Challenge the Monkey

To achieve some semblance of control over our emotions, as to the monkey brain, we have to achieve some understanding of how the emotional mind actually works. It all parcels into the traits and components that make for a good martial artists and is inter-connected in how we achieve a modicum of ability in the fuller spectrum of self-defense.

Emotions are described as, “Any agitation or disturbance of the mind, feeling, passion; any vehement or excited mental state. A feeling and its distinctive thoughts, psychological and biological states, and range of propensities to act. - Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

In martial arts we try to build character. We do this because good character leads to a greater psychological discipline required to have better moral conduct and that conduct is how we apply our martial prowess in daily life as in conflict. Character is built on self-discipline and that is the bedrock of character.

The keystone to character is the ability to motivate oneself and to guide oneself in all life’s disciplines and this is critical in the study, practice and application of martial arts be they for sport, self-defense or combatives and so on. 

Emotions by there very nature require we keep them under our control, or control of reason. It is also important to see how those emotions are affected by both past and present but also how they influence our present. As once stated in a movie quote, “when the past comes knocking we can never tell where that will lead.” 

We have inter-connectedness of emotions to our moods and to our temperaments. This interconnectedness also influences our present state of mind and that means our present actions accordingly.

As can be indicated by this terse commentary on emotions and character we can foresee the importance of our emotional intelligence for that quality, more than any other, will direct and lead us to the type of conflict resolutions that the mere physical will miss completely. It is that Yin that goes with the Yang that is conflict and violence. 

Personally, I believe more than anything that our emotional intelligence will gain us far more in self-defense than any other aspect of this large and complex subject. 

Remember, “Character is the psychological muscle that moral conduct requires. It is the bedrock of self-discipline. The keystone of character is being able to motivate and guide oneself. It takes will to keep emotion under the control of reason.” 

Oh, and remember that the monkey is driven by emotions and they are usually out of control. Challenge the monkey by taking back control thus allowing you to use the monkey along with the lizard to achieve something useful. 

Bibliography:

Goleman, Daniel. “Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition].” Bantam. January 11, 2012.