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.

Well-being

Kōfuku [幸福]


In our communities of martial disciplines it has been stated that a critical aspect of success in training and practice is a balanced mind-body relationship. 


A balanced mind leads to a balanced body that feeds the balancing of the mind. The mind is the dominant lead concept and component of the mind-body relationship therefore the best methodology to achieve this balance one must attain and maintain a state of emotional maturity. 


The following quotes from the reference gives us concepts to practice daily to achieve that maturity.


Having a healthy mind is key to your overall health and well-being. A healthy mind includes emotional, psychological and social well-being and affects how you think, feel and act. It works in unity with your body and influences how you handle stress, relate to others and make choices. What you let into your mind affects your body in the same way that what you put into your body affects your mind. Balancing both healthy body and mind is essential for optimal health, both in the present and future.


When you maintain a healthy mental state, your entire body and life works a whole lot better. 


Stay Positive, Even In Negative Situations

Manage Your Worry (and Other Things)

Get Some Rest


Emotional Maturity: always be in control of your feelings. You may have already guessed, you’re fighting a losing battle to begin with because we are already wired to be negative. The cortical electrical stimulation in our brains is the negative thoughts and feelings which come and go throughout the day, but you have to police them. You have to train your brain to be positive.


Think about the good in everything. Worry, stress, doubt, and fear are all products of your mind. You control these feelings. 


Current Biology proves when you allow your brain to rest, it helps you make better decisions while you’re awake. 


Sleep helps you recharge the batteries, keeps you fresh for the next day and it alleviates anything you were worried about the night before. 


In Conclusion


Whether you’re looking to maintain a healthy state of mind, or you feel like you’re down in a hole trying to climb back up to where you once were mentally, your mind needs to have these three things each day. It’s up to you to give your mind what it needs to succeed. If you do you will reap the rewards of longevity and other positive health benefits in your life.


https://medium.com/thrive-global/3-tips-to-keep-a-healthy-state-of-mind-48005d02b25f


Serene

Calm

Peaceful

Contentment 


Read also:


The example is the American tendency to question things, that results in a ripple in sensei’s harmony. To maintain his harmony he will do whatever necessary to return to a harmonious state include providing misinformation to the bothersome American disturbing his state of harmony with his incessant badgering for more information in lieu of simply following the Asian tradition of shi-kata. 


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2017/01/harmony-and-martial-arts.html?m=1


https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2021/02/harmony-tradition-and-experience.html?m=1



Harmonious Environment/State of Mind: (Wa: ; peace, calmness, serenity) to achieve and maintain well-being regardless of external stimuli.


Deep and regular breathing calms and fortifies the mind is a matter of common experience. That a definite technique of breathe control, practiced over long periods, can reach a point at which ordinary consciousness is voluntarily suspended, would not be denied by anyone familiar with Zen or with Indian yoga.


Chi, is first and foremost “breath!”


Kokyū no seigyo [呼吸の制御] control of breathing 😮‍💨: a set of practices to control the 'breath of life' within your body through breathing techniques.


Three main stages:

  • Purak (inhalation through nostrils)
  • Kumbhak (retention)
  • Rechak (exhalation)

You can do it like this:

  • Lay down on your back, in a comfortable position
  • Breathe into the belly, watching it expand with the breath
  • Just when you think it’s full, draw even more breath to fill the rib cage
  • Then let a tiny bit more in and fill the chest
  • Begin to exhale slowly, starting with your upper chest
  • Then release from the rib cage
  • And lastly, let the air go from the belly
  • After completing one cycle, continue for another 10-20 breaths

https://www.stresscoach.app/blog/8-types-of-pranayama-breathing-and-their-benefits/amp/


Used in mokuso, it fosters mindfulness, thus a method to quiet one’s mind so additional methods can be taught, trained, practiced and applied toward achieving emotional maturity and control of a positive nature.


No comments: