Here lies the true meaning of martial arts - arts. This is a clear demonstration of technique vs. creative application of methodologies, etc.
Sitting Seiza in Karate
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
In a recent blog article by Victor Smith Sensei he talks about something called, “Suwari [Suwari Waza is the generic name for techniques performed in the seated stance in traditional Japanese (Koryū) martial arts.] and Tachi-waza [Suwari waza contrasts with hanmi handachi waza (a person sitting in seiza defending against a standing attacker) over the tachi waza (standing techniques, which comprise the stance in which the majority of standing techniques and training are performed in aikido, and where the attacker and the defender standing).],” and in that conversation he speaks to how most no longer kneel in seiza in everyday life. I wrote in comment the following:
“That is too bad because "traditions,” and "ceremonies" and other such things are all under the heading of "Heritage" and heritage is what all cultures of significance are built from and upon. Seiza, the actual process has its own shi-kata or form from Japanese, Okinawan and Chinese cultural influences. It is what connects and binds us to the heritage of karate and martial arts from that part of the country - too bad.
I remember how difficult it was to sit seiza and perform mokuso at the start and end of dojo practice and training. I never truly got comfortable with it and I rightly assume it was because I didn’t grow up sitting seiza and didn’t sit seiza outside the dojo. Regardless, for many years that was what I did before and after dojo practice because, as I state, it was a way to connect in a direct physical way to the past, the heritage of karate from Okinawa. Yes, Okinawan’s sat seiza and I suspect they started it because of the strong connections they had with China and later, after the 1600’s, they also assumed and kept that piece of cultural etiquette when the Japanese took control.
Many of the cultural heritage connections such as sitting seiza have been slowly removed from modern karate practice here in the West and I can only assume and speculate that it is because those who removed those heritage connections just didn’t understand, or even care, about the past. We in the West tend to have forgotten about our own past and heritage, as short as that is when compared to such cultures as the Chinese who have thousands and thousands of years in their heritage. Anyway, I digress toward distraction so back on the subject I go.
Sitting seiza is not indicative or inherent solely in the dojo for it is how the entire culture sat or sits even today (well, maybe not so much but some still sit seiza). I do understand that for many it is only about the physical challenges and attitudes and contests of karate and martial arts. I do understand that for many it is only about or in addition too the preceding, self-defense and I understand that for many it is only about the competitive aspects BUT …
Sitting seiza and for mokuso before and after have certain traits and concepts that support and build on all the above reasons why one takes to the dojo. It may not be readily apparent but with some effort and research one can find that connection and find benefit. I can only say that I recently got back into a art form that has competitions in it and due to the connections I made to the historic cultural philosophical principles of karate and martial arts I have progressed rapidly up and back almost into expert status and believe/feel that mastery is not as far away as it normally would be if I had not studied such things as sitting seiza.
You see, there is a kata, shi-kata, to approaching, standing, kneeling, assuming the seiza position, setting down on the heels and placement of hands, etc., just like there are kata that teach principles, fundamental methodologies, force levels, and so on to utilize in self-fense, etc. It is one of the myriad of things that connect us to our past and allow us the ability to analyze and synthesize our practice, training and applications for modern times, the present if you will, while maintaining the core principles developed and taught by the past and allowing for growth, progress and the natural evolution of the systems and arts for now and for the future. Think of it as a three-stage stack where we learn the past and practice it diligently then we synthesize appropriate aspects for the modern times of today and then finally we learn to synthesize new aspects, traits and ways to apply proper principled methodologies toward appropriateness of future systems, dojo and practitioners. I personally see it as how we take the past, learn from it and then take it into the future - creating a three-stage stack.
Sitting seiza in karate or any martial arts may seem to be not beneficial or realistic for modern times but then again …
COMMENT: On the arts of suwari and tachi waza, although they may appear or seem or be perceived as something we would not encounter in reality, violent attacks, etc., they still hold lessons that will benefit the practitioner in a combative situation be it some socially driven monkey dance or other predatory type of resource/process attack. Skipping such training simply weakens one’s abilities in the end, don’t skip.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Note: the following graphics may or may not depict correct seiza, etc., do some research to validate or find
the correct shi-kata to sitting seiza ...
