One of the most popular "discussions" martial artists seem to engage in is the question of whose style is better. Hard stylists praise their strength and toughness. More fluid stylists praise their speed and flexibility. Ground fighters believe every fight goes to the ground. Stand-up fighters believe fights never go to the ground.
So, which is better? In truth, the answer is "none." Let's take an example.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the hot martial art today, so we'll look at that. If a BJJ practitioner gets you in one of those crazy pretzel holds, your only hope is having some familiarity with it. He's going to break something on you. So, BJJ is the best? Well, no.
BJJ's weakness is that it is effectively a 1-to-1 art (unlike Japanese jiu jitsu whose goal is to stay on your feet). In a street fight or bar fight, if you go to the ground and put your opponent in an arm bar, his friends are going to kick you in the head. Repeatedly. BJJ isn't great for moving between multiple opponents.
So, does this make BJJ bad? of course not. It just highlights the fact that every style has its strengths and weaknesses.
The key to any martial art, regardless of which you choose, is experience. Recognize your style's strengths and play to them. Accept your style's weaknesses and train to defend against them. If your goal is to be a professional fighter, study a contrasting style like mixed martial arts competitors.
To paraphrase Sun Tzu, Victory goes to the warrior who understands himself and his enemy. And Bruce Lee's martial philosophy of Jeet Kun Do provides excellent guidance in "taking what is useful, and ignoring that which is not."
Don't waste time arguing about which style is best. It is a better use of that time to study another style or to practice your own.
30 March 2009
23 March 2009
So, are the martial arts relevant today?
Modern action movies love to mix gun play and the martial arts. Protagonists leap through the air, firing away with their submachine gun, tuck, roll, and launch into a spinning back kick. Of course anyone who has every served or trained in the combat arms sections of the US military knows that is pure fantasy.
In the real world that old maxim I learned in the Marines, "Never bring a knife to a gun fight," takes precedence. Kung Fu won't allow you to dodge bullets and no "iron skin" technique will make you bulletproof.
Of course one cannot simply whip out their concealed handgun and stick it in someone's face just because that said they were going to kick your keister. That's a quick trip to jail, even in Texas.
So, there could be situations where the martial arts are both practical and warranted. Occasionally a street fight may be unavoidable. In those instances it will be very important to take care not to seriously injury your assailant. In most states it will result in a trip to jail and, quite often, a civil lawsuit by your "victim." (What do you expect when you turn the reigns of society over to the soft and weak?)
But, there are two critical factors that has yet to be mentioned wherein the martial arts can be truly beneficial.
The first is awareness. Through training, particularly through sparring, a martial arts becomes more highly aware of their surroundings (or at least they should). By being aware of potential threats a martial artist is better able to avoid them, to cross a street, to slip into a store, or to leave the club before things become to rowdy.
"But, that's running from a fight," you exclaim! You are correct; you win the rubber chicken. Well, you're not exactly correct, but you can still have the rubber chicken.
That brings us to the second critical factor which the martial arts can help us address: ego. Avoiding a conflict should be a natural response. Most "dumb" animals will avoid conflict unless there is something in it for them, a meal, a mate... ok, that's pretty much it: self-preservation and reproduction.
But, the human being, on the other hand, has one thing an animal does not: an ego. Typically a gigantic over-inflated ego. We will fight for no other reason than to "prove we're a man" or "prove we're as good as any man." (Do not underestimate the ladies; I have seen some very beautiful ladies who can leave you on the ground wondering what happened and why your arms and legs are at such weird angles.)
This is where the traditional martial arts, at their highest level, provide their greatest benefit. According to Japanese tradition, the samurai who no longer cared whether he lived or died was superior. In kyudo, as attested by Eugen Herrigel in his excellent treatise "Zen in the Art of Archery, only when you mastery comes through "purposelessness."
Ultimately the martial arts provide us with an avenue to defeat our toughest opponent: ourselves, our ego. And I have yet to see an opponent that is bigger and tougher than my ego. Hey, I'm a Marine and they issue you at the end of Boot Camp that it took 13 weeks of hard training in order to carry.
And, if someone tells you that their martial arts system will turn you into "The Terminator" and allow you to mow through a room of armed terrorists like a laser through extra-firm tofu, take my advice: run.
