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 Art of Status

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

Status, it permeates every facet of our human society, the animal kingdom does it as well and is that which effects us humans too. Status can be many things and most important to us is how we perceive it and how our social constructs perceive it and finally how both use it in daily live. 

In the dojo status is not discussed much and it is something that is the essence of how the dojo works. The quickest example is the dan-i system, i.e., the belt that designates your status not just in the dojo but in the system or style itself. It is a microcosm of what we will see in our social constructs from the individual to the family to the extended family to the groups be they neighbors, social friends and those we work with out there in our jobs, etc., to name just a few. 

In truth, to my perception, the most critically important status is the one we give ourselves. We have to know and believe in ourselves and we must establish a status in our minds that allows us to function adequately when we gather with others be it at the dojo, tournament, seminar or the world at large. The hard part is creating and establishing such a personal status that is first and foremost to our benefit in all things. 

The hard part is also realizing that our status is not a lone wolf and it must be fluid and flexible because once we step across the threshold of our personal space it must adjust and flow with that of others, their status and along with that their belief systems. You see, status and beliefs are our realities and when realities collide we must have the ability, understanding and methodology to flow when those worlds of belief and status collide. 

When conflict and violence happen one of the main reasons it that others violate our beliefs thus effecting our status among our peers and that is a volatile situation. We have to realize also, as you already are imagining, that many of those with strong beliefs and important effects on their status and beliefs are how we enter the danger zone of conflicts and violence especially because many don't have that flexibility and fluidity acceptable to their own personal and group status based on that belief system. 

How we, in the dojo, that practice, teach and apply self-defense protection for defense must address the many variables of human behavior if we are to succeed in avoidance, deescalation and reach security, safety and social harmony. 

Question: What are you willing to endure for your status? 

Possibilities: Are you willing to suffer grave harm, i.e., physically, mentally and economically? Are you willing to DIE for those beliefs to maintain your status? Are you willing to apply grave harm on others to support and enforce your status and beliefs? Are you willing to kill another human being to support and enforce your status and beliefs? 


You see, as important as status is; as important as your beliefs are; as important as they are to your reality you really have to allow yourself the questions, the hard questions that go against your biases, dissonances and beliefs, to really apply those skills at what ever level and what ever forces to maintain your status and beliefs OR you will suffer the spears and arrows of conflict, violence and grave harm in what ever form that manifests. 

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

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