Loyalty Vs Respect

Me in April 2012 to witness my first discipleship ceremony. Fourth time meeting Sifu and first time meeting Sigung. 

In April 2012, a few months before my 4th Degree Black Belt test, my master Sifu Pedro Cepero Yee, had invited me to a discipleship ceremony which was the first 7th generation disciples from Wong Fei Hung. It was at this event that Sigung spoke about the importance of tradition but the equal importance of innovation. This concept is not only implemented in martial value physically, but also with our principles in life. It was a little over a year later when I tested for the first time in Kung Fu that I met Sigung again. Each time I met him, he would build on this concept.

The most intriguing lesson from him I've pondered and analyzed and studied for a long time. He said the two greatest values we most hold true is virtue and loyalty. Many people can be loyal, but this does not mean one has virtue. Well what's the difference? MOO (My Own Opinion #Wiz), loyalty is sometimes a quality that is lost in itself. I can't even imagine when you actually find loyalty in people that virtue can be absent. But the more I thought about it, it happens more often than we think.

Loyalty, always having one's back no matter what. To follow and support. Just because someone may do nice things for you, does not make them loyal. People may say one thing to you, and then another behind your back. That's not loyalty either. This is where the debate of what is respect? Respect has many different layers. Respecting other people, other people's belongings, other people's appearances, other people's beliefs, agreeing to disagree, etc. However the two are NOT synonymous either.

The flip side is people can respect you in certain ways and NOT be loyal as well. If we really analyze relationships and friendships, working partnerships etc, we could easily find situations where this occurs. Remember the golden rule? Treat other people the way you want to be treated? IT DOESN'T WORK! Because not everyone wants to BE treated the way you want. Also some people don't treat themselves well and when they treat others in the same way, how could we be mad at them if that IS exactly how they treat themselves? And yet those people can be reliable and have faith in you and be your most loyal companions in life as well.

We as a collective people need to be more mindful of these technicalities as we go along our lives as we interact with people. I used to have a lot of people around me for so long and they respected me very much, but were not loyal at all. I know people who were loyal but would follow in ways that were very wrong, not virtuous. If a master told you to do something and you KNEW it was wrong but did it anyway, that's not virtue. That is where once again, personal integrity plays a part. When those forks in the road appear, we have to make a choice. And it is not our abilities that define who we are, it is our choices, above all.

Personal integrity are the principles and values we stand upon. We know whats right and what is wrong. We follow those and are attracted most to those whose ideals mostly match our own. When there is a breach of integrity, it can grow tremendous chaos. Like a canvas that you paint on. Its strong and if you try to rip it, its hard as hell to do. But put a small tear in it, and it rips apart with ease. Breaching your integrity does the same. When we follow leaders and friends, we must keep in mind the virtue. Loyalty is great, but if there's no virtue, then integrity is lost. (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO