenets. In fact, to make it easier for them to remember we called them "CIPSI" so, on command, we all could recite in order; courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, and indomitable spirit, Sir (or Ma'am). Sometimes we said them so quickly (and not to be disrespectful,) but "sir" sounded like the 6th tenet. At this point, it seems we did not emphasize or elaborate on the meanings of these tenets. That isn't to say the tenets and their meanings weren't discussed as part of some classes, and on the part of the instructors.
In preparation for this promotion test, I, in a sense, agonized about what to focus on. To just write a paper about what I learned, and/or how TaeKwon Do influenced my life, didn't seem to fit. TaeKwon Do has been a part of my life for so long, it seemed difficult to really separate it out from other aspects of my life. To research a particular form or individual didn't seem right for me either. Although I had other ideas, the one I kept coming back to was to focus on the tenets, and in particular, integrity. For me, I have said the word for years, but truly had to say, I couldn't define or explain its true meaning. And looking deeper, if I couldn't define or explain it, how could I emulate it, or become a person of integrity?
Initially, my own definition of integrity was along the lines of being honest and truthful. This currently seems to be a fading trait in all aspects of our society. In the last year or so, I elaborated on that definition, to add that integrity was being honest; doing the right thing, even when no one was watching or no one would know about it. For example, if you were given the wrong amount of change (in your favor) when making a purchase, you might correct the cashier if you were with someone (in case they too noticed it and later called you on it). But would you do that if you were alone when no one else would know about it?
In an article in the November 1986 issue of TaeKwon Do Times integrity to compared to modesty and suggests that for the purpose of the TaeKwon Do tenets, they are one in the same; Modesty meaning to be humble and integrity meaning uprightness of character or honesty.
In order to see what other students knew about integrity, (and possible underneath it all, to make sure I wasn't the only one who really didn't know what integrity meant) I took a survey of the students at our branch school. Over the course of a week or so, I asked students to write down their definition of integrity, or to give an example. Eighteen students responded. Students were not required to include their names, but I did request they identify if they were an adult or student (below or above age 18) and below or above a brown belt level.
A total of 18 students responded. Nine were adult (above age 18) and 9 were below the age of 18. The younger group of students had the widest variety of answers and included: honesty (1), doing what is right (1);being true to yourself (2); doing your best (1); a TaeKwon Do tenet (1); don't know (1) and unrelated (2).
Adult answers were as follows: to be honest or have character (6); doing what is right (1); and somewhat similar answers, pushing to be better (1); not giving up/believing in yourself (1); and how you complete a task (1).
To make a comparison, I also interviewed adults (not TaeKwon Do students) from various walks of life. The majority of them (90%) indicated they thought integrity meant something to do with honesty and truthfulness. One person did not know what the term meant. A few people elaborated on the definition, stating to have integrity was "saying what you will do and then doing what you said; Doing what is right even if no one is there to know you did it."
Interestingly, when 1 researched the word integrity, I found it had less to do with honesty and truthfulness and more to do with inner strength and being complete or whole. When we are properly related within ourselves (the characteristics of our humanity) we find inner strength and genuine action proceeds. When we live to serve our instincts, we are weakened.
In a speech to the Joint Services Conference on Professional Ethics on 27 January 2000, General Charles Krulak, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps defined integrity as being the combination of two words, "integritas" and "integer." General Krulak described integrity as the putting on of armor, of building a completeness or wholeness in ones character. Traditionally the military has produced great leaders that possess the highest ethical standards and integrity: Men and women of character; Character that allows them to deal ethically with the challenges of today and to make conscious decisions about how they will approach tomorrow.
The word integrity itself is a martial word that originates from the ancient Roman army. Traditionally during the time of the twelve Caesars, the Roman army would conduct morning inspections. As the inspecting Centurion would approach each Legionnaire, the soldier would strike the armor breastplate that covered his heart with his right fist. It was important that the armor be strongest there in order to protect the soldier's heart from possible sword thrusts and arrow strikes. As the soldier struck his armor, he would shout "INTEGRITAS," meaning wholeness completeness. The inspecting Centurion would listen closely for this affirmation and also for the ring that well kept armor would give off. Satisfied that the armor was sound and that the soldier beneath it was protected, he would move on to the next man.
