concept of rank

“In truth, the concept of rank has never been a good indication of progress; it diverts the mind away from the purpose of training, it introduces a false sense of achievement, and it provides currency to those who would us it for their own unscrupulous reasons.” - Michael Clarke, Shinseidokan Dojo

Comment: Humans when confronting those things that make us uncomfortable or difficult tend to use other more palatable things to fool ourselves. Trophies, rank, belts, and a sense of security and safety even if based on false things tends to make us feel comfortable. Our comfort often removes us from reality to the point where we incur more danger, more conflict and more violence. We allow ourselves to create tribal type groups called the dojo, the style and the system so we can create obstacles of comfort and false security while socializing enough to present a sense of unity and unity of tribe means survival except when it is based on falseness. We assume achievements of such trappings as indicative of success in a false world of perceived combatives, false fighting ability and false defense against violent acts/attacks. We end up disconnecting the thread that puts martial discipline in tandem with violent, violent conflict and defense using violent tactics, strategies and goals. Something seems out of synch, don’t you think?