A karate-ka’s greatest strength
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
“A karate-ka’s greatest strength is in observation, the more observed, the more the karate-ka comes to know. Such knowledge gives the karate-ka power, especially when others fail to see.” “The eyes must see all sides,” a ken-po goku-i meme as part of the whole that is the “goku-i.” Awareness is about seeing all sides or the myriad of things in the Universe. Our Universe is not just that of the vastness of the space that surrounds our Earth but the vastness of that space the surrounds each of us as if a micro-cosmic variation of the entire Universe.
To achieve such mastery of the seeing of all sides we must cultivate that which is observed more than merely seeing but to analyze all that we observe then synthesizing what we need to survive in our own Universes. It is truly our greatest strength and the greatest weakness of each individual karate-ka dependent on a myriad of things of which seeing all sides is but one.
One, being the great “Tai Chi” that through the natural way of the Universe, i.e., Heavens, Earth and Hu-mans, is to divide into the four then the eight and finally into the sixty-four hexagrams that tell us how to travel the path of life as karate-ka.
The more we can observe through the wholehearted efforts of education, training, practice and attaining of experience is how we accumulate the inherent knowledge necessary for mastery. Observation leads to education; education leads to knowledge; knowledge leads to understanding and understanding leads to analysis and synthesis of old, new and the creative - to see all sides of things.
I would further add that “to hear in all directions” holds the same weight, i.e., as in “While a persons unbalance is the same as a weight” thus making a lack of observation leading to the end results null and void without the addition of hearing and weight and a loss of balance when these principles are missing or incomplete.
To observe takes all the senses with the two of sight and hearing dominate, dominant sensory input processes that provide a wholehearted whole of observation and awareness, etc. This is one meaning attributed to the goku-i!
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Is Self-Fense Realistic?
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
In a recent blog reading it came to me that due to the disparities between each human, be they male or female, that trying to teach or sell self-fense to those individuals is just not possible. We, each of us, are unique and have individual needs and wants and other such stuff that is, fundamentally, different from all other of our species.
Yes, we have like things that are somewhat able to match us up especially in the survival mode all humans have to deal with but when you start digging deeper beyond those facades you find, once again, differences. Differences that often require each of us to set aside when dealing with others so that we can - “Deal with Others.” This is true even in families, i.e., between spouses, between siblings and between parents and children. We all have to compromise and shift and change, at least when dealing with others, on a face level minimum.
In the Self-Fense (most call it self-defense but since I have done a bit of study of MM’s work on violence, as with RM too, I like to use self-fense) model of most vendors they are only able to sell that product if they can create a model that would span a large audience of individuals, all with their own unique needs and wants and requirements, etc. This presents problems that result in self-fense being - NOT true and reality based but generic to the degree it is often useless in reality.
I have to wonder then, is the self-fense industry any good or realistic or productive or efficient in reality? In general, I have come to conclude that toward most who seek out such vendor supplied products it is more a ego stroking feel good effort over a real reality-based need to protect ourselves. Those who actually need realistic reality-based methodologies are those who work and/or live in violence based environments or jobs that work in violence based environments. Like Police, Corrections Professionals, Body Guards, Military, Bouncers (some) and other professions that expose the members to violence or possible violence.
This tells me that most, almost, all self-fense programs are simply tools to sell a product and that is why I often shout out when I read their testimonials and web sites and ads are written or presented in certain ways as if their program, for instance, is the ultimate warrior based military proven way to provide foolproof self-defense. Yes, there are programs out there that are realistic and run by experienced violence professionals while the others are sold by using “Compliance Principles (Influence principles)” that make folks feel good about themselves and instill a confidence that they are safe and secure. These folks, like most in our modern times, will never, ever, encounter the types of conflict and violence that truly require true relative realistic self-fense.
When I view or review many of the karate and martial arts self-defense programs, by attending in the past and by academic reviews today, I feel like they are more what I feel is reality rather than what they think, feel and believe to be realistic.
