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.

My Martial Philosophy

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

I have theories. I have idea's. I have beliefs. I have my own philosophy. I have one for my life and one for my practice of martial disciplines. They are intertwined. My philosophy is a mixture of many things that come from my personal life experiences. This means my philosophy is very personal and has nothing to do with anyone else or any other practice of martial arts. It is mine.

Get your own philosophy! I don't mean you ignore the philosophies of others especially those within the ancient classics of Asia. It would be important to take in philosophy from other sources for within those you may find tidbits that can make your personal philosophy more than you would have known existed.

When I post I am expressing many things from my viewpoint that rise up from within "me" and are a part of or a new addition to my  philosophy of both life and martial practices. Like the symbol of the great tai-chi, my philosophy is a never ending cycle between yin-yang to yang-yin influenced by my practice and studies of the martial-way-methodologies. It influences my life and my life influences it. This is good.

Don't assume an others philosophy. It may be cool but it is NOT your philosophy, it is theirs. Get your own philosophy. You can mix, match, add, subtract, divide, morph, meld - whatever - but let all philosophies you study influence how you personally "choose" your philosophy. 

We spend way too much time and energy trying to get others to buy into our philosophy when in reality it should be "we present ours so you can find your own" and that works. No one is in a vacuum, an island, if you remember the quote. We are the center of the circle and we are the space outside of the circle. We are the circle and we must allow both inner and outer influences mix and form our personal philosophies. 

We must assume the fundamental principles, the basic waza, the kata, the other various practices of the masters but we must NOT remain stagnant by dogmatically maintaining that practice. Rather, allow it to form a new and unique form by our philosophy and its influences on training, practices and applications. It is necessary to remain faithful to the fundamentals of a system. It must be taught, initially, as it was meant to be taught, traditionally, yet it must rise up, grow, and blossom into a unique practice/philosophy, one unique to you - the individual.

The Ken-po Goku-i remains the same as we pass it down to our students. Yet, its meaning and teachings are open to the individual. Although it remains steadfast in its original form it has the ability to take the practitioner on a path that deviates/diverges from any other persons path. Why it is not defined adequately by Tatsuo Sensei, or any other Isshinryu practitioner, is because it was not meant to be rigid and inflexible. It was meant to be fluid, to present a key to open the doors to each unique person so they can "get their own philosophy."

My philosophy is mine. I hope it is and has provided thought provocation. Let it be a step toward your own philosophy.


Fundamental priciples regarding philosophy; PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY: Mind, Mushin, Kime, Non-intention, Yin-Yang, Oneness, Zanshin & Being, Non-action, Character, The Empty Cup.

How does your philosophy fit within these sub-principles of the fundamental principles of martial disciplines? 

PHILOSOPHICAL: Philosophy is important all on its own in regard to the study of “The Way,” but it is also that social/personal philosophy that usually drives you and how you see, feel and apply such skills. If you are a bad guy you use it one way; if you are a good guy you use it another way and so on. 

Philosophy: the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline; a particular system of philosophical thought; the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience; a theory or attitude held by a person or organization that acts as a guiding principle for behavior.

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




at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)