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.

Martial Arts Language or “The Language of Karate.”

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Now, this may seem like the beginnings of an article on MA terminology but it isn’t. It is about maturity in martial arts. In a recent article I read the quote that inspired this articles was, “ … according to one teeth-grinder … who rates himself as 8th dan … (said to the author of the article) ‘F*^king idiot!’” 

Now, one aspect of master in the martial arts it made me consider for this article is one that I don’t remember being talked or written about in a non-assuming way - Martial Arts Maturity!

We talk about mastery along with humility and even enlightenment but seldom does the subject of a practitioners/students, “Maturity,” come to the forefront of such teachings and discussions. I have a feeling that one assumes and assumptions can make an “Ass” out of us and some guy named, “umption.” 

When I read about some 8th level yudansha resorting to this level of thinking as well as writing and talking (cause if he wrote it I would assume he wouldn’t hesitate to say it as well) in this manner that this person has not reached a proper level of maturity that I would expect from someone of such high rank/grade/level, one of such perceived accomplishment they would not need to resort to such tactics to achieve what ever goal they are trying to achieve in such exchanges.

It reminded me of a recent podcast of a supposed radio show on martial arts where the interview and discussion involved two supposed highly respected MMA professionals. One never once during the interview used language that I would consider inappropriate while the interviewer used the F-word in almost every single sentence. It seemed like it was the only way he could emphasize the idea he was talking about. I was disappointed because from where I sit, as an old codger of sixty-two years, the use of such expletives especially in a public forum was a sign of immaturity. 

Don’t get me wrong, in my early years in the military as well as the dojo I could cuss up a storm - “Like a Sailer,” as they use to say but I also felt strong that in training, in a training hall or in a traditional dojo the use of such words, etc., were inappropriate. It lacked a certain maturity.

Now, in defense, especially in today’s society, it may be acceptable to emphasize certain feelings and idea’s using certain words most of us in my youth know are cuss-words. 

In a nutshell, of one of such age, supposedly maturity and such high levels of proficiency in the discipline of martial arts has to resort to using expletives to get their point across they failed to learn about communications, they failed to reach a mature age and level and therefore may not deserve the level or grade or rank or recognition that goes along with such things.

When I think of mastery of a martial discipline I think of things like, “Maturity, Strength of Character, Strength of mind and body, high levels of discipline, great proficiency in the discipline, a certain level of enlightenment, humility beyond normal and what would be required, courage and bravery, higher levels of right behavior, good will toward all, a certain courtesy and conduct that leads by example to all who follow, a level of truth and honesty beyond reproach and many other virtues that seem to say, “Expletives are counter to these virtues, etc.” 

It seems that maybe in our teaching others the martial arts regardless of reasons be they sport or “The Way” or self-defense it is prudent that we put back into the training program the virtue of, “Maturity.” 

If one has to fall back on and resort to argumentative expletive driven emotionally driven monkey dancing to force their views and beliefs when questioned rather than to discuss, like gentlemen, and communicate theories, ideas and finally facts in support of one’s views, perceptions and perspectives then we are failing to transmit the true nature, the very essence, of martial disciplines. 

Maybe this is what some mean when they talk about “True Karate (MA)!” I would prefer to convey my viewpoint in such a way that the opposing person willingly listens, regards, validates and very possibly accepts my side but I know from experience to argue and force my views, etc. on the opposing person will just validate and reinforce their side regardless of the merits of mine - that is failure in my view and counter to martial arts morality, etc.

Bibliography (Click the link)


p.s. look at it from a self-defense view, would you imagine that your best tactic to deescalate would be to say to your adversary, "Hey fuck face, walk away or I will kick your friggin ass to hell and back!"


2 comments:

Rick Matz said...

One of the things that stands out in my memory of Kushida Sensei (8th Dan aikido), was that he was always a consumate gentleman.

Charles James said...

Something I feel is missing in a lot of today's MA practices.