As instructors they are forced, in most cases I believe, to use compliance principles to sell the product and sell the individual into believing they are getting something unique and useful, the principles are use every day and in every moment of our public lives to get us to do things and buy things we might not truly want or might not truly realize is useless but it does hit on those human fundamentals so that we feel good and believe that we are safer and more secure. It works and most humans go through their lives completely without the realization of reality for we create our reality in our minds so we can survive.
Humans tend to not think a lot about stuff for no other reason than if we thought logically about every single decision, etc., we would be stuck in limbo unable to move, to live and to … you get the picture. We look for shortcuts, it is all part of our survival needs and instincts and allows us to use that to survive. When it doesn’t then the self-fense you are sold may or may not work but it too has to be a knee-jerk reactive or proactive model as well so that a need to logically analyze and act is bypassed, think OODA here, and that is why the education, training and practice along with reality-based experiences is needed to program those tapes.
Self-defense, mostly, is not realistic in my book. We can pay lip service all we want to self-sooth and stroke our ego’s into believing we are gaining and learning all those warrior combatives like technique based programs that are cookie cutter programs that fit everyone while failing to fit each individual but hey, we won’t ever have to prove either’s legitimacy.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Self-Fense Begins Here
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
Maybe you are expecting me to jump into the dangers you face at every moment and every turn; maybe you are expecting to reference the awesomeness of my system of martial arts as the fastest and easiest form of self-defense to learn; you might be making some assumption that I can fill all your needs to remain safe and secure while providing you all the tactical-cool movie-like tricks and such to protect yourself BUT guess what dudes and dudettes, ain’t gonna happen.
Self-Fense (combo of offense and defense) doesn’t start there, it starts here: “Knowledge and Understanding!” It is about taking control of your life, making decisions for yourself and then seeking out those things you will need to know and understand to remain safe and secure in life regardless of what, when, where, why and how of things.
To make informed decisions about anything requires a lot of work to start. You have to learn about things to make such decisions and that requires a lot of work. When I say knowledge you have to understand that knowledge comes in many forms other than just academic. This also applies to understanding for it too comes in many forms. It comes down to attaining knowledge then applying that in life so you come to understand both the academic and reality-based aspects of that knowledge, a type of understanding that is both cerebral and instinctual, i.e., like the difference form academic knowledge and the type of knowledge we refer to as “Common Sense knowledge and understanding.”
The reason this concept doesn’t hold water is because we don’t want to work that hard, we as humans tend to be pretty darn lazy and our modern social conditioning today teaches us to rely on others to make decisions for us, you know, the experts that we are not since we don’t rally want to take the time to learn and understand. It’s much easier to just follow the herd so to speak and that is a natural human species thing that our modern lazy compliance professions depend on to make money, etc.
Knowledge: Academic (but the right kind that is fact-checked, reliable and found valid, etc.); Experience based (the kind you get when you actually leave the classroom and life it out in the real world while being exposed to the chaos and fluidity of life itself, etc.); Reality based (where you accumulate and analyze facts, information, and SKILLS you acquire, others acquire both theoretical and practice to synthesize how you act to remain safe and secure, etc.); Awareness Based (where you have attained both awareness and familiarity through experience of facts and/or situations, etc.).
Understanding: Ability based (where you learn, know and understand your abilities and capabilities and limitations, etc.); Comprehension Based (where your understanding through experience and abstract though become intelligence, etc.); Perceptive/Judgement Based (where you learn to analyze and synthesize ad-hoc, dynamic and creative ways to apply the knowledge and understanding, etc.); and so on.
Note: there is more to the above but my goal is not to give you the easy way by providing all the information.
So, you see, this isn’t a glorified glamorous Bruce Lee-esque media driven ad campaign to help you gladly part with your hard earned money because all of this can be accomplished far and away from the Self-defense industry. Not to say that there are not actual industry programs that will actually give you this part but most don’t so, buyer BEWARE!
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
PART II: Zendo (The Dojo)
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
“The merciless tide of modem commercialism and mechanization is rolling all over the East, so that at most no comers are left for a quiet retreat, and before long even this solitary island of Zen may be buried under the waves of sordid materialism.”
