#162 In Jeong we trust

Years ago I watched a short video on BJJ and training lifestyle in South Korea. What stuck with me the most out of the clip was the instructor talking about something called “Jeong” that Jiu Jitsu supposedly offers. Now although I can’t for the life of me find the video, I went a little deeper to find what this word meant.

As is the case with many languages, the word is not easily translated to the English language. However the instructor communicated that it involved a emotional and psychological bond associated with positive emotions that is necessary for humans. You might call it a warmth or feeling of attachment towards others.

As a Jiu Jitsu practitioner who shares this art with parents of age sixty seven, it is easy for me to appreciate. There are sentiments towards those you spend your life on the mats with that are developed through this shared sense of community, family and responsibility to one another.