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.

REDUX: My Philosophy

A most difficult and complex question, what is the philosophy behind my practice of Karate-do. There are so many layers that it may not be possible to convey this in a post or even several postings.

Like life, Martial Arts practice, like the Laws of the Universe are all in constant state of flux; fluid, ever changing and so this philosophy is fluid; simply by the constant movement of the present moment. Each unique encounter at the exact present moment causes ripples changing this to something new, something more and that results in this as my philosophy of Karate-do.

On a very basic level my philosophical strategy is to approach my studies and practice with a critical-analytical open mind. I train to attain a calm, stoic, and detached mind so that all that is available can be received, without reservations, so that I may study the fundamentals of my morals and beliefs; so that I will understand the values, reason and existence of life and Tao, the Way.

Isshinryu Karate-do has become my fundamental system of beliefs as taught through its practice; in addition an accumulated knowledge acquired in the study of the Ancient Classics with a goal of acceptable values and beliefs that guide me in my day to day present moment encounters with both internal/spiritual and external/societal encounters, i.e. the studies and practices of karate-do and the ken-po goku-i with all that it entails at its deepest depth of limitless void.

I quote, "To become a wiser person who deals with life calmly and rationally; a person who will live a life of reason with equanimity; a person devoted to the study of the ancient classics thus providing for the following of the proper and accepted path according to the law of the ken-po goku-i (Tao) as determined by the relations of Heaven, Humanity, and Earth (I Ching and Ken-po Goku-i).”

By this philosophy I strive to achieve the ability to "inspire" others. I strive to achieve a deep understanding of the esoteric aspects of my training and practice along with the deeper skills and experience to teach the physical benefits; to provide the best guidance possible for those who choose to train/practice with me.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us (in this moment).”
- unknown

“Study not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..."
- Francis Bacon

Note: very little did I change this from when I first wrote it decades ago and I have to wonder if I am just facing dissonance and confirmation bias or was I able to perceive a philosophy in such a way that although the underlying meaning and essence may change that which is the surface of this writing remains, steadfast and true. Like found in the goku-i?



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