Wow, when I read this one I just had to laugh because I had just wrote an article on the commercialism and denigration of modern martial arts and karate as it would apply to those whose belief and mind-state think of these disciplines as, “Traditions and/or Classical,” in nature. Materialism along with the latest revolution, “Technological,” it would seem that all of us being inundated and overwhelmed need a more classical Zen-like environment and discipline to alleviate the building pressures of modern times.
“A period in the monastic life which is exclusively set apart for the mental discipline when they are not hampered by any manual labour except such as is absolutely necessary. This period is known as sesshin [接心].”
This has been adapted and adopted in the dojo in two forms as well described in the next quotation, i.e., what is called shugyo as well as sitting seiza for zazen before and after dojo training and practice.
“It takes place a few times, each time lasting a week, in the season known as the "summer sojourn" [ge-ango), and again in the one known as the "winter sojourn" (setsu-ango). Generally speaking, the summer sojourn begins in April and ends in August, while the winter one begins in October and ends in February. Sesshin means "collecting or concentrating the mind". Note: Are these the precursor to karate’s (MA 2) those special times of the year when they celebrate and train and practice?”
There is a term that describes, at least the annual one done in January - I think, that talks about this type of activity. It is in all probability a derivative of the Zen Buddhist Zen-do.
“There is a "lecture" (koza or teisho) every day during the sesshin (meaning thought collection [接心]).”
I also think of this in terms of what we use today called the, “Seminar,” where such gatherings and discussions abound not to forget the gathering that occurs after dojo practice with drink, food, merriment and discussions to all things martial and karate.
“During the sesshin, besides the lectures, the monks have what is knonn as "sanzen [参禅]“. To do sanzen is to go to the master and present their views on the koan they have for the master's critical examination.”
Note: Notice how the term, “sesshin,” is pretty darn close to the English term, “Session?” Group sessions often are about such discussions that bring about thought, discovery, creativity and growth - all hallmarks of learning, understanding and applying things to the arts as well as to life itself.
“In fact, we are all living under many casings of illusions and insincerities which really have nothing to do with our inmost Self. To reach this inmost Self, therefore, whereby the disciple gains real knowledge of Zen, the master often resorts to methods seemingly inhuman; indeed, far from being kindhearted to say the least.”
It may be said, by some anyway, that the goal of karate and martial arts defense begins with the battle we have with ourselves, our egos. Listen, it may be important to at least recognize this and understand that this is pretty much a normal function of our species, i.e., we live and breathe illusions, insincerities, insecurities and other cognitive dissonance misdirections so we feel comfortable. Listen up, because in truth the only true goals of the species is to survive and procreate so by surviving we have a change to procreate and when we begin procreation we are enabling the species to survive - everything else is about ego.
“To become a qualified master, mere understanding is not sufficient. A period of time must be lived, living a life harmonious with the understanding to attain a thorough knowledge of all the mysteries of the art; what he has gained in the Zendo is after all only the pointing of the finger in the direction where his utmost efforts must further be put forth; intellectual attainments must be put on trial by coming into actual contact with the world. There are no prescribed rules for this "maturing". Each must act under his own discretion as he meets with the accidental circumstances of life. The idea is the "maturing", as has been properly designated, of one's moral character.”
Ahhh, our modern times have so many masters and you have to wonder where and when this apparent disconnect happened. In Zen Buddhist Zen-do this is critical and it was adopted and adapted to martial arts and now karate. This speaks to the philosophical principles of such disciplines and can often be missing in most modern dojo. This form of study and practice works in Asian dojo but not so much in the West because their entire being and culture is already set and has endured for centuries so that one can perceive and correct apply things while the West requires every single thing explained, in detail. Yet, to master something does require a lot of these traits and principles and the only method of maturity is time and experience - if you are lucky. I see a need for a dojo to teach more in this arena as guidance, i.e., to point the finger, provide some insight then allow each individual to seek out knowledge, analyze it to synthesize an individual way and then live it with honor so that it matures the person and becomes that person.