In the real world that old maxim I learned in the Marines, "Never bring a knife to a gun fight," takes precedence. Kung Fu won't allow you to dodge bullets and no "iron skin" technique will make you bulletproof.
Of course one cannot simply whip out their concealed handgun and stick it in someone's face just because that said they were going to kick your keister. That's a quick trip to jail, even in Texas.
So, there could be situations where the martial arts are both practical and warranted. Occasionally a street fight may be unavoidable. In those instances it will be very important to take care not to seriously injury your assailant. In most states it will result in a trip to jail and, quite often, a civil lawsuit by your "victim." (What do you expect when you turn the reigns of society over to the soft and weak?)
But, there are two critical factors that has yet to be mentioned wherein the martial arts can be truly beneficial.
The first is awareness. Through training, particularly through sparring, a martial arts becomes more highly aware of their surroundings (or at least they should). By being aware of potential threats a martial artist is better able to avoid them, to cross a street, to slip into a store, or to leave the club before things become to rowdy.
"But, that's running from a fight," you exclaim! You are correct; you win the rubber chicken. Well, you're not exactly correct, but you can still have the rubber chicken.
That brings us to the second critical factor which the martial arts can help us address: ego. Avoiding a conflict should be a natural response. Most "dumb" animals will avoid conflict unless there is something in it for them, a meal, a mate... ok, that's pretty much it: self-preservation and reproduction.
But, the human being, on the other hand, has one thing an animal does not: an ego. Typically a gigantic over-inflated ego. We will fight for no other reason than to "prove we're a man" or "prove we're as good as any man." (Do not underestimate the ladies; I have seen some very beautiful ladies who can leave you on the ground wondering what happened and why your arms and legs are at such weird angles.)
This is where the traditional martial arts, at their highest level, provide their greatest benefit. According to Japanese tradition, the samurai who no longer cared whether he lived or died was superior. In kyudo, as attested by Eugen Herrigel in his excellent treatise "Zen in the Art of Archery, only when you mastery comes through "purposelessness."
Ultimately the martial arts provide us with an avenue to defeat our toughest opponent: ourselves, our ego. And I have yet to see an opponent that is bigger and tougher than my ego. Hey, I'm a Marine and they issue you at the end of Boot Camp that it took 13 weeks of hard training in order to carry.
And, if someone tells you that their martial arts system will turn you into "The Terminator" and allow you to mow through a room of armed terrorists like a laser through extra-firm tofu, take my advice: run.
17 March 2009
Lone Survivor
I had the honor and pleasure of hearing Marcus Luttrell, Navy SEAL and author of "Lone Survivor" speak this past Friday morning. Incredibly powerful on many levels. I encourage everyone to read this book.
What does this have to do with the martial arts? Bear with me here.
The core philosophy of the martial arts is one of the "warrior ethos." The Taoists have the concept of the "Scholar Warrior." The Chinese Chan Buddhists the concept of the "Shaolin Fighting Monk." The Japanese are certainly famous for their Samurai who, for various practical reasons, found Zen philosophy to meet their needs.
In modern times we have seen the United States Marine Corps develop and implement the "MCMAP" or Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. It serves the practical function of providing (very effective) fighting techniques for hand-to-hand combat, but it also builds the warrior ethos in the Marines. The Army has implemented a (very) similar program.
Unquestionably the Navy SEALS are warriors. They may embody the warrior ethos better than any group in the United States. And the message Luttrell communicated is of great value to all martial artists and, honestly, every person.
Luttrell related how he found himself with 11 broken bones (these are the clean breaks and don't include "incidental" fractures), 3 gunshot wounds, a broken pelvis, and much of his skin shredded. Unable to walk, he knew he needed to keep moving and focused on a waterfall in the distance.
As Luttrell said, "you have to break things down into little pieces." So, he focused on dragging himself five feet. Once he made it, he renewed his focus on dragging himself five feet. He did that for seven miles until he reached the waterfall.
What lessons can the modern martial artist take away from this?
First, we must focus. If we try to take it all in all of the time, it can seem overwhelming. Certainly we should have an ultimate goal, whether that is to achieve a black belt or become a sparring champion, or become an instructor. But we must focus on the path or we will fall off the mountain.
