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.

Master, A Word...

COMMENTARY/OPINION:


Recent events have led to many proposed changes, some good; some necessary; some not so good; and some absolutely ridiculous. The major principle involved, a concept really, is that "Change is inevitable." 


One proposed change is the removal and discontinued use of the word, "master." What is the reason, well it's about racism. You see, one of many definitions of the word results in, "a man who has people working for him, especially servants or slaves." It is readily apparent that the reference and inference to "slaves" makes sense that the word is not necessary in that usage. 


But, the word means much, much more than any inference to slaves, slavery and any bad thoughts of the race that many assume is the sole reciepient of the term, the black peoples sometimes referred to as "African Americans." 


Master means much more tho as can be seen in the following definitions. 


Noun: a man in charge of an organization or group.

Adjective: having or showing very great skill or proficiency; main; principal.

Verb: acquire complete knowledge or skill in (an accomplishment, technique, or art); gain control of; overcome.


You see, in my particular interest and pursuit the term master has meaning nothing to do with racism or racist or the African American and their racist plight. It has to do with one who attains a great skill or proficiency in an Asian discipline, i.e., martial art or karate, etc.


I also believe the best term to describe one who has attained and understood a discipline, be it trade or atheletic or philosophical, is a master of that skill or discipline. 


To remove a term just because it may inflame a sector of society that refuses to acknowledge that its usage and intent differ from one of four or more meanings seems, wasteful. 


Yes, as a martial artist, I find the use of master as a title a bit beyond the intent, culture and philosophy of a martial art discipline and its usage being excessive is also egoistically wasteful but to ban and discontinue its use, as an honorarium to the accomplishments of one or more individuals is - ludicrous and wasteful. 


Indiscriminate use in martial arts is a bad thing but as an honorarium to an individual’s life work and accomplishments just because it may hurt one or more folks personal feelings is like throwing out the baby with the bath water. 


As to society, in general, to take a term because of any of these reasons and discard it when it has socially and philosophical and useful meaning and intent to honor other disciplines, skills and such is just not right. 


When I hear the word master, I don’t have thoughts of anything other than the content, intent and honor the word implies to other worthwhile causes, disciplines and efforts. 

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