Tae Kwon Do, in its initial form, was created by the instinct of survival. Over the centuries it was evolved, enriched, changed names, forms, sometimes the military side was enhanced as part of military training; sometimes it was used as a fun game for spectators, and most recently as a sports version. But on its basis it was always a Martial Art.
In every era, in every political or social influence it experienced, Taekwondo improved the trainee regardless of how he treated it. The reason for that is because it is based on a mathematical reasoning, in which each practitioner is involved. Inevitably, in his quest to perfect the techniques, the trainee will face himself; he will assess patience, persistence, determination, motivation. He will have to learn to work with his partner because he needs him when he participates in joint exercises, he will be able to correct himself to perform the techniques as good as the other person.
Taekwondo will encourage him for that encouragement will come as a boost for the same to respond to better training.
Thus it will help him widen his technical, fighting, mental, psychological and human limits.
It will make him able to distinguish the important from the trivial, get very quick decisions, put apart any mental or psychological inertia preventing him to “measure” realistically what is he and what is his opponent.
It will make him be open to any unpredictable path that a fight can take. He will be able to distinguish the reason for victory and defeat without selfishness, accepting any mistake.
Therefore it will strengthen the determination, confidence and respect for opponents and furthermore respect for himself. Perhaps then he truly realizes that the opponent is simply one who reveals his own weaknesses, and that this whole exercise is a Road to Self-Knowledge. A self-knowledge that follows him in every aspect of life, in every activity, in every interaction.
