Prejudice

Prejudice: Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience; a prejudgment: i.e. an assumption made about someone or something before having adequate knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed accuracy. ...

Assumptions are a dangerous commodity when dealing with violence. It is difficult to not allow nature's survival instincts to take what is and connect it with what is perceived and often ending in a inaccurate assumption that can and does lead to damage.

Another reason why I try to gather as much accurate and valid data I can to bring my data-storage up to speed so the brain will have something to draw on and learn from in practice, before I have to apply it on the street. Our accuracy in applying or lives to living depends greatly on what we have accurately and correctly in the minds storage banks.

Remaining open-minded even after achieving a level of competence in knowledge is not a guarantee assumptions won't be inaccurate. To constantly allow for change is critical. To allow your beliefs to remain flexible to change when encountering more data on a daily basis. Isn't it the principle of the universe, yin-n-yang, that all things, phenomena and beings are a matter fo dynamic relativity in each and every moment as it is encountered and experienced?

A lack of neutrality is truth and truth is relative then all things martially applied are neutral and relative to the moment. Isn't the goal of training and practice to achieve a level of dynamism whereby the quality, quantity and structure of application is constituent on yin-yang elements or tendencies which are combined in various proportions for the desired results.

To take a dogmatic and absolute view of martial systems due to some preconceived notion of loyalty to some long deceased master seems counter to the principle of dualistic monism - the yin-yang principles of the universe. If we are to truly live up to the nature of the universe then we have to allow ourselves to reach limits far, above and past the limitations our former leaders provided. Isn't the epitome of respect to demonstrate a level that exceeds those who have come before us?

Isn't it the true goal of any art form to things beyond any absolute and to remain flowing within the two ranges of the spectrum governed by the universes polar opposites - that of the yin and of the yang?

Don't prejudice your practice with assumptions and dogmatic adherence to something ephemeral in nature - go beyond the art.