This episode of BJJ Meditations explores rank and hierarchy on and off the mats. Hierarchy is an unavoidable aspect of human society, including in the context of Jiu Jitsu schools, where it is a reflection of competence and serves as a proxy for skill level.

Hierarchy is relative and not all black belts, brown belts, purple belts, etc. are the same. Anyone who trains seriously knows this well. Regardless, we can can observe false translations of competence throughout life. In other words, "Because I am good at X, I assume that I am good at Y and Z."

Joe explores how people sometimes confuse their competence in one domain with universal competence, and how this highlights the importance of being honest and taking a full assessment of what one doesn't know.

Overcoming the obsession with rank and status requires a long and arduous process of cultivating depth of skills, presence, and mastery. It is unrealistic to think that we have achieved complete competency in one domain, as we are constantly growing and evolving.

Takeaways

• Rank and status serve as highly imperfect proxies for competence and skill level.
• Not all individuals of the same rank are equal in skill.
• Status and hierarchy can vary depending on the region and context.
• Understanding the currency of status in different areas can provide insights into social dynamics. Wealth, power, and fame are often used as metrics to determine status and hierarchy in society.
• These metrics can be flawed and may not accurately reflect a person's intelligence or character.
• Being honest and taking a full assessment of what one doesn't know is essential within hierarchical systems.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Strange Experiences 02:48 The Importance of Self-Improvement 04:51 The Inevitability of Hierarchy 07:15 The Currency of Status in the Northeast 09:33 The Impact of Location on Status and Hierarchy 11:56 The Importance of Honesty and Self-Assessment 12:43 The Confusion of Competence 13:20 Equipping People to Navigate Confusion 14:18 Liberating Individuals and Finding Their Path 14:54 The Power of Jiu-Jitsu 15:10 Training Jiu-Jitsu as a Path to Overcoming Obstacles 16:12 The Complexity of the Human Condition 16:26 Moving Beyond Rank and Status 17:38 Embracing the Journey of Growth 18:02 Taking Action and Integration 18:56 Resources and Support 19:10 Coaching Services 19:26 Training at Princeton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 19:46 Expressing Gratitude and Looking Forward