Imitation is our primary form of learning. We are biologically wired to imitate. Scientists have discovered that we have these mirror neurons in our brain that modulate their activity both when an individual executes a specific motor act and when they observe the same or similar actions performed by another individual.
Imitation is how all the behaviours necessary to guarantee survival are passed on. It allows all beings to quickly learn from the more experienced ones what they need to survive in their new environment.
However, imitation is not enough to thrive and flourish.
To realize our potential, at some point, we must move beyond imitation and create our own way.
We must question what we know, what we do and, most importantly, what we believe through a process of subtraction. Until we find our very own essence from which we can build our unique path to greatness.
This process is what in martial arts is condensed in the word Shuhari. This single word is composed of three elements representing the three stages of the journey to mastery.
Shu (守) “obey”; the first stage is about imitation. You model your behaviours on your masters until you can repeat them flawlessly.
Ha (破) “detach”; the second stage is about expanding the learning. You ask questions to explore the “why” beyond the “how”. You subtract the form to learn about the essence behind and beneath every movement.
Ri (離) “leave”; the last stage is when you become the master. You transcend past and present forms to create your own way.