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.

The Uncertainty of Self-Protection

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

I subscribe to many email lists and one is called, "Zen Habits." In Mr. Leo Babauta's latest he talks about training in uncertainty and that inspired me to this article. Training in uncertainty is one of those topics that speaks to how we also train to the adrenal stress-responses that uncertainty presents us in daily life stressors and especially when we face-off against aggression and possible violence.

He starts off with this most excellent quote, "we feel shaky, scared, anxious, uncomfortable when we are faced with massive uncertainty, when the ground is pulled out from under our feet." Another word that inspires me is, "groundlessness," as it pertains to our martial ability to be grounded, stable and rooted. Overcoming what triggers our groundlessness is critical to handling the uncertainty of self-protection. The question begs, "What are we training in self-protection to handle and train for the uncertainty of violence.” 

The article also questions the how of training in a more general life affirming way that we can use to base our more proactive and potentially aggressive way in teaching, i.e., "What does it mean to train in uncertainty? It means to constantly yank the rug out from under your feet."

So, lets use "yanking the rug out from under our feet" that, generally speaking, addresses the needs of the adrenal stress-conditioned somewhat reality-based methods of training, practice and applicable practices necessary to get us closer to the reality of self-protection before we encounter an aggressive attacker. 

For instance (fundamentally speaking to every day life training):
  • Are you comfortable, give that up or radically change it like taking an ice cold shower: turn it on cold and immediately without hesitation step under the shower and soap up, rinse off leisurely then step out and dry off. Use your imagination because if you take yourself out of your comfort zone especially as a last moment thought to do it, you get closer to your goals. 
  • When you “think” you know something, stop yourself and step outside that zone, do the what if thing with yourself spontaneously. Be creative…let go of that uncertainty much like number one. 
  • Find yourself walking around with your mind focused on some past or future issue, event or problem: STOP that thought, take a look around your current environment then think, “would I be vulnerable to an attacker or any situation that presents some danger like crossing this street without looking?” STOP NOW, take a brief look all around yourself and do a safety and security assessment. 
  • Can you now IMAGINE how you can train in uncertainty by pushing yourself into “discomfort” especially when you feel soooo comfortable in what you are doing, saying, feeling, set your comfort aside now.
You will find that we as humans naturally gravitate to what makes us comfortable especially in regard to aggressive stimuli and most especially when confronted by possible violence of an attack. If you don’t train to shift from comfort to uncertain discomfort when you are relatively safe what will happen if you try it when the adrenaline hits and your brain locks up locking up your body? 

Oh, as the author of the below article said, “When you think you are becoming proficient in training in uncertainty … being certain your training is uncertain … throw that out and train in uncertainty. Much like Zen, “Keep throwing everything away (empty mind or no mind if you will), and know nothing.” (not literal you know?)

Become proficient in “impermanence, create flux, fluidity and a bit of chaos, become groundless to attain grounded stability of mind, body and spirit.” 

Read the full article here: Training in Uncertainty

For reference and sources and professionals go here: 
Bibliography (Click the link)


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