About the same time, the Praetorians or imperial bodyguard were ascending into power and influence. Chosen from the best "politically correct" soldiers of the legions, these soldiers received the finest equipment and armor. They no longer had to shout "integritas" to signify that their armor was sound. Instead, as they struck their breastplate, they would shout "Hail Caesar," to show that their heart belonged to the imperial personage — not to their unit — not to an institution — not to a code of ideals. They armored themselves to serve the cause of an individual.
A century passed and the separation between the legion and the imperial bodyguard increased. To signify the difference between the two organizations, upon striking his armor the legionnaire would no longer shout "INTEGRITAS," but instead "INTEGER." Integer means undiminishedcomplete-perfect. It not only indicated that the armor was sound, it also indicated that the soldier wearing the armor was sound of character. He was complete in his integrity. His heart was in the right place. His standards and morals were high. He was not associated with the immoral conduct that was rapidly becoming the signature of the Praetorian Guards.
The armor of integrity continued to serve the Legion well for over four centuries. They held the line against the marauding Goths and Vandals. But by 383 AD, the social decline that infected the Republic and the Praetorian Guard had its effects upon the Legion. Soon negligence and laziness infiltrated the group and as a result parade ground drills were abandoned and the soldiers began to abandon the customary armor. They asked first, to set aside the breastplates and mail. Then the helmets. Eventually the soldiers fought the Goths without any protection for the heart and head and were often beaten by archers. Although there were many disasters, which lead to the loss of great cities, no one tried to restore the armor to the armor to the infantry. They took their armor off, and when the armor came off, so too came their integrity. It was only a matter of a few years until the legion rotted from within and was unable to hold the frontiers. The barbarians were at the gates.
Many of those who begin training in the martial arts do so purely for physical reasons, to become more fit, to learn self defense, and to lose weight or some other health related reason. Seldom do they begin for the mental benefits and rewards that accompany the physical aspects. Sadly, many students may go through the ranks of the belt levels, including attaining a black belt, and fail to realize the mental benefits.
Most TaeKwon Do students, and those affiliated with the art, know that TaeKwon Do is taught as a 'way of life'. One does not become a black belt in any short order, nor once a black belt does the learning stop there. While many students may pick up bits and pieces along the way, perhaps it is here (black belt) that the mental aspects begin to transform the student into one having and modeling modesty and integrity.
Having integrity as evidenced by possessing sound morals and ethical behavior cannot be fashioned in a single day, a month... or even a year. They become a part of our character over time, woven deep into the fabric of our souls becoming our way of life. We do this by relying on our inner strength. Our inner strength to do the right thing; to continue training without setting ourselves above others; to speak well of others and not cut others down, to not brag or use our limitations as an excuse to not try; to keep our eyes on our own papers during an exam; to be honest in our business transactions.
While no one tenet is more important than another, I find integrity as defined as "inner strength" to be the foundation or the core of all other tenets. As we find our inner strength and develop our character, we begin to incorporate the physical with the mental, experiencing the true meaning of a martial artist. We respond correctly to others (courtesy); we resist giving up (perseverance); we become less impatient, less jealous and prideful (self control) and we complete tasks, whatever the odds (indomitable spirit).
Just as it was in days of imperial Rome, we either walk in our integrity daily, or we take off the armor (our inner strength) and leave our heart and soul exposed... open to attack.
Bibliography
Heckler, Rita. "The Roots of TaeKwon Do" TaeKwon Do Times November 1986, Volume Seven, Number I.
Krulak, General Charles. Commandant United States Marine Corps. "Character and Integrity". Joint Services Conference on Professional Ethics; January 27, 2000.
"Human Matters: Society Misses the True Meaning of Integrity". Las Vegas Review Journal January 08, 2006.