“The Zendo’s guiding principles, such as the simplification of life, restraint of desires, not wasting a moment idly, self-independence, and what they call "secret virtue", are sound principles of the dojo and the arts and ‘secret virtue’ means not to waste natural resources; it means to make full use,economic and moral, of everything that comes your way ; it means to treat yourself and the world in the most appreciative and reverential frame of mind. It particularly means practicing goodness without any thought of recognition by others.”
One word, “Honor.”
“All the training of the monk in the Zendo, in practice as well as in theory, is based on this principle of 'meritless deed". Poetically this idea is expressed as follows:”
The bamboo-shadows move over the stone steps
as if to sweep them, but no dust is stirred;
The moon is reflected deep in the pool, but the
water shows no trace of its penetration.
A way and method through contemplative seiza zazen before and after as adapted and adopted from ZBZendo so that each may, over time, come to realize their true nature and path - lofty and doable ideology don’t you think?
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Honor
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
What is it and why does it matter and hold such a strong binding on the human species, especially the male? So many wars, so many vendetta’s and so many deaths can be attributed to the loss of honor by one party or another, why?
Honor is defined as follows:
High respect; esteem; privilege; regard with great respect; to fulfill (an obligation) or keep (an agreement); a person or thing that brings credit; adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct; a thing conferred as a distinction, especially an official award for bravery or achievement; etc.
The military have a code of honor that has led many to victory in the name of what ever power or government who let loose the dogs of war. It seems that the term is used often such as, “In war it is understood that you give your word of honor to do your duty to stand and fight instead of running away and deserting your friends.” Then it may be about respect of your peers, how honor adds to self-esteem as driven by the group and about fulfilling obligations and agreements, i.e., when you join you are obligated and agree to stand by your fellow soldiers and to stand by your culture and society as comprised of families and governing bodies all in the name of, “Survival!”
Then as a tribe-like construct and the inherent need to belong especially toward individual survival you must be distinguished according to the needs and rules of the tribe while the tribe also adheres to the needs and rules of both the individual and the tribe where the tribe distinguishes by actions and deeds in a social connectivity that binds one to the other also for the needs based on survival. This is done by the service and achievements of the tribal members as well as the collective of the tribe.
Often, honor is based on both individual and tribal like traits such as, “Loyalty, duty, respect, service, integrity and personal courage.” Honor comes from living up to such traits and principles and it often leads to a bonding of brothers that makes the tribe, the military discipline, unbreakable and invincible.
Honor can also be said to be about those who develop the habit of being honorable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything they, as both individuals and brothers in arms, do.
The Marines speak of honor as, “The bedrock of a Marines character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.”
Need I say more … hold to honor, yours and your tribes and allow that to create integrity, character and a bedrock personality that will carry you throughout your life.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Cognizant Dissonance and Police Interviews, Oh my!
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
First, read this blog post then come back and continue this one.
This comes back to knowledge, understanding and awareness. If you find yourself in a self-fense situation after failing to deescalate and/or avoid the confrontation you may find yourself on the other end of a Police interview (please note that the change from helpful interviewing to a one-side agenda driven investigation is undetectable). You need to know and understand that what many professionals advise is, in my mind now, critical to your success in navigating and surviving the legal system.
Get to know about pre-suasion, compliance professions, and how the formation of words and questions can actually lead you to cognizant dissonance that leads to your actually believing things not true. Remember, once you pass that line and put it into words that are going to be “Documented, etc.” then retraction is going to be impossible due to the same cognizant dissonance of the legal system, i.e., the police; the prosecutor; your lawyer; the jurors and so on - good luck with that.
In interviews/interrogations regardless the professionals recommend you let them know you WILl cooperate and you WILL provide a statement but prudence dictates you do so after you contact your lawyer. You WILL do so in his or her presence so that this situation can be resolved to EVERYONE’s satisfaction (especially yours, like going free and not being under prosecution).
