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.

The Art of Verbal Self-Defense - Highly Recommended!

I read a lot! I mean since I was very little and first able to balance a book to read I was reading. I have grown to love all kinds of materials and have read/studied a variety of topics. I always find other books to read from the current reading materials. One reason I try and I do love to see bibliographies with the author's recommendations for I find real diamonds in those lists.

My latest diamond is the book, "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense," by Suzette Hayden Elgin. Let me try to explain what I am gaining from reading, studies, practice, training, etc.

Picture yourself going on a trip. You are going to a country where no English is spoken. You have no clue as to the language spoken at this country yet your are excited because you learned that this place was the absolute best in learning new and exciting things. Imagine how difficult it would be if you did not try to gain knowledge of how they communicate.

Now, you find a source that provides you English to "This countries language" and it provides not one direct translations but many examples that you can use to learn and understand to you can apply this when you arrive.

This puts language together to create understanding. If you had not found this or taken the time to learn then upon arrival you would simply have no references to draw upon to express yourself and to understand others.

What this book and all the others provide me is a source of words and meanings that provide me a tool to express or articulate meaning so others may "see" and/or "hear" knowledge which in turn they can use to build on their knowledge and ability to express/articulate. It is the most wonderful tool anyone can learn and use. Wouldn't you agree?

This book provides me knowledge so I can express something I may not know or may have known/understood in an unconscious way so now connect the new knowledge with the current knowledge so I can find new and different ways to articulate it to others. In the case of VSD (verbal self-defense) it now provides me triggers that will allow me to recognize attacks, both incoming and outgoing, and allows me to learn proper responses that are not attacks, i.e. direct or implied (presupposition?).

I have a personal goal to achieve more harmony in my encounters with other humans, etc. with emphasis on my personal relationship so find this tool critical in attaining that goal. Yet, as a MA I also "see" how it can be related to "awareness" which translates to self-preservation if I have to avoid-deescalate/manners to keep from using body mechanics/legal ramifications which in reality falls under the main heading of "avoidance."

Needless to say I recommend adding this book to your library and don't be surprised when you read it if you don't suddenly realize that you are actually using the attacks, i.e. blamer, placater, distractor, and leveler modes in your everyday conversations with others.

Awareness, the first circle of SD, is also awareness of what you say and mean as well as recognizing what others say or mean, i.e. both direct and implied expressions/statements/etc.

I would add this one as a MA Fundamental to teaching self-preservation strategies and tactics. Far more important than specific techniques -to- specific attacks.

Make Sense? Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ...

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzette H. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Barnes & Noble Books. New York. 1990.
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1 comment:

jc said...

sounds intriguing.... thanks for that...

9:16 AM

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