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.

Empty your Mind

Kokoro o karanisuru [心を空にする]

Sora [] Kimi no [君の] Kokoro [


Be mushin, sit mokuso, be like water.

Water seeks its place; it becomes it.

Water flows, or it becomes.

Be like (the nature of) water, reflect on this my padawan.


Notationas I continue my studies I find notes, writing, help me reach my own understanding of my way of karate, or martial discipline, and the article here is that effort. Mistakes, changes and omissions are mine and mine alone, like (the nature of) water, I seek my place and my nature.


Work on your body and mind through research, education, understanding and experiencing life; evolve and change to develop potential, be like (the nature of) water.


Handwriting; communication; emotional understanding and maturity; in short, a well rounded person of character and maturity.


Be your true nature, being like (the nature of) water!


  1. Water is like heaven and earth;
  2. Water flows fast and water flows slow;
  3. Water seeks all sides and water seeks all places;
  4. Water senses all possibilities and water seeks all possibilities;
  5. Water seeks balance in all things;
  6. Water stands in stillness and reflects like a mirror;
  7. Water becomes rough and hides the calmness beneath its surface;
  8. Water understands its purpose and water symbolizes the great tai chi;
  9. Water goes with it’s true nature and water does not fight its nature;
  10. Water can be contained and water always finds its path to freedom;
  11. Water is undeterred and water can erode granite;


Water is:


  • Soft yet powerfully hard;
  • Natural yet easily directed;
  • Detached yet flowing with nature;
  • In short, essential to life.


To be like (the nature of) water, is to be in the flow like (the nature of) water.


Water always keeps moving, even still waters are being revitalized from waters deep, springs, rains, and snowmelts.


Bruce Lee’s “water training and practice,” is heightening awareness, tempering our methodologies and seeking our own path.


Presence and Awareness: (Sonzai-kan to ishiki [存在感と意識]) to be present in a state of awareness is the way.


Water responds and water reacts naturally to its environment. Water does not react, water merely responds to fill its needs and potential. Water doesn’t react impulsively but merely responds.


Water is always present, in the now, and exists moment to moment.


Water is fluid or pliable, it responds to its environment and the obstacles that environment presents.


“Living Water (Ikite iru mizu [生きている水]);” like the flow of a stream or the ebb and flow of the ocean waves; “Like flowing water, life is perpetual movement.”


Water flows and the water changes.


On-Guard (ready posture): that position(ing) most favorable to the act (physical execution) of all methods and methodologies. Assuming positive relaxed state, yet, holding the dynamic tension most favorable to quick reaction time. In short, be like water (the nature of) my padawan (friend).


The ready posture is universal for it is a posture used in the street that puts a person in the best possible position to communicate and act, i.e., to let others know your capabilities and to let them know you are capable in regard to violence. They call it a bladed stance, do a bit of research on that under the heading of, “no nonsense self defense.”


The bladed posture is strong and allows instantaneous movement and adaptability in any direction.


The bladed stance is used in the Okinawan Isshinryu system. It is a slightly modified seisan stance Tatsuo-San understood from experience was best for defense, mobility and offense.


“Throw a log across a moving stream and water adapts. Water will spread and widen and deepen and work through any cracks or fissures it can until it finds a way through or creates an ecosystem all around and within. Water is responsive and alive.” - Shannon Lee: Be Like Water, My Friend!


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