Style Lock

This post inspired by the Chiron blog post "Rolling Dirty" by Rory Miller, read it here.

"Doing a style, blinders and all, can lock you in." - Sgt. Rory Miller, Chiron Blog, Rolling Dirty

I went "doah" when I read this quote by Mr. Miller. I often extol the benefits of learning a style or system first before branching out to become, at least, familiar with other systems of fighting. I still believe this and know that this takes time. We have time, most of us, as we will not experience violence often in our entire lives.

But, I do believe wholeheartedly that if you lock yourself into just one style and believe it will be there for self-protection, self-defense or fights you may encounter some disappointment. This speaks to those things I believe when I preach that remaining dogmatically specifically to one system in its exact, unchangeable, form for some belief system associated with traditions you end up locked in with blinders.

It is my belief that a belief system of this type does exactly what I perceive is the meaning behind this particular quote of Mr. Miller's. I also believe Mr. Miller's belief that a person needs to begin thinking for themselves in lieu of relying on what others think and do also applies.

Let me track back to the "shu-ha-ri" concept. Remaining in a style or system in the "shu" stage for most of us is necessary to get the fundamental principles of the system which should actually translate to any other system in their purest form, i.e. fundamental principles of martial systems. The stage where you must "think" for yourself is the "ha" stage. I like this stage as it should be the stage where you experience a lot of "Ah - HA's." Pun intended ;-)

Then I read at the end or near end this quote by Mr. Miller, "I wouldn't give up my early training in solid fundamentals for any bag of tricks." - Sgt. Rory Miller, Chiron Blog: http://chirontraining.blogspot.com/2012/05/rolling-dirty.html and this also speaks to my last few comments. Your style or system should teach you the fundamental principles or fundamentals and leave all those complex type tricky SD techniques along and think for yourself and find what works for you.

Inspiring post on the Chiron blog, read it for yourself again. (caveat: other than the quotes this is my perception, my view and my opinion - do not assume this is what Mr. Miller means or says or teaches.