Now, go back and read the article again then read the set of books on compliance and persuasion. Not only will it benefit you in such stressful legal encounters but you will find that it also informs you of how often and how much such things effect your life every moment of every day.
p.s. did you know that apparently about 20% of the public will react strongly to such suggestion? Example is a quote from this very article that is backed by research, i.e., “If you are wondering how easily a group of humans can be thrown into the same hallucination, consider that half of Americans believes their country just elected a racist, homophobic, sexist and the other half thinks we elected an open-minded guy who is no more sexist than most people.”
Ain’t life just grand?
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
The Spirit of Karate and Martial Arts
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
Spirit, seldom discussed, mentioned or taught in self-fense in karate and martial arts. I suspect that although the term spirit is bandied about all the time in the dojo few actually consider, contemplate and ask the question, “What do you mean by spirit Sensei?”
When we talk of spirit we talk about that nonphysical aspect of “heart” in the karate-ka and martial artist. In truth it is more then what we think of and assume as heart, it is about enhancing and helping foster such qualities that are regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements of the persons character and personality that govern thoughts and attitudes especially in moments of conflict and violence.
It is a mental and moral characteristic that makes up personality and has a foundation in character. It is a means of developing the human inherent traits of courage, determination, energy and assertiveness, i.e., what the Marines refer to as ‘Esprit de Corps.’
Finally, lets refer to a form of spirit, spirited. A type of energy with enthusiasm and determination along with discipline, intent and proper experience in training, practice and most important, applications. The one fosters the other when properly applied, i.e., development of spirit in the deployment of a spirited application for self-fense, combatives and fighting.
In the end it becomes about how a person of character comes to project both a mood and an outlook on life that is just, justified and both morally and philosophically sound toward the survival goals of the individual as well as the group or tribe.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
The Physical of Karate
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
It is not just physical but rather a combination of “Ability, agility, balance and reflexes” that makes up the physical. The physical is about how you apply the fundamental principles under physiokinetics as expressed by your acquired and natural ability; your acquired and natural agility; your balance in mind, body and spirit; and finally your natural and developed reflexes.
There are also physical attributes that become involved such as strength, stamina, and endurance. Most modern martial artists and karate-ka make the assumption that the physical manifestation of karate for self-fense, combatives and fighting are about strength, size and aggression. While these factors are still important they are in and of themselves merely enhancement of those other physical combinations, i.e., “ability, agility, balance, reflexes, strength, stamina, endurance and body mass, weight and balance” to name a few more.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Back to One by Rory Miller
Required reading in my book, makes you really think and then I would consider what I would use to vet one who professes to teach self-defense, hmmmm
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| You will see this one when you click the above link to the article, I just like to have graphics in my posts ;-) |
Mind of No Mind: A Perspective
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
“If anything, this (emptying of the mind) is the first 'real' fight you face when you start to learn karate. (‘Take out the garbage, as he poked his students forehead with his forefinger!’ - Socrates [my addition]) The notion of 'mushin' however, speaks less to having an 'empty mind' than it does to having a capacity for 'clear thought'; the subtle difference between the two revealing itself only through lengthy, mindful, practice.” - Michael Clarke Sensei, Shinseidokan Dojo Blog
The above quote came from an article written by Clarke Sensei that I felt strongly toward upon reading. It helped me, once again thanks to Clarke Sensei’s thoughts, to consider another way of thinking about and training the mind of no mind.
In truth, we humans cannot truly empty the mind even if we seem to go blank for there are thoughts and triggers and signals moving around the complex system we call the brain twenty-four hours a day from birth to death.
A precept and concept of martial arts and karate philosophy belief is a need to remove our ego’s from the equation in training and practice. Its goal is to achieve a mind-state and mind-set prepared for the rigors and dangers of combat, i.e., be it military or civil defense, etc. I don’t mean it is about becoming combat ready but rather a means to train the mind toward a goal of fighting, combat and/or self-fense. Yet, that thought is also kind of limited.
If we must engage an adversary regardless of the reasons and justifications we must first create a mind-state that promotes achieving the goals along with implementation of strategies and tactics geared toward those goals. Any true professional and veteran of conflicts of violent nature will say, if your mind is not conditioned and prepared for those very events and repercussions your success is at best questionable and at worst totally inept.
