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.

Enlightenment

Another term bandied about in the dojo is how practitioners will achieve enlightenment. Like many concepts of the dojo few go beyond lip service and into true study, practice and the achievement of said enlightenment.

 

If asked, few in the dojo will be able to explain how one achieves said state of enlightenment.


So, ask yourself and your Sensei how one does achieve enlightenment through the practice of karate and/or martial arts. They should start out by explaining what enlightenment is and note that it is a big subject. You will notice a few other terms that will need a bit of “splainin” to come to an understanding.


Let’s get started:


The enlightened person is insightful and open-minded. He is able to see the world with great clarity, without attachment to preconceived ideas about people, places, and things. This enables him to observe the world without jumping to conclusions. 


Enlightenment is defined as being advanced and having gained necessary information or knowledge, especially spiritual (now define spiritual) knowledge. Enlightenment is the "full comprehension of a situation". 


Wisdom (now define wisdom in proper context), especially spiritual wisdom, is not just about knowing what's good for you, but applying that knowledge into your everyday life. ... When you do that, this is when you know that you are truly wise or “enlightened.”


In the western world the concept of (spiritual) enlightenment has taken on a romantic meaning. It has become synonymous with self-realization and the true self and false self, being regarded as a substantial essence being covered over by social conditioning.


Self-realization is an expression used in Western psychology, philosophy, and spirituality; and in Indian religions. In the Western understanding it is the "fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one's character or personality" (see also self-actualization).  


We can now come to know, in general, what enlightenment means but we still have to derive what martial enlightenment means in this context of training, practice, and especially experience.


It seems to have a connection with our personal martial philosophy in regard to our personality and character. It also seems to connect with our martial applications especially in the realm of both social and legal experiences. Add in a morality clause also in personal, familia, group and social context.


Another term to consider, beliefs! Beliefs are a collection of knowledge, understandings and accumulated experiences along with biases and cognition that effect how we think and act in every moment.


Things are getting a bit muddy don’t you see and that affects how we feel and it all contributes to our character and personality.


We are about ready to circle back around to how martial arts and karate effectively assist us on and to the path of enlightenment.


First, know the why you are in the dojo?

Second, joining a dojo is joining a like-minded group with its dynamics.

Third, know that the dojo beliefs and philosophical beliefs will affect yours.

Fourth, know that the dojo style feeds many of nature’s survival needs of human species.

Fifth, know that humans survive by the rhythm, cadence and patterns of training and practice that relate to nature’s same.

Sixth, the dojo is a micro-environment that may relate to the larger environment of the social dynamic.

Seventh, know that the very nature of human survival, thus existence, is directly connected to violence for survival.

Eighth, know that social beliefs and rules and laws all relate to a status, egos and hierarchical relationships defined in the dojo by status and ranks, etc.


As you already perceive all of this relates to character and personality of self as we relate to others who by association determine and ensure personal and group survival. 


This brings us back to:


The enlightened person is insightful and open-minded. He is able to see the world with great clarity, without attachment to preconceived ideas about people, places, and things. This enables him to observe the world without jumping to conclusions. 


If we keep this foremost in mind then we can naturally and wholeheartedly train, practice and apply knowledge and skills to lead and live a good life - an enlightened one!


In the end each of us has to determine the path we follow to achieve objectives that build character and personality above and beyond time within our dojo.


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