To all the faithful followers of Sensei Thong Nguyen,

I have been fortunate in my life to have had the opportunities to travel to many parts of the world and see life from numerous perspectives. I have also had the opportunity to meet and train with many excellent practitioners of different Martial Arts, and I have learned much. I have also been practicing and teaching for 70 years of my 82 years on this earth. I still enjoy teaching and continue to do so today.

As with many practitioners, I have found that as I get older I tend to look at my life from the past to the present and wonder, what have I done besides achieve knowledge, skills and experiences both good and bad. I ask myself was it worth dedicating my whole life to this path. Of course I would have to say yes otherwise I wouldn’t have lasted as long as I have. At first it was the pleasure of passing on knowledge and skills that I had accumulated over the years.Later, to see students learn and progress and walk away with more assurance and confidence while going about their daily lives. But now, I am much more philosophical about life and see many things differently than I had when I was a younger person.

When I meet other instructors I see beyond their physical skills and think more about their humanity. Anyone can be taught skills to varying levels. The more important question that comes to my mind is, what will this person do with such knowledge and skills? So studying the individual becomes much more important to me now. I have found that quite often, many who achieve skills and knowledge develop big egos which over shadows their abilities. The person that retains humility and humbleness is a far greater person in my estimation. This, I think is because he is happy with himself and doesn’t need to prove anything to others. This person has captured the true essence of gaining skill and power.

The reason I am wring this rather lengthy piece is that meeting Sensei Thong has rekindled a flame inside of me, and gives me a great joy to know there are still many wonderful people in the world who share my same feelings for the martial arts while retaining high morals and ethics. I feel privileged to have him as a friend and I know that I can learn much from him.

May you continue on your journey through life in good health.

Respectfully,
~Robert Koga Sensei
Founder of The Koga Institute, Inductee World Martial Arts Hall of Fame 1996, Inductee Martial Arts Hall of Fame 1998, Chief Defensive Tactics Instructor LA Police Academy, Ret. Detective LAPD 25 years.

 

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