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.

One Dimensional vs. Multi-dimensional

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

I was flipping through the BB mag this weekend where I like to check on Dave Lowry's Martial Way article. This month's article is on  Kuzushi, a term. It reminded me how easy it is to make the assumption that such things are defined on an initial definition but Mr. Lowry's article reminded me that, especially karate and martial arts, is often only one dimensional in teaching while, in truth, it is about how we should always look for its other multi-dimensional facets - like the multi-faceted diamond.

We see a diamond and see its beauty but when we look closer, under a jewelers eyepiece, we begin to see its many faceted beauty beyond the surface. The diamond’s true nature is about its particular form with numerous facets that provide it with its true brilliance, it is about cutting the rough stone and the polishing it to a brilliance that reflect colors that can reach fifty-eight facets. The better the cut, the better the brilliance and the smoothness and clarity of the reflecting facets that when cut properly turn the stone into a multi-faceted rainbow of brilliance worth many times more than a mere stone of a one dimensional state.

Each facet has the potential to change the light ray that travels the paths that connect each in a unique way. The dimensional make-up of a multi-faceted diamond tends to convey a certain amount of information and that makes for a multi-dimensional nature of the light inside that effects what is seen and presented to the outer world. There is a reason why a diamond is thought of as a girl’s best friend, because of the symbolism through the cutting and creation of a many faceted or multi-dimensional creation from a rough simple stone.

It is this that makes karate and martial arts more than a mere stone of simplistic physical activity into is realistic traditional and complete multi-dimensional discipline, just like the creation of a diamond. The practitioner is the rough stone, the Sensei is the jeweler’s eyepiece and the cutting tools whose job is to find the many facets of the student and help them cut, polish and temper the stone into a diamond; an efficient, proficient and master of his self and discipline. 

It is this concept that resulted in the connections I see in Boyd's Cycle or what some call the OODA loop. It is the input and output of his seminal works I refer to as the Modern Art of War. A synthesis of his experiences and studies in air combat now relevant to both military combat and Business, let alone personal as well. Boyd’s Cycle is about the analysis of a stone and the synthesis of the diamond and the many facets or multi-dimensional aspects create the modern art of war he created.

When Mr. Lowry presents other facets of the term Kuzushi, you can see how our disciplines are in fact a "Way", as well as an art - an Art of Personal Combat. Personal combat or defense in civil cases is about not just the applications of techniques but the entire human mind, body and spirit developed and crated to apply such disciplines for appropriate purposes, goals, tactics and strategies. 

It is likened to opening an old closed door discovered in a hidden area of an old ancient building, the excitement of discovery tempered with a bit of trepidation of the unknown. It is the fear of this unknown that locks the modern karate-ka and martial artists into the one dimensional practice of their disciplines. Unlocking that potential does bring great things. 


Bibliography (Click the link)

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