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.

Validation

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


is the action of checking or proving the validity or accuracy of something; the action of making or declaring something legally or officially acceptable; recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile. 


It comes down to things like "authority," because we tend to accept things from authority figures and/or organizations, etc., like being a Doctor who has valid credentials authorized and awarded by an accepted valid organization of a medical origin. 


We drive our cars once the state DMV tests and validates and authorizes us to drive when we pass all their criteria, tests and have met medical standards previously set before requesting a driver's license. 


In the world, communities, of the martial arts or disciplines of other where karate resides there are no valid or authorized entities that will validate truly what it means to have rank, grade or expertise in the martial disciplines like karate. 


Kensho [検証] characters/ideograms translate to English to mean, "verification; inspection; validation." 


Oh, and in regard to "certification(s)?" Certifications meaning, "the action or process of providing someone or something with an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement; an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement." 


Certifications made on certificates are arbitrary in nature in the martial art communities because there is no single accepted authority to govern them all, like the United States Government as the authority of the entire society, so certificates tend to be created adhoc, on the fly, according to what ever system that group or community create and accept. 


Sensei's certificate and authority is only valid and accepted within sensei's dojo and the dojo only valid and accepted in a larger body that governs many like dojo being an association and as to a collective of associations in the martial arts THERE IS NOT GOVERNING AUTHORITY to govern them all. Splintering not just rank or grade but understanding and teachings overall to the one art of martial skills. 


Ninsho [認証] characters/ideograms translate to English to mean, "authentication; certification; attestation; authentication; confirmation; validation." 


Now, we have the question of "authority," as to who or whom has the authority to validate, certify and authenticate one's status and rank and grade in martial disciplines to include karate? One with authorization shall have, "official permission; sanction; the power to influence others, especially because of one's recognized knowledge about something; a person with extensive or specialized knowledge about a subject; an expert."


So one with authority must have extensive and specialize knowledge, understanding and experience in martial disciplines to include karate accepted by all as expert or of mastery in the discipline. They are accepted by all as a source of authority who will be accepted as a certifier to authenticate the skills, understanding and knowledge of the discipline in regard to status and rank and grade as well as being accepted by all in doling out influence, permissions and to sanction one or one's dojo as meeting his or the organizations authority to act with their blessings. A hierarchal system with an accepted leader who is also accepted and authorized to make rules, regulations and requirements to dictate to all what is required as to criteria in the performance of duties validated, assigned and certified by said governance. 


One must ask themselves, do they need said validation/certification and why would they need it. Since our social structure and belief system requires one or an origination of authority authorized to perform needed requirements many seek out such validation even in light of their expertise, experience and beliefs because otherwise they would not be viable teaching sources to the layperson. There then would be chaos in place of order and it is order that promotes group cohesiveness necessary for survival. A lone practitioner who visits other dojo merely to practice and test themselves needs no authority, validation or certifications as long as the participating dojo allows them access to the dojo and onto the dojo floor. No rank, grade or certifications necessary once the sensei observes an individual to ensure they have some capability to survive on the dojo floor. 


In the end, We Are Human. In closing the quote states, “Authority is the legitimate power which one person or group possesses and practices over another. A civil state usually makes this formal by way of a judicial branch and an executive branch of government. In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power sometimes are inaccurately used as synonyms.”


The only requirement a karate-ka needs that exists outside the self is that innate need and requirement to test oneself especially in a system or skill-set that manifests chiefly in self-protection for self-defense involving grave harm and violence up to an including death of either party involved. 


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

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