Second, when things seem overwhelming, narrow your goals to tiny segments. When beginning we do not attempt to become a black belt or black sash overnight. We focus on the next technique, the next kata or form, the next piece of the puzzle. We focus only on that until we have grasped it and can perform it effectively.
There is an old Chinese proverb, "the journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step." I am reminded of the "encouragement" (if you can call it that) of my Marine Corps Drill Instructor to "keep putting one foot in front of the other" on that first 25 mile hump.
And, sometimes, like Luttrell, we may not know how long that journey will be, we may not even be able to see the end destination. Then, perhaps more than any other time, we must focus on "the next five feet."
And we must always remain in motion. We are like water, whether we choose to be or not. As long as water moves, it has life. If water ceases to move, if it becomes stagnant, it becomes dead.
I close with one other bit of admonition I received from my Drill Instructors: "If you are going through Hell, keep marching." That's the only way to get out.
Now, just focus on the next five feet. And move forward.
What does this have to do with the martial arts? Bear with me here.
The core philosophy of the martial arts is one of the "warrior ethos." The Taoists have the concept of the "Scholar Warrior." The Chinese Chan Buddhists the concept of the "Shaolin Fighting Monk." The Japanese are certainly famous for their Samurai who, for various practical reasons, found Zen philosophy to meet their needs.
In modern times we have seen the United States Marine Corps develop and implement the "MCMAP" or Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. It serves the practical function of providing (very effective) fighting techniques for hand-to-hand combat, but it also builds the warrior ethos in the Marines. The Army has implemented a (very) similar program.
Unquestionably the Navy SEALS are warriors. They may embody the warrior ethos better than any group in the United States. And the message Luttrell communicated is of great value to all martial artists and, honestly, every person.
Luttrell related how he found himself with 11 broken bones (these are the clean breaks and don't include "incidental" fractures), 3 gunshot wounds, a broken pelvis, and much of his skin shredded. Unable to walk, he knew he needed to keep moving and focused on a waterfall in the distance.
As Luttrell said, "you have to break things down into little pieces." So, he focused on dragging himself five feet. Once he made it, he renewed his focus on dragging himself five feet. He did that for seven miles until he reached the waterfall.
What lessons can the modern martial artist take away from this?
First, we must focus. If we try to take it all in all of the time, it can seem overwhelming. Certainly we should have an ultimate goal, whether that is to achieve a black belt or become a sparring champion, or become an instructor. But we must focus on the path or we will fall off the mountain.
Second, when things seem overwhelming, narrow your goals to tiny segments. When beginning we do not attempt to become a black belt or black sash overnight. We focus on the next technique, the next kata or form, the next piece of the puzzle. We focus only on that until we have grasped it and can perform it effectively.
There is an old Chinese proverb, "the journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step." I am reminded of the "encouragement" (if you can call it that) of my Marine Corps Drill Instructor to "keep putting one foot in front of the other" on that first 25 mile hump.
And, sometimes, like Luttrell, we may not know how long that journey will be, we may not even be able to see the end destination. Then, perhaps more than any other time, we must focus on "the next five feet."
And we must always remain in motion. We are like water, whether we choose to be or not. As long as water moves, it has life. If water ceases to move, if it becomes stagnant, it becomes dead.
I close with one other bit of admonition I received from my Drill Instructors: "If you are going through Hell, keep marching." That's the only way to get out.
Now, just focus on the next five feet. And move forward.
Got Ki?
It goes by different names: Qi, Chi, Ki, perhaps even "the Force." But does it really exist? (I will refer to it as Ki from here on out.)
Many "hard stylists," or physical fighters say no. All that counts is the physical, your strength, your speed, your flexibility, your power. Maybe will power. They would say that it is all a bunch of hocus pocus.
Perhaps. But, personally, I have seen enough to make me believe. I have seen a diminutive Japanese man stand rooted and large, powerful men unable to lift him or budge him. I have seen people shatter things they should not be able to break. I have seen river rocks broken. I have seen monks suspended on the points of four spear. I have seen them push automobiles with a spear, the point at their throats.
Perhaps most importantly, I have tried to pick up a toddler that did not wish to move and was amazed by how difficult it was. The child didn't fight, didn't move, but was clearly "willing" itself to not be moved. I lift weights regularly and can tell you that the child exhibited a "mass" far greater than the 20 pounds it showed on the doctor's scale.
