Responsibility

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What has happened to our sense of responsibility? One of those traits I find most beneficial in karate and martial arts especially toward fense is that we all have to assume responsibility to that training and practice but most of all toward our application of it in life and fense. We have a responsibility to ourselves but we have a greater responsibility to our tribe, clan or society at large because what we do and how we do it matters.

I remember a statement in a movie long ago about, ‘Giri,” the burden hardest to bear. Giri is given a lot of lip service when used but in truth it is just another way to explain responsibility. When we fail to take appropriate responsibility we open ourselves to dangers and damages that span the entire spectrum of conflict and violence. In short, what ever happened to, ‘Counting to ten,” before responding. There is a reason why that is such a great meme, it allows the emotional side of our human nature to subside a bit and let the logic human mind put in some common sense, to analyze situations that resulted in such strong emotional reactions and to come to a more appropriate thought process that would lead to an appropriate response when warranted.

Take a breath is another way to look at ourselves, see Rory Miller’s article titled the same, while allowing more logically driven common sense realistic thinking to take over, three or more deep diaphragmatic breaths while relaxing the muscle in our shoulders, neck and fact to relax gives us time to consider what has just happened and what is needed for the benefit and survival of the group, clan, and society at large. 

Then another responsibility we all must take to heart is our responsibility of education and understanding. All too often we take homage to something based on how it effected us emotionally and charge ahead without taking a breath and counting to ten. We base a lot of that emotional response on media driven non-reality entertainment based earning potential than on reality factual understood experience based researched data. 

Even the so called experts are mostly basing their opinions on what will get them called up again when then next incident happens. If you don’t provide an opinion that meets the drama-trauma based emotional shouting of the emotionally immature masses you won’t get called on again to give your so masterful skillful expertise. 

Knowing and understanding the processes and requirements of all parties involved from the folks involved to the legal authorities to the reality of each situation, etc., you would then understand why reactions are what they are as in the case of investigations taking time along with video type posted venues are not the story, the truth or the rest of the story - there is always much, much more going on that presented in all media productions. 

Does it make you feel good, is the rhetoric you provide actually “True?” Is that same rhetoric actually necessary and beneficial to the situation overall? Is your opinion actually based on reality, knowledge, understanding and experience? Are you basing your opinions on television, movies and other fictionally based theories, ideas and opinions and if so, are you able to realize and distinguish between reality and fantasy? 

I have a rudimentary understanding of the Police and find that regardless the best course of action for everyone when they are encountered is to, “Be Polite, Follow their instructions and finally - Be Polite and Comply with their Instructions!” In my limited understanding I have never encountered anyone who complied and remained polite in police encounters ever to be beaten, shot, or otherwise treated inappropriately by police or any other professional in such situations. 

We all have a common personal and social responsibility once we leave our front yards and enter into encounters of others in our world, it is what makes society work and when it fails societies fall. We seem to be stumbling and tripping over ourselves of late but we have not fallen - YET. As you can tell from Wim Demeere’s article when we do fall it will be ugly and it won’t matter who is right, who is wrong but it will matter to everyone regardless of beliefs, cultures, social level, status, etc., for we all will suffer greatly. 

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Giri [義理]

The characters/ideograms mean "duty; sense of duty; honor; decency; courtesy; debt of gratitude; social obligation." The first character means, “righteousness; justice; morality; honor; loyalty; meaning," the second character means, "logic; arrangement; reason; justice; truth."

Often we hear of giri in martial arts circles due to the influences of the samurai legends of old Japan. In one quote it was said that giri is the burden hardest to bear. If one does not feel it, then one does not have it. It is looked upon as a debt that can never be repaid. Looking at the definitions for the characters/ideograms it is no wonder why it takes on such a meaning.

It is defined as "to serve one's superiors with a self-sacrificing devotion" by Namiko Abe. It is tied closely with the more feudal era culture and beliefs that have remained steadfast to present day.

Giri is difficult to translate adequately into western English cultural belief terms. It has been romanticized in movies and books such as "The Yakuza," where giri is a major factor in the story.

In the study of martial arts one cannot truly understand all the cultural nuances be they Japanese, Okinawan or Chinese. All three have connections and the final Japanese cultural meaning of giri is born of all three although now unique to the Japanese.

Giri goes both ways as well. Giri is a matter of two sides to one coin or as one might assume as yin-yang. For one to feel it requires the other or recipient to feel it and vice versa. If either one does not feel it then it is diminished even tho the one side can still find themselves bound to the other through giri regardless of the others feeling for giri.

Anytime there is a relationship involved the two personalities coupled with cultural beliefs and individual perceptions, etc. make it a most difficult part of any belief system.

Giri in a general sense may be related to better understand the concept to group or tribal survival dynamics. It can be related to social associations whereby loss can equate rejection and/or dismissal from the group or tribe.

Another way is to ask yourself, “Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” Any one answer will tell you to either speak up or keep your mouth shut. If you need to shut your mouth then consider that a signal that you need more knowledge and understanding of the subject under discussion and review.