I have posted on the three phases of training and practice. I wanted to use a metaphor to help me understand the process and maybe you will find it useful and helpful in your dojo.
All of us have begun at the same level - solid. That is a rigidly followed path where you do exactly what you are taught for a long, repetitive and somewhat boring time. You have to spend the time here the most simply because it lays the foundation, the fundamental principles of the martial system. The shame of this is most dojo never realized for a number of reasons that this is a transitional state but due to the lack of awareness have remained in the solid state for their entire career's. This solid state must start to transform into a liquid state.
The liquid state is where the practitioner turns up the heat to forge a unique practice of martial systems, their system of choice - the system that is the foundation laid on the ground work done with the fundamental principles. This state or stage begins when a person reaches the level of Sho-dan, the initial stage of the black belt levels. If you have studied the philosophy of Bruce Lee you know he advocated a system that goes beyond the dogmatic adherence to specific patterns - the patterns are the blueprints that lead to the liquid state of practice.
As you progress and literally create ad-hoc a personally unique application of your system you begin to go beyond the liquid and due to the increased heat of forging the mind, body and spirit you start to reach a more gaseous state. The gaseous state is even less restrictive in nature where solids remain in a rock like form, liquid then allows to reach into the cracks and crevices exposed in the solid state filling them until the solid disappears completely leaving only liquid where continued efforts slowly heat to past the point where liquid can remain intact thus gaseous. Gaseous permeates everything and everywhere beyond that of liquid.
Liquid is still held to the gravity pulling it to the lowest levels within and around the solid slowly eroding it to simply liquid but gaseous is that state and ability that transcends any rules of the Earth allowing it to flow freely up, down, left, right and into any and everything on the Earth and in the Heavens which translates a state that is totally mushin, zanshin and present moment spontaneity.
Solid to Liquid and finally to Gaseous - enlightened application of martial systems in life! Heterogeneous - diversity of character, content and substance in the different phases of martial practice and training.
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.
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