You have to first recognize those mental obstacles you will encounter and that means you have to study and understand all facets of the discipline and the conflicts of violence, etc. involved. Things like types of violence, how violence is used in communications and how our conditioning effects our minds toward such things. Then there are the mechanics and other aspects of such things. Once you learn as much as available then you have to come to understand all of it long before taking up the sword, metaphorically speaking, and trying to apply things.
Once you have the knowledge and have attained some semblance of understanding you then have to analyze everything and synthesize how you will use that to facilitate your actual hands on training, practice and, later, applications - especially since applications sit on the other side of the grand canyon of separation from training to the reality of conflict and violence.
No matter how hard and realistic you take training and practice it is not and never will be the experiences you will encounter and absorb when you are in the thick of it. You have to make the leap across that canyon and the processes and attitudes you develop in training and practice programs are about training the mind to move spurring the body to move and do what needs doing. It seems so simple yet it is in all probability the most difficult thing any professional encounters and it all depends on the mind, i.e., mind-state and mind-set.
So, with all that said, the concept of mind of no mind is not about blanking out all thoughts but rather accepting the challenge of emptying the mind of its garbage so the reality of it can creep in. You have to change pre-conceived notions, subjugate social conditioning and overcome your fears and misconceptions. It is a matter of clearing out the garbage so that you have room for those thoughts and such that allow you to act in accordance with principles as well as demands of social order of our society.
Most of us don’t even realize and often will not accept the two states of mind, i.e., a capacity for clear thought not muddled by inconsequential mind chatter and misconceptions and a emptying of the mind so room for more realistic logical survival thinking of the deep mind can flourish. It makes room for mindful practice and training and applications. It is a major process that leads to true mushin and zanshin, to mind of no mind and to emptying the mind of garbage.
Hat tip (Ritsu-rei) to <Shinseidokan Dojo Blog by Michael Clarke Sensei> as the inspiration for this post.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Bon-kura [盆暗]
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
The characters/ideograms mean, “Stupidity; idiocy; blockhead; idiot; dimwit; mediocrity.” The first character means, “Basin; lantern festival; tray,” the second character means, “darkness; disappear; shade; informal; grow dark; be blinded.”
Let me begin by saying that I am always amused by the definitions of those characters/ideograms that make up a term or phrase. The two above don’t seem to have any relevance to the overall definition of stupidity, etc. but what the hey, that is how this stuff works - right?
Anyway, I decided to find a term in Japanese to write an article about, “Stupidity.” We, as a species, often are pretty darn stupid about certain things such as, “Our rights,” as well as “Our Abilities,” and other such things. Stupidity is the one where someone deliberately walks into a dark and secluded area late at night, say around 1 or 2 am, by themselves while assuming they are safe and that no one would dare do anything to them.
When I have mentioned this scenario to self-defense students almost all say, “I have the right to go where I want, when I want and I have the right to do so unmolested!” They often preach this with extreme vehemence as if it is some unwritten law somewhere that they should have the unalienable right to do what ever regardless. Now, this is extreme bon-kura - STUPIDITY!
I often wonder if stupidity is a lesson taught in any educational circle let alone in self-fense. Yes, you have rights (but, those rights are not what you think) and you SHOULD be able to go where you want and whenever you want regardless. Yet, intelligence tells us there are predatory people out there just looking for an excuse to make you their victim, to provide them with either a resource or satisfy a process that they want. Yea, there are folks out there and guess what, “They can give a shit about your rights and privileges!”
Don’t be stupid, your well-being and health are often the stakes when you do things that are not smart. This is where awareness comes in, knowing what is out there and the dangers involved so that you can make an, “Informed Decision” as to how you will act and what you will do - your life even depends on it.
We, as a species, are special in that we have a brain, a mind, that can think in a variety of ways. First, emotionally for survival instincts with the caveat that through knowledge, understanding and awareness it is a mature emotional state of mind. Second, we have the deep mind, the instinctual mind, that provides us the spidey sense that helps us in survival but that one needs tweaking for the more complex modern environment we live in today. Then the more recent evolutionary outgrowth of human existence has provided us the third mind, the logical mind. Yes, it is the slowest of the minds but the most critical necessary for analysis and synthesis when circumstances allow, i.e., when time allows us before grave bodily harm or death rear their ugly heads. This is the time where one has a moment to deliberate and decide to act by avoidance or making for proper communications toward a goal of deescalation.
