Intensive Training - The WHM

I'm unsure where I got this, but it's from a high ranking martial arts Sensei. Meaning, I didn't write it. Point being, as I'm working with the Wim Hof Method in Prescott Arizona, aka the WHM, and these words motivate me. How does this relate to YOU and YOUR training...? How does this relate to your passion? Your meditation practice? Etc., etc.? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

"Intensive training has a purpose. It is a time for concentrating on mastery; of one's mind, of one's body, of one's will.

"With intensive training every martial art student has the opportunity to fulfill this purpose. However, whether the student seizes the opportunity and explores it in depth, or jilts it for life's leisure's and pleasures depends on his or her attitude toward training.

"The person who sincerely wants or understands "Life with Purpose" approaches the training with seriousness matching the intensity of a stalking tiger. The less sincere train ignorantly and often skimpily, perhaps led astray by false reason - to develop better health, carve a larger physique, to impress others, or attain a black belt. To assure proper development these persons must quickly realize a given purpose: They must at minimum demand best effort of themselves or fall prey to easy disappointments, for at this dojo, best effort is expected, not nurtured.

"Those who reject the way of best effort may become the metaphorical "mosquito pupils" of Sensei's lectures. These are students who only appear during certain opportune seasons, or who arrive to savor the fluid wisdoms of distinguished guest teachers, then vanish until the next rain of benefits. And what of the "tea-kettle students” whose will to train remains lukewarm because they are externally motivated by ego needs. And too, the ones caught between the gears - wanting to train to a boil, but stopped by a needy spouse or fighting children. There are many among all these students who would feel more fulfilled elsewhere and indeed many do leave this dojo. Rare are the individuals who can steadily and intensely pursue their training month after month, year after year.

"A 16th century samurai considered 10 years of intensive training, not too long a period for reaching even a shallow realization. However, it is an occasional hermit or dedicated monk among us today who can afford to dedicate 10 years of life to training. Most of us must daily juggle time demands of education, family, employment, leisure and intensive training. Herein lies the problem even after the student has overcome his commitment excuses. 

""I've decided to train with the intensity of the tiger but how can I match the level of a 10 year training period in my twice-a-week, interrupted classes?" Now the value of intensive training becomes apparent. Here is the opportunity for wholehearted, straining effort of the kind that will reap meaningful realization within this lifetime.

"For those determined not to recycle through the garbage heap of lives, your frame of mind need only be as Sensei exhorts: 

"Take care of your other needs when you must, and stay home. But come to every class that you can. When you are in class, only train. Train intensely. Train seriously.""

Unknown Author