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.

NOTES: On the Concept of Ikigai!

Ikigai [生き甲斐] translates into English to mean, "something one lives for; purpose in life. The first ideogram/character translates to English to mean, "life; genuine; birth," and the second translates to mean, "armor, A grade; first class; former; instep; carapace," the third translates to mean, " beautiful; patterned.

Did you know, like karate, the concept of Ikigai comes from the Okinawan culture? “


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai "The word "ikigai" is usually used to indicate the source of value in one's life or the things that make one's life worthwhile." AND "iki (生き) meaning life; alive" and kai (甲斐) meaning (an) effect; (a) result; (a) fruit; (a) worth; (a) use; (a) benefit; (no, little) avail" AND "the word is used to refer to mental and spiritual circumstances under which individuals feel that their lives are valuable."


https://www.countryliving.com/life/a45339/ikigai-japanese-concept-new-hygge/


"Have you ever been so absorbed in a task that you forget to drink and eat? What type of task was it? Notice those moments when you enter flow, and your ikigai might be embedded in those moments."If you’re a karate enthusiast, then you have to visit Okinawa—the birthplace of both ikigai and karate! There are over 300 dojos (schools) for you to perfect your roundhouse kick. There’s even a famous bar dedicated to karate with rare memorabilia, exhibits and plenty of Japanese whisky.” https://www.jnto.org.au/ikigai-find-passion-purpose-japanese-way/


https://colocalizer.com/ikigai-ten-rules/

  1. Stay active;
    • do what you love and if you are doing something else then learn to love that too.
  2. Take it slow;
    • pace, rhythm, cadence, etc., all related to setting patterns that keep you in the moment of every minute of life. Think Zen (See rules at end of article/post). 
  3. Don’t overeat;
  4. Good friends; 
  5. Healthy and fitness;
  6. Smile and be grateful; (tenacity and gratitude)
  7. Stay connected with nature; 
  8. Gratitude for everything;
  9. Be in the moment;
  10. Follow your ikigai!

https://darlingmagazine.org/what-is-ikigai/

https://www.jnto.org.au/ikigai-find-passion-purpose-japanese-way/



Kokyuu [呼吸] translates into English to mean, “breathing; respiration; harmony; balance; synchronization; accord; knack; trick; secret (of doing something).” The first character/ideogram translates to English to mean, “call; call out to; invite” and the second translates to mean, “suck; imbibe; inhale; sip.” 


All the above traits or concepts that help us to understand what it takes to achieve a “state of ikigai” you will find that balance is involved. To be active; to take things in stride, to have friends, to eat in a balanced way; to remain fit and healthy, to achieve a state of mind that produces gratitude and a smile, to be one with nature; to be in the moment… Ikigai… means to balance them all in such a way as to achieve harmony with all nine concepts in a way that induces an enlightened, harmonious and natural way of being and doing in-spite of all those things that would induce imbalance. 