Being stupid is allowing our emotionally immature monkey brains to hold control and sway over what we do, say and how that affects others in actions where conflict and violence are present.
In a nutshell, don’t be stupid for stupid is as stupid does says one very smart mentally deficient dude.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
Drills: Karate Techniques (moves) Against Karate Techniques (moves)
Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
It came to me today, not for the first time, that many, if not all, karate techniques when applied in practice are always against other (like) karate techniques. First, the example video I am providing is not about criticizing that video or the method of training therein but to show how the drills demonstrated are always against a karate-ka who uses karate techniques.
Please note, this is not to criticize the instructors, participants or the karate methods in the drill, it is just to show the drills being utilized and taught against karate techniques over something else. This is merely an exercise in thinking, thought as well as a process of “Analysis and Synthesis.” It is also not saying that the techniques demonstrated will not work against someone attacking who is using techniques not karate or martial arts. The effectiveness of any techniques regardless of its source is dependent upon factors of the individual and the training models and methods involved. So, on with the article/post!
My question here is this, “Baring other factors, etc., are drills consisting of karate techniques against karate techniques actually of benefit for self-defense?” Add in that often times the actual SD techniques, be they karate or something else, are often those derived from no experience in self-defense, fighting in the street or combatives as in military hand-to-hand (or Police and Corrections professions, etc.). Those techniques are sometimes ineffective regardless of what they are practiced against being karate or some other form of SD.
I often wonder why those same karate self-defense professionals and courses don’t actually expose students to the use of karate techniques against actual predatory, or even social situationally fights, attack methodologies especially when they are NOT karate or martial arts oriented. Why don’t they have the more reality based adrenal stress-conditioned training regimens vs. the patterned and predictable drill patterns taught in karate?
It comes down to the proverbial canned self-defense situation taught as a self-defense technique where an adversary approaches you directly and then facing you directly grabs a wrist where you then perform a complex set of movements that are supposed to stop the attack and allow you to counter, etc. Hmmmm, kind of NOT how attacks happen I think.
As I have quoted before, “What about the surprise attack (how it happens a lot) that causes you to be frozen in the OO bounce due to surprise and a flurry of damaging blows, etc., all causing you to lose balance and structure and placing you into a position rarely overcome by even training professionals?” The guy attacked you from behind, hit you behind the ear or at the carotid artery causing your brain to go ga-ga, then taking you down to the ground where your position disrupts your structure, and ability to apply any force what so ever, crowds you so you cannot maneuver and removes any ability to attain balance, etc. so what do you do and what karate techniques from those most awesome drills do you use?
Remember, this isn’t personal and those karate drills are awesome teaching tools and remember also that those drills teach us a lot about principles but are they the defacto self-defense methodologies you will actually deploy in such circumstances? These and other considerations are what I use to convey a need to take self-defense way beyond the mere technique based defenses/offenses and use awareness along with avoidance and even deescalation as self-fense long before the use of techniques or methodologies or force levels to stop an attack.
Awareness, once again stressed, is the absolute best defense you can use because adequate training toward awareness and violence will allow you to perceive and act long before you are surprised, down and out while waking at the ER. I believe that wholehearted and is why I come back around time and again to articles and posts of similarity - yet different perspectives. It isn’t glorious, it doesn’t trip our warrior like egoistic feelings of adequacy and it does not come across and cool karate for the movies but it does lead you to less danger, greater safety and security while avoiding time in the ER and even jail - ain’t that better?
It won’t impress the guys; it won’t provide for great stories at the next pub gathering; it won’t appear cool to most BUT the another gender will be impressed and glad you took this road vs. the cool awesome gymnastic pleasing dazzling karate and martial tricks seen in movies type shit.
Bibliography (Click the link)
“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)
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