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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