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.

Philosophy and Psychology, Why bother?


Interesting thoughts as to why there should be a philosophy in martial arts. It is sometimes frowned upon as a waste. This is most often, to my experience, the credo of those who focus mainly on the physical. The physical alone has limitations while the mind and the mind-set are infinite in practice and use. The mind is the most important part of martial training. As I have stated before, the body follows the mind and the mind leads the body, and the two are intertwined where a solid balance leads to mastery of the mind and body.

The body and therefore techniques, regardless of what kind, are controlled by the mind. You have the conscious mind that thinks and encodes the limbic mind or the hindbrain or the lizard brain that is instinctive and far speedier than the thinking mind. The limbic system simply acts while the mind, the conscious mind thinks first then sends a signal to act provided that signal is not frozen in midstream because the thinking mind is busy - thinking. 

To balance the mind you need academia/literary requirements. Look at philosophies as a means to take the mind past simply encoding data to making the data do something productive. Look at this as the difference between just knowledge and knowledge with common sense attached. We all know that without some modicum of common sense our knowledge is like kata performed without purpose - a simple dance. Add in common sense to the acquired knowledge of which a large part is a philosophy from said knowledge and you begin to get a stronger, larger and vastly more proficient/efficient mind. The body follows the mind and there for the mind will follow the body for the body also has something to teach the mind and that adds to the philosophies of the person and martial systems. 

We want to be both physical and principal balanced, especially in combative disciplines. Look at philosophy and its research, improvements and changes as a means to sharpen the mind similar to how exercise creates a healthier and fit body. When we discuss philosophy we free the mind from dogma, etc. and allow our minds to roam free. A free mind cannot be exploited as can a mind set it its ways by dogma and other trappings. The present moment mind is free from such encumbrances and philosophy, contributing to psychology, open the mind allowing free flowing thoughts and ideas much like water seeking its own path to its natural level. Philosophy leads to discussion and consensus as to a wholehearted practice, training and application of principles that are effective. 

The powerful mind can in and of itself overcome and dominant the threats of the mind such as anger and fear. Our attacker or opponent will sense our clarity of mind, our mind-to-action, our intention and our emotional state that equates to a lack of fear and a controlled anger. 

When our philosophy discusses aspects of the psychological principles inherent to all martial systems such as mushin no kokoro, kime, non-intention, and other mind-states then we become impervious to mental imbalances leading to physical imbalances thus defeat and damage. 

PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY
Mind, Mushin, Kime, Non-intention, Yin-Yang, Oneness, Zanshin & Being, Non-action, Character, The Empty Cup.

Bibliography:
Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.
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