It's either magic or Ki. And, toddlers seem a little old for learning magic.
So, if it does exist, what is it? I will give you my current beliefs. You can take them or leave them.
What separates living creatures from inanimate objects? Well, obviously life, some living energy. One-celled organisms exhibit electrical energy within their one cell. So, is it electrical energy?
Scientists have hooked an array of diagnostic equipment up to people exhibiting remarkable feets and haven't demonstrated any extreme electrical activity.
So much for electricity. Well, plants have life, but don't seem to exhibit electrical activity. So, it must be something else. Something we haven't yet identified.
But, it isn't "The Force" (which is too bad, because that would be kind of cool). Ki does not allow us to pick up objects, levitate, or read minds.
However, it does have tremendous benefit for a warrior. A warrior can tap into it for endurance. A warrior can tap into it for strength. A warrior can tap into it for power.
And a warrior can tap into it for an "edge" which may seem like mind reading. Ki seems to flow between people much like a current. It carries the intention of your opponent before their body moves. A master can almost read their opponents attack before it comes.
This is most readily apparent in kendo. The speed of the strike, the block, and the counterstrike are faster than the eye can see. It truly is amazing to watch. Remarkable.
Is it mind reading? Of course not. But it is the master feeling the intention of their opponent before they actually strike. Slow motion photography shows the master's response coming before it is even clear what strike is coming, at least to the observer!
Another amazing benefit of "attuning" oneself to Ki are the medical and health benefits. There are documented accounts of masters undergoing surgery without anesthesia. There are documented accounts of masters controlling their body heat and not freezing in the ice and snow (I have witnessed SEALs doing this, submerged in a tank of ice water for an hour in a t-shirt and BDU pants).
And, while there do not seem to be documented accounts of it, many masters claim it enables them to prevent sickness. I cannot verify that. But it does seem to lie within the realm of possibility.
It is at least worth consideration.
"Got Ki?"
Many "hard stylists," or physical fighters say no. All that counts is the physical, your strength, your speed, your flexibility, your power. Maybe will power. They would say that it is all a bunch of hocus pocus.
Perhaps. But, personally, I have seen enough to make me believe. I have seen a diminutive Japanese man stand rooted and large, powerful men unable to lift him or budge him. I have seen people shatter things they should not be able to break. I have seen river rocks broken. I have seen monks suspended on the points of four spear. I have seen them push automobiles with a spear, the point at their throats.
Perhaps most importantly, I have tried to pick up a toddler that did not wish to move and was amazed by how difficult it was. The child didn't fight, didn't move, but was clearly "willing" itself to not be moved. I lift weights regularly and can tell you that the child exhibited a "mass" far greater than the 20 pounds it showed on the doctor's scale.
It's either magic or Ki. And, toddlers seem a little old for learning magic.
So, if it does exist, what is it? I will give you my current beliefs. You can take them or leave them.
What separates living creatures from inanimate objects? Well, obviously life, some living energy. One-celled organisms exhibit electrical energy within their one cell. So, is it electrical energy?
Scientists have hooked an array of diagnostic equipment up to people exhibiting remarkable feets and haven't demonstrated any extreme electrical activity.
So much for electricity. Well, plants have life, but don't seem to exhibit electrical activity. So, it must be something else. Something we haven't yet identified.
But, it isn't "The Force" (which is too bad, because that would be kind of cool). Ki does not allow us to pick up objects, levitate, or read minds.
However, it does have tremendous benefit for a warrior. A warrior can tap into it for endurance. A warrior can tap into it for strength. A warrior can tap into it for power.
And a warrior can tap into it for an "edge" which may seem like mind reading. Ki seems to flow between people much like a current. It carries the intention of your opponent before their body moves. A master can almost read their opponents attack before it comes.
This is most readily apparent in kendo. The speed of the strike, the block, and the counterstrike are faster than the eye can see. It truly is amazing to watch. Remarkable.
Is it mind reading? Of course not. But it is the master feeling the intention of their opponent before they actually strike. Slow motion photography shows the master's response coming before it is even clear what strike is coming, at least to the observer!
