Why I do this.
Entropy is inevitable. Some things though, I believe are timeless.
I have always been drawn to the idea of Kodawari. The noble pursuit of excellence in a field, regardless of field. The pursuit of perfection is itself perfection.
I found my bliss in preserving and refining the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was originally a form of self-defence. Not a sport of grappling for submissions and points. When I started my journey of learning the art, I unfortunately stumbled into the deep end of its inevitable entropy.
Between recovering from constant injuries and scrambling to grab lapels while inverting for leg locks, I came across Grand Master Helio Gracie's original 40-lesson plan. Something I had only heard vague rumours of. Something diminished as “old man Jiu-Jitsu”
It was becoming increasingly clear to me that I wasn't learning how to defend myself so much as I was learning how to ‘out jiu-jitsu’ jiu-jitsu itself so that I could pay for a medal in a sport that had nothing to do with my original pursuit.
I made it my mission to learn everything on that list.
My original physical list is closing in on 20 years old now. Covered in coffee stains, blood and sweat. Re-printed and scrawled upon numerous times since. The master text itself is falling apart from living on the road.
I have travelled the world scouring the darkest and loneliest corners of tatami for this lost and underappreciated knowledge.
As far as noble pursuits go, I should have been a shipbuilder. The water is always cleaner closer to the well. I can lead you to it, but the next part is up to you.
Chris Burns