The Beginning Master

Many craftsman-oriented discipline generally have three levels: beginner, intermediate, and master.

The beginner craftsman starts off seeking knowledge and figuring out the ropes of the craft. They pursue learning.

The intermediate craftsman seeks to hone their skills and improve their technique. They pursue mastery.

What does the master seek?

The master seeks a blank slate. They have achieved mastery that they have time to notice the nuances of every action they perform. They practice mindfulness to the point that everything seems new again.

The master pursues transcendence.

The go back to basics, trying to refine actions that were taken for granted to be what defines their craft.

They shake the foundations, separating the brittle from the stable, and taking only those that benefit them.

The master is a beginner in a new world they have created, and thus the cycle starts over again.