A Letter from ChongJae Nim "Retiring from Martial Arts"

Grandmaster Kim Soo

10/18/2013
Retiring From Martial Arts
by Grandmaster Kim Soo

Is there ever really retirement for a martial arts Master? Many of my long-time friends, martial artists and Masters from here in the US and around the world have often asked when I will retire. Some say that I already should have retired and delegated the job to the next younger generation. Many of my fellow martial arts Masters have stopped training and retired from 30 to 50 years ago. Now they mainly just do paperwork. They say it is time for me to quit and to come to travel with them.

Some look at my life as just running a business. They ask questions like “How is the business going?”, “How much money are you making?”, “What was your gross last year?” Some in the Houston Korean community ask me to come out and help with meetings, helping people and other activities. They encourage me to retire and make comments like you are too greedy, are you going to take your money with you when you die?

When I hear comments like this from those that don’t have any knowledge or understanding of martial arts, it upsets me, but I let it pass. When I hear the same things from so called martial arts Masters, it deeply saddens me and makes me angry.

Is there retirement for highly reputable monks and clerics? 

For Zen Masters?

For the Dalai Lama? 

I believe that there is no retirement in studying in knowledge and science, researching, practicing and teaching until we die.

This is what I have dedicated my life to and continues to be my life’s mission.


Sincerely,

Grandmaster Kim Soo
Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association

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Grandmaster Kim Soo has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of martial arts and their practical application of theory and principle in every day life to help students gain a better understanding of themselves, learn self-defense and gain self confidence. He has personally over the span of his long and prestigious career as an educator, touched the lives of over 70,000 individuals, many of whom in turn have gone on to teach others as well.  He is the Johnny Appleseed of the philosophical martial arts path. For him to retire would be, in this student's mind: criminal. It would be robbing the world and students and people who's lives would be changed (possibly saved) of his knowledge. His wisdom, teaching and more importantly, example has been a beacon to me personally.  He has inspired me to be a better human being, and if he had retired, I would have missed that crucial guidance.  Those who advise him to do so, are thinking only of themselves. Grandmaster Kim Soo, thinks of the world every day of his life. Thank you, ChongJae Nim.-- Kyosanim, Melissa L. Nichols