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.

Mokuso

Presence, the method to achieve many things through being present. A martial concept bringing together mind and body to create an indomitable spirit.


Mokuso [黙想]: Meditation: contemplation, thoughtfulness, rumination, musing, reflection, reflexion; study, meditate 🧘.

黙: Silent: become silent; stop speaking; leave as is.

想: Thoughts 💭: concept; think; idea


Simply, to meditate one must achieve present moment state of mind; one must become silent, in thought 💭 and in voice.


Where mokuso diverges from the standard of rumination, reflection and musing one must let one’s focus be on that which occurs in that present moment. Human minds chatter and mokuso is not about silencing the mind but simply observing and immediately releasing such chatter letting it pass through a moment releasing the quietude of the presence of a moment.


Moment to moment: Shunkan kara shunkan e [瞬間から瞬間へ] a lofty goal for all martial artists. 


Seiza no Mokuso [正座の黙想] or sitting in meditation in a very Japanese form of sitting. A very important conceptual part of the karate dojo as well as Zen. It’s not unique to martial arts or karate, it was adopted naturally because it is a part of Japanese culture.


Read more on seiza here:


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2016/11/sitting-seiza-in-karate.html?m=1


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2013/09/sitting-and-moving-in-martial-arts.html?m=1


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2012/01/sitting-seiza-first.html?m=1


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2012/01/sitting-seiza-now.html?m=1


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2016/12/close-n-twist.html?m=1


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2017/01/mokuso-in-dojo.html?m=1


Ahh 😯, a good start and I must let you know that for Americans sitting seiza is not comfortable. Japanese begin learning to sit seiza from a very, very early age. At least at one time as I have been informed that today’s Japanese youth are not being required to sit seiza much anymore.


It can take a very long time for us to adapt but I must tell you that sitting seiza or kisa is NOT mandatory for mokuso!


Also, if you do sit seiza only for a few minutes in the dojo you may experience discomfort, it hurts a great deal, a lot. You really need to practice it for extended periods forever to gain that ability.


I want you to note, here and now, sitting seiza does NOT adhere to good physiokinetic principles thus why it’s is difficult and painful 😖. Seiza is not done with skeletal structure in mind. Japanese way of life historically speaking by necessity lead to seiza sitting.


One in a principled sitting position all the other bodies positioning is structured principally to our benefit especially martially.


The previous links all describe sitting seiza and/or kisa so if you desire or your dojo requires it … just remember, practice, practice, and more practice!


Mindful present moment mokuso is where you want to focus your efforts because that is where you want your mind, body and spirit if or when you face violence.


Since the mind is of great, critical, importance in violent situations your dojo and Sensei must spend as much time and effort and training and practice on mokuso. It’s critical to defense against all types, levels and degrees of violence from an irritating disagreement to full on predatory violent physical and/or armed attacks involving great harm to death ☠️, there is no other way.


Note: using google and searching my blogs will reveal a good deal of information you can use to direct your efforts to learn more about mokuso and survival through defense, security and safety.


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/?m=1


“Our bodies, minds and spirits are always in the present, the dividing line between past and future much like the line of yin-yang. But, the mind has more freedom. It can think and is in the present. When we remember, we’re in the past. When we imagine, we’re in the future. It can choose from all possible futures.” - Eric Frank Russell (1941) 


It’s about focus and discipline to remain in the reality of the present moment - moment to moment. Resistance is futile, so don’t and simply use your techniques, like breathing, to bring the mind, thus the body and spirit, back to the moment.


This is mokuso, the art and ability and discipline to be - be present in this moment!



at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)