Traits for Self-Defense Through Karate and Martial Disciplines

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

I have often tried to make a list of traits that a person requires in order to apply self-defense skills. I try because in modern society where social conditioning pushes people in the exact opposite direction from self-defense, the kind humans need to survive, I wanted to provide a set of traits so that each person can take “Independent Actions” that will often directly take them to the extreme opposite of social conditions so they may survive even when society creates situations and conditions that will expose them to the very conflict and violence society wishes to expunge from society itself - a fools errand. 

What one needs are the following:



Thankfully, my recent studies came across modern times version of Sun Tzu, Colonel John R. Boyd, USAF, who created and left a legacy of goals, tactical and strategic patterns in conflict that will provide us all the means to first and foremost protect and secure our individual lives, protect and secure our families lives and finally to extend our abilities to also protect and secure our tribes lives - it is about human survival. 

As did Sun Tzu, as did Carl Von Clausewitz, as did Niccolo Machiavelli through their versions of the “Art of War” created a bible, if you will, of human survival in a wold of conflict and violence that is inherently human in nature so does Colonel John R. Boyd, USAF, achieve a level equal and exceeding those of these three luminaries of human nature and the art of war. So much so that it is there works analyzed and then synthesized into a modern superior work called many things but explained through Boyd’s “Patterns of Conflict (one of many such tomes).”

If I were to put a name of the whole that is Boyd’s teachings I would call them, “Boyd’s Patterns.” A compilation, or synthesis, of his works into a one wholehearted presentation to our species on the very real and very important needs of, “Survival at all levels!”

Courage: to do what needs doing while avoiding over reaching a goal of survival into aggressive violence. Maintaining the balance while getting the goals done.

Uncertainty: the uncertainty of conflict and violence as to its chaos, danger, and fluidity-n-rapidity toward constant changing circumstances to each moment encounter. 

Flexible Mind-Set/State: to handle with aplomb those fluid and disorderly situations that change at a moments moment exposing the person to dangers beyond the mere physical. 

Independence of mind: to reach a maturity and humbleness and mastery over the mind and body along with the development of a spirit that is confident, capable and proficient/efficient in getting the job done within the confines of morality, legality, the law and to societies needs. 

Willingness to Act: giving yourself permission to act outside inappropriate social conditioning and conditions while remaining within the law and legal conditions of such conflict and violence and to do so without hesitation while using your initiative and acting with boldness.

An Exploitive Mind: allowing yourself permission to take the level of force and apply it appropriately to take full advantage of all appropriate opportunities to get-r-done, to reach your goals and to remain within acceptable levels and limits of defense.

Moral Courage of Responsibility for our Behavior: to know right, to know morality and to know that your efforts and actions are correct, just and right regardless of others. To accept the actions and consequences knowing full well you remain just, righteous and correct in all you do to survive. 

A short descriptive interpretation that should be taken as a step off point of analysis, discussion, breakdown, creation and synthesis to a proper strategy toward actions and deeds of survival. Deeds being the actions that avoid and/or prevent the more physical and psychological violence that causes grave bodily/mental harm or death. 

We have a great responsibility in applying such disciplines and an even greater challenge to see what we can’t see, to know what we don’t know and to discover what we need to discover through the process of analysis and synthesis, etc., in creating our own “Art of Self-defense.” 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Boyd Bibliography:
Angerman, William S. “Coming Full Circle with Boyd’s OODA Loop Ideas: An Analysis of Innovation Diffusion and Evolution.” USAF Institute of Technology. Ohio. 2004.
Boyd, John R. USAF. “A Discourse on Winning and Losing.  
Boyd, John R. USAF. “New Conception for Air to Air Combat.”
Boyd, John R. USAF. “Patterns of Conflict.” www-d-n-i,net. 2007
Coram, Robert. “Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War.” Back Bay Books. New York. 2004. 
Hammond, Grant T. “On the Making of History: John Boyd and American Security.” USAF Academy. 2012  
Hammond, Grant. “The Mind of War: John Boyd and American Security.” Smithsonian Books, New York. 2004.
Osinga, Frans. “Science, Strategy and War: The Strategic Theory of John Boyd.” Eburon Academic Publishers. Amsterdam. 1963.


No comments:

Post a Comment