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.

Perspective in Self Defense

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

If you go to the end of this presentation you can get a few translations and definitions to ensure, basically, we are all on the same page going in. 


We see, hear, smell, taste and touch things in our environment and that stimulus triggers all those experiences and memories we store every moment of our lives in our memories thus creating a perception that becomes a belief that makes our reality, real. It is different for every person in every moment of life. It is also good to remember that memories change every time we trigger them in our minds and that every instance of perception is then adjusted or modified according to those experiences, memories and decision as to what we perceived and how both affect that moment. 


In the dojo we are exposed to a huge amount of stimulus in training, practice and experiences from our practices. In most dojo, some anyway, that input is how we create the skills and methodologies used to defend, protect and survive conflicts and violence. 


Conflict and violence no matter how hard we discard, ignore, overlook or work diligently to make that do away the very nature of humans and, yes, "nature itself" is chock full of conflicts and violences. A spectrum of both that can be unnoticed in its presence all they way up to that ER wake-up with a lot of hurt and damage being experienced. Think on this one a while...


Seldom, have I seen in my last forty plus years of experience, research, study and understanding along with a modicum of experiences have I witnessed anyone taking the time to consider the content, both physical and mental, of what is said and done as to how that effects others we encounter whom may bring conflict and violence to the situation so that we can avoid and deescalate to make the bad stuff go away. 


Calling our karate a "combat system" may seem fun and innocuous but when perceived by the first responders and the members of both the "legal and social" justice systems could be perceived and interpreted as aggressive in that this person sought out violence, aggression and criminal activity as a means to attack others. If you change it from a combat to a protection and defense system and then take the next step to make sure the labeling of things like methodologies like punching and kicking to deflecting and protecting to avoid and escape-n-evade you can change the perception and interpretation. 


Think about this and remember the advertisements that drew you into that dojo will also be used to influence and persuade those in the legal and social justice systems that you were a participant who trained and practiced and sought out conflict and violence for conflict and violence sake. 


It is best to assume that what you say and do will be used so how you attract, train, and teach others for self-protection is about how you develop a perception skill set in the words you use, the actions you take and the way you go about not just that which is done in the dojo but the very thing you do when you step out of the dojo doors. 


Here are some translations in support of defining what it is you MUST achieve to be a skilled expert and professional in self-protection for self-defense. 


Mitōshi [見通し] Translates to English to mean, "unobstructed view; perspective; visibility; vista; forecast; outlook; prospect; prediction; insight; foresight. The first character translates as, "see; hopes; chances; idea; opinion; look at; visible," the second as, "traffic; pass through; avenue; commute; counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.", and the last is a modifier, etc. 


Perspective: Your perspective is the way you see something. Perspective has a Latin root meaning "look through" or "perceive," and all the meanings of perspective have something to do with looking.


Perceive: become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand; interpret or look on (someone or something) in a particular way; regard as.


Kidzuku [気付く] Translates to English to mean, "perceive; to notice; to recognize; to recognize; to become aware of; to perceive; to realize; to realize.” 


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

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