Another amazing benefit of "attuning" oneself to Ki are the medical and health benefits. There are documented accounts of masters undergoing surgery without anesthesia. There are documented accounts of masters controlling their body heat and not freezing in the ice and snow (I have witnessed SEALs doing this, submerged in a tank of ice water for an hour in a t-shirt and BDU pants).
And, while there do not seem to be documented accounts of it, many masters claim it enables them to prevent sickness. I cannot verify that. But it does seem to lie within the realm of possibility.
It is at least worth consideration.
"Got Ki?"
08 March 2009
What is it we seek?
So, what does that mean, "Seeking Satori"? Clearly it refers to the Japanese Zen concept of Satori and enlightenment. But this isn't some emaciated Buddha sitting. For a martial artist it is "the union of arrow and target" as they refer to it in Kyudo.
The perfect union of mind, body and spirit; without thought, without conflict, without hesitation, without internal monologue. The body acting instead of reacting.
The leopard does not "decide" to bring down the gazelle. It does not think, "I will jump now; I will land on its back; I will pull it down to the right; I will use my back legs to eviscerate it. The leopard simply acts.
Satori, at least that which I seek, is a state of enlightenment, but not an enlightenment of the mind or spirit separate from the body.
Satori is like a perfect Japanese sword. The swordsmith layers steel, working in the carbon, then assembling it so that hard layers form the edge; softer, more flexible layers the spine; medium layers the core. The result is the perfect blade with an impossibly hard edge and, yet, unbelievably flexible, eternally durable.
In the same way, Satori is the perfect forging of body, mind and spirit. In some ways this resembles mushin, or "no mind." But mushin is the welding of body and mind in order to allow physical action without apparent thought. To reach Satori one must pass through mushin and live only in the "now."
What does this have to do with the martial arts? If you have ever kicked without conscious thought, felt your target fold about your foot, and watched them fly across an entire room, then you know the value of mushin.
D'accord.
The perfect union of mind, body and spirit; without thought, without conflict, without hesitation, without internal monologue. The body acting instead of reacting.
The leopard does not "decide" to bring down the gazelle. It does not think, "I will jump now; I will land on its back; I will pull it down to the right; I will use my back legs to eviscerate it. The leopard simply acts.
Satori, at least that which I seek, is a state of enlightenment, but not an enlightenment of the mind or spirit separate from the body.
Satori is like a perfect Japanese sword. The swordsmith layers steel, working in the carbon, then assembling it so that hard layers form the edge; softer, more flexible layers the spine; medium layers the core. The result is the perfect blade with an impossibly hard edge and, yet, unbelievably flexible, eternally durable.
In the same way, Satori is the perfect forging of body, mind and spirit. In some ways this resembles mushin, or "no mind." But mushin is the welding of body and mind in order to allow physical action without apparent thought. To reach Satori one must pass through mushin and live only in the "now."
What does this have to do with the martial arts? If you have ever kicked without conscious thought, felt your target fold about your foot, and watched them fly across an entire room, then you know the value of mushin.
D'accord.
02 March 2009
Seeking Satori: A Martial Arts Journey
This blog is designed to chronicle my journey in the martial arts, a journey which has spanned more than 25 years and a variety of styles, all in search of "Satori." I will explore the physical and philosophical aspects of the martial arts, asking more questions than answering.
The purpose will be to provoke thought; my own, and perhaps yours.
Please note that when I say "philosophical,"I do not mean "religion." While many may disagree, many of the philosophies underlying the martial arts in the Far East are not necessarily connected to a particular religion. I will not discuss religion, seek to convert anyone to my religion (I classify it as "Zen Christian," if you really must know), our criticize the religion of others.
But when exploring the Far Eastern martial arts styles, the underlying philosophies are ignored at the detriment of the practitioner.
The purpose will be to provoke thought; my own, and perhaps yours.
Please note that when I say "philosophical,"I do not mean "religion." While many may disagree, many of the philosophies underlying the martial arts in the Far East are not necessarily connected to a particular religion. I will not discuss religion, seek to convert anyone to my religion (I classify it as "Zen Christian," if you really must know), our criticize the religion of others.
But when exploring the Far Eastern martial arts styles, the underlying philosophies are ignored at the detriment of the practitioner.
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