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.

Dokkodo or Stocism...

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

It seems possible that Musashi’s precepts on “walking alone” are similar to those found in stoicism. Musashi was a Stoic! (Samurai of which many were stoic’s by virtue of the Bushido code)


Here are Musashi’s Dokkodo:

  • Accept everything just the way it is;
  • Do not seek pleasure for its own sake;
  • Don’t, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling;
  • Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world;
  • Be detached from desire your whole life;
  • Have no regrets;
  • Never be jealous;
  • Never let yourself be saddened by a separation;
  • Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others;
  • Do not be distracted by love or lust;
  • In all things, have no preferences;
  • Be indifferent to where you live;
  • Do not pursue the taste of good food;
  • Don’t hold on to needless things;
  • Don’t act following customary things;
  • Don’t collect or practice with weapons beyond what is useful;
  • Don’t fear death;
  • Don’t seek to possess goods or fiefs for your winter years;
  • Respect Buddha and the gods without relying on them;
  • Don’t lose your honor even if your body is threatened;
  • Never stray from the way;

Here are the Stoic’s Precepts/Principles:


Stoic Precepts

  • Stay Active; moving promotes health in both body and mind leading to an indomitable spirit.
  • Do not fear; fear is the mind killer using psychological chains to hinder that movement.
  • Live modestly; free the mind to remain with a free mind and a free spirit to thine oneself remaining true.
  • Be grateful; to others and to oneself regardless so the true self thrives and survives.
  • Keep above the crowd; be the one who influences group dynamics instead of allowing the group to influence you.
  • Follow nature; remain in the present moment as all of nature intended.
  • Value time; one’s perception of time that harmonizes with nature and the universe.
  • Behold virtue; the very keys that open the righteous doors to the one true path to the one true self.
  • Block vices; that which leads one away from the true self dragging one into the dark side away from the light that shines upon the true path.
  • Examine yourself; be true to one’s self, see what others see and defeat dissonance and biases to be the one true self.

https://mokestrel.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/guest-post-the-10-stoic-precepts/


Below are eight of the main ethical notions held by the Stoic philosophers.

  • Nature: Nature is rational.
  • Law of Reason: The universe is governed by the law of reason. Humans can't actually escape its inexorable force, but they can, uniquely, follow the law deliberately.
  • Virtue: A life led according to rational nature is virtuous.
  • Wisdom: Wisdom is the root virtue. From it spring the cardinal virtues: insight, bravery, self-control, and justice.
  • Apathea: Since passion is irrational, life should be waged as a battle against it. Intense feeling should be avoided.
  • Pleasure: Pleasure is neither good nor bad. It is only acceptable if it doesn't interfere with the quest for virtue.
  • Evil: Poverty, illness, and death are not evil.
  • Duty: Virtue should be sought, not for the sake of pleasure, but for duty.

https://www.thoughtco.com/stoics-and-moral-philosophy-4068536


As can be readily perceived both seem to follow the same path - The Way of Dokkodo/Stoicism and the Samurai!


Stoicism May be one concept that is a foundational philosophical principal of martial discipline.


忍耐力 nintairyoku: fortitude, perseverance, stoicism, patience,


Here are the precepts of a stoic samurai:


Here are Bushido's Eight Virtues as explicated by Nitobe:

  • I. Rectitude or Justice. ...
  • II. Courage. ...
  • III. Benevolence or Mercy. ...
  • IV. Politeness. ...
  • V. Honesty and Sincerity. ...
  • VI. Honor. ...
  • VII. Loyalty. ...
  • VIII. Character and Self-Control.

All, directly or indirectly compliment one another …


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

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