Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Control

Conflict comes down to control. Control of self, control of opponent, the opponents control of self and control of us. What one is willing or able to do results in the kind and level of all conflict. We all have a choice and the stronger we are about ourselves the stronger we are against conflict. Control of situations and/or persons is how we avoid conflict, starting with self first and foremost.

If we both make the relationship with our self strong and impervious to outside influences and stimuli that we have no need to act violently. Loss of control, ours or the opponents, determines this.

If we gain and maintain control of ourselves then how can we enter a conflict or be forced to enter into conflict, situations that lead to conflict and reaction to stimuli that takes us to conflict.

I Ching and many other classics teach us to first see ourselves as we truly are, to learn about our strengths and weaknesses and build a relationship to the self first and foremost before we attempt to achieve balance in life and with others. If we do this then we have the strength and resolve to avoid and deflect all situations and stimuli that could control us.

To achieve control we first must achieve control over our minds. The mind effects the body so the next step is to establish control over our bodies. By achieving this we control ourselves so well that our mind and body CANNOT be controlled by another mind/body, an opponent.

If we control our mind and body then aggression and/or aggressive behavior cannot assume control over us. We have and always will have that control if we wish to have it. Our control is only lost when we allow others to take control of us be it a snarky comment or an overt act perceived by OUR MIND as some slight, etc. See, we control everything. Nothing as to our control be it ours to manage or theirs to mismanage, the control is ours if we practice and train to control ourselves, the mind and body.

We humans find that they do not have control they seek to gain it back yet they tend to seek that ability outside of themselves. Expectations of others is always going to provide us the excuse to remain out of control. Only by seeking help within ourselves can we truly find freedom and control of the mind and body. This is one of the main benefits of martial training and practice!

No where else is it more evident than in martial training then the mind-body relationship to achieve control over the self. Martial arts are geared toward first achieving victory over the self before victory over our opponents. It fails us if we don't establish self control first for to apply martial principles and techniques requires self-discipline and a high degree of self-control. Martial arts will let you know quickly and painfully that you or your associate have lost control, it hurts when that happens.

To affect your opponent is not the point of martial arts, to maintain control of yourself is the corner stone of the martial arts.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.
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