It is a question that has come up a variety of times over the last few years for a variety of reasons. Most come from my continued studies which speak to the workings of the human, the human mind and the human brain. A lot is geared toward nature's survival instincts which seem to still govern our lives even tho survival is no longer a matter of life or death - metaphorically speaking.
Dysfunction speaks of an impairment, a failing and of not operating properly. Dysfunction tends to consist of a psychological, physical and societal influences or purview.
I am thinking along the lines that human dysfunctions come from modern industrial influences with emphasis today on fast moving instant gratifying technologies, i.e. cell phones, computers and social techno interfacing through electronic means. I ask myself, would humans even have to endure the perception of dysfunctions if we still lived where survival meant being a member of a tribe, hunting for sustenance and maintaing solidarity to survive incursions by both animal and humans.
In that light anyone who may have a debilitating dysfunction simply means they are not strong enough to contribute to the survival of the tribe. I was led to believe that in those instances the child never got past a few days old. If you don't function normally, who's idea of normal is that anyway? I feel I am pretty much a normal human who tries to live according to nature's plans with adjustments for industrial/techno living. I believe my dysfunctions arise only when I encounter others who perceive me as not adhering to their belief system and their way of life, doing things and their views, etc.
If we still lived in the boundaries set by nature would we be encountering that many humans that much different from us. Would I as a European born tribal member living within natures specified area and time and culture ever encounter a person from an Asian continent with totally different beliefs, culture, language, and ways? Hmmm, are we actually multiplying and moving out beyond natures intended boundaries creating more friction and dysfunctions leading to conflicts?
My studies indicate so far, my view, that we are living far beyond our current evolutionary state. Why? Our minds, our brains and our ability to think, reason and create. Not to lessen our ability to discover ways to enhance our limitations as humans, i.e. flying without natures wings of a bird but mechanically.
Our brains, minds and bodies have not evolved fast enough for the environmental evolution that we are pushing on ourselves, our Earth and our Nature. The argument would say our industrial/techno advancement has meant the discovery of great things but I say at what cost. Life must have balance, life must remain somewhat in equilibrium with nature, all things of nature and all things of the Universe.
Techo advancements have outdistanced our humanity. Is this why we are experiencing dysfunctions? When did this word even come into use? I doubt that our ancient fathers and mothers used the word to describe things that humans did, do and are doing both now and historically.
Look at it this way, we have to create through technological means food enough to sustain humans. The natural ability of the Earth to provide food has limits and we have exceeded those so the need to enhance food was created, just to feed us.
How does this equate to martial arts. Well, we tend to speed past the natural order of the discipline in order to reach more enhanced aspects that are cool, spiffy and ego gratifying. We have folks with multiple black belts, multiple claims to expertise in multiple systems and we have created many human enhancements in the name of instant gratification, physical ability and greater notoriety. At what price? Are we actually, still, practicing the art of karate? Has our efforts to move beyond the natural boundaries of practice and training caused a loss of the true transmission of karate-jutsu-do as the ancient masters intended? Has the change to technology resulted in a lost art?
Questions, questions, questions! Maybe if humanity were still facing lions, tigers and bears the stuff that results in a dysfunctional person would be "less" of s dysfunction.
CAVEAT: These are my thoughts, my idea's and not meant to influence, sway or propose any expertise in this most difficult area - that is what they have therapists for .... oh, and my views, etc have absolutely no basis in research, facts or other such data of note. Just my thinking .....
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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