12 Essential Rules of Zen


  1. Do one thing at a time. This rule (and some of the others that follow) will be familiar to long-time Dojo practitioners who sit zazen mokuso meditative practices. It’s part of the martial arts philosophy, and it’s also a part of a Zen practice: single-task, don’t multi-task
    • When you’re pouring water, just pour water. When you’re eating, just eat. When you’re bathing, just bathe. Don’t try to knock off a few tasks while eating or bathing. 
    • Zen proverb: “When walking, walk. When eating, eat.”
  2. Do it slowly and deliberately. You can do one task at a time, but also rush that task. Instead, take your time, and move slowly
    • Make your actions deliberate, not rushed and random. It takes practice, but it helps you focus on the task.
  3. Do it completely. Put your mind completely on the task
    • Don’t move on to the next task until you’re finished. If, for some reason, you have no choice but to move on to something else, try to at least put away the unfinished task and clean up after yourself. 
    • If you prepare a sandwich, don’t start eating it until you’ve put away the stuff you used to prepare it, wiped down the counter, and washed the dishes used for preparation. Then you’re done with that task, and can focus more completely on the next task.
  4. Do less. A Zen monk doesn’t lead a lazy life: he wakes early and has a day filled with work. However, he doesn’t have an unending task list eitherthere are certain things he’s going to do today, and no more
    • If you do less, you can do those things more slowly, more completely and with more concentration. 
    • If you fill your day with tasks, you will be rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to think about what you do.
  5. Put space between things. Related to the “Do less” rule, but it’s a way of managing your schedule so that you always have time to complete each task. 
    • Don’t schedule things close together — instead, leave room between things on your schedule. That gives you a more relaxed schedule, and leaves space in case one task takes longer than you planned.
  6. Develop rituals. Zen monks have rituals for many things they do, from eating to cleaning to meditation
    • Ritual gives something a sense of importance — if it’s important enough to have a ritual, it’s important enough to be given your entire attention, and to be done slowly and correctly
    • You don’t have to learn the Zen monk rituals — you can create your own, for the preparation of food, for eating, for cleaning, for what you do before you start your work, for what you do when you wake up and before you go to bed, for what you do just before exercise. Anything you want, really.
  7. Designate time for certain things. There are certain times in the day of a Zen monk designated for certain activities
    • A time for for bathing, a time for work, a time for cleaning, a time for eating. This ensures that those things get done regularly. 
    • You can designate time for your own activities, whether that be work or cleaning or exercise or quiet contemplation. 
    • If it’s important enough to do regularly, consider designating a time for it.
  8. Devote time to sitting. In the life of a Zen monk, sitting meditation (zazen) is one of the most important parts of his day
    • Each day, there is time designated just for sitting. This meditation is really practice for learning to be present. You can devote time for sitting meditation, or do what I do: I use running as a way to practice being in the moment. 
    • You could use any activity in the same way, as long as you do it regularly and practice being present.
  9. Smile and serve others. Zen monks spend part of their day in service to others, whether that be other monks in the monastery or people on the outside world. 
    • It teaches them humility, and ensures that their lives are not just selfish, but devoted to others. 
    • If you’re a parent, it’s likely you already spend at least some time in service to others in your household, and non-parents may already do this too. 
    • Similarly, smiling and being kind to others can be a great way to improve the lives of those around you. Also consider volunteering for charity work.
  10. Make cleaning and cooking become meditation. Aside from the zazen mentioned above, cooking and cleaning are two of the most exalted parts of a Zen monk’s day
    • They are both great ways to practice mindfulness, and can be great rituals performed each day. 
    • If cooking and cleaning seem like boring chores to you, try doing them as a form of meditation. 
    • Put your entire mind into those tasks, concentrate, and do them slowly and completely. 
    • It could change your entire day (as well as leave you with a cleaner house).
  11. Think about what is necessary. There is little in a Zen monk’s life that isn’t necessary
    • He doesn’t have a closet full of shoes, or the latest in trendy clothes. 
    • He doesn’t have a refrigerator and cabinets full of junk food. 
    • He doesn’t have the latest gadgets, cars, televisions, or iPod. 
    • He has basic clothing, basic shelter, basic utensils, basic tools, and the most basic food (they eat simple, vegetarian meals consisting usually of rice, miso soup, vegetables, and pickled vegetables). 
    • Now, I’m not saying you should live exactly like a Zen monk — I certainly don’t. But it does serve as a reminder that there is much in our lives that aren’t necessary, and it can be useful to give some thought about what we really need, and whether it is important to have all the stuff we have that’s not necessary.
  12. Live simply. The corollary of Rule 11 is that if something isn’t necessary, you can probably live without it
    • So to live simply is to rid your life of as many of the unnecessary and unessential things as you can, to make room for the essential. 
    • Now, what is essential will be different to each person. For me, my family, my writing, my running and my reading are essential. 
    • To others, yoga and spending time with close friends might be essential. 
    • For others it will be nursing and volunteering and going to church and collecting comic books. 
    • There is no law saying what should be essential for you — but you should consider what is most important to your life, and make room for that by eliminating the other less essential things in your life

No comments: